7) Measure Your Success

Measuring your success is important in any career, and the same is true for independent artists. It's essential to track your progress, see what's working and what's not, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

But how do you measure your success as an independent artist? Here are some key metrics to track:

1. Social media engagement: Pay attention to how many likes, comments, and shares your posts are getting on social media. This can give you a sense of how engaged your audience is with your content. Make sure you are taking advantage of every social media; no fan left behind. If your Instagram is performing better than your Twitter, then post more on Instagram. However, don’t leave your Facebook fans in the dark just because your Instagram is doing so well. Diversify, but prioritize.

2. Streaming and download numbers: Keep track of how many people are streaming or downloading your music on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. This can give you a sense of how popular your music is and where your fanbase is located. Check out Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and YouTube Studio to get the best understanding of your fanbase.

   Contact your distributor, such as Distrokid, to start using Spotify For Artists and Apple Music for Artists!

3. Merchandise sales: If you're selling merchandise like t-shirts or hats, keep track of how many items you're selling and what designs are most popular. This can give you insights into what your fans are interested in and what kind of merchandise to create in the future. If you don’t have a store, The Twin Studios recommends Shopify.com, as you can integrate your products with your artist page on Spotify!

4. Live performance metrics: Pay attention to how many people are attending your live shows, and track your ticket sales and revenue. This can give you a sense of how successful your live performances are and where you should focus your efforts in terms of touring. Be sure to promote your shows online. Use Facebook Events to invite people and track how many RSVP. You can also use Eventbrite to sync your concerts with your Spotify profile!

Once you have these metrics in hand, you can start to adjust your strategy. For example, if you notice that your social media engagement is low, you might want to try experimenting with different types of posts or hashtags. Or if you notice that your merchandise sales are strong, you might want to focus more on creating new designs and expanding your product line.

In conclusion, measuring your success and adjusting your strategy is a crucial step in becoming a successful independent artist. Keep track of your social media engagement, streaming and download numbers, merchandise sales, and live performance metrics, and use this data to adjust your strategy and stay on track towards your music career goals.