January 2026
What to Do on Release Day: A Practical Guide for Independent Artists
(This article is a curated and expanded guide based on the excellent CD Baby / DIY Musician article “What to Do on Release Day”) Release day is often treated like the finish line. You spend weeks or months writing, recording, mixing, mastering, uploading, and scheduling. Then the music goes live… and many artists quietly exhale […]
Are Physical Music Sales Really Making a Comeback in 2026?
For years, the narrative around music consumption has been fairly settled. Streaming won. Downloads faded. Physical formats became a niche curiosity kept alive by collectors and nostalgists. And yet, as we move through 2026, physical music is back in the conversation again. Not as a replacement for streaming, but as something else entirely. This article […]
How to Send Music Promos That Actually Get Heard
For most artists, sending music promos feels like shouting into the void. You spend weeks finishing a track, finally hit send… and then nothing. No reply. No feedback. No traction. The uncomfortable truth is that most music doesn’t get ignored because it’s bad. It gets ignored because it’s poorly presented, badly targeted, or sent in […]
5 Ways Indie Artists Can Build a Loyal Audience in 2026
Building a loyal audience is one of the toughest challenges for independent musicians today. Great music is essential, but it isn’t enough on its own. You also need intentional strategies to attract, connect with, and retain fans who will stick with you beyond a single release. This post distills key ideas from the article How […]
How to Get Your Song to 1,000 Streams: A Practical Music Marketing Action Plan
One thousand streams isn’t a magic number, but it is a useful one. For independent artists, it represents momentum. It means your song is being heard, tested in the real world, and starting to move beyond friends and family. More importantly, it forces you to stop thinking in vague terms like “promotion” and start thinking […]
What Independent Artists Are Doing to Succeed Right Now (According To CD Baby)
Building a sustainable music career today has less to do with chasing viral moments and more to do with consistent habits, clear thinking, and owning your relationship with your audience. A recent article published on DIY Musician by CD Baby gathered advice from independent artists who are actively navigating today’s music business landscape. Their insights […]
5 Proven Revenue Streams That Keep Independent Music Venues Profitable (Beyond Ticket Sales)
Independent music venues are a vital part of the music economy and culture, but in 2026 they’re facing financial pressure from rising costs, unpredictable artist fees, and the limits of relying mostly on ticket sales. Staying open year after year means thinking beyond door revenue and building diversified income streams that keep operations healthy even […]
How to Promote Your Music After Releasing a Vinyl or CD — A Summary
The world of music promotion has shifted dramatically over the last decade. Even with vinyl and CDs experiencing a renewed interest among fans and collectors, artists can’t rely only on physical product to get heard. This article from the DiscMakers blog called “How To Promote Your Music After Releasing A Vinyl Or CD” makes it […]
10 Musicianship Goals Worth Keeping in 2026
The start of a new year tends to push musicians toward visible goals. More gigs. More releases. More followers. More momentum. Those things matter. But they only work when there’s something solid underneath them. In the music business, musicianship isn’t separate from career sustainability. It’s the foundation that determines how prepared you are, how reliable […]