But, what actually is a “music strategy”? 

Depending on who you ask, you’ll hear different definitions.

Some think music strategy means planning releases. Others think it’s marketing. Some define it as “finding your sound".

The reality is that an effective strategy, no matter for marketing or releases or branding, always consists of three main elements:

1. Thoroughness.

2. Relevancy.

3. Adaptability.  

First, a comprehensive overview.

A thorough strategy should cover all aspects of your music process: creative planning, release timelines, promotion channels, artist branding, fan connection, and revenue streams. 

It takes all elements of “What it takes to be an artist today” and lays them into a coherent story.  

The thoroughness of your strategy is both a framework for intention setting and a reflection of your current activities.

• Are you connected throughout these channels?

• Are you reaching your fans at necessary checkpoints? 

Of course, thoroughness should not come at the expense of “IM GOING TO DO EVERYTHING”.  

Time is limited.
Budget is limited.
Energy is limited. 

Choosing where to dedicate your resources requires an assessment of relevancy. 

A relevant approach.

Your strategy must consider trends, shifts in listener behaviour, and how your audience wants to connect with you. 

Relevancy is more than what sounds are popular on TikTok.  

It’s about understanding how your existing strategy (your artist personality, your music, your goals) fit into where the industry is heading. 

For example, direct-to-fan engagement has skyrocketed in recent years. If you're an artist who values fan connection, this should be integrated into your strategy.  

• Do you connect with fans online? If so, how?

• What about fan connection through offline channels?

• Are you taking advantage of direct fan support with tools like Winamp for Creators? 

Relevancy is about applying what’s working in the industry to where you want to go. To do so requires frequent assessment and a degree of adaptability in your strategy. 

Finally, an adaptable plan.

Your strategy must remain open to what’s new and available for artists in today’s constantly changing music industry.  

Because, let’s face it:
Innovation is accelerating. And businesses are fast. 

AI Music, new marketing strategies, and alternative revenue streams means opportunities for artists are ever-increasing.

By keeping your music strategy adaptable, you stay open to what can work best for you.  

Examples of this adaptability is seen in high-profile and indie artists alike: 

• Taylor Swift, with “Taylor’s Version,” reclaiming ownership of her masters. 

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• Frank Ocean releasing Blond the day after completing his label obligations, reclaiming full creative and commercial freedom. 

• King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard removing music from Spotify as protest for unclear finances. 

• More indie artists being discovered on social media than ever before. 

Adaptability can take many forms. 

1. Maybe it’s being open to new platforms like TikTok. 

2. Maybe it’s exploring new revenue streams like YouTube monetization, NFTs, or fan memberships. 

3. Or maybe it’s simply reassessing whether your current setup (distribution, promotion, royalty collection) still serves your goals and artist strategy. 

Assessing Where You Are 

Here’s something most artists never pause to consider:

How you operate doesn’t have to stay the same. 

This goes for how you distribute, how you promote, where you release music, and even how you create. Unless you’re locked into a strict contract, you have the flexibility to choose again and again until you find the right setup. 

We see this a lot with distribution.

Once familiar with a distributor, artists don’t critically assess whether this distributor meets their needs as their career evolves. 

But here's the thing:
Fees change. Benefits change.  Services change. 

And if you never reassess, you might be relying on a setup not built for a changing industry or evolving career.  

Creating a thorough, relevant, and adaptable music strategy ensures your time, energy, and money are spent with purpose.

In an industry where artists remain the underdogs, you deserve to assess what you need and which companies can help you move forward.  

We built Winamp for Creators by understanding the tools artists use, the tools they’ll need for the future, and the needs that matter most. By merging these essentials into one music ecosystem (with new features consistently added), WFC lets artists:

1. Access new and relevant monetisation channels

2. Promote music to social platforms and playlists alike

3. Centralise all operations (and subscription payments) into one music ecosystem

Because as the industry moves, so should artists. 

What’s coming or already here?  

• Revenue opportunities: licensing, copyright collection, Content ID, and more   

• Direct-to-Fan platform with personalised fan subscriptions 

• NFT creation with sound recordings 

• Digital ad tools and Playlisting 

• Personalised artist website (Coming 2025) 

• Merch (Coming 2026) 

• CRM features to reach and segment your listeners  (Coming 2026) 

If you’re curious to dive in, creating a free account takes less than 5 minutes. Transferring your catalogue, even less.

So that you can manage your artist careers, instead of managing your artist tools.  

We’re committed to building a music ecosystem that saves you time, saves you money, and supports the art you’re here to create. 

Try it today.