sample business plan for music production

Music Business Plan Template

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their music businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a music business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

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What Is a Music Business Plan?

A music business plan provides a snapshot of your music business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Music Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a music business or grow your existing business you need a music business plan. A business plan will help you attract investors and raise money, if needed, and plan out the growth of your music business in order to improve your chances of success. Your music business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Source of Funding for Music Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a music business are bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your music business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will want to see a professional music business plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a music business.

The second most common form of funding for a music business is angel investors. Angel investors are wealthy individuals who will write you a check. They will either take equity in return for their funding or, like a bank, they will give you a loan. Venture capitalists will not fund a music business.

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How to write a music business plan.

Your music business plan should include 10 sections as follows:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your music business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of music business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a music business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of music businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the industry. Discuss the type of music business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target audience. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team, and offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of music business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types:

• Recorded Music – This type of music business sells music that has been recorded in a studio.
• Music Licensing – This type of music business licenses music for films, TV shows, video games, advertisements, online videos, etc.
• Live Music – This type of music business sells tickets to live concerts and tours. They might also operate a school that teaches people how to become successful musicians, or they might sell memorabilia such as T-shirts and posters.
• Music Publishing – This type of music business is in the rights business; they represent songwriters. If someone wants to use a song by a songwriter that is represented by the music publishing company, they need to get permission and then pay a royalty.
• Music Production – This type of music business provides a service for musicians and recording artists. They might produce and record an album and then provide marketing services such as radio promotion and public relations.
• Music Business Consulting – This type of business is in the business of providing advice to musicians on how to become successful. For example, they may offer consulting on how to promote your music and how to book gigs.
• Music Artist – This type of business operates as an individual musician or music group. For example, they might be solo artists, bands looking for a record deal, or groups of musicians hoping to become successful together.
• Music Education – This type of music business offers music lessons, either in-person or online.
• Retail Music Store – This type of music business sells instruments, sheet music, and other music-related items.

In addition to explaining the type of music business you operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include sales goals you’ve reached, new store openings, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the music business.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy particularly if your research identifies market trends. For example, if there was a trend towards more people purchasing music online, you may want to focus your marketing efforts on digital platforms.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your music business plan:

• How big is the music business (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your music business. You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your music business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments for a retail music store:

• Adult beginning guitar players
• Teenage/college-aged students who want to learn how to play the electric guitar and will commit time and money to do so
• Middle-aged adults who want to learn how to play acoustic guitars for their own enjoyment
• Vintage guitar enthusiasts who are looking for specific instruments that are considered rare or valuable.

The following are examples of customer segments for a music education business:

• Parents who want their children to have a well-rounded education and believe that music is an important part of that
• Children who want to learn to play an instrument because they enjoy music
• Adults who want to improve their skills at playing an instrument they already know how to play

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will greatly depend on the type of music business you are operating. Clearly, baby boomers would want a different atmosphere, pricing, and product options, and would respond to different marketing promotions than millennials.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. 

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers or clients.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other music businesses within the same niche.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes physical stores, online stores, and even locally owned retail shops that sell instruments.

Here are some examples of indirect competitors within the music education niche: 

• Local music store selling instruments
• Online retailer selling musical instruments
• The public school system offering a music program to students in grades K-12 or college offering a music ed program as a minor.

You need to mention such competition to show you understand that not everyone in the market is your direct competitor. Furthermore, including a SWOT analysis of your business in this section will demonstrate how you plan to compete against them.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What products/services do they offer?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to reach out to customers of your competitors and ask them what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide superior services?
• Will you provide amenities that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you make it easier or faster for customers to book your own studio?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a music business plan, your marketing strategy and plan should include the following:

Product : in the product section, you should reiterate the type of music that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to selling instruments, you may also offer music lessons, CD recordings of the lessons, and other merchandise related to your business.

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections, you are presenting the options you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your music business. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your music business located in a commercial district with a lot of foot traffic? If not, will you offer delivery or online sales?

Promotions : the final part of your marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local bloggers and websites
• Partnerships with local organizations (e.g., partner with vendors to provide recording packages at a discount over a la carte services)
• Local radio stations advertising
• Banner ads at local music venues
• Social media advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your music business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your music business such as serving customers, cleaning, ordering supplies, and so on. This section should list the specific tasks that will need to be completed each day and who will be responsible for them.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to serve your 25th customer, or when you hope to reach $X in sales. It could also be when you expect to hire your Xth employee or launch a new location.

Management Team

To demonstrate your music company’s ability to succeed as a business, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a music business.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in the music business. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in music and/or successfully running small businesses.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, how many customers will you serve? How much does it cost to provide your service/product? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : While balance sheets include much information, to simplify them to the key items you need to know about, balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. For instance, if you spend $100,000 on building out your recording studio, that will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $100.000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your music business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a music business:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment like studio gear, instruments, amps, inventory, etc.
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your studio design blueprint or location lease.

Music Business Plan Summary

Putting together a business plan for your music business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the music business, your competition, and your potential customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful music business.

Music Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my music industry business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Music Industry Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of music business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a music business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of music businesses?

How Can I Generate Multiple Income Streams In My Music Business?

Whether you are a band, artist manager, recording producer, record label, or music store, if you can learn how to take the best advantage of both live and recorded revenue streams, you may be able to beat competitors at the music game. Your music business plan should describe your strategy of utilizing these two sides of the music industry.

Live concert tickets can be sold for hundreds of dollars for popular groups, while up-and-comers may need to play for just tips at bars and small venues. However, there is a place for every type of musician on this spectrum, and almost all musicians maintain a live performance schedule even as they become successful recording artists. Live concerts offer an opportunity for the group or artist’s music to be exposed to new audiences in a visceral way, sometimes driving direct sales of CDs at the concert itself, and leading to word-of-mouth inspired sales down the road.

Live concerts can be a significant revenue stream for a successful music artist, but they must play at venues large enough to cover the fixed costs of production (marketing, ticket sales, equipment rental, and set-up, travel, wages, and venue rental) leaving a net profit. If venues are too small and cost too high, concerts may have to be considered just a promotion method for other revenue streams, like recording sales.

Recorded Music

The sales of CDs or mp3s of the group or artist’s music, on the other hand, leave much more potential for huge returns. The profitability of selling recorded music increases significantly as the number of CDs or mp3s increases, as the cost of producing and selling each additional CD (and especially mp3s) approaches zero. Recordings can also help promote concert sales to a certain extent, through the release of singles and promo CDs. This can be through giveaways and through radio promotion of those songs.

If each revenue stream is significant on its own and also reinforces the other, you can build an extremely profitable business over time.

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Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

How To Write a Winning Music Production Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for music production businesses that want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every music production business owner should include in their business plan.

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What is a Music Production Business Plan?

A music production business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Music Production Business Plan?

A music production business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Music Production Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful music production business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a music production business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your music production company
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your music production business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your music production firm, mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen music production business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a music production business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the music production industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, the clients of a music production business may include:

• Recording studios
• Independent record labels

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or music production services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Below are sample competitive advantages your music production business may have:

• Proven industry experience
• Unique production process
• Strong customer loyalty
• Extensive music library
• Personalized service

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or, you may promote your music production business via a public relations campaign.

Operations Plan

This part of your music production business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a music production business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include adding new production equipment, opening a second location, or hiring new personnel.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific music production industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Music Production Firm

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Music Production Firm

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup music production business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Music Production Firm

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your music production company. It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

Remember to keep your business plan updated as your company grows and changes. Review it at least once a year to make sure it is still relevant and accurate.  

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Music Production Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Entertainment Sector » Music Sector

Are you about starting a music production business ? If YES, here’s a complete sample music production business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE to raise money .

If you are conversant with the trend on how people become celebrities overnight, you will realize that releasing a music album that is widely accepted, is one of the ways youths and young adults carve a niche in the world today. Of course, good music recording and production companies always play a part in making celebrities and super stars out of ordinary folks who are gifted with singing.

If you have ears for good music and you have what it takes to mix sounds to produce music that can be widely accepted, then you should consider starting your own music recording and production company.

Although starting a music and production company requires moderate start – up capital, but it is indeed a very profitable venture to go into especially if you live in an urban area, where the demographic composition has enough young adults within the age range of 16 – 35 years.

These set of people are ready to do anything to hit the limelight; and music is one of the avenues for them to make their millions and by extension become famous.

Much more than being skilled in mixing sounds, and also having the required capital to set up a music recording studio, you would also need to be socially inclined if you must truly do well in this kind of industry. You should be able to go all the way to promote artiste that signs under your recording label.

The truth is that, once you are able to raise one celebrated music superstar under your label, you will struggle less to have artiste to work with. As a matter of fact, you will be screening artiste so that you can work with only the best.

Now that you have made up your mind to start a music recording and production company, you are expected to sit down and map out strategies on how to a raise startup capital, how to run the business, as well as how to make profits. That is basically what your business plan document should contain.

A Sample Music Production Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Music production business is without a doubt a thriving business that has loads of players making huge profits from the industry.

One thing is certain, if a music production company can successfully produce a major hit song / album, it wouldn’t be too long before musicians and corporate organizations (for commercials and jingles) come calling from all over the united states and beyond.

Statistics has it that the global revenue of the music industry is estimated at 15 billion U.S. dollars in 2013, and that is about the lowest revenue recorded since 2002; of course it is an indication that the record label industry need to become more creative and leverage on the changing tides in the world of technology.

Even the strong growth in streaming revenues was not enough to stop the music industry globally from experiencing income dropping below US $15bn for the first time in recent years in 2014.

Statistics also has it that in 2013 the three largest markets in the music industry, measured by the revenue they generated were the United States of America, Japan and Germany. Hence it is no surprise that the most of the leading music production company who dominate the music industry in the globe are all headquartered in The United States of America.

Recent statistics from the IFPI revealed that overall global music production industry revenues dipped by just 0.4% last year – but that was enough to pull the annual tally down from $15.03bn to $14.97bn.

The biggest offenders for the fall were an 8.1% decline in revenues from physical format sales (to around $6.89bn, according to MBW calculations) and an 8.0% decline in download sales (to around $3.56bn).Single track downloads declined by 10.9% in the year, while digital albums sales saw revenues drop by 4.2%.

The Music production industry is indeed witnessing a steady growth over the years especially in developed countries such as the United States. Though for some underdeveloped countries where piracy is still on rampage, the growth is a bit redundant.

One good thing about starting a music production business is that even if you decided to start it in the United States of America, your market will not be restricted to artists in the U.S.; the world will be your target market. Many thanks to the internet that has made the world a global village.

All you need to do is to strategically position your music production brand on the internet and you will be amazed at the rate people interested in producing their music will be calling you from all parts of the world.

2. Executive Summary

Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company is a new player in the music industry that will be based in Los Angeles – California, U.S.

Our aim of starting this business is to work in tandem with both established and upcoming music artist and record labels in the United States of America and other countries of the world to help them produce good music that can compete with the best in the industry.

Although we intend starting out in Los Angeles – California, but we plans to have active presence in major cities both in the East Coast and the West Coast; we will position our agents to in strategic cities in the United States to help us source for music production deals.

Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company is not just going engage in music production, but we will ensure that we play our part in marketing and promoting any musical album that we produced.

Part of our plans is to work towards becoming one of the leading music production companies in the whole of Los Angeles and in the nearest future compete with the leaders in the music production line of business not only in the United States but also in the global stage.

We are quite aware that starting a standard music production business from the scratch requires huge capital base especially for the purchase of world – class studio equipment (music production gadgets), which is why we have perfect plans for steady flow of cash from private investors who are interested in working with us.

We can confidently say that we have a robust financial standing and we are ready to take on any challenge that we encounter in the industry. Our workforce is going to be selected from a pool of talented and highly creative people with ears for good music in and around Los Angeles – California and also from any part of the United States.

We will make sure that we take all the members of our workforce through the required trainings that will position them to meet the expectation of the company and to compete with other players in the United States and throughout the globe.

At Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company our client’s best interest come first and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely.

We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company will be owned majorly by Clarkson Dempsey and Bradley Jacksons. Clarkson Dempsey has an MBA from University of California while Bradley Jackson is a certified SOUND engineer.

This duo has been able to cut their teeth in the musical industry both at national level and international level. They have appreciable year of experience working with some of the leading international music production companies in the United States of America prior to start their own music production company.

3. Our Products and Services

Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company is going to offer varieties of services within the scope of the music industry in the United States of America. Our intention of starting our music production company is to make profits from the music industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and ambition. Our business offering are listed below:

• Music Recording
• Music Video Shoots
• Sound Production
• Studio Session
• Production of Jingles and Soundtracks for Organizations
• Marketing and Sales Music
• Setting up of Recording Studios for Clients
• Production of Audio Books
• Sell of Musical Equipment
• Music / Sound Consultancy and Advisory Services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to become one of the top 10 music production company in the United States of America.
• Our mission is to build a music production company that will become the number one choice for both music artists and publicity and advertising agencies especially those that are involved in the production of jingles and soundtracks

Our Business Structure

The fact that we are set to compete with other leading music production companies in the United States of America means that we must build a business structure that can support our business goal. We will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stakeholders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. Below is the business structure that we will build Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company;

• Chief Executive Officer

Entertainment Lawyer / Legal Secretary

Studio Manager

Music / Record Producer

Sound / Recording Engineer

Admin and HR Manager

Marketing and Sales Executive

Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Office:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for drawing up contracts and other legal documents for the company
• Advise artists and the organization accordingly before producing their music album or singles
• Welcomes guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Produces information by transcribing, formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying, and transmitting text, data, and graphics; coordinating case preparation.
• Provides historical reference by developing and utilizing filing and retrieval systems; recording meeting discussions; maintaining transcripts; documenting and maintaining evidence.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Responsible for tracking hours during studio session and billing clients.
• Responsible for managing the company’s recording studio
• Part of the team responsible for selecting the songs that will be promoted and the songs that will be sold as singles.
• Handles any other responsibility as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer
• Responsible for recording and producing music and jingles for music artists and clients
• Help decides the order the songs will play in throughout the album (i.e. the songs’ track numbers).
• Responsible for choosing top notch album cover for music artists
• Responsible for handle any sound related job for the company; helps achieve certain specific sounds or feelings to portray through that matches with the lyrics.
• Responsible for mixing and producing beats and sounds for our clients; mix the songs into the final version for the music album.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of studio equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Designs job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for clients
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Facilitates and coordinate strategic sessions.
• Works directly with clients in a non-advising capacity, such as answering questions, scheduling appointments and making sure all training concerns are properly taken care off
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.
• Once the album is ready, then the marketing team will go out to market and promote the album
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies business opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of music projects.
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients and music artists
• Develops, execute and evaluate new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps increase sales and growth for the company
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Client Service Executive

• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries
• Receives Visitors / clients on behalf of the organization
• Receives parcels / documents for the company
• Handles enquiries via email and phone calls for the organization
• Distributes mails in the organization
• Handles any other duties as assigned my the line manager

6. SWOT Analysis

Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company engaged the services of a core professional in the area of music consulting and business structuring to assist the organization in building a standard music production company that can favorably compete with other leading music production companies in the United States of America.

Part of what the business consultant did was to work with the management of the company in conducting a SWOT analysis for Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company;

Our core strength lies in the power of our team and the state of the art music studio equipment that we have. We have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money; a team that can make produce world class musical sounds.

We are well positioned and we know we will attract loads of clients from the first day we open our music production studio for business.

As a new music production company, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and attract some well – established music artists to sign under our label; that is perhaps our major weakness. Another weakness is that we may not have the required cash to promote our business the way we would want to.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the music industry are massive and we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

Technology and the internet which of course is a major tool for the advancement and gains achieved in the music industry can also poses a threat to the industry. The truth is that with the advancement of technology, it is now easier for individuals to mix up their sounds and even form soundtrack with the help of music production software applications.

So also, just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new music production company in same location where our target market exist and who may want to adopt same Business model like us.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

Entrepreneurs that are venturing into the music industry are coming in with creativity and good business skills. The fact that revenue is nose – diving in the industry does not in a way stop some music production companies from declaring profits year in year out.

The trend in the music production industry is that most music production companies are trying as much as possible to recreate themselves on a regular basis and also to be on top of their game. This is so because it is easier to find music mixer or music production software applications that a rookie can make use of to produce good sound.

8. Our Target Market

When it comes to music production, there are no exemptions to who you can market your services to. There are loads of people out there we are interested in releasing a single or a full musical album. There are corporate organizations that would need to services of a standard music production companies to help them produce jingles or soundtrack for advertisement and promotion purpose.

There are authors who would need the services of music Production Company to help the produce audio books and the list goes on. Over and above, our target market as a music production company cuts across people of different class and people from all walks of life and corporate organizations.

In view of that, we have created strategies that will enable us reach out to various corporate organizations and individual who we know will our services.

We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that all our music production company is well accepted in the marketplace. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically market our services to;

• Music Artists
• Record Labels
• Advertising Agencies
• Corporate Organizations
• Radio and TV stations

Our Competitive Advantage

We not unaware of the point that there are stiffer competition in the music production industry in the United States of America, hence we have been able to hire some of the best business developer to handle our sales and marketing.

Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company might be a new entrant into the music industry in the United States of America, but we are coming into the industry with core professionals and of course a standard world – class recording studio with the best equipment in the industry.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups music production companies) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the music industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract music artists that will sign under our record label. Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company will generate income by offering the following services;

• Music Consulting Services

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to music; music never dies and the demand for good music will continue to grow. This goes to show that any music production company that is known to always produce good music will continue to attract talented music artists and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in the U.S. and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base beyond Los Angeles – California to other cities in the U.S. and even the global market.

We have been able to critically examine the music production market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Los Angeles – CA.

Below is the sales projection for Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company, it is based on the location of our business and other factors as it relates to record label start – ups in the United States;

• First Year-: $100,000
• Second Year-: $250,000
• Third Year-: $750,000

N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same music production services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Music production business is not a business that you have to retail products, which is why we must do all we can to maximize any opportunity that comes our way. Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the music industry and they will be trained on a regular basis, so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the organization.

We will also ensure that our excellent music production / top class music speaks for us in the market place; we want to build a standard music production company that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients / artists.

Our business goal is to grow our music production company to become one of the top 10 music production companies in the United States of America, which is why we have mapped out strategies that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in the U.S but in the world stage as well.

Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to organizations and key stakeholders in the music industry in Los Angeles and other parts of the U.S.
• Advertise our business in relevant entertainment magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local music expos, seminars, and concerts et al
• Create different packages for different category of music artists, authors and corporate clients in order to work with their budgets and still produce top notch music, jingles, audio book and soundtrack for them
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from our loyal and satisfied clients

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with brand and publicity specialist to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

We are set to take the music industry by storm which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our music production company. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise our music production company;

• Place adverts on both print and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant TV shows and radio programs
• Maximize our official website to promote our business
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Badoo, Google+ and other platforms (music online forums) to promote our business.
• Offer Pro Bono services as part of our community social responsibility
• Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Los Angeles – CA
• Brand all our official cars / buses and ensure that our trademark label is boldly printed in all our music album covers and CDs et al

12. Our Pricing Strategy

It is important to point out that, though, music studio charge by the hour so it is the responsibility of the music producer to ensure that set target are met within the stipulated time. The more time you spend on the studio, the more money you would have to pay.

No doubt, hourly billing for music studios is a long – time tradition in the industry. However, for some types of music / record contracts, flat fees are adopted.

As a result of this, Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company will charge our old clients (artists) a flat fee and charge new clients (new music artists) hourly when they make use of our music studio to record their music or produce music beats for their albums.

At Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company we will keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our clients by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to start – ups, nonprofits, cooperatives, and small social enterprises who engage our services to help to produce musical jingles for advert purposes.

• Payment Options

At Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

The cost of setting up a music production business to a larger extent has reduced from what it used to be; many thanks to the advancement of technology and perhaps the internet. These days it is now easier to see people set up a music production studios in their house. All they need to do is to register a business and set up a mini studio is their apartment!

Basically, it is not expensive starting a music production company in the United States of America except for the prices of setting up a standard studio. The amount required to start a music production company may vary slightly from country to country and from states to states.

Part of the factors that can influence the start – up cost of a music production company is the amount needed to rent or lease a facility, the cost of the equipment you would need and the money needed to brand your business et al.

When it comes to purchasing microphones and headphones, we will go for Neumann u87; it will cost us about $2000 or more. For mixer, we will go with Euphonix or any other brand of our choice. But Euphonix is great (especially with is sweet sounding preamp and on board compressors).

It will cost us about $30,000 or more. On the alternative, we can choose to go for purely digital and skip the mixer altogether. This means that we will need a good audio interface with multiple inputs. 12 stereo pairs minimum. The emu 1820m is a good one.

Then cables (nothing else but mogami cables. these are the best audio cable in the market for now; although we may explore other options). We would need to create budget for pre amp. Avalon is perhaps our best bet and we can get it for about $2500 or less.

We have also prepared a good budget for monitor; monitor is one of the most important gadgets we would need in starting our own record label and record studio. We have made provision for a Yamaha monitor; it is simply one of the best we can get in the market.

When it comes to acquiring a computer, we just have to budget for high end computer designed for such purpose. It is important for computer to have a very large memory, high end graphic card, and 2.6 GHz quad core processor and we will search for a good software to work with. Essentially, this is the area we are looking towards spending our start – up capital on;

• The Total Fee for incorporating the Business in Los Angeles, California – $750.
• The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license – $2,500
• The Amount needed to acquire a suitable Office facility with enough space for standard music studio in a business district 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) – $40,000.
• The Cost for equipping the office (computers, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, safety gadgets and electronics et al) – $2,000
• The cost for equipping the music studio with the required gadgets – $100,000
• The Cost of Launching your official Website – $600
• Budget for paying at least 5 employees for 3 months and utility bills – $100,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,500
• Miscellaneous – $1,000

Going by the report from the research and feasibility studies, we will need about $300,000 to set up a medium scale but standard music production company in the United States of America. Here are some of the key equipment and musical gadgets that we would need to set up our record label company;

• Mixing console
• Multi – track recorder
• Microphones
• Reference monitors, which are loudspeakers with a flat frequency response
• Acoustic drum kit
• Digital audio workstation
• Music workstation
• On Air or Recording Light
• Outboard effects, such as compressors, reverbs, or equalizers
• Audio interfaces
• Effects racks
• CD duplicator
• Supply of CD

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company

Clarkson Magic Finger® Music Production Company is going to start as a private business that will be solely owned by Clarkson Dempsey and Bradley Jacksons.

Both of them will be the financial of the business, but may likely welcome other partners later which is why they have decided to restrict the sourcing of his start – up capital to 3 major sources. These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $60,000 and soft loan from family members $40,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $200,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

It is easier for businesses to survive when they have steady flow of business deals / customers patronizing their products and services. We are aware of this which is why we have decided to offer a wide range of music production related services and also to work with music artists, corporate organizations and authors.

We know that if we continue to produce hit songs, albums, audio books, soundtrack and jingles, there will be steady flow of income for the organization. Our key sustainability and expansion strategy is to ensure that we only hire competent employees, create a conducive working environment and employee benefits for our staff members.

We know that if we implement our business strategies, we will grow our music business production business beyond Los Angeles – California to other states in the U.S in record time.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Renting of Office Facility: Completed
• Building of Music Studio: In Progress
• Intellectual Property Protection and Trademark: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founder: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed studio / musical gadgets, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry: In Progress

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Music Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Music Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your music business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their music businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Music business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Musicians First Studio is a startup music company located in Nashville, Tennessee. The company is founded by Michael Smith, an experienced musician who has gained valuable knowledge on how to manage a music business during the past ten years while working at My Music Production & Management, another local music company. Now that Michael has experienced managing a music company, he is ready to start his own business, Musicians First Studio. Michael is confident that his skills as a musician, combined with his understanding of business management, will enable him to run a profitable music company of his own. Michael is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a music studio – sales and marketing, production, artist management, music instruction, financial reporting, studio equipment maintenance, and client relations.

Musicians First Studio will provide a full suite of music production, management, and instruction services for both novice and professional musicians in the Nashville area. Musicians First will be the go-to music studio in Nashville for its client-focused services and dedicated professionals who are experienced in all aspects of the music industry. The company will be the ultimate choice for the needs of aspiring and professional musicians.

Product Offering

The following are the services that Musicians First Studio will provide:

• Artist Management
• Music Recording, Production, & Post-Production
• Private Music Lessons & Group Classes
• Venue Booking & Live Event Management
• PR & Marketing for New Artists

Customer Focus

Musicians First Studio will target new and experienced musicians in Nashville who are looking for professional production, management, or marketing services. The company will also target aspiring musicians and children looking for music lessons taught by industry veterans. No matter the customer, Musicians First Studio will deliver the best communication, service, and professionalism.

Management Team

Musicians First Studio will be owned and operated by Michael Smith. Michael is a graduate of Tennessee University with a degree in music. He has over ten years of experience working as a manager for another local music studio. Michael will be the company’s chief executive officer. He will oversee the recording/production process, music equipment, and studio staff’s activities.

Michael has recruited his former administrative assistant, Jessica Garcia, to be the company’s chief operating officer and help oversee the studio’s operations. Jessica will handle the day-to-day operations, including budgeting, scheduling, client relations, and logistics.

Michael and Jessica have recruited an experienced marketing director, John Brown, to become a member of the Musicians First Studio management team. John is a graduate of the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing. Michael and Jessica rely on John’s expertise to execute the company’s marketing plan and advertising strategies.

Success Factors

Musicians First Studio will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Skilled team of music production technicians and veteran musicians who will work one-on-one with clients to reach their individual music goals whether they’re looking to record a new album or learn a new instrument.
• Musicians First Studio is one of the only studio’s in the area that offers a wide range of services for musicians of all skill levels and goals.
• The company offers competitive pricing and discounts for referrals.

Financial Highlights

Musicians First Studio is seeking $800,000 in debt financing to launch its music business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the studio and purchasing equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Studio build-out: $340,000
• Music equipment, supplies, and materials: $280,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $160,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Musicians First Studio.

Company Overview

Who is musicians first studio.

Musicians First Studio is a newly established music company in Nashville, Tennessee. Musicians First will be the first choice for aspiring, novice, and experienced musicians in Nashville and the surrounding communities for its full-suite of professional services provided by industry veterans. The company will provide a wide range of services including recording/production, music lessons, artist management, and marketing for new musicians.

Musicians First Studio will be able to guarantee high quality production thanks to the latest and most innovative music technology operated by expert music production technicians. The company’s team of highly qualified professionals experienced in music, production, and marketing will manage the suite of services offered at the studio. In addition to customized services for musicians, customers will be able to book studio time that comes with use of equipment by the hour.

Musicians First Studio History

Musicians First Studio is owned and operated by Michael Smith, an experienced musician who has gained valuable knowledge on how to manage a music business during the past ten years while working at My Music Production & Management, another local music company. Now that Michael has experienced managing a music company, he is ready to start his own business, Musicians First Studio. Michael is confident that his skills as a musician, combined with his understanding of business management, will enable him to run a profitable music company of his own. Michael is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a music studio – sales and marketing, production, artist management, music instruction, financial reporting, studio equipment maintenance, and vendor relations.

Since incorporation, Musicians First Studio has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Musicians First Studio, LLC to transact business in the state of Tennessee
• Has identified an ideal location for the studio that is available for lease
• Reached out to numerous contacts to include local musicians, production technicians, and venue managers to help spread the word about the new studio
• Began recruiting a staff of musicians, music instructors, production technicians, marketing experts, and office personnel to work at Musicians First Studio.

Musicians First Studio Services

Industry analysis.

The global music industry is an estimated $60B market and is expected to grow by 8% by 2026. The broad music industry can be categorized into three primary segments; recording, live music, and music publishing. In the United States, the recording segment generated approximately $8B in revenues last year, while the live music segment brought in an estimated $9.5B, and the publishing segment totaled $1.8B. A majority of revenues generated in the recording segment come from streaming (28% of total industry revenue), with digital downloads and physical media coming in much lower (6.7% and 7.5% respectively). Revenue for the live music segment is generated primarily through ticket sales (37.1%) and sponsorships (10.3%). Publishing accounts for approximately 8.9% of total industry revenue.

Music streaming is one of the most significant trends in the industry, with the number of Americans who pay for streaming subscriptions at approximately 82.1M, up from 7.9M in 2014. Another trend is the emergence of independent artists and small record labels. These groups are earning more revenue than in years past and their percentage of revenue increase year over year is growing faster than that of larger record labels. With more options open to them when it comes to where and how to get their music out to consumers, artists, managers, and record labels have more opportunities for success than ever before.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

The precise demographics for Nashville, Tennessee are:

Customer Segmentation

Musicians First will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Novice-to-experienced musicians looking for recording/production services
• Aspiring musicians of all ages looking for music lessons
• Musicians looking for artist management, booking, and representation services

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Musicians First Studio will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

My Music Production & Management

My Music Production & Management is one of the largest commercial music studios in Tennessee. The company was established in 1997 and offers professional music recording and production services for local musicians. My Music Production & Management also handles the business management activities for musicians including marketing, booking, and legal representation services. The company is well known for providing high quality production for some of the top artists in the region and has been recognized in various publications and music industry associations for its outstanding work in the local music community.

Genre Music

Founded in 2018, Genre Music is a small music company catering to local musicians in Nashville, Tennessee and surrounding areas. Genre Music is owned and operated by a veteran musician who has over 40 years of experience in the music industry. The company specializes in artist branding, marketing, and representation in addition to its top notch recording services. Genre Music has worked with a variety of up and coming artists in multiple genres and has a loyal customer base of regular musicians who use the company’s services.

Retro Recording & Productions

Retro Recording & Productions is a trusted Nashville, Tennessee-based music company that provides superior production and recording services for Nashville and the surrounding areas. The company is able to provide a wide variety of recording, production, and post-production services using its state-of-the-art music recording equipment. Retro Recording & Productions serves local musicians and national musicians. The company prides itself on being the number one choice for classic sound produced through modern technology. Retro Recording & Productions also manufactures its own collectible vinyl records in limited quantities.

Competitive Advantage

Musicians First Studio will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• The company offers competitive pricing on studio rentals and discounts for referrals.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Musicians First Studio will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Musicians First Studio provides a full suite of services tailored to the individual musician’s needs. Professionals are equipped to provide services for all skill levels from the aspiring and novice musician, the the industry veteran.
• The company’s studio is expertly designed for the clearest sound quality. The equipment is carefully selected to ensure the best sound possible.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Musicians First Studio is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

The company’s marketing director will create accounts on social media platforms such as Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. He will ensure Musicians First maintains an active social media presence with regular updates and fun content to get customers excited about using the studio’s services.

Professional Associations and Networking

Musicians First Studio will become a member of professional associations such as the Nashville Music Association, American Music Educators Society, and the Tennessee Music Production Association. The leadership team will focus their networking efforts on expanding the company’s artist and vendor network.

Print Advertising

Musicians First Studio will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events. The company will also send direct mailers to local residents advertising the services it provides.

Website/SEO Marketing

Musicians First Studio will utilize the in-house marketing director that designed the print ads to also design the company website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that Musicians First is able to provide. The website will also list information on the company’s events and featured artists.

The marketing director will also manage Musicians First’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone types in a search engine “music company” or “music studio near me”, Musicians First Studio will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of Musicians First Studio will be on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the company’s services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Musicians First Studio.

Operation Functions:

• Michael Smith will be the CEO of the company. He will oversee the music production technicians, production process, and the music equipment maintenance. Michael has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
• Jessica Garcia – Chief Operating Officer who will manage the day-to-day operations, client relationships, scheduling, and logistics.
• Nancy Johnson – Chief Financial Officer who will provide all accounting, budgeting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
• John Brown – Marketing Director who will oversee all marketing strategies for the company and manage the website, social media, and outreach.

Milestones:

Musicians First Studio will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

12/1/2022 – Finalize lease to rent the studio facility

12/15/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the Musicians First Studio management team

1/1/2023 – Begin build-out of the studio, purchase equipment, and test the acoustics

1/15/2023 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing plan

2/15/2023 – Finalize contracts for musicians, instructors, production technicians, and marketing professionals

3/15/2023 – Musicians First Studio officially opens for business

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Musicians First Studio are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the company’s services and fees charged to book studio time by the hour.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a music company. The expenses will be the payroll cost, utilities, equipment and supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Average hours booked per month: 120
• Average fees per month: $30,000
• Overhead costs per year: $640,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, music business plan faqs, what is a music business plan.

A music business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your music business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your music business plan using our Music Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Music Companies?

There are a number of different kinds of music companies , some examples include: Recorded Music, Music Licensing, Live Music, Music Publishing, Music Production, Music Business Consulting, and Retail Music Store.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Music Business Plan?

Music companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

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A step-by-step guide to developing a music business plan

June 17, 2021

Why you need a music business plan

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Making a living in the music business is the ultimate dream of every serious musician. But out of the countless individuals with a passion for music, only a select few will make a profitable business out of it. That doesn’t mean reaching your goals is impossible. If you want to earn reliable income from your music career, you need to treat it like any other business. That means making a detailed blueprint that will take you from passionate hobbyist to successful professional. This step-by-step guide to developing a music business plan will set you on the right path.

Whether your goal is to have a career as a professional musician, recording artist, producer, or music teacher, documenting the path you’ll take with a music business plan will be helpful to your cause. Your business plan outlines your goals, identifies the practical methods you’ll take to achieve them, and lists the resources you have and will need.

Not only will a concrete business plan keep you on course, it will also demonstrate your credibility in the eyes of others. Potential clients and business partners will see you as a professional and not another starving artist. If you ever need to take out a business loan or raise money for investors, a business plan is a must-have.

Crafting your music business plan isn’t something you can do in one sitting. You’ll need more than an afternoon to get this right. Take your time, bite off piece-by-piece, and chew your thoughts over thoroughly.

Our first piece of advice is as old as time:  know thyself.

You need some clarity of purpose before you can craft a useful music business plan. Ask yourself:

• Who is my audience?
• What is my ultimate goal?
• Why do I want to do this?

Having this understanding will make it easier for you to explain your vision to others and convey your enthusiasm. It will also establish the framework for your music business. This step is crucial if you’ll need people to buy in to help you reach your goals.

The content of your music business plan will vary depending upon whether you’re aiming to start a music school, be a producer, or work as an artist. But the fundamental components are the same either way. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Mission Statement
• Executive Summary
• Audience Analysis
• SWOT Analysis
• Marketing Plan
• Financial Considerations

Let’s look at each of these in turn.

Mission Statement:

This can be as short as a few sentences, as long as it adequately describes who you are as an artist or a musical entrepreneur and what you’re trying to accomplish. While this might sound simple, think things through a bit before you try to draft your statement. Everything that follows here will hinge upon it.

Executive Summary:

The executive summary is a one-page synopsis of your plan. It should include an introduction as well as a description of your endeavors. Details about the funding you already have and what you’ll need in addition to a brief accounting of your plans for putting all of it into play are important too.

Most experts recommend saving the drafting of this part for last. It’s essentially a digest of all the other parts of your plan. Doing it last allows you to draw upon the information you’ve drafted for all of the other steps.

Audience Analysis: 

Here’s where you’ll demonstrate your understanding of your target audience. If you’re already performing, teaching, or producing on the side, think about what traits the people who follow you have in common.

If you’re just getting started, find someone doing what you want to do whose style and circumstances are similar to yours, and analyze their target market. Create a demographic sketch of your target audience based on gender, age, location, musical tastes and favorite venues.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats:

Think about the qualities that make you unique. List everything that comes to mind, from technical mastery and creative spark to teaching older demographics and networking. Your skills might not seem extraordinary on an individual level, but combine all your best qualities and you’ll find there isn’t anyone quite like you on the market.

Don’t forget about your weaknesses. Identity these not as qualities to promote, but as areas to work on in the future. Being aware of your shortcomings will also help guide your decision on potential business partners in the future. Let your inner critic loose, but realize that this is an exercise in personal growth, not tearing yourself down.

Had enough reflecting? Let’s take a look at the marketplace. Think about potential gaps in the industry you can exploit. Perhaps your competitors are overlooking a key value and you see a way to provide it both efficiently and effectively. These are your opportunities.

Threats could include technological shifts, cultural changes, the emergence of new artists, competition, and new trends. The music world moves fast, and today’s hot act can end up as yesterday’s news before your can say “more cowbell!” Brainstorm any roadblocks you picture yourself facing over the next few years and strategies you can use to overcome them.

Marketing plan:

Your marketing plan will detail how you’ll spread the word about yourself. Consider how much money you can reasonably invest into marketing and work out how you’ll spend it to reach as many of the right people as possible. Think about how you’ll grow your online presence—including social media, a press kit, and publicity materials such as a logo and photography.

Get a full account of your current cash flow situation. List how much capital you currently have and estimate how much it’ll take to get your operation up and running. When in doubt, overestimate. Studio time, engineering talent, transportation, legal fee, copyrights and trademarks are all important considerations when projecting your budget.

Measuring your progress:

At what intervals will you go over the financials to see how you’re advancing? What are the milestones by which you’ll mark your achievements?

You’ll also need a method for measuring your impact on the market in terms of the reputation you build. Social media outlets provide analytical tools to help you track these metrics. They can also help you pinpoint the demographics of your audience.

Establishing your key performance indicators (KPIs) can help you set the standards by which you will gauge your success. Sharing this information with others makes you accountable because they can look at your projections and see how much progress you’ve made toward achieving them.

Summarizing your music business plan

As we mentioned above, once you have all of these areas covered, you can then condense the information each section contains to create your executive summary. After all, how will you know what to put in it until you’ve examined all of these other areas first?

Success in the music industry takes a lot of work and a little luck, but you can stack the deck in your favor by building multiple income streams. That way, if one area slows down, you’ll have another one in play to keep you rolling until the next opportunity presents itself. Revisit your strengths and opportunities and start brainstorming ideas. If you get stuck, here’s a quick list to get you started:

Give music lessons. Chances are if you’ve got the chops to play paid gigs, you’ve got enough skills to pass on to some novice students. Giving music lessons can be a great way to add some extra recurring income.

Start a YouTube channel. With over 2 billion active users, YouTube might just be your biggest source of untapped attention and potential. 1 The platform offers users a chance to learn or be entertained, and as a musician you’re well-positioned to offer both. You could upload instructional videos or footage of yourself performing. You’ll get to keep a portion of any ad revenue your videos make. And if the right person sees your content, it could open the doors to even greater opportunities.

Explore the marketing world. If composition is your thing, you might be overlooking a potentially huge money-maker—marketing and advertising. Brands are in constant need of good video content to market their products, and those videos need music to truly capture attention. If you’ve got a knack for putting together atmospheric instrumentals, creating music for ads could seriously help stabilize your income.

Open your own studio. If you have the capital to invest and live in an area underserved by recording studios, you might want to consider opening your own. While you’re not using it for your own projects, you can rent it out to other local musicians and producers. If there’s enough demand, you could cover the costs of equipment and rent and even have a little profit left over.

Explore session work. Sure, your band is your baby, but if you’ve got time on your hands and musical versatility to boot, why not offer your services as a session musician? Session work is an effective way to boost your income, make new connections and get your name out there as a legit professional. If an artist is truly enamoured with your work, they could invite you to join them on tour.

Another important consideration in your music business plan is protecting your livelihood from the consequences of unintentional accidents. General liability insurance is key to helping you stay focused on your business. Carrying a policy also demonstrates to potential clients that you are a serious professional — whether you’re a musician, DJ , or another kind of entrepreneur in the entertainment industry.

• Hootsuite. 25 YouTube Statistics that May Surprise You: 2021 Edition .

Written on April 19, 2021 | Last updated: June 17, 2021

Our editorial content is intended for informational purposes only and is not written by a licensed insurance agent. Terms and conditions for rate and coverage may vary by class of business and state.

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Music Business Plan: A Guide for Music Industry Professionals

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A music business plan is crucial for any music industry professional looking to launch or grow their business. It provides a snapshot of the current state of the business and lays out a clear growth plan for the next five years. This is essential for understanding where the business is at and setting achievable goals for the future.

Check out our article below to learn more about creating an awesome music business plan and get a template.

What is a Music Business Plan?

A music business plan is a comprehensive and detailed document that outlines the goals, strategies, and financial projections for a music-related business. Whether it's a record label, music production company, artist management firm, or any other music-related venture, a business plan provides a roadmap for success. It helps to attract investors, secure loans, and guide overall operations.

From market analysis and competitive research to marketing and distribution strategies, a music business plan covers every aspect of the business to ensure clarity, direction, and long-term viability. It is an essential tool for anyone looking to establish or grow a music-related business in the highly competitive and dynamic music industry.

Why is it important to have a music business plan?

A music business plan is crucial for an artist's success in the industry for several key reasons.

It serves as a blueprint for the artist's career, outlining their goals, strategies, and financial projections. This document helps attract investors by showcasing the artist's vision, potential for return on investment, and realistic plans for reaching their target audience.

A well-crafted business plan guides decision-making by providing a clear direction and framework for the artist's activities and investments. Furthermore, it defines the artist's brand, including its image, style, and target market, which is essential for standing out in the competitive music industry.

In summary, a music business plan is instrumental in attracting investors, guiding decision-making, and defining an artist's brand, making it essential for achieving success in the music industry. Therefore, having a solid and comprehensive business plan is crucial for any aspiring musician or band looking to establish a successful and sustainable career.

How to Fill Out Your Lean Music Business Plan

In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of filling out your lean music business plan, from identifying your target audience to mapping out your marketing and sales strategies. 

We'll be referencing sections of the US Small Business Administration's ( SBA ) lean business plan template . Despite its generality, it works as a music business plan template. 

Aspects of this guide relate to the traditional business plan, which we will discuss later in the article. 

Business identity

A business identity helps your business specify exactly what you offer. Both the single-page lean plan and the traditional plan place importance on your identity. Let's say, for example, you're a business-owning musician who provides audio for creatives in the media industry. Here's how your identity might look:

Our business identity revolves around providing high-quality music and sound effects for TV programs, film industries, commercials production companies, video game developers, corporations, and event organizers. 

Through the lean template, try to identify your business in under one paragraph. Then, using the traditional template (see below), expand on that identity. Things like your mission statement, which we visit later, are an aspect of this.

The problem you're trying to solve

All businesses are problem solvers. Record labels help musicians with distribution, while music teachers help provide the next generation of musicians with a strong foundation. 

Naturally, you might wonder how this applies to musicians. Just saying "entertainment" feels a bit weak. There are bands, like Rage Against the Machine, who make music to push a movement. But if you're not part of that crowd, what do you put?

So, think about why you got into music-making in the first place. Any professional musician should think about who their music appeals to and what they want people to feel when hearing their music. You can then say your music solves that problem in a cheesy reminder that you think about more than what shows up on your financial statements. 

If you don't want to get too corny, think about who your music will most appeal to. Then, you can say what your target audience is. Think of something like this:

Creating music for young men and women that will entertain them and inspire them to explore challenging topics.

This problem-solving might feel generic, but you'll know your fans and why you make music. So, stay focused on that.

Solution your business presents

Once you consider the problem your business solves, you need to state how you solve that problem. Again, this is much easier for music industry professionals who work in support roles. Music distributors solve the problem by having direct connections with other distributors, while music marketers help bands reach out to fans via multiple social media platforms. 

As someone who makes music, your solution is the creation of music. So, ask yourself how the creation of your music solves this problem. Here's an example based on our situation above:

Our band writes music that delves into mental health struggles based on personal experiences and how we overcame them.

You might think that doing this as a musician feels silly, but think of it as a reminder. One of the reasons famous musicians like David Bowie and Tom Morello were so successful is focusing on how their music helps people. 

Competition 

Competitive market data varies depending on the territory you plan to target. For musicians and bands, this might involve bands in the local area and those in future touring locations. For musicians, the competition can also be a list of potential collaborators.

For everyone else not making music, other record labels and music production companies are just competition. Whether you can collaborate with them or not, you'll want to differentiate yourself from all the other options out there. Being another "me too" music business will make it easier to forget you. 

Using the lean small business plan, you'll want to stick this to two or three sentences. Be very general, knowing you can also expand using the traditional business plan. Here's an example of a made-up Tennesse company: My Music Production & Management: 

The competitive landscape for music production companies in Tennessee includes My Music Production & Management, Genre Music, and Retro Recording & Productions. My Music Production & Management offers a wide range of services, including music production, artist management, and music distribution. 

Revenue streams

Revenue streams come from various sources. A business plan reminds you of those sources so you can stay focused. As a musician, your income can come from many sources. Below is an example you can use under the lean business plan:

As a musician, my income comes from paid gigs, teaching music lessons, instrument repair services, and recording sessions. To ensure financial stability and growth, I plan to diversify my income by capitalizing on these different opportunities.

Your revenue streams will differ as a record label or other kind of music business. Like musicians, your revenue streams can vary. However, as a young business, you may specialize in specific areas. You might work on creating merch or distributing digital releases. 

Marketing activities

Marketing activities focus on how you plan on reaching out to different sources. For many new music businesses, this involves outreach through social media platforms. Here's an example of what you might include in your business plans:

Our marketing activities will primarily focus on building a strong online presence through social media and regional publications. We plan to utilize platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to engage with our audience and share regular updates about our music and upcoming events. Additionally, we will work on developing a press kit to distribute to regional publications and media outlets to garner publicity and reach a wider audience.

Bands can create electronic press kits (EPKs) that are prebuilt for members of the media. This makes it easy for journalists and members of the media to share content about you, such as a new album release. You can also consider how much you might pay for advertising. Digital marketing activities like those above are the first choice, as this activity uses advanced targeting tools based on what people search for and their demographics.

Marketing traditionally focuses on the four Ps: product, price, place, and promotions. The first two Ps delve into your product line, which you'll learn about later. Promotions indicate the type of marketing you choose, and Place usually refers to the platforms your target audience uses. 

The lean business plan gives you a simple overview of your likely expenses, which can be detailed in your longer business plan. Part of these expenses include music taxes. Read our guide on music taxes for more details.

Expenses vary depending on the type of music business you run. You could pay to rent a studio for recording sessions, purchase recording equipment, access manufacturers, or pay for other expenses. These expenses can result in tax deductions .

Here's an example of what your expenses section might look like:

To get my music business up and running, I need to budget for several key expenses. Studio time would be required for recording and producing music, averaging around $50-$100 per hour. I'd also need to allocate funds for engineering talent, which could cost between $50-$200 per hour, depending on experience. Transportation costs for getting to and from recording studios or performance venues should be factored in, estimating around $200-$500 per month.

Legal fees for business formation are also deductible. When listing your expenses and considering deductions, ask yourself what your type of company would normally deduct. Reach out to Augur CPA if you'd like a comprehensive review.

The key roles section provides a list of high-ranking authorities in the business and explains the responsibilities and functions those roles bring to the business. Here's an example of what that might look like in your business plan:

1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Responsible for overall strategic direction and leadership of the organization, making key decisions and representing the company to the public and stakeholders.

2. Human Resources Department: This department is responsible for recruiting, training, and managing employees, as well as ensuring legal compliance and promoting a positive work environment.

3. Marketing Department: Responsible for promoting the organization's products or services, conducting market research, and developing marketing strategies to attract and retain customers.

4. Finance Department: This department is responsible for managing the organization's financial resources, including budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.

5. Operations Department: This department is responsible for overseeing the organization's day-to-day activities, optimizing processes, and ensuring efficient production and service delivery.

As a new business, you might not need all of this detail in your roles. A new business owner wears many hats, handling all of this themselves.

As your business grows and you fill roles like those above, you'll want to create an operating agreement . Operating agreements dictate the roles, holding groups responsible for their actions. This can dictate things like voting rules, which are vital when making high-risk business decisions that require more input.

Your milestones tell readers, yourself, and business partners of the important milestones you've already taken or plan to take. Your lean business plan is a single sentence telling people what you generally plan to do. Larger business plans might look something like this:

Milestone 1: Lease Finalization

- Task: Negotiate and finalize the lease agreement for the studio space

- Deadline: by May 15th

Milestone 2: Personnel Contracts

- Task: Draft, review, and finalize contracts for hired personnel

- Deadline: by May 20th

Milestone 3: Studio Build-out and Equipment Purchase

- Task: Begin construction and build-out of the studio space, purchase necessary equipment

- Deadline: Construction to be completed by June 30th

Milestone 4: Networking and Marketing Plan Implementation

- Task: Develop and implement a networking and marketing plan to attract clients

- Deadline: Marketing plan to be in place by June 1st

Each milestone outlines specific tasks and deadlines to ensure a smooth and successful opening of a recording studio. A musician or distribution company should take a similar approach, focusing on initiatives that help them grow their business.

Filling Out Longer, Traditional Business Plans

The SBA's traditional business plan, which you can find here , is a multi-page document. It's an expanded version of the lean business plan, which you can provide upon request. When applying for business loans or bringing on business partners, this plan can help communicate your vision.

Traditional business plans might use a bit more jargon, like executive summaries and mission statements. Below, you'll learn a bit more about some of the more complex aspects of writing your detailed business plan.

Executive summary

Executive summaries summarize the main points of a business plan. The summary points include the purpose of the business, the business name, the target market, your business location, and how your business solves its target audience's problem. Here's an example you can use for inspiration:

The Executive Summary of my music business plan showcases my artist bio, mission statement, and unique selling proposition. As a musician, I bring a unique blend of classical training and modern influences, with a strong foundation in jazz, pop, and R&B. My mission is to create music that transcends genres and connects with audiences on a deeper level, aspiring to inspire and uplift through my art.

My unique selling proposition lies in my ability to blend diverse musical styles and deliver powerful, emotionally resonant performances. I have achieved recognition in local music scenes, including winning the Best New Artist award at a prominent music festival. My aspirations include reaching a global audience and collaborating with industry-leading producers to create music that leaves a lasting impact. What sets me apart from others in the industry is my unwavering dedication to authenticity and artistry, always prioritizing substance over trends.

For bands and musicians, the executive summary is a great way to showcase your passion for music. Notice the "unique selling proposition," which indicates how you plan on differentiating yourself compared to other companies.

Other companies, like music publishing companies, might focus a little less on the creative aspects of their business. An executive summary can differ slightly between companies. However, if you're new, start with the template until you get comfortable writing these plans.

Company description and mission statement

Your company description, based on the traditional plan, includes the mission statement, members, legal structure, and location of the company. It might also include the executive summary.

Here's an example of the description for a made-up company: SoundWave Entertainment:

Our company, SoundWave Entertainment, is structured as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and has been in business for ten years. We specialize in providing top-quality live music entertainment, event production, and artist management services. Our diverse range of offerings includes wedding bands, corporate event entertainment, and music festivals. Our customer demographics range from engaged couples looking for the perfect wedding band to event planners seeking unique and memorable entertainment experiences. In the past decade, we have experienced significant growth, expanding our roster of talented artists and achieving a strong presence in the events industry. Our primary business goal is to continue providing exceptional musical experiences and to further expand our reach in the entertainment industry.

The description is simple enough, but the mission statement is arguably the most important aspect of your business plan. It's a few sentences long but shares the overall mission of your company, dictating where it goes and how it makes decisions. Mission statements are emotionally driven and connected to the morals and heart of the company's stakeholders. Here's how it might look:

At SoundWave Entertainment, we are committed to delivering unforgettable musical experiences and fostering the growth of talented artists. We strive to exceed our client's expectations by curating exceptional live entertainment and providing a platform for artists to showcase their skills. Our goal is to leave a lasting impression through the power of music, creating moments that inspire and connect people.

Market conditions and research

The traditional business plan offers a bit more room for reviewing your market conditions and researching your competition. Doing your own research helps you understand the market. Sharing your research on a business plan provides proof of your knowledge of market conditions. Here's a short example of market conditions:

The current market conditions in the music industry are characterized by several industry trends, including the shift towards streaming services, the resurgence of vinyl records, and the increasing importance of live performances for artists' revenue. Consumer behavior has also changed significantly, with more music fans opting for subscription-based streaming services over traditional album or single purchases. Key competitors in the industry include major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, as well as record labels and live event promoters.

Additional sections of your business plan include a detailed description of your customers, how your company outperforms the competition, and regulations that might impact your company.

Regarding regulations in the music industry, it helps to have a general understanding of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ( DMCA ), fair use , and current communication laws. Knowledge of these laws or working with a music attorney can help you with this aspect of your business plan.

Service line and pricing structure

Your service line includes a complete list of your services and their costs. For musicians, this might include gigs, music lessons, and anything else you do to advance your career in music. It then breaks down the pricing of your services, including some potential for how that pricing can flex.

Services can vary heavily depending on your company and the services you offer. When you first start your business, you might specialize in a few areas. One milestone could be expanding to include additional features, like a record company offering email marketing services.

The service line section also includes your product lifecycle. For example, albums tend to make more money during their first year of release, and your lifecycle dictates how long you might make albums. If you go on a tour during the album, you might stop creating new albums or merchandise sales during this time. 

Service line information can also include information on intellectual property rights and how your band and albums will be copyrighted. You can also work to trademark your company (or band) logo.

Marketing, sales, and growth strategy

While your marketing research section details information about the market and industry, your marketing, sales, and growth section dictates how you plan on reaching target customers. The lean plan mentioned above briefly addresses this area.

The three areas you'll want to consider are your growth strategy, how you want to communicate with customers, and how you plan on selling your products.

Let's say you plan on creating your own Shopify e-commerce store for your business, which is a huge investment. This means your growth strategy, product sales, and customer communications will wrap around this tool. If you want to start simpler, mention how you plan on talking with fans and setting up merch tables at local shows.

Here, you'll see some examples of how you could write this section:

Our music business aims to market, sell, and grow by implementing a combination of online and offline strategies. Our marketing efforts will include targeted social media campaigns, SEO optimization for our website, and collaborations with music influencers and bloggers. We will also explore opportunities for live performances, partnerships with local venues, and utilizing traditional advertisement methods.

To drive sales, we will offer unique packages for our music services, including special promotions for first-time customers and loyalty rewards for returning clients. Our pricing strategy will be competitive while still maintaining the quality of our services.

In terms of customer retention, we will focus on delivering exceptional customer service and providing personalized experiences for our clients. Our unique selling proposition lies in our ability to offer customized music solutions tailored to different occasions and preferences.

Moving forward, our plans for growth and expansion include branching out to new markets and offering additional services such as music production and event management. We will also invest in building brand loyalty and expanding our customer base through strategic partnerships and collaborations within the music industry.

Why Should I Care About A Business Plan?

A business plan is a crucial tool for any musician or music industry professional looking to advance their career in the music industry. It serves as a roadmap for your career, helping you set goals, make strategic decisions, and stay on track for success.

One of the most significant benefits of having a business plan in the music industry is its ability to attract investors. A well-thought-out plan demonstrates to potential investors that you are serious about your music career and have a clear direction for success. It outlines your financial projections, marketing strategies, and potential for growth, making it more likely for investors to see the value in supporting your music endeavors.

Additionally, a business plan guides decision-making by providing a framework for evaluating opportunities and making informed choices. It forces you to consider all aspects of your music career, from marketing and promotion to touring and merchandising, ensuring that you have a comprehensive strategy in place.

Furthermore, a business plan helps define your brand identity and outline your unique selling points, target audience, and marketing message. This is crucial in the music industry, where standing out and connecting with fans is essential for success.

To learn more about how taxes can apply to a financial plan for your business, contact Augur CPA today .

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. You should consult your own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor regarding matters mentioned in this post. We take no responsibility for actions taken based on the information provided.

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How to Write a Business Plan for Musicians

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Pre-Written music business plan template available! This 25-page music business plan is fully written and includes example verbiage from a musician. Use it as a template to write your own.

Creative entrepreneurs have a responsibility to themselves (and their families where applicable) to make good financial decisions for their present and their future. Whether you’re full-time, part-time, or aspiring; being financially savvy is both good for business and good for your overall morale. However, for musicians, it’s way too easy to get distracted with making music and art while neglecting other important parts of being in business like taxes , legal considerations, insurance, and finances. If you’re hoping to build a strong financial foundation for your music business, starting with a Music Business Plan is highly recommended.

Anytime an aspiring business person applies for a business loan, banks usually ask for a business plan. That’s because they want to see if you have a solid plan for making money and staying in business so they can get their money back and get a return on their investment. Likewise, if you’re hoping to achieve any amount of financial success as a musician, it’s important to start with a plan so you can make your money and get a return on your time investment.

A business plan is basically a blueprint for success. It outlines who you are, what you are, what you’re selling, who you’re selling it to, what your challenges are, how you plan to overcome them, and finally, how you plan on earning money to cover your expenses and produce a profit. Putting together a business plan for your music business forces you to ask and answer these tough questions and pave a path to success.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a quick synopsis of your business. It provides the who, what, and where. It’s sort of like a cover letter that you would include with a resume. It’s useful if you’re giving your business plan to someone such as a potential partner, investor, etc. It includes…

• Your stage name and location (where you’re based)
• Types of music related services and products you’ll offer (think live entertainment, sound engineering, sync licensing, songwriting, merchandise, etc.)
• Mission and vision statement briefly explaining your reasons for being a musician. If you need help putting together a mission statement for your music, check out our post, The Musician’s Guide to Creating a Meaningful Mission Statement
• The purpose of your plan (optional if you’d like to share this with others for the purposes of raising capital, support, or asking for help.)

Watch Me Walk You Through Writing Your Music Business Plan…

Customize this template and make it your own. Includes all sections that are already pre-written for a musician or band. Just plug in your information and go.

Business Description

This is an overarching description of your business and its structure. It should include…

• How your business is structured legally. Is it a corporation, a sole proprietorship, or an LLC?
• How long you’ve been in business (or why you’re doing music if you’re just starting out), a brief summary of what types of business you will engage in, and what consumer needs you plan to meet.
• A brief description of your services and/or products and who your customers/clients are.
• An overview of any growth highlights you’ve achieved since you started such as expanding your fanbase, adding team members and their achievements, or increasing earnings.
• Business goals and how you’re going to make a profit from your business endeavors.

Do you have a business plan for your music business? I just updated my plan and this next year is going to be fire!!! pic.twitter.com/J31yG04455 — The Crafty Musician (@IndieArtistsDIY) December 10, 2021

Service or Product Offerings

In this section, you’ll describe in detail what you’re offering including the various types of services you offer (live entertainment, lessons, session work, etc) as well as any products you sell such as merchandise, books, etc.

• List a description of each of your services along with its benefits.
• List a description of each of your products or product types.
• Share how you’ll stand out among fellow artists and how you’ll niche yourself, especially in your local area if you’re planning on making a splash locally.
• Any service or product expansion initiatives that you are planning in the future such as starting a band, doing larger shows at larger venues, touring expansions, etc.

Market Analysis

The Market Analysis provides a snapshot of your fanbase and how you’ll reach them. The standout portion of this section is the research you’ll do into your potential base of fans. Learning all you can in this area will help you make effective marketing and promotions decisions that save you time and money. Most importantly, it will help you build a solid following with loyal followers.

• A description of your fans or ideal fans.

Pro Tip: If you haven’t done any research or identified who your ideal fans are, check out How to Identify and Reach Your Ideal Fans here .

• A summary of music industry trends related to how you do business.
• How do people find new music?
• What types of music-related products are people buying right now ie. live entertainment, music merch, digital music, etc.
• A detailed description of similar acts in your area and how you’ll stand out.

Your Business Model

This section provides details regarding how you will make your money. It describes the nuts and bolts of your operation such as how you market your music in order to acquire new fans and how you get your fans/listeners to spend money with you. This section should include…

• An explanation of how you’ll promote your music to current fans and potential fans and how you gain exposure with your music.
• Information about your price points as it relates to each of your service offerings, products and merchandise items.
• Information about how you plan to distribute your music and make it available for people to purchase.
• A summary of your supply chain if applicable. This includes how you plan on producing your music, what professionals or studios you plan on working with, if you have a supply chain for creating your merchandise (check out my article about an easy way to create tons of merch items without having to stock an inventory here )
• An explanation of how you’ll market your services and products

The last bullet point on this list (how you’ll market your services and products) is the factor that will determine your financial growth. Each of these considerations is equally important. However, if you don’t address how you’ll market your services and products in order to earn an income, it will be very difficult to meet your financial goals. You have to be intentional about how you’ll earn your money and be willing to make these offers to your listeners, followers, and fans. In other words, simply putting your music “out there” is not enough. If you want to earn a significant income from your music endeavors, you have to start thinking like a business. This means actively engaging in sales and marketing efforts. These include…

• Hosting sales events for new merchandise items
• Promoting a special entertainment service like a singing telegram or a custom song
• Promoting your guitar lessons on your mailing list, website, and blog
• Encouraging your fans to buy your new album
• Encouraging your fans to host a house concert
• A campaign to get listeners to pre-order your upcoming release

Pro Tip: Check out our 30 Day New Release Promotions Bundle for an easy, plug-and-play way to market your upcoming release. It includes a pre-written press release, email, and pitch letter templates in addition to pre-written social media content for 30 days and more. It provides everything you need to market your upcoming release. Learn more about our 30 Day New Release Promotions Bundle here .

These are just a few examples to illustrate what actual sales and marketing initiatives look like. There are tons more ways to promote your products and services. Start paying attention to some of your favorite small businesses and how they promote their products and services. It might give you some ideas!

Organization and Management Team

This section lists who your main players are. In this section, you’ll list who facilitates the operations of your business starting with yourself at the top and then moving down the hierarchy.

• Who is the owner? Who is making high-level decisions for your business?
• Is there a management team?
• Is there a booking agent?
• Is there a PR person or team?
• Administrative professionals?
• List job responsibilities of each position.
• If you don’t have anyone currently functioning in these positions, that’s totally fine. You could choose to describe how these functions will be executed instead. For example, when you need a PR person, you’ll hire someone on a case-by-case basis. You could also use this opportunity to do a brief search for potential PR providers and list them in this section.
• You could also list potential mentors and music career coaches here as well.

Financial Outlook

This is the final section of your business plan. It describes the financial health of your music business. In this section, you’ll illustrate how your business is doing financially by providing historical financial data (if you’ve been doing business for a while) and/or financial projections for the future. When illustrating financial projections make sure it is realistic! This section includes…

• Income statements, Profit and Loss Statements , and cash flow data from the past three to five years.
• A snapshot of projected revenue and expenses for the next five years.
• A description of new potential business opportunities and how you plan to increase revenue in the future. Check out our article 18 Ways Musicians are Actually Making Money for ideas.

This section is very useful if you’re trying to apply for a business loan, business credit card, acquire investors, or show your business financials for other purposes such as taxes, insurance, rental/mortgage applications, or financial programs. It’s also great to see how you’ve done in the past and what you have to look forward to in the future.

Get the Music Business Plan Template for Musicians.

Free for members! Login or become a member below! Memberships start at just $5/month. Cancel anytime! Once you log in, you’ll see a link to the template in the exclusive members-only section below.

Preparing a business plan for your music business helps you build a solid blueprint to achieve success as a musician. It helps you create a map that will get you from starting with nothing to building your financial empire.

More Resources…

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Hi Anitra, great blog! I came across this article by watching your YT series on the same topic and wondered if by becoming a member, I could not only access the very helpful business plan template, but would it also include the August, Lately insert for contextual purposes? Or is the latter only accessible via your biweekly YT episodes?

Thanks Uasuf. The Music Business Plan Template that is available for members is pre-loaded will all of the August, Lately content. As of right now, the template only has the sections that have been covered in the YT series thus far. Let me know if you have any other questions and thanks for reading/watching!

I’m a member but it won’t let me access the music business plan template.

Hi Mars. I sent you a welcome email with all the information you need to access it along with all of your other perks. Did you get it?

I just had to be more patient! I’m good. You’re the best, thank you so much!

Ok great! Let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything!

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Music Production Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Are you trying to make a successful company out of your love of music? Starting a business in music production may be exciting and successful. However, to assure its success, just like any business, a sound plan must be in place. We can assist you with our Music Production Business Plan Template & Guidebook. This thorough manual offers detailed advice on how to write a business plan that specifies your objectives and aids in their accomplishment. In order to make sure your strategy is comprehensive and successful, it also offers useful advice and examples. You can easily draft a strong business plan for your music production company using our template and how-to manual.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Music Production Business [11 Steps]
• 25 Catchy Music Production Business Names:
• List of the Best Marketing Ideas For Your Music Production Business:

How to Write a Music Production Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your music production business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your music production business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a music production business:

At our music production company, our mission is to provide high-quality music production services to a wide range of clients in the music industry. We are committed to using the latest technology and techniques to record, mix, and master music for our clients, and to delivering superior results that meet or exceed industry standards. We strive to be a trusted partner for our clients, offering them reliable and cost-effective solutions that help them bring their music to life and reach their audiences. We are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and support, and to helping our clients achieve their musical goals and aspirations.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Music Production Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your music production business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your music production business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your music production business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your music production business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a music production business?

To run a music production business, you'll need a range of equipment and supplies, as well as a few permits. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll need:

• A physical location for your business, such as a dedicated recording studio or a space within an existing music or recording facility
• Audio and recording equipment, such as microphones, mixers, and soundboards
• Musical instruments, such as guitars, keyboards, and drums, for use in recording sessions
• Software for editing and producing music, such as digital audio workstation (DAW) software
• Depending on your location and the services you offer, you may need to obtain a business license and other permits, such as a permit to operate a recording studio.

Overall, running a music production business requires a mix of equipment, supplies, and permits to ensure that you can provide high-quality recording and production services to your clients.

5. Management & Organization of Your Music Production Business.

The second part of your music production business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your music production business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Music Production Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a music production business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a music production business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your music production business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your music production business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your music production business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Music Production Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a music production business.

A business plan is a document that outlines the goals and objectives of a business, as well as the strategies and tactics that will be used to achieve those goals. It is important to have a business plan for your music production business because it helps to focus the efforts of the company, communicate the business's goals and objectives to potential investors, and provide a roadmap for the business to follow. Additionally, a business plan can be used to help secure funding from investors or lenders, who will want to see that the business has a solid plan in place before they provide funding.

How to write a business plan for your music production business?)

To build a business plan for your music production business, start by researching your industry, competitors, and target market. Use this information to define your business's goals and objectives, as well as the strategies and tactics that you will use to achieve those goals. Next, create a financial plan that outlines your projected income, expenses, and profit. This should include a projected income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet. Once you have all of this information, you can use it to create a comprehensive business plan that outlines the goals and objectives of your business, as well as the strategies and tactics that you will use to achieve those goals. A well-written music production business plan contains the following sections: Purpose, Products & Services, Marketing Plan (including Marketing Strategy), Operations/Management Plan (including Operations/Management Strategy), Financial Plan (including Financial Forecasts), and Appendixes.

Can you write a music production business plan yourself?

Yes, you can write a music production business plan yourself. Writing a business plan is a valuable exercise that can help you clarify your business idea, identify potential challenges and opportunities, and develop a roadmap for success. While there are many resources and templates available to help you write a business plan, the process of creating one is ultimately up to you.

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I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

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Tip Jar: How To Write A Music Business Plan

The biggest mistake artists make when it comes to procuring financing for their music ventures is the lack of a business plan. Artists and musicians must understand that music is a business and should run like one. Once you’ve decided that music is your business, you must set aside time to write out a solid business plan if you want to grow as a business, attract investors, increase your fan base, market and sell music or launch a crowdfunding campaign.  Here are the essential elements you’ll need to begin your process of establishing a business plan:

1. Write it down (the rough draft)

Whether it’s temporarily written down on a napkin or typed in Microsoft Office, you need to get your plan from out of your head. Start by considering where you are currently in your music career and where you want to be. Give yourself a realistic time frame and work backwards, citing the steps and resources required to reach each milestone in your plan.

2. Take yourself seriously

This is not a joking matter. If you don’t take yourself seriously, no one else will, so include pertinent information regarding your music business. Before you complete your plan, make sure you’ve captured the essence of your music business with the same passion you have for your music.

3. Before you dive in headfirst

Creating a music business plan can be an overwhelming task if you allow it to be. Remember, the only way to eat an elephant is one spoonful at a time, so take a moment to breathe and gather your thoughts.

4. Taking personal and professional inventory

If you have been in the music business for at least a year, you should have a basic idea how a music business operates. In fact, you are most likely implementing core business principles and practices at your current level. Now take it a step further by conducting a SWOT analysis.

A SWOT analysis is a simple assessment of your personal or professional Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats as they apply to your music business. Begin by taking a piece of paper and folding it into four equal squares. At the top of each square going clockwise, write each component of the SWOT analysis in its own square. Then create a bulleted list of all the information regarding your business in the corresponding squares. Once completed, you will have the framework to create a formal business plan.

5. Understand what should be included in your plan

At a minimum, your plan should include the following:

A ) Executive Summary - An overview of your company, including an executive summary, mission statement, goals and objectives and a brief artist history.

B ) Market Analysis - Here you will analyze the current music market, with special focus on your genre of music. Include opportunities, competitors, trends, market size and growth potential.

C ) Company Description - Describe who you are, what you offer and the audience your business serves.

D ) Organization & Management Structure - A layout of your organizational structure. Are you an LLC, corporation or sole proprietorship? List the key team players, i.e. management, promotions, legal, accounting, etc.

E ) Marketing & Sales - How do you plan to market your music to the consumer (fans)? List your sales, product pricing and positioning strategies, marketing channels, ecommerce and communication strategies, as well as distribution and promotion networks.

F ) Products or Services - Explain the music related products and services your business is offering. Are you selling physical CDs or only digital downloads? Are you offering merch for sale such as T-shirts, posters, download cards and stickers? Do you have your own website outside of your social network that also serves as an online store for your music and merch?

G ) Funding Request or Needs - How much money do you need to get your operation off the ground? How much will you need for operation costs such as fixed and non-fixed expenses? Are you or your staff taking a salary? What are your costs for manufacturing, distribution and marketing?

H ) Financial Projections - How will your music business make money? What are the current and future revenue streams of your business? Be as clear as possible, investors hate ambiguity.

I ) Appendix (if needed) - If you already have an existing music business, use this section to add documents such as: revenue model, resume of owners (founders), cash flow statement, income statement, balance sheet and any other information that can help you stay on plan and attract the right people to your business.

6. Writing the plan using a  mind map

Just like creating a song, you will never really finish your business plan; you just have to stop and be okay with what you have. A business plan should evolve in sync with your business.

As a creative type, this is probably more than what you signed up for, but I assure you that it is a well worthwhile venture. Begin by creating an outline using the parameters I mentioned early. Some business plans are far more granular than what I have offered here, but use this information as a guide to establish the basic elements.

Artists, start your plan by creating a mind map. A mind map is a diagram that visually outlines information. Draw a circle in the center of a piece of paper and write the main idea or concept in the middle. Use lines to connect smaller circles with related ideas or subtopics. Once you’ve jotted down your thoughts, use the mind map to create an outline.

7. Pulling it all together

Once you have the first draft of your business plan, put it down and walk away for a few days. After a short mental vacation, review your plan and make corrections where necessary. Make sure it is properly formatted and free of errors.

Keep in mind that your music business plan is a living document that will serve as the roadmap for your career, but it should be fluid enough to adjust to changes in the market. Visit my website http://musicbusi nessguruacademy.com/businessplantemplate and download my free Word doc Music Business Plan template.

8. Distributing your music business plan (the final draft)

Once the final draft of your business plan is ready, distribute it across your organization and discuss it. Does the plan provide the reader with the key goals of your business? If so, your business plan can be used to help you launch a crowdfunding campaign, find an investor or take on business partners.

SAHPREEM A. KING is a Multiplatinum music producer, DJ, music industry journalist and author of several music industry books, including Dude, I Can Help You! 18 Mistakes Artists Make and How To Fix Them . King has used the knowledge he acquired as an artist, producer and educator to create an online music business course that he will offer from his website http://musicbusinessguruacademy.com in early 2014. He can be contacted at [email protected] .

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Published since 1977, Music Connection magazine is a monthly music trade publication catering to musicians, industry pro’s, and support services. Music Connection exists to serve artists and music people, to offer connections to the unconnected and to provide exclusive information that can help our readers take their music to the next level.

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Music Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Music Business Plan

If you want to start a music business or expand your current business, you need a business plan.

The following business plan template gives you the key elements to include in a winning music business plan. It can be used to create a music production company business plan, a business plan for a music artist, or business plans for a music teacher and/or music management.

You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Below are links to each of the key sections of a successful music business plan. Once you create your plan, download it to PDF to show banks and investors.

I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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Music Business Plan Outline

Sample Music Production Business Plan

• October 19, 2022

MUSIC PRODUCTION COMPANY BUSINESS PLAN SAMPLE

The music industry no doubt is one of the most lucrative sector in the entertainment industry.

People love listening to music that is excellently produced and has good danceable beats. So, if you can put sounds and lyrics together to become a good danceable music, you should consider starting a music production business.

However, choosing a profitable business to start and having the right skill sets to start it is not a guarantee that the business will succeed. For the business to succeed, you need to make adequate plans and preparations. And one of the ways to do this is by writing a business plan.

MUSIC-RELATED BUSINESS PLANS

• Recording Label Business Plan
• Music Store Business Plan
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Writing a business plan helps you to see the things you need to achieve in the business you are intending to start and then make proper plans in achieving them. This will save you from making unnecessary mistakes and error.

So, the first thing you should do if you want to start a music production business is to write a business plan. There are two ways you can do this. You can hire a professional business plan writer to help you write your business plan.

You can also write it by yourself.

If you choose to write your business plan by yourself, you will need guidance on how to do it correctly. And this is what this post want to help you with. The post is a music production business plan sample that you can use as a template to easily create your own.

Here is a sample business plan for starting an music recording and production business.

BUSINESS NAME: Unbeatable Music Production Company

TABLE OF CONTENT

• Executive Summary

Products and Services

Vision Statement

Mission Statement

Business Structure

• Marketing and Sales Strategy

Source of Income

  Executive Summary

Unbeatable Music Production Company is a registered incorporation that will be established in Beverly Hills in the United States. The company will specialize in the production of music with quality sound and lyrics that will our target audience will find interesting to hear.

It is no longer a news that the music industry is highly profitable. Because of its profitability, a lot of people into are venturing music in order to make good money. However, many of the music production companies we have around are not standard enough to help these intending musicians produce good music that people will appeal to the people.

And the few music production companies that are standard and capable of helping these intending musicians always have too much to handle. This is an indication that there is a hungry market for the business we are about to start.

We will organize our business in such a way that we are able to meet the demand of our target market. Our focus is on talented upcoming artists who we will help produce quality music that will outwit the seemingly best in the music industry.

We will make sure that our company is highly standard and well equipped with quality equipment that will help us produce good music for our clients. Our workforce will also be selected from the best in the industry who have all the necessary expertise and experience that our music production company needs to stand out from the crowd and become unbeatable.

Unbeatable Music Production Company will be jointly owned Mr. Bobby Brown and Mr. Fred Marshall. Mr. Brown is veteran musician and a music producer, who over the past twenty-five years has worked in various leading music production companies in United States.

On the other hand, Mr. Marshall is a business analyst who specializes in helping music production companies grow their businesses into formidable brand. He has consulted for more than 100 music production companies all through the United States and Canada, helping them achieve enviable feats. The two veterans are coming together with their competencies and wealth of experiences to start an unbeatable music production company.

The vision of Unbeatable Music Production Company is to build a solid reputable for producing high quality music and raising our musicians to be able to outwit the best in the industry.

Unbeatable Music Production Company is to always come up with innovative and outstanding concepts that will help us to beat others players in the music industry hands down.

Unbeatable Music Production Company intends to offer a wide range of quality products and services that will help us serve our clients well. Some of our products and service will include:

• Music Production
• Music Recording
• Sound Recording
• Sound Production
• Production of Advertisement Jingles
• Production of Movies Soundtracks
• Sales of Musical Equipment
• Shooting of Musical Videos
• Training and Consulting

In order to become unbeatable in the music industry, we will ensure that we put in place unbeatable business structure which will comprise of:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Music Producer
• Studio Manger
• Sound Engineers
• Legal Secretary
• Human resources Manager
• Marketing and Sales Executives
• Receptionist
• Security Guards

Startup Cost

The total cost of money we need to startup our music production business is $450,000. This will cover the cost of business registration, renting of office facility, purchasing of equipment, hiring a marketing strategists, etc. It also covers the payment of workers’ salaries within the first three months of starting the business.

The two founders have been able to pool their resources together and raise the sum of $200,000.  They have also gotten a loan of $100,000 from their friends and family member. They plan to get the remaining $150,000 through a bank loan.

There you have a music production business plan sample that contain the necessary information that is required in a business plan. Feel free to use it as a guide to write your own.

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Music Business Plans Sample

Published Dec.29, 2020

Updated Apr.23, 2024

By: Jakub Babkins

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 3

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Table of Content

Music Business plan for starting your own building firm

Do you want to start a music business? Well, that’s a really alluring and one of the most profitable businesses.

To run a music business, you need to hire the services of music artists, musicians, record producers, and composers on a temporary or permanent basis. The business can include creating songs, music sheets, stock music, and theme music. And can also be extended to cover events, ceremonies, and concerts.

The business is exciting, however, due to the large competition in the market, one has to put very much effort in the beginning to earn recognition. Like any other business, the first step would be to create a business plan for music industry. The professional business planning should cover all aspects of the business like workforce, work area, expenses, services, sales strategy, etc.

To give you an idea of how your business plan should look like, we are giving here the business plan of a music business startup, Hymns & Beats.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Hymns & Beats will be a licensed music business based in Atlanta. The business will comprise artists and musicians who will work to create new music pieces. The business will utilize the talent of various singers to release stock music, record labels, and theme music for corporates, events, TV shows, movies, and game developers.

2.2 Management of Music Business

A music company needs efficient management in all the areas such as reaching out to singers, making arrangements for concerts, making sure that the edit effects are perfect, etc. Realizing that she would not be able to supervise everything on her own, Amelia decided to hire a manager to help her.

If you are looking for how to start a music business you should study different music business plans. While exploring business plans on how to set up a music business, try to also explore the ways others use to manage multiple tasks of a business at the same time.

2.3 Customers of Music Business

Our primary customers will be the television shows and film industries who will seek our services for creating tunes, theme music, and songs. Besides, corporate, institutes, companies, game developers, and event organizers will also be our customers.

2.4 Business Target

Our target is to become one of the most renowned music businesses. We aim at releasing at least 10 albums within six months of the launch. We also aim at achieving a rating above 4.7 within a year of the launch. Our profit goals to be achieved within the three years of our launch are summarized here:

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Amelia Stiles will be the owner of Hymns & Beats. Amelia got her degree in Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Ohio.

During her schooling, she composed two music pieces that earned her national level fame.

3.2 Why the music business is being started

Amelia wanted to become a playback singer. She learned and practice music all her life and still couldn’t succeed in getting more than a few singing projects. Owing to her optimistic nature, she decided to find new ways to invest her passion for music. She decided not to sing but just compose the music pieces.

Realizing her creativity and skills in the music composing area, she decided to start her own music business. Now Amelia hires music artists and glorifies people’s lives with exceptional tunes and melodic voices.

3.3 How the music business will be started

Since there are many already established music industries in Atlanta, you should study different examples of music business plans. Exploring as many examples of music business plans as you can, will enable you to come up with unique ideas. Analyzing various music business plan samples will allow you to identify the areas where demand is high despite the large competition.

Hymns & Beats will be started in one of Amelia’s properties in Atlanta. Amelia will hire a home renovating professional to turn her property into a structure for the music business. Meanwhile, she will hire a professional business plan writer to make a comprehensive plan for her business.

Then Amelia will purchase the required musical instruments and other equipment like speakers, cables, amplifiers and microphone stands, etc. After which the startup will start its hiring phase. Staff like audio engineers, musicians, and DJs will be employed after strict testing and interviewing. Meanwhile, the company will ensure to establish a strong web and social media presence to get introduced to the target audience.

The costs for startup are as follows:

The startup requirements are as follows:

Before making a music business plans template, you should be very clear about the services you are going to provide your customers. In this sample plan, we are listing the services of Hymns & Beats. However, to get a broader idea of services that can be provided in this domain, you should study many other music industry business plans too.

1.Creating Production Music

Our primary service will be to produce music pieces that can be used in television, movies, and other media platforms after getting licensed to the buyers. Those music pieces will cover nearly all music genres such as classical, electronic dance, folk, and disco, etc.

This service will also include producing specific music pieces according to the client’s requirements.

2.Record Labels

We will also release albums and songs made with the collaboration of our team with top-class singers and songwriters.

3.Theme Music For TV Shows, Movies, Trailers & Video Games, Commercials

Our third primary service will be to create instrumental and theme music to be used in the background of movies, trailers, video games, commercials, and reality shows, etc.

4.Corporate Background Music

We will also create professional music themes to be used by companies and corporates in their presentations.

5.Hosting Concerts, Music Festivals & Parties

This will be one of our major services. We will host music nights, concerts, events, and parties. We will also offer the service of presenting music and songs in ceremonies according to the nature of the gathering.

Marketing Analysis of Music Business

The most important component of starting a music studio business plan is marketing analysis. It includes a detailed study of your target market to understand the areas where competition is high or to identify the domains where the demand for your services can be more.

Thus, before you start a music business you should study the dynamics of the marketplace where you will be offering your services. In this music business plan concept pdf we are listing market analysis and market segmentation done by Hymns & Beats for their business. If you are looking for how to write a music business proposal or how to create an efficient marketing plan, you can take help from here.

5.1 Marketing Trends

According to IBISWorld, the average growth that has been reported in the music industry in the last five years is 5.5%. Moreover, Statista reports that the annual revenue generated by the U.S. music industry was recorded to be $21.5 billion in 2019 alone. Simply put, the music industries have always been in demand. To succeed, you just need to be proactive in reaching target customers and creative enough to meet their expectations.

Business plan for investors

5.2 marketing segmentation.

The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience is as follows:

5.2.1 TV Programs & Film Industries: Our primary customers will be the television shows and programs that need different background music for different segments and for transitions of one segment to another.

Besides, film producers will require our services to create music pieces for trailers and songs. We also expect this group to avail of our services of producing background and themed instrumental music.

5.2.2 Commercials (TV ads) Production Companies: The second group of our target customers will comprise of commercials producing companies. We expect to get projects from this category from the very beginning as video ad creators usually don’t need music producers with past experience.

5.2.3 Video Game Developers, Corporates & Event Organizers: The third category of our target customers consists of video game developers who need music to be played in the background. This category also includes corporates who need professional background music for their presentations.

Apart from them, we also expect to be called by events and party organizers for playing music, singing songs, and setting up musical nights. We also look forward to being invited to cultural ceremonies for displaying the skills and talent we have.

5.3 Business Target

Our business targets are:

• To achieve the net profit margin of $9.1k per month by the end of the first year
• To release at least 10 albums hitting a ranking of above 4.8 by the end of the first six months
• To host at least 10 concerts within six months of the launch
• To achieve an average ranking above 4.75 within a year of the launch.
• To balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits by the end of the second year

5.4 Product Pricing

Since we are not selling any discrete products therefore we can’t define a strict product pricing strategy. Our prices will vary with the required mastery, the difficulty level of the track and music, etc.

However, in the beginning, we will offer massive discounts on our services of hosting musical events and ceremonies and also in our theme music creation service.

Marketing Strategy

Like marketing analysis, sales strategy for business is also an important component of a music business marketing plan. Sales strategy enables you to attract your potential customers, and compete with your already-established competitors.

From this music business proposal sample, you can learn the competitive aspects and advertisement strategy of Hymns & Beats.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

Although we have tough competition, we have entered the market with several competitive aspects. Firstly, we have an excellent team that will help us develop unique music pieces. Secondly, we are collaborating with top singers and songwriters to come up with exclusive albums.

Moreover, we will be offering background music production services for video games and trailers online. So that will enable us to reach a wider audience.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will establish a strong web and social media presence through SEO optimization
• We will advertise our services through Google Local Services ads, local newspapers, and magazines
• We will arrange a themed musical night for the young people on the day of launch for an entry ticket of just $3
• We will offer a 20% discount on our theme music production services for the first three months of the launch
• We will offer a 50% discount on our offering of playback wedding music by our singers and musicians

6.3 Sales Forecast

6.4 Sales Monthly

6.5 Sales Yearly

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Personnel plan

Your business is just a collective representation of your staff and managers. So before proceeding to other steps, you should create your personnel plan in a template for writing a music business plan.

Here we are only listing the permanent staff of the company. The singers and songwriters whose services will be hired temporarily for record albums are not mentioned in this list.

7.1 Company Staff

• 1 General Manager to manage the overall operations
• 1 Cashier to maintain financial records
• 2 DJs to assume musical responsibilities in concerts and events
• 4 Musicians to play musical instruments
• 1 Audio Engineer to regulate music effects
• 2 Software/ IT Experts to ensure web and social media presence
• 1 Sales Executive to promote the company’s sales
• 2 General Assistants for routine works
• 1 Receptionist

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

Making a music business plan is a little tricky as you have to devise a plan to manage your permanent as well as temporary resources. For example, while creating a financial plan for the music business, you have to consider fluctuations in the price of services. The albums that need to be sung or written by high paid singers and songwriters will require you to reserve a bigger than usual budget.

It is recommended to seek professional help in creating the financial plan for your business. To give you an example of how it would look like, we are providing here the sample financial plan of Hymns & Beats.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 brake-even analysis.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

Download Music Business Plans Sample in pdf

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Here is a free business plan sample for a recording studio.

If the sound of music is your passion and you're looking to channel that into a business venture, starting your own recording studio might be the perfect pitch for you.

In the following paragraphs, we will unveil a comprehensive business plan sample tailored for a recording studio.

As any seasoned entrepreneur will tell you, a meticulously formulated business plan is a cornerstone of any successful business. It serves as a roadmap, guiding you through the intricacies of establishing and growing your enterprise.

To hit the right note with your business strategy, you can utilize our recording studio business plan template. Our specialists are also on standby to provide a free review and fine-tuning of your plan.

How to draft a great business plan for your recording studio?

A good business plan for a recording studio must reflect the unique aspects of the music and audio production industry.

To start, it is crucial to provide a comprehensive overview of the music industry, including current statistics and emerging trends, as illustrated in our recording studio business plan template .

Then, you should articulate your project with clarity. This includes your vision, identifying your target market (such as local musicians, advertising agencies, or podcast creators), and the distinctive positioning of your recording studio (high-end equipment, specialized genres, production services, etc.).

The market analysis section is vital. It requires a thorough understanding of local and online competitors, industry trends, and the specific needs of artists and content creators.

For a recording studio, particular emphasis should be placed on the services you plan to offer. Detail your range of services - recording, mixing, mastering, sound design, and any additional services - and explain how they cater to the demands and preferences of your target clientele.

The operational plan is equally important. It should outline the location of your studio, the design and acoustics of the recording spaces, equipment procurement, and the recording and production process.

In a recording studio business plan, it is essential to highlight the quality of your audio equipment, the expertise of your engineers and producers, and the standards of sound quality and customer service.

Next, discuss your marketing and sales strategy. How will you attract and retain clients? Consider promotional tactics, client relationships, and additional services (for example, offering audio workshops or renting out studio space).

Adopting digital strategies, such as a professional website, an online booking system, or a strong social media presence, is also crucial in the modern marketplace.

The financial structure is another critical component. This includes the initial investment, revenue projections, operating expenses, and the break-even analysis.

In a recording studio, the cost of high-quality equipment and technology can be significant, so precise planning and a solid understanding of your financials are imperative. For assistance, you can refer to our financial forecast for a recording studio .

Compared to other business plans, a recording studio requires special attention to the technological advancements in audio equipment, the integration of digital and online services, and the potential for diverse revenue streams (such as equipment rentals or production credits).

A well-crafted business plan will not only help you to define your vision and strategies but also to attract investors or secure loans.

Lenders and investors are interested in a robust market analysis, realistic financial projections, and a clear plan for the day-to-day management of the studio.

By presenting a detailed and substantiated plan, you showcase your professionalism and dedication to the success of your recording studio.

To achieve these goals while saving time, you can simply fill out our recording studio business plan template .

A free example of business plan for a recording studio

Here, we will provide a concise and illustrative example of a business plan for a specific project.

This example aims to provide an overview of the essential components of a business plan. It is important to note that this version is only a summary. As it stands, this business plan is not sufficiently developed to support a profitability strategy or convince a bank to provide financing.

To be effective, the business plan should be significantly more detailed, including up-to-date market data, more persuasive arguments, a thorough market study, a three-year action plan, as well as detailed financial tables such as a projected income statement, projected balance sheet, cash flow budget, and break-even analysis.

All these elements have been thoroughly included by our experts in the business plan template they have designed for a recording studio .

Here, we will follow the same structure as in our business plan template.

Market Opportunity

Market data and figures.

The recording studio industry is an integral part of the music production value chain with a significant impact on the entertainment sector.

As of recent estimates, the global music recording industry has a market value of several billion dollars, with a steady growth trajectory anticipated due to the rising consumption of digital music and streaming services.

In the United States alone, there are thousands of recording studios, contributing to a multi-billion dollar industry that supports the creative economy and provides employment for a diverse range of professionals.

These statistics underscore the vital role of recording studios in the entertainment industry and their substantial economic contribution.

The recording studio sector is witnessing several trends that are shaping its future.

There is a growing preference for high-quality audio content, with artists and consumers alike seeking out studios that can provide superior sound recording and production services.

Technological advancements such as immersive audio formats, AI-driven music composition tools, and remote collaboration software are transforming the way music is produced and consumed.

Home studios and mobile recording setups are becoming more prevalent, offering flexibility and convenience to independent artists.

Additionally, the demand for unique and authentic sound experiences is leading to a resurgence of analog recording techniques and equipment.

Environmental sustainability is also becoming a consideration, with studios adopting greener practices and energy-efficient technologies.

These trends highlight the dynamic nature of the recording studio industry and its adaptation to the evolving landscape of music production.

Success Factors

The success of a recording studio hinges on several critical factors.

Foremost is the quality of the recording equipment and acoustics, which can significantly influence the sound of the final product.

Innovation in services offered, such as providing mixing, mastering, and sound design, can set a studio apart in a crowded market.

The location of the studio also plays a role, with studios in music hubs often having a competitive edge due to proximity to talent and industry events.

Exceptional customer service and the ability to foster a creative and comfortable environment for artists are essential for client satisfaction and repeat business.

Lastly, efficient cost management, marketing strategies, and staying abreast of industry trends, such as the integration of virtual reality and spatial audio, are crucial for the sustained success of a recording studio.

The Project

Project presentation.

Our recording studio project is designed to cater to the burgeoning market of independent musicians, podcasters, and audio professionals seeking high-quality recording and production services. Strategically located in an area known for its vibrant music scene, our studio will offer state-of-the-art recording equipment, soundproofed rooms, and a comfortable, creative environment for artists of all genres.

We will focus on delivering pristine sound quality and a wide range of audio production services, including mixing, mastering, and sound design, to ensure that our clients' projects stand out in the competitive music industry.

Our recording studio aims to become a hub for creative audio production, fostering a community of artists and providing them with the tools and expertise to bring their sonic visions to life.

Value Proposition

The value proposition of our recording studio lies in providing top-tier audio recording and production services that empower artists and content creators to produce professional-grade work. Our commitment to sound excellence, cutting-edge technology, and a supportive creative atmosphere offers an unparalleled recording experience.

We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing a platform for artistic expression, while also educating our clients on the latest audio production techniques and industry standards.

Our studio is set to become a cornerstone of the local music and podcasting community, offering a reliable and inspiring space for artists to create and collaborate.

Project Owner

The project owner is an experienced audio engineer and producer with a passion for music and sound. With a background in studio management and a track record of successful audio projects, he is driven to establish a recording studio that stands out for its commitment to quality, innovation, and artist support.

With a deep understanding of the technical and creative aspects of recording, he is determined to provide a space where artists can produce their best work. His vision includes not only running a top-notch studio but also fostering a collaborative community where knowledge and resources are shared.

His dedication to the craft of audio production and his enthusiasm for music make him the driving force behind this project, aiming to elevate the creative output of musicians and content creators in the community.

The Market Study

Market segments.

The market segments for this recording studio are diverse and cater to various needs within the music and audio production industry.

Firstly, there are independent musicians and bands looking for professional recording services to produce their music. This includes both emerging artists and established acts seeking high-quality recording facilities.

Additionally, the studio serves content creators, such as podcasters and voice-over artists, who require a controlled acoustic environment and professional equipment to produce their work.

Another segment includes advertising agencies and corporate clients in need of audio production services for commercials, jingles, and other promotional materials.

Lastly, the studio can attract music producers and sound engineers who require a well-equipped space to work on their projects, whether for mixing, mastering, or producing.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis of this recording studio project highlights several key factors.

Strengths include a state-of-the-art recording facility, experienced staff, and a strategic location that is accessible to a wide range of clients.

Weaknesses might encompass the high initial investment in equipment and technology, as well as the need to continuously update to stay competitive.

Opportunities can be found in the growing independent music scene, the increasing popularity of podcasts, and the potential for partnerships with music schools and local artists.

Threats could involve the rapidly changing technology in the recording industry, competition from home studios, and the economic factors that may affect clients' budgets.

Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis in the recording studio sector indicates a competitive landscape.

Direct competitors include other professional recording studios in the area, as well as home studios that offer lower rates.

These competitors vie for clients by offering various services, from full album production to hourly studio rentals.

Potential competitive advantages for our studio include superior acoustics, high-end recording equipment, experienced staff, and additional services such as production and sound design.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these competitors is crucial for carving out a niche in the market and attracting a loyal client base.

Competitive Advantages

Our recording studio's competitive edge lies in our commitment to providing an exceptional recording experience.

We offer a range of services, from recording and mixing to mastering and post-production, all under one roof with the latest technology and equipment.

Our team of experienced engineers and producers brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to every project, ensuring that clients' visions are realized to their fullest potential.

We also pride ourselves on our collaborative environment, which encourages artists to explore and refine their sound, fostering long-term relationships and repeat business.

You can also read our articles about: - how to start a recording studio: a complete guide - the customer segments of a recording studio - the competition study for a recording studio

The Strategy

Development plan.

Our three-year development plan for the recording studio is designed to establish us as a premier destination for artists and producers.

In the first year, we will concentrate on building a robust client base by offering state-of-the-art recording and mixing services, and by creating a comfortable and creative environment for artists.

The second year will focus on expanding our services to include music production workshops, voice-over recording for multimedia, and partnerships with local music events to increase our visibility.

In the third year, we aim to incorporate advanced audio technologies and explore collaborations with established labels to attract high-profile clients.

Throughout this period, we will prioritize exceptional sound quality, customer service, and technological advancements to adapt to the evolving music industry and solidify our market position.

Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas for our recording studio targets independent artists, bands, and commercial clients in need of professional recording services.

Our value proposition is delivering superior audio quality, a creative atmosphere, and personalized service to help our clients realize their artistic vision.

We offer our services through direct studio bookings and an online platform, utilizing key resources such as our recording equipment, sound engineers, and acoustically treated spaces.

Key activities include recording, mixing, mastering, and networking within the music industry.

Our revenue streams are generated from studio time rentals, production services, and audio engineering workshops, while our costs are mainly associated with equipment maintenance, marketing, and staff salaries.

Find a complete and editable real Business Model Canvas in our business plan template .

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy is centered on building a strong brand presence in the music community.

We aim to attract clients by showcasing our cutting-edge facilities and success stories from artists who have recorded with us. Our approach includes hosting open studio events, engaging with the local music scene, and offering introductory rates for first-time clients.

We will also establish partnerships with music schools and local artists to create a referral network.

Finally, we will leverage social media, content marketing, and collaborations with influencers to reach a wider audience and establish our studio as a hub for musical creativity.

Risk Policy

The risk policy for our recording studio focuses on mitigating risks associated with technology, client relations, and industry changes.

We invest in regular equipment updates and backups to prevent technical failures. We also emphasize strong communication with clients to ensure their needs are met and to maintain a high level of satisfaction.

We keep abreast of industry trends to adapt our services accordingly and maintain a competitive edge. Additionally, we manage our finances carefully to sustain operations during fluctuating demand.

Insurance coverage for equipment and liability is in place to protect against unforeseen events. Our priority is to provide a reliable and high-quality service that artists and producers can trust.

Why Our Project is Viable

We are committed to launching a recording studio that meets the demands of both emerging and established artists in a rapidly evolving music landscape.

With our dedication to quality, customer-centric approach, and adaptability to industry trends, we are confident in our ability to thrive in this competitive market.

We are enthusiastic about fostering musical talent and contributing to the cultural scene while building a sustainable and successful business.

We remain flexible to make necessary adjustments to our strategy and are excited about the potential of our recording studio.

You can also read our articles about: - the Business Model Canvas of a recording studio - the marketing strategy for a recording studio

The Financial Plan

Of course, the text presented below is far from sufficient to serve as a solid and credible financial analysis for a bank or potential investor. They expect specific numbers, financial statements, and charts demonstrating the profitability of your project.

All these elements are available in our business plan template for a recording studio and our financial plan for a recording studio .

Initial expenses for our recording studio include acquiring state-of-the-art recording equipment, soundproofing and acoustically treating the studio space, purchasing music production software, hiring experienced sound engineers and technicians, as well as costs related to brand creation and launching targeted marketing campaigns to establish a presence in the music industry.

Our revenue assumptions are based on a thorough analysis of the local and online demand for professional recording services, considering the burgeoning independent music scene and the need for high-quality production.

We anticipate progressively increasing bookings, starting modestly and growing as the reputation of our recording studio strengthens.

The projected income statement indicates expected revenues from our recording services, production costs (equipment maintenance, labor, utilities), and operating expenses (rent, marketing, salaries, etc.).

This results in a forecasted net profit crucial for evaluating the profitability of our business over time.

The projected balance sheet reflects assets specific to our business, such as recording equipment, software licenses, and liabilities including debts and anticipated expenses.

It shows the overall financial health of our recording studio at the end of each period.

Our projected cash flow budget details incoming and outgoing cash flows, allowing us to anticipate our cash needs at any given time. This will help us effectively manage our finances and avoid cash flow problems.

The projected financing plan lists the specific financing sources we plan to use to cover our startup expenses.

The working capital requirement for our recording studio will be closely monitored to ensure we have the necessary liquidity to finance our daily operations, including equipment purchases, inventory management, and salary payments.

The break-even point specific to our project is the level of sales needed to cover all our costs, including startup expenses, and start making a profit.

It will indicate when our business will be profitable.

Performance indicators we will track include the profit margin rate on our recording services, the liquidity ratio to assess our ability to cover financial obligations, and the return on investment to measure the effectiveness of our capital invested in the project.

These indicators will help us evaluate the financial health and overall success of our recording studio.

If you want to know more about the financial analysis of this type of activity, please read our article about the financial plan for a recording studio .

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HeavyMetal Praise Records

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Youth will be served!  For the past 10 years, Christian music has made strong inroads in every area of popular music except for the vital and chaotic world of Heavy Metal music. Heavy Metal Praise Records will focus only on recording Christian Heavy Metal performers, promoting their success in the popular mainstream of Punk and Ska music.

1.1 Objectives

• Sign and record two new Heavy Metal bands in the first year.
• Release the first CD of each group in the first year.
• Establish a strong distribution network that will facilitate CD sales.
• Establish the necessary strategic alliances to assure the widest possible distribution of our music.

1.2 Mission

The idea of Heavy Metal Praise Records is the brainchild of a group of dedicated Christians who created the Skate Ministry over three years ago. The Skate Ministry is a group of 10 adult skateboarders who spread the word of God to young skateboarders during the weekend at various skate parks throughout the area. Most of these young skateboarders are boys between the ages of 12 to 18. The predominant music in the skateboard culture is Heavy Metal and is played at every skatepark in the area. From the beginning the group realized that the music itself was creating negative actions on the part of young skateboarders and was facilitating a culture of selfishness and violence.

Heavy Metal Praise’s mission is to introduce Christian Heavy Metal bands to the target audience that gives the same musical intensity of popular Heavy Metal bands but with a more positive, constructive message that will move young people to a closer relationship with God.

1.3 Keys to Success

• Delivering Heavy Metal groups that the target audience will find irresistible.
• Access the music and distribution network that feeds Heavy Metal artists to the skate culture.
• Access the traditional Christian music and distribution network that will provide a ready-made group of customers for Heavy Metal Praise Records artists.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Heavy Metal Praise Records is a recording business that will focus exclusively on Christian Heavy Metal music groups.

2.1 Company Ownership

The sole founder and owner of Heavy Metal Praise Records is Johnny Young. Johnny is also a founding member of the Skate Ministry and a skateboarder for the last 20 years. 

2.2 Start-up Summary

Heavy Metal Praise Records has the following start-up expenses and the purchase of equipment:

• Computer system with three workstations, a printer, CD-RW, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Access.
• Legal fees regarding business formation and generating and reviewing contracts.
• Copier, fax, and a phone line.

Various office supplies.

Heavy Metal Praise Records, as the name implies, produces CDs of Heavy Metal Christian music groups.

The typical Heavy Metal Praise Records buyer is in the 13-22 year old age bracket–and is a direct result of the attitudes expressed by the label’s bands. The spirit of youth is the driving force of the label, offering proof that the energy of Heavy Metal Praise music exists beyond constraints and categorizations.

While Heavy Metal Praise Records hates to pigeonhole any of its artists’ musical sounds, it can be generalized that all the bands convey an in-your-face sound Christian music. This sound, when coupled with each band’s own creativity and inspiration, allows for the artists to maintain their identity while sharing the same energy, focus and often fan base with their label mates. Heavy Metal Praise Records is an artist-friendly label, priding itself on giving its bands complete artistic and creative freedom.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

Heavy Metal music is the music of preference among boys and young men, ages 12-22, who are part of the skateboarding culture. Heavy Metal music generated $180 million dollars in sales last year.

Skateboarding has grown into an enormously popular recreational sport that generated 1/2 billion dollars in sales last year. Each year the base of skateboarder grows even larger. The sport is still enjoyed by young men in their thirties. In many cases, these older skateboarders still enjoy Heavy Metal music. This represents a huge market opportunity for Christian music.

Heavy Metal Praise Records will focus on two customer groups:

• Early teen skateboarder.
• Late teen skateboarder.

4.1 Market Segmentation

• Early Teen Skateboarders: This group has limited mobility to attend most Heavy Metal group performances. Yet they represent the largest consumer group of Heavy Metal music. Generally, this target group hears the music from friends, at skateboard parks and at skateboard shops.
• Late Teen Skateboarders: This group represents the strong fan base that comes out for live performances at local clubs. They are also exposed to the music at skateboard parks and skateboard shops. It is critical to build a secure fan base with this group in order to generate sales among the younger skate boarders.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Heavy Metal Praise Records will use their competitive advantages in a new musical area of Christian music to steadily gain market share. The first advantage is based on Johnny’s extensive inside knowledge of the recording industry. The second advantage is an already established network of contacts within the industry.

5.1 Competitive Edge

Presently, there are few Christian Heavy Metal bands with CDs in the marketplace. The only real competition is the acceptance of the skateboard culture. Can a Heavy Metal group with a christian message gain a fan base? The success of a Heavy Metal band is dependent on its fan base and its live performances. If the energy is there, the fan base will grow and CD sales will follow.

Heavy Metal Praise Records understands that their bands must have the energy before the message will be heard.

5.2 Marketing Strategy

Heavy Metal Praise Records has established the following Promotion and Distribution strategies.

5.2.1 Promotion Strategy

• Early Teens: Heavy Metal Praise recording artists will be marketed at the weekly sponsored skateboarding events by the Skate Ministry. A band will play at each event during the summer months. In addition, Heavy Metal Praise recording artists will perform as part of the concert series sponsored by Rally Skateboards. At these events, free CD samplers will be given out of Heavy Metal Praise recording artists.
• Late Teens: Heavy Metal Praise recording artists will be booked to play extensively during the summer of 2002. A Heavy Metal Praise band will be part of the “Split Cross” tour in the region. Split Cross is a Christian music website and a strategic partner of Heavy Metal Praise recording. At these events, free CD samplers will be given out of Heavy Metal Praise recording artists.

5.2.2 Distribution Strategy

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5.3 Strategic Alliances

The strategic alliance with the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and Straight Arrow holds great potential.

• Straight Arrow is a distribution system for Christian artists who want to buck the system and do it without major label backing. The amazing thing is: it truly works. Some of the most sincere, yet cutting edge artists existing today are available to purchase at the Straight Arrow website. They will focus on building sales in the field of Heavy Metal music starting with Heavy Metal Praise artists.
• Coalition of Independent Music Stores represents a distribution system of 10,000 stores nationally. CIMS creates its own sales programs that focus on independent artists. They have committed to packaging Heavy Metal Praise Recording artists to its regional members. With the bands’ success, they plan to distribute the CDs nationally.

5.4 Sales Strategy

Our combined sales strategy of distributing our product online and in stores will result in the following first year sales goals:

• 5,000 CDs sold online.
• 10,000 CDs sold in stores.

The sales totals represent only six months of sales activity. The first six months will be focused on signing the bands and producing the recording.

5.4.1 Sales Forecast

The following table and chart presents specific sales forecasts by month, over the first year of development. Years two and three are cumulative totals only.

5.5 Milestones

Heavy Metal Praise Records will have several milestones:

• Sign two Heavy Metal Christian bands.
• Produce two new recordings during the first six months of operation.
• Release recordings in six months.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Heavy Metal Praise Records is solely operated by Johnny Young. Johnny is a Christian music industry veteran with over 13 years of music ministry experience with extensive connections with producers and distributors. Johnny toured the USA with the CCM group “Seeds of Change” between 1991 and 1998. It was during this time that Johnny felt God calling him into a ministry that would usher in Heavy Metal music that was so powerful, so fresh…that people would sense the spirit of God and come to a realization that God desired each and every one of His creations to know Him intimately.

This will be a one person business for a while. Johnny’s planned salary is shown in the Personnel table below.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following sections will outline the general financial assumptions, break-even analysis, profit and loss, cash flow, balance sheet and business ratios.

7.1 Important Assumptions

The following table shows some of the basic financial assumptions used in this business plan.

7.2 Break-even Analysis

The Break-even Analysis indicates approximately $1,700 is needed in monthly revenue to break even. The Estimated Monthly Fixed Cost varies over the course of the first year, as seen in the P & L appendix table, and this figure is an average based on the first-year totals.

7.3 Projected Profit and Loss

The following table will indicate projected profit and loss.

7.4 Projected Cash Flow

Heavy Metal Praise will begin with adequate investment to cover the beginning months of negative cash flow and, as shown below, have an overall increase in cash balance by the end of the first plan year.

7.5 Projected Balance Sheet

The following chart and table indicates balance sheet.

7.6 Business Ratios

Business ratios for the years of this plan are shown below. Industry profile ratios based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 7929, Musical Groups and Artists, are shown for comparison.

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A Sample Music Business Plan

I just got home from a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with my mother, sister, brother, niece and nephew in Franklin Park, New Jersey. The roads were slick from an early snow shower that turned to freezing rain. As I was driving home it dawned on me that I haven’t written a blog post (on any topic) in over a month. But tonight I suddenly found the inspiration to present…

A Sample Music Business Plan for Your Band

For those of you who haven’t read my previous posts on this topic, I’ll briefly bring you up to speed. I wrote a post on Music Think Tank Open that was transferred to the main page (an honor in my book) called How to Write a Music Business Plan . It was a bit fluffy like this one might end up and one of the MTT readers called me on it. The first comment was, “Would have been stronger with a template or sample.” I got pissed off and created a template . Thanks again Justin .

However, I never provided a sample for two reasons. One, I thought that I might loose business opportunities by providing a sample of a plan that I’ve done. People like to copy plans instead of learning the steps or hiring a business plan writer like myself. Two, because business plans as you will see in the sample below, are confidential. Half of my clients will make me sign a Non Disclosure Agreement and swear me to secrecy for good reason. Luckily for you about a year ago, one rap group from VA gave me the go ahead to publish their plan, but we’ll get to that in a moment.

My Inspiration

Every time I sit down to write another music business plan I think about all of the starving artists out there who have failed to see the value in the business planning process. There are all sorts of books out there telling people not to plan. I personally don’t understand that concept at all.

I’ve read that planning is nothing more that guessing recently. If that’s the case, I’ve been one lucky dude. I plan everything. I plan what body part I’m going to work at the gym tomorrow, what I’ll have for dinner the next day and what I’ll will wear to work on Monday. I honestly feel that I would not be as successful as I am if it weren’t for careful planning.

Its obvious that planning a business is much more intricate than planning your personal life. If running a business was as easy as having an idea and going for it, we’d all be rich. A plan not only provides you with a framework for growth, but also takes a closer look at the details of your business; ones that are typically over looked without a business plan. A CEO has to manage everything from personnel to product development and marketing to distribution and accounting. How is one supposed to conceptualize that process in their head? The answer is clear to me. You can’t.

Elements of a good plan

Whether you are planning to approach a bank or family member for financing or simply look at ways to improve your business, a good plan includes the five sections that follow.

1. Executive Summary

2. Products and Services

3. Marketing Plan

4. Management Plan

5. Financial Plan

Details on each of these plans can be found in previous posts and outlined in depth in my template, You don’t have to take my work for it however, there are tons of resources online that will tell you the same thing about business planning. Over the years I have tailored these plans to mirror the needs of the ever changing music industry. Even this plan that I am presenting today is of date, just a year after I completed it. That should tell you that a business plan should be a living and breathing part of your business and updated as your wants and needs change.

Kevin English is a marketer and student of the arts, who blogs about the skills and strategies necessary to get the most of your musical career at  http://eleetmusic.com  or on Twitter  @eleetmusic .

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Reader Comments (21)

Nice piece Kevin. In the future, I see investors providing funding for well organized groups that have traction and a working business model. Terry McBride's Nettrwerk Group started a joint venture fund called Polyphonic where his company's intent is to invest in artists that are in a place where they could grow with the help of outside funding. Any band with a good team and there business in order can benefit from doing a business plan. Doing one properly provides any band's music business with an excellent road map for future growth. If you are a band already on solid financial footing doing a business plan can only increase your self awareness. Additionally, if you are serious about investor funding, most serious investors will want to see at the very least a detailed well thought out Executive Summary of your project.

David Sherbow CEO, www.LiveMusicMachine.com

Thanks Dave. Polyphonic looks interesting. Its about time someone stepped up to the plate to take advantage of the scaling of independent musicians. I'll have to do some research on them myself.

Hey Kevin, not sure you'll remember me, but we connected back in the spring and we talked on the phone briefly about my music business plan. I'll say for the most part, the majority of what I planned for (or more so my goals) got accomplished and I'm moving on to rehashing out things for 2011 that I simply did not get to this year.

One thing I learned as I implemented my plan was that some things took longer (and more $$) than I wanted and I had to learn to be okay with that. Like my album for instance. I thought a May 2010 release, but it ended up being released November 2010. But the thing is is that it was my first one and I had no idea how it played out in reality.

I read a good book recently, "Rework", that had an interesting chapter on plans--thought I'd see what your reaction was. To summarize they say:

- plans are fantasy, there are too many factors out of your hands to predict - start referring to your business plans as guesses - plans let the past drive the future - you have the most information when you're doing something, not before you've done it - they advise not writing a long winded plan, because it mostly ends up collecting dust or being constantly rewritten

I've experienced these realities in my past life helping non-profits write strategic plans and seen the plan utterly fall apart or not even used for numerous reasons. In the music industry today, which is constantly changing, I completely agree that all the components you mention for a plan should be thought about and written down, but do you think this means musicians should write several short-term plans a year or phase them out? It probably depends on the goals of the artist.

The follow up question I have to your post is taking a plan and implementing it--how does one do it? Other than doing it, what should be in place to ensure the music business plan shows success?

I wanted to those those questions out for readers here, but my two quick answers are--A) just start doing it (how else does anything get done), and B) incorporate metrics into the plan.

Brian Franke www.brianfranke.com @bfrankemusic (Twitter) www.brianfranke.com/thinkingaloud (music blog)

Of course I remember you. I'm like an elephant when it comes that kinda of thing ;-)

This post is purposely in direct contradiction to that section in ReWork for two reasons:

1.) I'm not trying to sell you a book (yet)

2.) I've personally seen businesses fail because they didn't plan

37 signals is a great company and the authors are very smart guys, but when I hear you say things like everything you PLANNED for you accomplished, it further underscores my point.

To answer your questions:

Start by reviewing your finances. If you don't have the money to record, market, distribute and promote you cannot proceed.

Measurable goals is the name of the game. You have to know how many fans, shows, and digital downloads you need in order to become profitable. Otherwise your plan was created in vein.

Great hearing from you Brian. Keep up the good work!

Kevin, I'm glad the topic of music business plans has come up, because I've been trying to wrap my head around them for a while. After reading over your post and the provided documents, I'm still very skeptical about their practicality. (I don't intend to come off as a jerk - its hard to ask critical questions online without sounding like one)

First off, it seems like the plan for Northern Southerners is basically to "do what every other aspiring band and label does." Produce albums, merchandise, and tour. To me, this all seems like stating the obvious. I don't understand how this constitutes a guiding plan.

Under what circumstances will the folks at Northern Southern ever encounter some question or situation in which they say, "hmmm, i dunno, we better check and see what the plan said", and then crack this thing open and have their answer? It all seems very substance-free.

Then there's the finance page... am I reading this wrong, or does it end stating that they're going to be $80,638 in the hole at the end of the year? Obviously companies need to incur some startup costs, but for a PLAN, this certainly seems to end on a bit of a cliffhanger! Fuirthermore, (And I have always, always wondered this), how the heck can ANYONE project music sales for a startup act? Granted, they project a year end total of only $10,700 in total sales, which I suppose is realistic... but what are those numbers based on? Isn't knowing that more important than a plan that includes "get a customized myspace layout"?

I guess I just don't see how "spend money on a publicist and promoter" equals a marketing plan. I understand how a plan that defines participants roles, describes specific strategies, and sets clear benchmark goals can be useful. But this plan does none of that.

However, even if it did, my overarching question remains; how can ANYONE predict revenue or sales in this music industry for new products or artists? It seems to me like things either catch heat, or they don't, and it usually comes down to who is able to work their media connections best and get the most exposure.

I'm really not trying to tear this post down, I've just been told time and time again about the importance of business plans in music only to see a laundry list of very basic promotional activities, combined with seemingly imaginary financial projections. I would very much like to hear where I am missing the point.

Hey Justin,

Thanks for reading and asking some very good questions. BTW you don't come off as a jerk. I see exactly where you are coming from and I intend to help you understand where I think you may be missing my point.

You should always be skeptical of new ideas, especially when they appear from an unfamiliar author on a blog that claims to be the most relevant think tank in the new music industry today. I'm a huge skeptic myself and further more I've never been known for blowing smoke when it comes to the music business. Independents should protect their right to call, bullshit, so I'm glad you were man enough to do so. In any event, here are my arguments.

Point #1: First off, it seems like the plan for Northern Southerners is basically to "do what every other aspiring band and label does.

You're correct. It is exactly that. What is different here is that the Northern Southerners have put it on paper in order to identify the holes in it. How can you find flaws in what you propose to do without seeing all of the details out in front of you?

They have also itemized what the cost are for each basic step of the way. Sure, most (not all) artists know how it goes:

⁃ record and album, market it, promote it and distribute it

Now ask yourself, how many artists can say they have contacted all of the vendors necessary to carry out those four "obvious" steps, and project how much this "labor of love" will cost them in 2011? The Northern Southerners can.

Point #2: Under what circumstances will the folks at Northern Southern ever encounter some question or situation in which they say, "hmmm, i dunno, we better check and see what the plan said", and then crack this thing open and have their answer?

Thats a perfect segment to point #1. The Northern Southerners are often asked by investors to forecast what they are likely to spend next year. Conversely they will also have to take an educated guess about how much money they will make.

Think of a business plan as a big budget. Do you tell your banker that you are skeptical about budgeting for college, auto purchase or home loan? That you don't see the value in planning for those types of expediters? Why is a music business any different? If you say, because its "too hard" and it "either catches or it doesn't", makes me think that it is even more important to plan. Not less.

Music is emotional, I know, but businesses aren't. Remember, I didn't make these rules, I'm just presenting a way to bridge the two truths.

Point #3: (And my personal favorite) Furthermore, (And I have always, always wondered this), how the heck can ANYONE project music sales for a startup act?

How about we start with your neighborhood and say, "Who is most likely to buy my album in this town? What does my target customer look like? What do they do for fun? Where do they hang out?

Let say you come up with one market segment that is 30 year old men. What do 30 year old men do on a beautiful day like today? Watch football. So you can either come up with a catchy song about how Titans CB Cortland Finnegan got his ass beat last week and put it out on the internet too see if it "catches"

You can look at the City, County and State Census records to find out exactly the number of 30 year old men that live in your neck of the woods. Then you take your marketing tool(s) of choice and examine the industry standards on say, pay per clicks (if you plan to use internet promotion).

That is what this and any other good financial plan is based on. Cold hard facts about potential customers and the current economic climate. Not lofty ideas and passing thoughts about how great your music is.

Look I'm not going to elaborate any further in this comment, but please feel free to ask more question here, via email, twitter or phone. I'll leave all of my contact info at the bottom of the post.

Kev eleetmusic[at]gmail 347-688-5383 @eleetmusic

I finally had a chance to skim through this. As someone that has invested in, written and consumed my fair share of plans, here's my feedback:

Your plan is a fine "friend" plan. It's a plan that close friends with money to burn (in a wood stove) might invest in. However, I don't believe this is the type of plan anyone could sensibly shop to strangers (as investors). Here are a few reasons why:

The upside you are offering is far too low for the perceived risk involved. I would never put $100K into something as risky as a band unless I was going to own a significant chunk (probably far more than 20%) of the entity that controlled all the rights and IP.

You need to demonstrate that you are taking some of the significant risks off the table. Without signed rights and services agreements, there's no minimal guarantee that the songwriter or lead singer is not going to drift off to some other band/venture.

As Justin said, the plan is lacking in substance (sorry).. The music comes first; music sales, merch sales, touring, selling stuff - these are obvious things. I want to know what you are going to do to propel yourself to the moon. The 6% return is nice if you are a bank, but I want to know how I am going to end up owning a chunk of a $35M annual business two years from now! What's the unique, unusual, inventive, off-the-charts thing (strategy) that you are going to employ that's going to put you on the map and keep you on the map? (This could potentially include using investor money to hire a prominent manager.)

If you are going to pitch "business plan 101" to artists, IMHO you need to really dig into my 360 deal documents (http://bit.ly/gtGanm) to develop an understanding of how to 1) minimize risk, 2) align incentives, 3) capture all potential revenue streams, and 4) paint a picture of significant upside.

If the hardest thing in the music business is putting lyrics together with a melody to create a popular song, then the second hardest thing is finding the money you need to do everything else. In this industry, before you even write a plan to raise $10K, you better have 1) excellent songs, and 2) a believable strategy that's going to make you into a true, viable business. Cheers.

Strategy for a viable business. Bruce I know you love lists:

New Order: choose the worst singer to not only sing but also write the lyrics (some of which are literally made-up gibberish). Stay signed to a label that refuses, on principle, to finance PR. Invest the majority of any money made in a nightclub that loses money hand-over-fist (and don't buy the building it's in, just spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on its refurbishment). Name yourselves after Hitler's own term for the Nazi party.

Jimi Hendrix: restart your career as a black, psychedelic rock star in another country where black people are still a novelty, by supporting Gene Pitney and Engelbert Humperdinck, then return to your country of birth and try to start your new career there by supporting the Monkees. Pledge support for the soldiers in Vietnam whilst presenting yourself as an alt. culture freak (change your mind later). Perform and record the national anthem at sunrise with feedback guitar and sexually provocative hip thrusts. Die from ingesting your own vomit after building an intense mythology about your drug-taking powers.

Nirvana: oh, you can fill this one in yourself...

Success? Yes, all three, business-wise.

Now, if you'd asked the managers, the story would have an ever-so slightly different slant, right?

Ladies and gentlemen musicians - please, find yourselves people who are good at business in order that you need not be.

Ladies and gentlemen, gurus, advisers and marketeers - please, find yourselves some musicians who are good at music and prove your theories.

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I sincerely respect your judgement and expertise.

"Your plan is a fine "friend" plan."

Correct. The Northern Southerners came to me for a business plan to submit to a family friend that was already interested in investing, but wanted to see their business on paper.

"You need to demonstrate that you are taking some of the significant risks off the table."

Agreed. I'll look into this further with future plans of the sort.

"As Justin said, the plan is lacking in substance (sorry)"

Don't be sorry. This is your professional opinion. Granted, everyone isn't at the same level as you are. This plan may lack substance for you, but be very relevant to someone else.

"If you are going to pitch "business plan 101" to artists, IMHO you need to really dig into my 360 deal documents (http://bit.ly/gtGanm)"

First of all I'd like you to understand that I'm not pitching (Lord knows I have enough work to do). I'm simply sharing what I know with the people who have asked.

Please remember that this plan is a sample. Not the end all be all or a guaranteed road to success.

" I want to know what you are going to do to propel yourself to the moon."

Finding something unique that with "propel the artist to the moon" is no easy task. No one has found that thing from my knowledge. Not sure why I'm expected to include this in the plan.

In any event, the Northern Southerners 'thing" was the fact that they were able to clear a Bruce Springsteen sample for their lead single. That's a lot more than some can say.

I'll respond to the only coherent sentences in your comment above

"Ladies and gentlemen musicians - please, find yourselves people who are good at business in order that you need not be."

Really? How much will that cost you over the course of your career? Isn't it better to know the business than to relinquish control to someone who "says" they are acting in your best interest?

"Ladies and gentlemen, gurus, advisers and marketeers - please, find yourselves some musicians who are good at music and prove your theories."

Are you "good" at music? Let's try some theories out with you.

Keep the comments coming everyone! This is how we will progress as an industry.

figured that was pretty coherent... how about: these are three examples of very successful artists, none of whom, on paper, would seem to have had a viable business plan.

And as the world of pop is full of similarly successful musicians who have had chaotic careers that they couldn't have possibly planned for, I would say, though there might possibly be exceptions (and I would love to hear about them - honestly, that's the point of my comments) who started off with a business plan as opposed to a dream and a riff, basically, success from chaos is the norm and to state otherwise needs proof.

So, if you are making a solid offer to work with one of my artists, to create living proof, please mail me off-site and let's talk about it.

cheers [email protected]

What you are referring to is the magic that happens when an artist hits the big time.

It would be foolish to think that none of this was planned. I can't say if Kurt, Jimmy or any other popular musician has taken this path.

All I can say is that they would have been better off by knowing a little bit more about their business. Just like any other business man or woman.

You don't have to believe me or trust that my "theory" works. You can keep on dreaming and believing that one day all of your musical dreams will come true. It's your choice.

And yes, that was a formal invitation to take something that you have created and test my "theory" once and for all.

Will email you offline and post the results here.

"Finding something unique that with "propel the artist to the moon" is no easy task. No one has found that thing from my knowledge. Not sure why I'm expected to include this in the plan."

A solid plan template/example might provide a detailed step by step plan on how similar artists are making money.

Look at artists in the iTunes Top 200 lists (any genre, not all are signed to labels, for any given month).

Look at artists that are performing in venues operated by Live Nation.

Many of theses artists are making money, and not all of them are legacy artists, and not all are signed to major labels. How did they get to where they are now? What was/is (past, present, and future) their business plan? How long does it take? What are the key ingredients that are propelling success? Etc, etc.. Can this success be replicated? What did it cost to get there? And so on.. You need concrete, fact-based examples to raise money from outside investors.

@Kevin - I'm sure there have been many plans made by many artists, but the idea that they are transferable just can't be proved. Sure, we can all learn lessons from history and we can all plan hopefully, so maybe that's how we should look at your plan. I'll look forward to hearing from you.

@Bruce - as ever, intriguing me into action - I had a good look at the UK top 200, of which I found 8 artists who are apparently not signed either to decent sized labels or production companies. Some have arrived at their success by slightly more independent routes, most have a decent financial push behind them, if I took an educated guess.

Unfortunately, nearly all the 'randoms' do seem to have a uniting factor: novelty plus cultural good timing:

Brett Domino, Bruno Mars, Xamder Rawlins, aberlour choir, captain ska, yeo valley rappers.

They all have other groups and org's supporting them in various ways, because of who they are, from radio stations to the patriotic British public.

Of the other two:

Afrojack and Yolanda be Cool, you could easily put the latter in the novelty bracket, depending on your POV on Europop. Afrojack is connected to Spinnin' Records, a dance indie based in Amsterdam, so might also be discounted, although I'm not sure how big they are.

I couldn't find what we might call 'start-ups' or purely artist-run labels; even the labels apparently owned by artists tend to have deals with a bigger label or publishing company.

Of course, there might be a whole different picture in the States; with its tradition of decent-sized, locally based labels with support from large radio stations in the area, the impetus and infrastructure might be in place to facilitate smaller crews in a release. I know that certain hip hop labels have managed to do well, in the grand tradition of 'if they won't release, we'll do it ourselves' that led people like Sam Cooke, James Brown, Curtis mayfield and The Isleys to set up their own labels.

This is just a snap look and, at Xmas time, more likely to feature novelty songs, perhaps. But still, disappointing and surprising, even for digital cynic me.

"most have a decent financial push behind them"

Thus the point of the business plan to raise money.. Record label or not, it's still money + humans + an execution plan that's making it all work. One could possibly raise money if they 'plan' to hire the right humans and execute a 'plan' that has historically (at least over the last ten minutes) worked.

On a related matter, I believe it's incredibly difficult for the average investor (fan) to gauge popularity potential against competing alternatives (for investment money) in the marketplace. The means to measure this are crude at best (e.g.: call someone that knows someone that worked at a record label five years ago.).

So possibly the best plan might be not to bother with plans and just try to be the most exciting band in the world in the hope that 'money + humans + an execution plan', in other words, a label, or a production company, or a publishing or a management company take you on.

On the evidence, it's a better 'career path' than any other.

Investor = fan? It's possible, but unlikely. I know some crazy fans think they own the artist they love in some way, but buying their music doesn't make you an investor.

That's just free-market capitalist speak gone mad.

"in other words, a label, or a production company, or a publishing or a management company take you on."

Sure. Aren't they the groups that are supposed to be writing the plans? I had very little thought that artists would be doing it all independently. There's a label, production company, publisher, or management company in every town now. They are the ones usually seeking an investment.

Absolutely, although they are far and few, even in most big cities in the UK.

In the whole of Scotland (pop: 5 million) there's hardly a publisher, very few management companies, one serious, specialist PR company (although I think they may have just moved to Brighton). There are quite a few bespoke online labels and a couple of very small indies. There is one, very large promoter. The over-all music economy is tiny.

That's a small target to aim for, for most artists. Most of the one billion profit and x-billions turn-over, in other words, the business, is in London.

I'm sure it's similar in the States - with hotspots of finance like Nashville, NY and LA.

I honestly don't think the roads to travel on have altered all that much for artists, because of the internet. As you say, Bruce, you don't expect the artists to be doing it independently - apart from the very odd exception, I don't think that's happening.

Although, I would love it to be possible.

Really very useful and important news for everyone. Terry McBride's Nettrwerk Group started a joint venture fund called Polyphonic where his company's intent is to invest in artists that are in a place where they could grow with the help of outside funding. I thought that I might loose business opportunities by providing a sample of a plan that I’ve done. People like to copy plans instead of learning the steps or hiring a business plan writer like myself. I am going to subscribe to this feed also. Thanks a lot! Business strategy

Very interesting site and articles. Really thankful for sharing. Will surely recommend this site to some friends! Regards,

Again very useful and very important for everyone. Terry McBride Nettrwerk Group started a joint investment fund intended polyphonic ring your company is to invest in artists who are in a place where they could develop with the help of external funding. I could lose business opportunities by providing a sample that I plan. People like to copy the plans instead of learning the steps or hire a business plan writer like me. I'll subscribe to this channel. Thanks! Testking 350-001 || Testking CISSP || Testking 70-649

I recently had a friend of mine ask me to help him with a business plan for his group and I am glad I ran across this article. I had a few business courses in school so I thought I knew a little bit, at least enough to set the rough outline, but this article (as well as the comments and critiquing!) were very helpful!! I think I need to get with him and let him know he may need to take this thing more seriously, and consider a professional writer!

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Music Festival Business Plan

The music festival is a scalable business if you are a skilled event planner and have what it takes to plan and market events.

Anyone can start a new business, but you need a detailed business plan when it comes to raising funding, applying for loans, and scaling it like a pro!

Need help writing a business plan for your music festival business? You’re at the right place. Our music festival business plan template will help you get started.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write A Music Festival Business Plan?

Writing a music festival business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

Introduce your Business:

Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers.

Market Opportunity:

Music festival services:.

Highlight the music festival services you offer your clients. The USPs and differentiators you offer are always a plus.

Marketing & Sales Strategies:

Financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

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2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your business. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

Business Description:

Describe your business in this section by providing all the basic information:

Describe what kind of music festival business you run and the name of it. You may specialize in one of the following music festival businesses:

• Music festival production company
• Event management & promotion agency
• Merchandise & retail
• Art & decor supply company
• Describe the legal structure of your music festival business, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.

Mission Statement:

Business history:.

If you’re an established music festival business, briefly describe your business history, like—when it was founded, how it evolved over time, etc.

Future Goals

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

Target market:

Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.

Market size and growth potential:

Describe your market size and growth potential and whether you will target a niche or a much broader market.

Competitive Analysis:

Market trends:.

Analyze emerging trends in the industry, such as technology disruptions, changes in customer behavior or preferences, etc. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends.

Regulatory Environment:

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your music festival business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

Describe your services:

Mention the music festival services your business will offer. This list may include services like,

• Event planning & production
• Artist booking & management
• Marketing & promotion
• Activities & attractions
• Food & beverage
• Vendor management
• Stage & production management

Describe each service:

Provide a detailed description of each service you provide:

For instance; for food and beverages: draw attention to the range of food sellers, culinary trends, and dietary options (such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free) available.

Sustainable & environmental initiatives:

Additional services:.

In short, this section of your music festival plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

Define your business’s USPs depending on the market you serve, the equipment you use, and the unique services you provide. Identifying USPs will help you plan your marketing strategies.

Pricing Strategy:

Marketing strategies:, sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, this section of your music festival business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your music festival business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

Staffing & Training:

Operational process:, equipment & software:.

Include the list of equipment and machinery required for the music festival, such as sound equipment, lighting equipment, video equipment, stage equipment, ticketing & event manager software, etc.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your music festival business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founders/CEO:

Key managers:.

Introduce your management and key members of your team, and explain their roles and responsibilities.

Organizational structure:

Compensation plan:, advisors/consultants:.

Mentioning advisors or consultants in your business plans adds credibility to your business idea.

This section should describe the key personnel for your music festival business, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:.

Determine and mention your business’s break-even point—the point at which your business costs and revenue will be equal.

Financing Needs:

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your music festival business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This sample music festival business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful music festival plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our music festival business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a music festival business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful music festival business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your music festival business.

How to get funding for your music festival business?

There are several ways to get funding for your music festival business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are:

• Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
• Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought startup options.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your music festival business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your music festival business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your music festival business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any music festival business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software .

How do I write a good market analysis in a music festival business plan?

Market analysis is one of the critical components of your business plan that requires deep research and a thorough understanding of your industry. We can categorize the process of writing a good market analysis section into the following steps:

• Stating the objective of your market analysis—e.g., investor funding.
• Industry study—market size, growth potential, market trends, etc.
• Identifying target market—based on user behavior and demographics.
• Analyzing direct and indirect competitors.
• Calculating market share—understanding TAM, SAM, and SOM.
• Knowing regulations and restrictions
• Organizing data and writing the first draft.

Writing a marketing analysis section can be overwhelming, but using ChatGPT for market research can make things easier.

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