Navigating the Music Business

Berklee College of Music

About this Course

This course shares practical tips and strategies to help you take your first step into launching your career as a musical artist. We’ll cover everything from developing your unique identity as an artist and how to lead a band all the way to planning and recording your first independent record with the help of crowdfunding. The course curriculum is modeled from the real-world experience of Leah Waldo (also known as the emerging country artist, Elisa Smith) and features interviews with industry executives, artists, producers, and engineers — all designed to help you navigate the music industry.

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

English

Subtitles: English

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

English

Subtitles: English

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

1

Section

1 hour to complete

Welcome!

Welcome to Navigate the Music Business! Before you begin the course, we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience....

1 video (Total 2 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

1 videos

What You Can Expect To Learn In This Course1m

4 readings

How This Course Works10m

Earn a Certificate for this Course10m

Connect with Your Classmates10m

A Note from Your Teaching Assistant10m

1 practice exercises

What do you hope to accomplish?8m

2 hours to complete

Your Foundation

In this lesson, we will begin to lay the foundation for who you are as an artist and a leader. We'll discuss the importance of having a strong sense of your identity, vision, and intention and we'll also how leverage your natural skills as a musician, like intuition and collaboration, to work for you as an entrepreneur. Finally, we'll discuss how to become a better band leader....

4 videos (Total 39 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

What You Can Expect To Learn In This Lesson1m

Developing Your Identity, Vision, and Intention14m

Musicianship = Entrepreneurship12m

How to Become a More Effective Band Leader10m

3 readings

Overcoming An Internal Struggle10m

About Your Instructor: Leah (a.k.a. Elisa Smith)10m

Case Study: Elisa Smith's IVI10m

1 practice exercises

Case Study: Elisa Smith's IVI20m

2

Section

1 hour to complete

Your Brand

Now that you have a strong foundation (your IVI), we'll discuss building your brand and your fanbase. We'll go over tips for building a presence on social media and how to connect to your fans and potential business partners on a personal level by learning how to network effectively. Finally, we'll discuss the trend of artist-brand partnerships and why a brand partnership might be a smart move for independent artists....

4 videos (Total 31 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

4 videos

What You Can Expect To Learn In This Lesson2m

Building Your Fanbase9m

The Art of Networking5m

Partnering With Brands14m

1 readings

Using Brand Names in Your Songwriting10m

1 practice exercises

Case Study; Brand Partnerships20m

3

Section

1 hour to complete

Your Record

In this lesson, we'll focus on planning your recording project, whether it's a full length album or an EP. We'll discuss the role of the producer and the very special relationship that exists between producers and musicians. We'll also discuss how to cast a vision for your project by choosing the right songs, feel, and instrumentation. Finally, we'll learn how to set up a simple recording budget so you can keep track how much your project will cost. ...

5 videos (Total 46 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

What You Can Expect To Learn In This Lesson1m

Choosing The Right Producer11m

Establishing A Vision and Intention for Your Record9m

Setting Up a Simple Recording Budget13m

Case Study: Do You Need A Producer?10m

2 readings

The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship10m

Recording In the Studio10m

1 practice exercises

Case Study: Do You Need A Producer?16m

4

Section

1 hour to complete

Your Money

The majority of this lesson will focus on planning, launching, and managing a crowdfunding campaign. Crowdfunding is a great way to gain support for your music, but running a campaign requires careful planning and preparation. We'll also share a some tips on how to turn your band into a sustainable business....

5 videos (Total 31 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

What You Can Expect To Learn In This Lesson1m

5 Tips for Turning Your Band into a Business2m

Crowdfunding: Pre Launch6m

Crowdfunding: Post Launch6m

Case Study: Successful Crowdfunding14m

2 readings

10 Tips for Running a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign10m

Reviewing Rench's Crowdfunding Campaign10m

1 practice exercises

Case Study: Successful Crowdfunding20m

2 hours to complete

Your Career

Congratulations! You've made it through the course content and now it's time to put what you've learned into practice for your final project. ...

1 video (Total 1 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

1 videos

What do I do next?0m

1 readings

Launching Your Career10m

Instructor

Leah Waldo

Course Author

About Berklee College of Music

Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music. For more than half a century, the college has evolved to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. Berklee serves distance learners worldwide through its award-winning online extension school, Berklee Online....

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I pay for this course?
If you pay for this course, you will have access to all of the features and content you need to earn a Course Certificate. If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Note that the Course Certificate does not represent official academic credit from the partner institution offering the course.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
Yes! Coursera provides financial aid to learners who would like to complete a course but cannot afford the course fee. To apply for aid, select "Learn more and apply" in the Financial Aid section below the "Enroll" button. You'll be prompted to complete a simple application; no other paperwork is required.

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Navigating the Music Business