Workbook — Define Your Artist Operating System

Before mechanics, define the operating system you'll run your career on. Open a notebook and answer:

1. Identity

• In one sentence, who are you as an artist?
• What three words must show up in every release, post, and show?
• Who is the listener you're building for? Be specific (age, city, what they already love).

2. Catalog reality

• How many finished masters do you currently own?
• For each: do you hold the sound recording AND composition rights cleanly?
• Which songs are already registered with a PRO? Which aren't?

3. Income map

For the next 12 months, list every realistic income source:

• Streaming, performance royalties, sync, live shows, merch, production work, teaching, brand deals.
• Circle the top 3. Those are your focus channels for this course.

4. Time budget

• Hours per week for creating
• Hours per week for business (registrations, pitches, accounting)
• If business is under 4 hours/week, your royalties will leak. Adjust.

5. North-star milestone

Pick ONE 90-day outcome that, if hit, changes everything (e.g. "Every catalog song fully registered + 3 sync submissions out"). Write it on the front page.

The artists who win don't have more talent. They have a system.