Music Business
Instructor: Youken Yan
Learn the ins and outs of music business including Marketing & Branding, Publishing, Distribution and more to build a sustainable career in the music industry.
Enroll NowAbout This Course
This comprehensive Music Business course is designed for artists, producers, and music entrepreneurs who want to understand the business side of the music industry. Whether you're an independent artist or looking to work in music management, this course will provide you with the essential knowledge to navigate the complex world of music business.
Through practical examples and case studies from the African music market, you'll learn how to protect your work, build your brand, monetize your music, and create sustainable revenue streams.
Course Modules
1 The Artist as a Business
Understand the music industry ecosystem and learn how to approach your music career as a business. Topics include goal setting, creating a business plan, and understanding your unique value proposition.
2 What is Copyright?
Learn the fundamentals of music copyright, including how it's created, protected, and enforced under Ghanaian and international law. Understand the difference between composition and sound recording copyrights.
3 Building and Engaging Your Fanbase with Branding
Develop your artist brand identity and learn strategies to grow and engage your fanbase. Covers social media strategies, content creation, and community building techniques.
4 Building Your Music Team
Learn about the key roles in a music team (managers, agents, lawyers, etc.) and how to assemble the right team for your career stage. Includes how to evaluate and negotiate with potential team members.
5 Understanding Royalties and Revenue Streams
Explore the various ways musicians earn money, including performance royalties, mechanical royalties, synchronization licenses, and more. Learn how to register with collection societies.
6 Distribution
Compare digital distribution options and learn how to get your music on all major platforms. Understand distribution agreements and how to analyze streaming data.
7 Publishing
Learn what music publishers do and how to work with them. Includes understanding publishing deals, administration, and how to maximize your publishing income.
8 Contracts
Understand common music industry contracts, including recording agreements, publishing deals, and management contracts. Learn what to look for and when to seek legal advice.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will:
- Understand the music industry ecosystem and your place within it
- Know how to protect your music through copyright and other legal mechanisms
- Have developed a personal brand strategy and marketing plan
- Understand how to assemble and work with a professional music team
- Be able to identify and maximize all potential revenue streams
- Know how to distribute your music effectively worldwide
- Understand publishing and how to work with publishers
- Be able to review and negotiate basic music contracts
Who Should Take This Course
This course is ideal for:
- Musicians and artists who want to understand the business side of their career
- Music producers looking to monetize their work effectively
- Aspiring managers and music entrepreneurs
- Anyone interested in working in the music industry in a business capacity
- Independent artists managing their own careers