Behind every artist who has "made it big" there is much more than talent or visibility. There is structure, criteria, strategy and method. Even if you are just starting out, there are lessons that you can apply from now on, without needing to have millions of streams or a giant team.
It's not about copying, it's about understanding how those who have already arrived work... and adapting their mentality to your scale.
1. They have a clear vision of who they are
Before sounding like a lot of people, they sound like themselves.
Established artists are not looking for constant validation: are building identity.
What can you do?
Define your sound direction, your aesthetics and your message. Not everything has to be closed, but don't improvise every month. A career is built on coherence.
2. Plan, don't improvise
Nobody launches for the sake of launching. There are times of study, of networking, of promotion, of rest. You don't release a single because "it's due", but because there is a plan behind it.
What can you do?
Plan launches at least 3 weeks in advance. Schedule your content. Take care of post-release. Don't burn songs without working on them.
3. They build real (albeit small) equipment.
Nobody does it all alone. Even when there is no big budget, there are key people: producer, designer, social media, manager, visual artist...
What can you do?
Surround yourself with people who believe in your project and are at the same time as you. Collaborate, delegate, trust. It's not about paying an agency: it's about joining forces.
4. They understand the business without losing their soul
Great artists understand contracts, publishers, intellectual property, splits, royalties...
They do not disconnect from the system: they learn to move within it without losing their essence.
What can you do?
Start with the basics: register your songs, know what a master is, what a distributor does or what it means to assign rights. Being a professional doesn't mean being less of an artist.
5. They constantly work on their narrative
History is not just in the music. It's in how they tell it, what they teach, how they evolve.
Great artists have a story. And that generates connection beyond the algorithm.
What can you do?
Build narrative from the first topic. Use your networks to show process, thoughts, evolution. Give your project a "why", not just a "how".
Conclusion
You don't need thousands of euros to start working as a serious artist.
You need vision, intention and method. The artists who make it are not the luckiest ones: they are the ones who have the clearest vision. Start thinking like them now, and your path will be more solid... even if you're just starting out.
