In this first episode of season six of the Music Business Breakthrough podcast, Cheryl introduces a transformative framework known as the "Musician Success Cycle," designed to help musicians navigate the complexities of their careers with clarity and strategic focus. The cycle is a practical tool for understanding where musicians stand in their career development and what actions to prioritize at different times.

The concept of the Musician Success Cycle arose from a personal experience shared by Cheryl when on tour in Switzerland in 2007. This led to the development of a cyclical model for managing a music career, acknowledging that a musician's journey is not linear but rather involves recurring phases.

1. Phase 1: Learning and Determining

   • This phase focuses on goal-setting and acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge. Musicians assess what they want to achieve in this cycle and identify any learning opportunities, such as courses or workshops, that can support their goals.

2. Phase 2: Creation

   • In this phase, musicians produce the essential assets needed for their careers, such as new music or fan engagement tools. This is a creative period where the emphasis is on generating the content or products that will be promoted in later phases.

3. Phase 3: Admin (Preparing and Sharing)

   • Often overlooked, this phase involves handling administrative tasks like branding, metadata organization, and system setups. These foundational activities are crucial for a smooth transition to the next phase.

4. Phase 4: Pitching and Promotion

   • Here, musicians actively promote their work to audiences, industry professionals, or licensing agents. Preparation is key; musicians should be ready for potential high-demand scenarios, such as an influx of new fans or interest from industry figures.

5. Phase 5: Fulfillment (Monetizing and Maintaining)

   • This phase involves executing the plans set out in previous phases, such as performing at gigs or managing revenue streams. It's about capitalizing on the groundwork laid earlier and maintaining momentum.

One common challenge addressed in the podcast is managing multiple projects that may be in different phases of the cycle. Cheryl advises aligning personal energy and focus rather than juggling tasks across different projects to avoid burnout. Another challenge is differentiating ongoing life responsibilities from project-specific tasks. The key is to recognize that routine activities, such as financial management or teaching, provide a stable foundation but are separate from the specific goals set within the cycle.

For more detailed guidance, listeners are encouraged to check out the mini-course on the RELEASIFY app by visiting www.inthekey.co/app or on a desktop at www.inthekey.co/cycle.