The Indie Distributor Project

The Indie Roadmap

Where to start as an independent musician, in what order, without burning out. A straightforward guide with a Canadian lens.

Created by The Indie Distributor Project, the Ontario non-profit that co-produces Gussapolooza Music Festival.

A 48-page PDF with 17 worksheets

What it is

You're the songwriter, the booker, the merch table, the accountant and the driver. Everyone says you should be releasing music, registering songs, building an email list, booking shows, applying for grants and posting daily, and nobody tells you what to do first. The Indie Musician Roadmap puts it in order. It's written by musicians who've lived it, covers the Canadian specifics (SOCAN, neighbouring rights, FACTOR and arts council grants, HST), and keeps burnout on the agenda instead of pretending it isn't there.

What's inside

The order of operationsFour phases and a week-by-week plan, so you know what to do now and what can wait. Includes a “not-now” list for the guilt.

Canadian detailsSOCAN, neighbouring rights, FACTOR and arts council grants, and when HST kicks in. Written for artists in Canada.

17 worksheets12-week focus, money tracker, split sheet, release plan, road budget, grant calendar and more. Fill them in as you go.

Built to keep you goingPractical habits for artists who do everything themselves, so the plan doesn’t cost you your energy.

Also inside: releasing and booking, radio airplay and press, touring step by step, earning from your socials, your email list and merch.

Good to know: The Indie Musician Roadmap is general information for independent artists, with a Canadian focus. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Programs, fees and deadlines change, so check the official sources, and talk to an accountant or lawyer for your own situation. It does not guarantee income, grants, bookings or streams.

The Indie Musician Roadmap

Roadmap + 17 worksheets · PDF

$34.99CAD + HST

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