AKA how to make sure your next release doesn’t fall completely on your shoulders..
Every strong release you’ve seen had someone behind the visuals, someone behind the photos, someone hyping it online, someone helping shape the world around the music.
No artist does this alone.
Mapping your creative resources before your next drop shows you exactly who can help you make this release look, feel, and land the way it does in your head.
Why This Helps You
When you know who’s around you, you unlock things like:
- Better visuals: the friend with the cracked iPhone camera who somehow makes everyone look expensive.
- Content that doesn’t drain you: the videographer who can turn 10 seconds of you walking into a whole rollout.
- More people rooting for your release: every collaborator posts, shares, and pulls in their audience too.
- A stronger world around your music: merch, graphics, BTS clips, press shots… all created by people who get your vibe.
This is how indie artists build releases that feel bigger than their budget.
So How Do You Map Your Creative Network?
1. List everyone you know who makes things
Friends, cousins, classmates, mutuals, people you’ve DMed, the photographer you met at a gig. Write down every name. Get the list out of your head and onto a page.
2. Write what each person is actually good at
Not titles. Skills.
“She edits TikToks fast.”
“He knows how to shoot film.”
“They’re good at styling outfits.”
“She knows how to make cheap sets look cinematic.”
Be specific so your brain can match skills to your release later.
3. Spot Potential Collabs
Ask yourself: what would make this release feel complete?
Examples you can picture:
- A designer turns your lyric into a £20 hoodie fans will wear.
- A filmmaker captures one clean performance shot you can repurpose all month.
- A friend with good taste helps style your cover art look.
- A photographer shoots simple BTS of you recording.
Suddenly your rollout has texture.
4.Reach Out Early
Send a message like:“Hey, I’m planning my next release and I’d love to build something with you if you’re down.”People show up when they’re not being asked last minute.Early conversations = more time to make something you’re proud of.
The Payoff
When you map your creative circle, you stop doing everything alone and end up with:
- visuals you’re actually proud of
- posts you don’t dread making
- more hands on deck when things get stressful
- a release that feels bigger, fuller, and more “you”
Your next single doesn’t need to be a solo mission.
Ready to pitch your music to Spotify and Apple Music editors?
Head back to the un:hurd app to explore more tools and resources for playlist promotion.
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