Part 6: Measure What Matters – Tracking Your Progress & Planning Your Next Move
Aug 12, 2025Congratulations - you released your single and ran a full 30-day campaign.
But now comes a crucial step too many independent artists skip - measuring what worked, what didn’t, and what to do next.
Data isn’t just for record labels. It’s your superpower as a modern indie artist.
Step 1: Review Your Goals
What did success look like for this release?
Examples:
- Hit 5,000 streams on Spotify
- Land on 2 editorial playlists
- Grow your Instagram by 300 followers
- Get local radio play
- Build your mailing list
Did you meet your goals? If not, what came close - and why?
Step 2: Track the Right Metrics
Here’s what to check (and what it tells you):
Spotify for Artists:
- Total streams & saves (Are people listening and liking?)
- Listener retention (Do they skip after 10 seconds or listen to the end?)
- Playlist adds (Which ones performed best?)
- Follower growth
Social Media Insights:
- Top performing posts
- Follower growth during the campaign
- Engagement rate (likes/comments/shares vs reach)
Email / Website:
- New subscribers
- Click-through rate to streaming links
- Website traffic trends
Fan Feedback:
- Comments, DMs, shares
- Any feedback from gigs, messages, or radio hosts
Step 3: Learn & Adjust
Every single you release should teach you something.
Ask:
- What content got the best engagement?
- Which platforms worked best?
- What surprised you?
- What felt most you?
- What do you want to do differently next time?
Step 4: Plan Your Next Move
Momentum is gold - so don’t stop.
Ideas:
- Schedule the next release
- Launch acoustic, live, or remix versions
- Build a series around your new songs
- Book shows or livestreams to support your single
Top Tip: Consistency beats virality. A steady release strategy will grow your career more than chasing the algorithm.
In Summary:
Success isn’t one single going viral. It’s learning, growing, and building a fanbase over time.
Treat every release like a step on the ladder, and you’ll be surprised how far you climb.
Need help planning your next release?
Tryfan Music offers coaching, release strategy, and artist management tailored to independent artists. Book in a Free 1:1 discovery call with Tryfan Music.
Download The Recording Artist Toolkit to learn the 6 steps to success in today’s new music business.
And that’s it - you’ve just learned how to release music like a pro in 2025!
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