Hey Reader,

This week, I didn’t finish a track.
But I did build something that helps me finish more of them in the future.

A template.

Not in Ableton – but in Canva.

And weirdly… it taught me something about music production.

What does content creation have to do with music?

Honestly, I used to hate it.

I told myself:
“I make music – I’m not here to create carousels or write captions.”

But now, one week before my next release drops, I’m knee-deep in planning stories, posts, and edits.

Why?

Because a release isn’t just a finished track.

🎧 For those who haven’t released on a label (yet)

Here’s what usually happens after the final master is done:

You start thinking about the Spotify pitch.
You wait for the release date confirmation.
Maybe you already picture the reactions, the shares, the momentum.

But here’s the thing:
​What happens next is completely different from label to label.

Some labels don’t even send you the artwork on time.
Others provide a full promo kit – with Reels, assets, captions – ready to post.

But no matter how much support you get…

YOU still have to post.

Because if you don’t share your music, who else will?

That’s when I started building content templates

Not because I love editing.
Not because I’m good at copywriting.
And definitely not because I want to be an “influencer.”

But because I want this to be a real music business.​
And like in every business, you need systems that save time and reduce friction.

Just like in music.

Building that Canva template last week made one thing clear: I’d been overcomplicating everything.

It reminded me of producing:
​→ The more structure I have, the more flow I get.

💬 So here’s the real question:

What’s your goal?

If you want to finish more tracks, release more music, and grow your audience…
you need to be intentional with your time and energy.

I’m not saying you should become a content creator.

But I am saying this:

And there are moments where you feel stuck, even though you’ve done it before.

Like starting a new project.
Or pitching a label.
Or finishing the arrangement.

If yes, maybe it’s not your motivation that’s missing.
Maybe it’s just structure.

✅ Try this next time you feel stuck:

1. Pick a task you repeat often​
   (e.g. track arrangement, pitching, exporting stems)
2. Write down the 3–5 steps you usually take
3. Turn that into a mini checklist​
   → Put it where you’ll see it next time (in Notion, sticky note, Ableton template)
4. Next time you do that task – improve the checklist​
   → That’s your personal system growing.

That’s what I’m doing – one area at a time.
This week was content.
Next week, it’s back to music.

And the cool part?
They’re not as different as I thought.

That’s it for now. Have a great week!

Stay Productive,
- LEMAN

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🚀 Need a productivity boost?

If you're ready, here’s how I can help you:

​Stay Productive Notion Template - The ultimate tool to organize your music business, manage your tracks, and stay productive. Designed for music producers.

This email is sent by Stefan Lehmann via https://musicbyleman.com. I help independent music producers stay organized, consistent, and focused – even with a full-time job. These emails share tools, workflows, and personal insights to support your music journey.
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