What I Wish I Knew Before Releasing My First Single

What I Wish I Knew Before Releasing My First Single

Before I released my first single, LOOKING, I thought I had a solid understanding of what it would take. I had the song, the vision, and the excitement—but there were so many things I didn’t anticipate. From marketing challenges to emotional highs and lows, the process taught me lessons I wish I had known earlier. If you're an independent artist preparing to release your first song, here’s what I learned the hard way—so you don’t have to.

The First Song Isn’t Always The Song

LOOKING was the first song I ever wrote, composed, and recorded to completion. That, in hindsight, was my first mistake. So much of making music is trial and error—working through different emotions and sonic ideas to get to the feeling. I wish I had understood that sooner. If I had, I would have spent more time refining my vocal performance and truly capturing the essence of the song.

Instead, I relied heavily on the studio and my recording engineer to execute my vocals. While I love the final master, I now realize that LOOKING doesn’t fully embody the feeling I wanted to achieve. It was a crucial learning experience—one that taught me to trust my artistry more and not settle until I get it just right.

Underestimating the Work Behind the Music

It goes without saying, but I completely underestimated the amount of work that goes into making good music. The moment LOOKING was finished, I felt pressured to release it immediately. I had already charged the recording expenses to my credit card, and I needed to pay that back—so waiting wasn’t an option.

This is a reality for many independent artists: funding is scarce, and financial pressure can rush the creative process. While I’d tell every artist to do what they can with what they have, I also have to be honest—it’s hard. Sometimes, the vision you have doesn’t match the resources available to you. And more often than not, the return on investment doesn’t hit your account right away.

Streaming Isn’t as Simple as It Seems

In 2025, the easiest way to make money as an independent artist is through streaming. At least, that’s what I thought. I had a strategy for getting my music heard, but I quickly learned that without playlist placements, streaming revenue is nearly nonexistent. And unless you have a label backing you, landing on curated playlists usually requires either connections or money.

I didn’t have a label, so I spent my own money. And while I consider that a business expense, I still didn’t see an immediate return. That was a hard pill to swallow. Making music isn’t just about creating—it’s about understanding the industry, the business, and the long game.

Marketing Is More Than Just Promoting Your Music

I didn’t release LOOKING to hear whether people liked it or not. But as an artist, I naturally wanted to share its message. I wanted to create content that not only promoted the song but also built my brand.

What I learned is this: your work is your explanation. Everything you release should be intentional and aligned with your overall vision. The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing—it feels like artistry. And when you approach it that way, you naturally attract the right audience.

In fact, putting out music is probably the least significant part of being an artist. That realization hit me hard. Everything I do—every creative decision, every piece of content, every performance—should be feeding my artistry. Music is just one part of that bigger picture.

If I Had Known All of This, I Wouldn’t Have Released LOOKING

Here’s the truth: If I had known all of this before releasing LOOKING, I probably wouldn’t have put it out. Not because I don’t love the song—I do. I’m proud of it. But I now see that it wasn’t the best representation of my brand or my artistic vision.

That being said, I don’t regret it. LOOKING serves as documentation of my commitment to growth. And that’s the biggest lesson of all—I will keep growing.

If you’re an independent artist about to release your first single, just know this: your first song is not your final statement. It’s just the beginning. Learn from it, build on it, and trust that your artistry will continue to evolve.