Using The Lean Start Up Method For Music Promotion?

The Lean Start Up Method was first proposed in 2008 by Eric Ries the author of The Lean Startup, using his personal experiences adapting lean management principles to high-tech startup companies. The methodology is in short a way to present an idea/hypothesis to the end consumer to find the “minimum viable product” (MVP) before starting to develop a product or servie to find if there’s actually a need for the product that the end consumer is actually willing to pay for. The method has been expanded to apply to any individual, team, or company looking to introduce new products or services into the market. But how about music?

A recent course have been added to Udemy showing how to implement Lean Start Up methods into building a music career while building a fanbase. There haven’t been much content about this subject but some have touched on it such as Ryan Tanaka, Matt Shadetek and George Howard. Giving examples on how Demo’s could be called the “MVP” but often takes way to long and to much resources to be called the Lean Method. Matt gives the examples when often UK rappers made “dubplates” pressed singles to radio DJ’s to find out if it was a hit or not. That way knowing if it’s worth persuing pressing or releasing the new single.

Now with Live streaming and direct feedback with social media whould this be the new way to create music and engage with fans?