The Creative Reset
a book by joylene bakarimusic · creativity · wholeness

the creativereset

A holistic guide for musicians, artists and content creators who want strategy, with soul.

What if your next creative breakthrough didn’t require more hustle, but more wholeness?

find your archetype →get the bookbuy the ebook
The Creative Reset book cover: the title in blue on orange with a watercolour butterflymusicianscreativesartrepreneursexecutivescontent creators
About the book

Strategy, with soul.

This isn’t a quick fix. It’s your creative rebirth.

MusiciansContent creatorsArtistsManagers and industry teamsJust starting out

The Creative Reset is a holistic guide for artists, musicians, and content creators navigating the demanding world of social media and the music business. Written for those just starting out who want to count the cost before they leap, and for those already feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or creatively stuck, it offers a grounded approach to redefining success from the inside out.

Blending strategy with soul, Joylene walks you through a complete reset:

  • Build a brand and online presence that actually gets you paid
  • Turn followers into true fans who’ll support your work for years
  • Think like a CEO without losing the joy that made you start
  • Protect your peace, avoid burnout, and create for the long haul

Every chapter ends with a Reset Moment: questions that help you apply what you’ve read to your own life and career.

From Chapter 2

What’s your brand archetype?

Every strong brand has a character people recognise straight away. Is yours the Rebel, the Sage, the Lover? Answer eight quick questions to find the archetype that fits how you already show up, plus content ideas that suit it.

No wrong answers.
Just your answers.

Based on the twelve classic brand archetypes from Margaret Mark and Carol S. Pearson’s The Hero and the Outlaw. There are no wrong answers, just your answers.

What’s inside

Five parts, like the stages of a career.

Part one

The new rules

  • Ch. 1Celebrity Capital
  • Ch. 2Finding Your Brand Identity
Part two

Showing up

  • Ch. 3The Musician-Influencer Starter Kit
  • Ch. 4Getting Paid
  • Ch. 5The Support Factor & 1,000 True Fans
Part three

Running the business

  • Ch. 6Think Like a CEO
  • Ch. 7Help U, Help U: Lessons From My Scars
Part four

Protecting yourself

  • Ch. 8Killing Yourself to Live
  • Ch. 9Your Well-Being Toolkit
Part five

Mindset

  • Ch. 10Stop Seeking Approval
  • FinalIf All Else Fails

Plus a preface, the Outro, a call to action, a resources toolkit, a glossary of marketer vocabulary, and a Reset Moment at the end of every chapter.

Illustration of a road winding towards the horizon under a night sky, with constellations labelled Patience and Resilience and a sign reading Scenic Route
From the preface

An ode to my younger self

“Life is full of lessons, trials, euphoric wins, mistakes that drag on, and highs that fade too fast. These hurdles are all part of the process. Stay the course; no experience will be wasted. When unexpected bumps appear on the road, sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the scenic route to destiny.”
JOYLENE BAKARI
Get your copy

Choose your format.

Amazon
Paperback

Full colour, 6 × 9 in, with every artwork page and Reset Moment.

Available from 17 November 2026
Amazon
Hardcover

The keepsake edition, in full colour with a glossy finish.

Available from 17 November 2026
Direct from me
Ebook

The full illustrated book as a PDF, to read on your phone, tablet or laptop.

£12.99 · instant download
buy the ebook →
Beyond the book

Work with me.

Want to go deeper than the pages? Book time with me one to one, bring me in to speak, or get ready for the courses and masterclasses on the way.

Illustration from the book: chess pieces as a creative team of knights and pawns
From Chapter 6: The Creative Team
For artists and creatives

1:1 sessions

Focused time on your brand, your content and your next move, with a plan you can act on straight away.

  • Brand identity and archetype deep dive
  • Content and release strategy
  • Getting paid: brand deals and pitching
  • A creative reset when you feel stuck
Book a session →
For events and teams

Speaking

Keynotes, panels and workshops for conferences, universities, labels, music schools, churches and creative communities.

  • Celebrity capital and the creator economy
  • Building a brand that gets paid
  • Burnout and well-being in the music business
  • Faith, purpose and creativity
Enquire about speaking →
Learn at your own pace

E-learning and masterclasses

Online courses and live masterclasses built on the book, so you can work through each reset with guidance and community.

  • Find your brand identity
  • Content that converts
  • Think like a CEO
  • Protect your peace
Stay tuned →
fees

investment

1:1 sessions online, worldwide
Discovery call
15 min · get to know each other
Free
1:1 Reset session
60 min · one focus, plus a tailored social media content plan
£150
Brand deep dive
90 min · your archetype, positioning, and a 30-day content strategy
£225
The Reset packagebest value
3 sessions · full brand and content strategy · content ideas and captions · email support
£495
book a free discovery call or session →
launch offer: book buyers get the Reset package for £395 until 17 December 2026.
speaking plus travel
Schools, universities, churches and community events
from £500
Conferences, brands and corporate events
from £1,250
Labels, managers and teams
on request

Every event is different, so send an enquiry and I’ll reply with a tailored quote and my speaker sheet.

All sessions run on Zoom and are booked in your own time zone. Prices in other currencies are rounded guides; you pay in the currency shown at checkout.

To book or ask a question, message @joylenebygrace or @thecreativereset.art. Follow along there to be first to hear when courses and masterclasses launch.

Your toolbox, all in one place

Resources

Throughout the book, I’ve promised you links and tools. Here they are. Platforms and apps change all the time, so I’ll keep this list up to date.

Illustration from the book: a kite anchored to the ground, with the words Stay anchored

If you’re struggling right now

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to reach out. These services are there for you.

Music Minds Matter (UK)
Free 24/7 mental health helpline for anyone working in music, run by Help Musicians.
Call 0808 802 8008
musicmindsmatter.org.uk
Samaritans (UK and Ireland)
Free, any time, day or night.
Call 116 123
samaritans.org
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US)
Call or text, any time.
Call 988
988lifeline.org
MusiCares (US)
Mental health, addiction recovery and financial support for music people, from the Recording Academy.
musicares.org
Backline (US)
Mental health support built for the music industry.
backline.care
Mind (UK)
Information and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
mind.org.uk

Find your brand

  • Brand archetype quiz take it right here on this page (Chapter 2)
  • Brand Asset Valuator how brands are measured, from the BAV Group
  • Positioning statement templates both are in Chapter 2. Grab a pen!

Create your content

  • Video editing CapCut, DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Rush
  • Photo editing and design Canva, Adobe Lightroom
  • Planning and scheduling Later, Buffer, Notion, Google Calendar

Understand your audience

  • Platform analytics Instagram Insights, TikTok Analytics, YouTube Studio
  • Streaming analytics Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, Amazon Music for Artists
  • Website analytics Google Analytics
  • Audience research YouGov
  • Advertising and tracking Meta Ads Manager

Get paid

  • Rates and influencer marketing Influencer Marketing Hub, Sprout Social, HubSpot, Social Media Examiner, Influencer Marketing Association
  • Brand collaboration platforms Aspire, Upfluence, CreatorIQ, Tribe
  • Disclosure rules the FTC's guide for influencers (US) and the ASA's influencer guidance (UK)

Build your team

  • Freelance platforms Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer, Toptal, 99designs, TaskRabbit
  • Industry support (UK) Help Musicians and the Musicians' Union

Keep reading

  • 1,000 True Fans Kevin Kelly, the original essay
  • The Saturated Self Kenneth J. Gergen
  • All You Need to Know About the Music Business Donald S. Passman
  • Can Music Make You Sick? Sally Anne Gross and George Musgrave
References from the book (77)
  1. Aaron, M. (2020). The Bad Remote Work Habits You Should Avoid. HubSpot Blog.
  2. Adetoro, J. (2021). Doja Cat doesn’t make music for TikTok, she’s a natural star for the digital age. CORQ.
  3. Araujo, T., Wonneberger, A., Neijens, P. and de Vreese, C. (2017). How Much Time Do You Spend Online? Understanding and Improving the Accuracy of Self-Reported Measures of Internet Use. Communication Methods and Measures, 11(3), pp. 173–190.
  4. Bekalu, M.A., McCloud, R.F. and Viswanath, K. (2019). Association of Social Media Use with Social Well-Being, Positive Mental Health, and Self-Rated Health: Disentangling Routine Use from Emotional Connection to Use. Health Education & Behavior, 46(2), pp. 69–80.
  5. Boorstin, D.J. (1961). The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America. New York: Atheneum.
  6. Bosher, H. (2020). Even famous musicians struggle to make a living from streaming – here’s how to change that. The Conversation.
  7. British Library (n.d.). Definition of an entrepreneur. British Library Business & IP Centre.
  8. Brooks, G., Drenten, J. and Piskorski, M.J. (2021). Influencer Celebrification: How Social Media Influencers Acquire Celebrity Capital. Journal of Advertising, 50(5).
  9. Chaffey, D. (2022). Global social media research summary. Smart Insights.
  10. Cleveland Clinic (2016). How stress can make you eat more — or not at all. Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic.
  11. Cravatts, S. (n.d.). Entrepreneurs Are Struggling With Mental Health — But Where’s the Support? The Hustle / HubSpot Blog.
  12. Crupnick, R. (2018). Music Scores a Gold Record on the Social Media Charts. MusicWatch Inc.
  13. De Leon, P. (2021). Doja Cat Admits She Doesn’t Find Joy in Making Music Anymore. Hypebae.
  14. Filippazzo, E. (2021). Fans Worry About Doja Cat As She Deletes Mental Health Post About Being Overworked. TheThings.
  15. Forbes (2021). Rihanna is now officially a billionaire. Forbes.
  16. Forsey, C. (2020). How to Protect Your Mental Health When Working Remotely, According to a Psychologist. HubSpot Blog.
  17. Gergen, K.J. (1991). The Saturated Self: Dilemmas of Identity in Contemporary Life. New York: Basic Books.
  18. Geyser, W. (2022). The Ultimate Influencer Marketing Blueprint. Influencer Marketing Hub.
  19. Geyser, W. (2021). What is an Influencer? Social Media Influencers Defined. Influencer Marketing Hub.
  20. Gladwell, M. (2008). Outliers: The Story of Success. New York: Little, Brown and Company.
  21. Glanz, W. (2018). Music and Social Media: In Perfect Harmony. SoundExchange.
  22. Good Rebels (2018). Why social media is the heart of digital marketing. Medium.
  23. Gordon, S. (2021). How Social Media Impacts Your Mental Health. Verywell Mind.
  24. Greenburg, Z.O. (2022). Nine of the 10 Highest-Paid Musicians of 2021 Were Men. Rolling Stone.
  25. Gross, S.A. and Musgrave, G. (2016). Can Music Make You Sick? Music and Depression: A Study into the Incidence of Musicians’ Mental Health. London: Help Musicians UK and MusicTank, University of Westminster.
  26. Guitar World (2021). We need to talk about mental health in the music industry – and how you can get help if you need it. Guitar World.
  27. Haenlein, M., Anadol, E., Farnsworth, T., Hugo, H., Hunichen, J. and Welte, D. (2020). Navigating the New Era of Influencer Marketing: How to Be Successful on Instagram, TikTok, & Co. California Management Review, 63(1), pp. 5–25.
  28. Heck, J. (2019). Who is KSI and why is he famous? Everything to know about the YouTube star. DAZN News.
  29. Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T.B., Baker, M., Harris, T. and Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), pp. 227–237.
  30. Horvath, J. (2014). No Pain, All Gain: Strategies for Healthy and Happy Musicians. American Music Teacher, 64(2), pp. 26–29.
  31. Hypebot (2019). Unsigned artists’ revenue up 35% last year, according to new study [MIDiA Research and Amuse]. Hypebot.
  32. Insider Intelligence (2021). Influencer Marketing: Social media influencer market stats and research for 2021. Insider Intelligence.
  33. Ivors Academy and Musicians’ Union (2020). Survey of music creators’ streaming income. London: The Ivors Academy and the Musicians’ Union.
  34. Jang, S.-M., Ha, E., Park, H., Kim, E. and Jung-Choi, K. (2013). Relationship between Work Hours and Smoking Behaviors in Korean Male Wage Workers. Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 25, p. 35.
  35. Jarrar, Y., Awobamise, A.O. and Aderibigbe, A.A. (2020). Effectiveness of Influencer Marketing vs Social Media Sponsored Advertising. Utopía y Praxis Latinoamericana, 25(Esp.12), pp. 40–54.
  36. Kaplan, A.M. and Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons, 53(1), pp. 59–68.
  37. Keenan, M. (2021). It’s Your Time to Shine: How to Find and Work With Instagram Influencers in 2021. Shopify.
  38. Kelly, K. (2008). 1,000 True Fans. The Technium.
  39. Kolowich, L. (2015). Why Overworking Is Bad For Your Health (And Who’s to Blame). HubSpot Blog.
  40. Mark, M. and Pearson, C.S. (2001). The Hero and the Outlaw: Building Extraordinary Brands Through the Power of Archetypes. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  41. Marmalade Trust (n.d.). Loneliness facts and statistics. Marmalade Trust.
  42. Martino, L. (2018). Section 3: Concepts of health and wellbeing. Health Knowledge.
  43. Mayo Clinic Staff (2020). Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress. Mayo Clinic.
  44. McCracken, G. (1989). Who Is the Celebrity Endorser? Cultural Foundations of the Endorsement Process. Journal of Consumer Research, 16(3), pp. 310–321.
  45. Miller, J. (2015). Entrepreneurship: It’s The Life We Choose. Sticky Branding.
  46. Minaj, N. (2021). Instagram post. Instagram.
  47. Montello, L. (2002). Essential Musicianship: A Guide to Developing Your Health, Creativity, and Inner Voice. Boston: Shambhala.
  48. Moore, S. (2021). Nine in 10 musicians say their mental health has deteriorated in the past year. NME.
  49. MusicMundial (2021). Doja Cat opens up about the exploitation of her label: “I’m not happy.” MusicMundial.
  50. Naslund, J.A., Bondre, A., Torous, J. and Aschbrenner, K.A. (2020). Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, 5(3), pp. 245–257.
  51. NFI (2022). How Much Do Influencers Make? Everything You Need to Know. NFI.
  52. Output (2016). How much do musicians actually earn? Output.
  53. Ovide, S. (2021). Streaming Saved Music. Artists Hate It. The New York Times.
  54. Paul, L. (2022). Doja Cat Claims She’s Quitting Music Following Clash With Fans. Rolling Stone.
  55. Pierce, D.L. (2012). Rising to a new paradigm: Infusing health and wellness into the music curriculum. Philosophy of Music Education Review, 20(2), pp. 154–171.
  56. Sager, J. (2021). Better Have Her Money! How Billionaire Rihanna Achieved Her Net Worth. Parade.
  57. Scott, H., Biello, S.M. and Woods, H.C. (2019). Social media use and adolescent sleep patterns: cross-sectional findings from the UK millennium cohort study. BMJ Open, 9(9), e031161.
  58. Serrà, J., Corral, Á., Boguñá, M., Haro, M. and Arcos, J.L. (2012). Measuring the Evolution of Contemporary Western Popular Music. Scientific Reports, 2, 521.
  59. Skerrett, P.J. (2009). Don’t Overwork Your Brain. Harvard Business Review.
  60. Sobel, L. (2021). The future of shopping and creator partnerships. Think with Google.
  61. Spotify (2021). Loud & Clear. Spotify.
  62. Sprout Social (2018). What is an Influencer? Sprout Social.
  63. Stegner, B. (2020). 7 Negative Effects of Social Media on People and Users. MakeUseOf.
  64. The Week Staff (2021). The rise of the social media influencer. The Week UK.
  65. Thomson, K., Cook, J. and Jean (2011). Artist Revenue Streams: A Multi-Method Research Project Examining Changes in Musicians’ Sources of Income. Harvard Berkman Center for Internet and Society.
  66. UCL (2010). UCL study: Overtime “bad for your heart.” UCL News.
  67. Vanbuskirk, S. (2021). Why It’s Important to Have High Self-Esteem. Verywell Mind.
  68. Vibe (2003). The Solo Beyoncé: She’s No Ashanti. Vibe.
  69. Virtanen, M., Singh-Manoux, A., Ferrie, J.E., Gimeno, D., Marmot, M.G., Elovainio, M., Jokela, M., Vahtera, J. and Kivimäki, M. (2009). Long working hours and cognitive function: the Whitehall II Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 169(5), pp. 596–605.
  70. Virtanen, M. et al. (2015). Long working hours and alcohol use: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 350, g7772.
  71. Wade, P. (2021). We hate to break it to you, but it looks like Crocs might be the shoes of the summer. The Independent.
  72. Wang, A.X. (2018). How Musicians Make Money — Or Don’t at All — in 2018. Rolling Stone.
  73. Wang, A.X. (2019). Music’s Big Three Labels Make $19 Million a Day From Streaming. Rolling Stone.
  74. Wiktionary (2018). Artpreneur. Wiktionary. (The term “artrepreneur” used in this book is adapted from it.)
  75. World Health Organization (n.d.). How to promote mental health and prevent mental health conditions. World Health Organization.
  76. Wu, T. (2021). The Attention Economy. Center for Humane Technology.
  77. Yuan, Y. (2020). What is the creator economy? Influencer tools and trends. SignalFire.
Your marketer vocabulary, A to Z

Glossary

About the author

Joylene Bakari

Joylene Bakari is a music marketer, strategist, and entrepreneur based in London. Rooted in faith, she helps artists build lives and careers grounded in clarity, integrity, and creative freedom. Working across the music business, social media, and mental wellness advocacy, she has seen up close what it costs creatives to keep up, and what it really takes to thrive. The Creative Reset is her offering to artists navigating a noisy world, with a reminder that stillness can be the most powerful strategy.

Follow Joylene@joylenebygrace
Follow the book@thecreativereset.art