Viv Fantin - Next Act Coaching

Viv Fantin - Next Act Coaching I'm Viv, Personal Coach, Comms Coach and Registered Counsellor for people in the music industry. Just utterly spent. Low self-confidence. Zero boundaries.

My name is Viv and I’ve been in the music industry for more than 25 years in various capacities. I’ve been a touring publicist, worked at a label, worked on awards events and worked in music television. In 2005, after years of flogging myself as a festival and touring publicist, I realised I was totally burnt out. My physical and emotional resources were so limited that I had to completely re-thin

k the way I was working. After some recovery time, I thought of ways to diversify my offerings. One was to become a comms coach, to help music artists communicate their story. Being in a ‘helping’ profession had always appealed to me too, so I decided to re-train and went back to study to become a personal coach. I chose to focus my coaching practice on the industry I know and love, and set up Next Act Coaching to work with people on all sides of our music community, artists and the people that work with artists – managers, agents, publicists, publishers, agents and so on. I’ve seen both the upside and the pitfalls of work in this industry and have experienced many of them myself. As a coach, I aim to help people ditch their limiting beliefs and patterns and help clarify and prioritise what’s important to you. I don’t need to tell you there are a lot of unique challenges in the music industry. They include:

*Legacy fears around charging what we are worth.

*The belief that we’re lucky to have our place in the music business and should settle for that.

*The personal things that can negatively impact the way we work professionally like:

Not being able to disarm the voice of the inner critic. Endless comparing and worrying about what others think. Perfectionism and procrastination. Feeling like an imposter in the music industry. Poor time-management. Poor resilience (will be more important than ever during and post CoVid19)

Lack of clarity on personal values and strengths. Lack of self care, exhaustion and so on. Anyone who is ready to make positive changes in their life and is open to the discomfort that can come with self-reflection, will benefit from coaching. It’s both future and goal focused. With me you won’t spend too much time dwelling on the past, as coaching is about moving forward. It’s a positive process but one you definitely have to commit to and be ready for.

KINDA SUS: THE NETWORKING EDITIONThe music industry loves networking (or does it?).But sometimes the behaviours we've no...
28/08/2026

KINDA SUS: THE NETWORKING EDITION

The music industry loves networking (or does it?).
But sometimes the behaviours we've normalised in the name of networking are kinda sus.

*Checking someone's lammie before deciding whether they're worth talking to.
*Scanning the room for someone more important while you’re mid conversation.
*Suddenly becoming VERY interested when you find out where someone works.
*Cornering someone socially because you couldn't get a meeting professionally.
*Thinking a few drinks together means you're now owed a favour.
*Being creepy.
*Treating every conversation like an opportunity.
*Being nice to the artist and completely ignoring the crew (oof).
*Collecting contacts rather than actually connecting with people.

Networking doesn't have to be transactional.
Some of the best relationships in music start because people genuinely like each other, are curious about each other's work, help each other when they can and they don't keep score.

Full disclosure. I once hid in a fake plant to avoid networking. Tell me your best / worst networking stories :)

Viv XO

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?A lot of people seem to be feeling stuck right now.When something in our work life isn’t fi...
17/08/2026

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

A lot of people seem to be feeling stuck right now.
When something in our work life isn’t firing, there are often three broad paths available: leave, stay and change what we can, or stay and find a different way to be with what we can’t change right now.

This framework, adapted from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), is called Three Ways Forward: LEAVE, CHANGE OR ACCEPT can be super helpful.

None is necessarily the “right” choice. The question is: Which path is most workable and most aligned with who you want to be?

With care.
Viv XO

LEAVE
Sometimes the healthiest and most values-aligned thing you can do is walk away. That might mean leaving a role, project, band, creative partnership or even the industry itself. Or it might mean stepping back long enough to catch your breath and hear yourself think. Leaving is worth considering when something is harming your wellbeing, repeatedly crossing your boundaries, asking you to compromise what matters to you or showing little realistic possibility of change.

STAY AND CHANGE WHAT YOU CAN
Sometimes the work, relationship or creative path still matters to you, but the way it’s playing out isn’t working for you. This means staying while taking meaningful action. It might involve having the uncomfortable conversation, asking for what you need, setting a boundary, renegotiating expectations or trying a different approach. You might not be able to change the entire situation but you may have more influence than you realise.

STAY AND MAKE ROOM FOR WHAT YOU CAN’T CHANGE RIGHT NOW
Acceptance doesn’t mean liking the situation, approving of it or pretending it doesn’t hurt. It means recognising what is outside your control so you can stop exhausting yourself fighting reality.

You might not be able to leave immediately. There may be bills to pay, contracts to honour, health considerations or other very real constraints. Acceptance can help you save your energy for what you can influence, make room for the uncomfortable feelings that come with uncertainty and choose how you want to show up within the reality you’re facing.

A MID-YEAR CHECK IN FOR PEOPLE IN MUSICHalfway through the year already?If the pace of our industry has pulled you away ...
01/06/2026

A MID-YEAR CHECK IN FOR PEOPLE IN MUSIC

Halfway through the year already?

If the pace of our industry has pulled you away from the goals, boundaries or creative direction you started 2026 with, this is your chance to reset.

I’m offering mid-year check in sessions for artists and music industry professionals who want space to:

• reflect on what’s working
• untangle what’s not
• reconnect with priorities
• recalibrate goals for the second half of the year
• and create a plan that actually feels sustainable

Because success means very little if you’re exhausted, disconnected or constantly running on survival mode.

This is a supportive, practical session designed specifically for people working in music. Book at link in bio or email me [email protected]

Spots are available for June/July.
Viv XO

A triumphant 2026 APRA Music Awards. What a spectacular celebration of Australian songwriters! Massive shout to the even...
30/04/2026

A triumphant 2026 APRA Music Awards. What a spectacular celebration of Australian songwriters! Massive shout to the events team led by and big thanks to . 📸 by

Address

Brisbane City
Byron Bay, NSW
4059

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Viv Fantin - Next Act Coaching posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share