Music Business Hacks

In today's episode, we talk about how to get what you want. When it comes to sponsorships and endorsement deals, how do you ask? Resources Episode #3 - How to Get a Sponsor pt.1: Creating Partnerships Episode #22 - How to Get a Sponsor pt.2:How to Make the Approach Episode #9 - Perfecting Your Pitch Book: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements (print edition is $7, ebook is $4)

We're building on the techniques discussed this week to talk about even more places where you can fin potential partners for your music. This time, we're looking beyond your network. Resources: Episode #182 - Hacking Sponsorships pt. 5 - Making Your List of Sponsors Book: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements (print edition is $7, ebook is $4)

Today, we're going to focus on an activity that could help you find your connections and lead to your first sponsorship deals. Resources: Book: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements (print edition is $7, ebook is $4)

So you've created a compelling pitch. You understand what makes you unique. Now, it's time to demonstrate how a partnership with your sponsorship prospect can be truly unique. In today's episode, we talk about where to find those connections. Resources: Episode #143:The Ultimate Sponsorship Report: POP Book: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements (print edition is $7, ebook is $4)

In today's episode, we focus on activities designed specifically for you to find your "it factor," that which makes you unique and compelling in the eyes of a potential sponsor. Resources: Episode #9 - Perfecting Your Pitch Book: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements (print edition is $7, ebook is $4)

Today, we talk about how you can create a compelling story when delivering a presentation to the sponsor prospect. How can you use the principles of storytelling and pitching to close the sale so your next album, tour, or effort can be funded? Resources: Episode #97 - Storytelling Tips pt 1: Creating an Emotional Arc Article: Copy Hollywood's 3 Act Structure to Make Your Pitch Irresistible Book: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements (print edition is $7, ebook is $4)

Let's get into specific details on getting a sponsor for your music. How do you pitch them? What should you know before sending that email or picking up the phone? Today, we kick off a new series specifically on getting partnerships by the way of sponsorship. Resources: Episode #3 - How to Get a Sponsor pt.1: Creating Partnerships Episode #22 - How to Get a Sponsor pt.2:How to Make the Approach Episode #9 - Perfecting Your Pitch Book: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements (print edition is $7, ebook is $4)

This week, we explored the ideas of having a side hustle, both in and outside of the music industry so that you can create more opportunities for yourself, enjoy additional income, and have more flexibility. Today, we talk about some of the biggest ideas that have surfaced. This Week's Episodes: Episode #171: Musician Side Hustles pt. 1: How to Get Started Episode #172: Musician Side Hustles pt. 2 - Hustles in the music industry Episode #173: Musician Side Hustles pt. 3 - Using Your Skills in Other Ways Episode #174: Musician Side Hustles pt. 4 - How to Balance a Side Hustle Episode #175: Musician Side Hustles pt. 5 - Big Ideas for Any Musician Episode #176: Interview: How Tyler Chen Doubled His Income with Side Hustles While Touring in The Slants

In today's episode, we speak with Tyler Chen about doubling his income with side hustles (while touring around the world in The Slants), working through band dynamics filled with strong personalities, and balancing a marriage as a musician and entrepreneur. About Tyler Chen: Tyler Chen is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist musician, audio engineer, music/video/media producer, web/graphic designer, photographer, UX/UI specialist, and marketing consultant. Tyler is best known around the world as the hard-hitting drummer and backup vocalist for the critically acclaimed bands: The Slants, Silversafe and Redshift. He has performed across the globe, headlining showcases at festivals such as SXSW, MusicfestNW, and New Music West, and has shared the stage with groups such as Puddle of Mudd, Saliva, Powerman 5000, Hurt, The Exies, Nonpoint, Metal Church, Men Without Hats, Shonen Knife, Mindless Self Indulgence and Alien Ant Farm. Along with his bands, he has been featured on Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco, BBC, CNN, En

The great thing about trying side hustles (in addition to making new streams of income for yourself) is that you can apply the principles directly into your music business. Today, we're going to focus on the big three ideas of side hustling and how you can use those lessons to shape the future of your music career.

Today's episode is really about musician time management skills. These best practices are universal and will help you no matter the stage of your music career or if you even have a side hustle. Resources: Article: How to Create Canned Responses in Gmail Episode #108: How a Tour Driving Schedule Can Save Your Life Episode #45: Pareto Principle

It takes a lot o run a music business. Chances are, you know a thing or two about building websites, designing products, social media, and connecting with audiences. In today's episode, we talk about how you can leverage all of these skills to create a profitable side hustle. Resources: Article: How Starting a Side Hustle Could Be Your Best Investment Yet Design and Sell Your Own Stuff at: Merch by Amazon, Threadless, Society 6, Red Bubble, and Cafe Press. Learn how to become an influencer by listening to Episode 127 Sign up for Amazon's Affiliate Influencer Marketing Program

In part 2 of our musician side hustle series, we talk about untapped sources of income for you in the music industry. These gigs are especially great because they help you network, build critical relationships for your own music career, and can be built from existing assets. Resources: Want to write stock music? Check out Audio Jungle and Pond 5. Want to know more about licensing music? Check out Episode 92: 5 Tips to Get Your Music Licensed for TV, Film, and Video Games Got something to teach? Check out Udemy

These days, our social media feeds and business news sites are filled with inspirational stories of side hustles. How can musicians benefit from a side hustle? What if music is the side hustle? Today, we talk about developing ideas that can bring you reoccurring income using your passion, assets, and ideas. Resources: Article: 99 Side Hustle Business Ideas You Can Try Today (Side Hustle Nation) Article: 50 Side Hustle Ideas to Get You Started (Side Hustle School) Podcast: Side Hustle School Podcast: The Pitch Podcast: Masters of Scale Book: Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days Also, rent out your car with Turo.

This week, we covered a variety of topics than spanned from music business management to music creation. Just like in real life, our work often doesn't fit neatly into themes. I wanted to touch on a couple of different key areas important to building your career. Resources:  Episode #164 - How to Create Better Melodies Episode #165 - How to Book Conventions and Trade Shows Episode #166 - How to Book a Tour Overseas Episode #167 - How to Kick Out a Band Member Episode #168 - How to Turn Fans Into Social Media Brand Ambassadors Episode #169 - Answering the Most Often-Asked Questions About Music Business

Today, I answer some of the most often-asked questions about the music industry and being a musician. Questions like: How do I get a record deal? How do I get more people to listen to my music? Should I relocate for my music career? How do I get guarantees for my show? How do I get paid more per show? How do I know when I should quit my job? If you want more information about getting a sponsor, check out my ebook on the subject for $4 (the paper back is $6.99)  

The success of social media these days depends on having great content that is engaging to your followers. If they aren't leaving comments or re-sharing, it's going to be largely ignored. In today's episode, we talk about how you can create "brand ambassadors" or "true fans" to help your social media soar. Resources: 1000 True Fans Theory by Kevin Kelly (article) SocialRank (social media ranking tool) Klout (social media influencer rating tool) Rise.Global (gamification tool) Episode #127 - Musicians and Affiliate/Influencer Marketing

It happens: there's a disagreement or creative differences...and someone who is dragging the group down needs to be let go. In today's episode, we talk about what you can do to prevent this kind of situation but how to deal with it ethically and legally if/when you kick someone out. Do you have that intraband agreement handy? Resources: Episode #24 - Why Every Band Should Have an Intraband Agreement

Most musicians love the idea of crossing the ocean on an airplane to tour a completely different market: you can make new fans, experience different culture, and come home with a coveted status of being an "international artist." But what does it take and how can you be strategic about doing so? Today, we break down touring internationally step by step. Resources: Episode #36 - How to Book Your Band's Tour, Step by Step Episode #2 - How to Book Better Shows Episode #165 - How to Book Conventions and Trade Shows Episode #130 - How to Start a Nonprofit Organization My favorite overseas festival: Spring Scream

Corporate gigs, conventions, and trade shows can be provide lucrative opportunities for performers....yet no one really talks about them. If you can combine an event with a unique niche or demographic, you can end up making some serious cash (and perform for many people). Check out today's episode on how to hack booking conventions. Resources: Conference Monkey Database Absolute Exhibits Top 100 Trade Shows (U.S.) All Conference Alert (international) 10 Times conference database (international) Conferences for Event Planners Also: Gig Masters (database of bands/DJs for hire for corporate events)