Music Business Hacks

Have you listened to or read one too many boring interviews with artists? Don't contribute to the pile! Instead, learn some best practices so you know how to share wit, heart, and the kind of story that will support your music and make fans fall in love with you. Related Episodes: Episode #54: Hacking Interviews: How to Interview Better (and get more from them)

Today is our weekly recap where we talk about the best advice for musicians covered over the past six days. This week, our theme revolved around some fundamental business principles that aren't often discussed but can really help. We ended with a great reminder from Jason Davis that if you want to get a on a label though, you need to write the best music possible. Check out the episodes here: Episode 139 - Rules for Songwriting Sessions Episode 140 - How to Create an Advisory Board for Your Band Episode 141 - The Kinds of Permits Musicians Need Episode 142 - How to Use RSS to Hack Booking Opportunities Episode 143 - The Ultimate Sponsorship Report: POP Episode 144 - Interview: How to Get That Record Deal with Radar Label Group Founder/Partner Jason Davis

Today we speak with Jason Davis. Jason is an artist manager, developer, independent record label owner, and serial entrepreneur. Davis has worked with names like Boyz II Men and P. Diddy to Lonestar and Dolly Parton, transcending genres and gaining an understanding of all facets of the industry. He speaks about writing hit songs, working with Jay-Z, and so much more. You don't want to miss this info-packed episode! For more information about Jason's work, check out: Radar Label Group One One 7 Awaken Records Resources: Your Love Pursues: A Memoir by Jason Davis Mozart: A Life (book) by Paul Johnson Reposition Yourself: Living Your Life Without Limits (book) by TD Jakes Best small purchase: Apple Earpods (wireless)

In the world of professional sponsorship, there's a common term: POP (Proof of Performance). Today, we talk about what makes an effective POP report and how you can use this to not only build relationships with existing partners, but to make a compelling ask to future prospects as well. Resources: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements book Previous Episodes on Sponsorship: Episode 3: How to Get a Sponsor pt. 1 (Creating Partnerships) Episode 22: How to Get a Sponsor pt. 2 (Making the Approach) Episode 9: Perfecting Your Pitch

You may have heard of RSS feeders. Maybe you even use one to subscribe and read your favorite blogs...but have you ever thought about how you could apply the principles of RSS to your own music career? Today, we talk about hacks for RSS, how you can make your content more subscription friendly, and how you can find booking opportunities using RSS. Favorite RSS Readers: Digg Reader Feedly RSS Bot App

You might not be aware, but you need a permit to be able to do business - including music business. But in addition to registering as a business, there are a couple of other key permits and licenses to be aware of to make sure that you're protected and in compliance. In today's episode, we talk about the most important ones. Resources: Registering your business: LegalZoom.com BusinessLicenses.com Episode 130: How to Start a Nonprofit Street performance licenses: Chicago, IL New York, NY Santa Monica, CA Salem, MA Greensboro, NC Greenville, SC (and many more, check the city first!) Covering songs: For mechanical and synch licensing: Harry Fox Agency Performance Rights Organizations: ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC

We're often told to treat our music career like a business...yet most music advice out there is ignoring a key part of building a sustainable, thriving organization: having an advisory board. Today, we talk about how (and why) every band can build an advisory board for their music business.

In the past, we've talked about the benefits of structure and purpose. In episode 4, we covered why bands shouldn't practice - they should rehearse instead. When it comes to songwriting or any other kind of creative brainstorming session, we could apply the same kind of approach to facilitate the best, most productive ideas possible. Resources: Episode 4: Don't Practice. Rehearse Instead Episode 93: How to Use Focus Groups to Choose Songs for Your Next Album

In today's episode, we provide a recap over the best ideas of the week and focus on the laser vs. shotgun approach, relationships, and SMARTER GOALS. It's about having a healthy balance and lifestyle as a touring musician. Resources: Episode 133: Lasers, Shotguns, and Messages Episode 134: How to Get Your Music Into Video Games Episode 135: How to Get the Best Possible Rate on a Hotel Episode 136: Relationship Advice for the Touring Musician Episode 137: An Honest Talk About Being Married & Touring, Visual Artistry, and Inspiration with Faina Lorah

Today, we speak with artist Faina Lorah. In addition to being an incredible oil painter, illustrator, and author, she's my life partner. Today, we sit down and talk about how we overcame the struggles of constant travel when being in a committed relationship. We also talk about her own approach to art and how that parallels the music industry. To see more of Faina's work, check out her website at www.artbyfaina.com Resources: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield (book)

It's tough touring and maintaining a strong relationship. Time away from each other in different time zones, stress, and mistrust can deteriorate even the best of relationships. Today, I share some advice on how to have healthy, happy relationships while traveling in a way that doesn't annoy your fellow band members.  

There are so many discount websites out there that claim to give the best prices for hotels and motels, but which should you use? And is there a better option? Today, we talk about the good, better, and best options available. Resources: "Good" Discount sites: Hotels.com Hotwire Kayak Hotels "Better" Option of blind booking: Priceline BackBid Roomer "Best" Option/resource: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements book

The explosion of music licensed for video games has helped many artists make new fans as well as a dependable source of income. But how do you get your songs in? Typically, one would work with a licensing agency -  however, where there's a will, there's a way... Resources: Episode #92 - 5 Tips to Get Your Music Licensed for TV, Film, and Video Games Video game conferences: E3, Pax, and Gen Con Indy (there are many, many out there) Featured song: "Chinatown Hustler" by Notorious MSG: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSYLMxj63mI[/embed]

What's more effective at hitting its target, a shotgun or a laser? It depends. When it comes to your messaging, be it social media posts or emails, the same thing applies when you consider how precise the targets of your posts should be. Resources: Book: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements

This week, we discussed building better habits for our music business - especially habits that can save money, create new opportunities, and build wealth. Check them out below! Resources: Episode #126 - How to Save Money on a Rehearsal Space Episode #127 - Musicians and Affiliate/Influencer Marketing Episode #128 - Pay to Play for International Touring Episode #129 - Instagram Hacks for Bands Episode #130 - How to Start a Nonprofit Organization Episode #131 - Interview: Garrison Snell

Garrison is 24 years old. He graduated from Belmont University in 2015 and immediately started a business. Month after month he's paid all his post-grad bills by building and running Gyrosity Projects, one of the hottest new digital project development agencies in Nashville. Gyrosity employs 16 people under 30. One of their projects, Crosshair Music, recently gained some national attention through coverage in USA and Forbes. Garrison and I discuss utility and music (and more!): "The best thing to sell is something with value" - the best music is marketed as a piece of utility; i.e, playlists.  Resources: Best Book: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber

Today we answer the question could you, should you, and why would you file for nonprofit status? There are a lot of pros and cons for doing this, so let's cover how it could apply to your music. Resources: The Balance Small Business: Pros and Cons of Nonprofit Incorporation (article) Christian Band Help: Should a Christian Band be a Nonprofit? (article) Recommended  Book: Nonprofit Kit for Dummies (this was very helpful for me) Recommended Book: Starting & Building a Nonprofit: A Practical Guide (another great book, more textbook like but very complete) Recommended Book: Grant-writing for Dummies (so you can get foundation support) Form 1023-EZ (express nonprofit application from the IRS)

How do you get more Instagram followers? Does following other accounts in hopes that they return the favor work? Today, we cover six Instagram tactics that artists can try in order to get more growth and engagement for their channels.

A listener asks the question: should I pay for a tour buy on opportunity in Europe? It leads to a bigger set of questions about paying to play, buying onto tours, and if there's another way to get the same results. Resources: Episode 25: How to Get the Opening Slot for a Major Tour/Band Decision Making Matrixes and Tools Music Think Tank article: Should Bands Ever Pay to Play?

What is affiliate marketing and how can musicians benefit from this new trend? How can you become an influencer or find influencers to bring you new fans? Today, we discuss actual application of these ideas in new ways. 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 Affiliate Marketing Companies: Acceleration Partners Button ShareASale Affiliate Programs: Amazon Influencer program ClickBank ShareASale