Music Business Hacks

Today, we focus on six key things that every musician should know but they don't teach in music school. Here are six things that you should know that aren’t covered in curriculum: How to Pitch Your Music: Pitching your band is one of the most important lessons to not only get your career started, but to sustain it. It’s the foundation for networking, booking shows, getting press, working with sponsors, and creating new fans. Check out: Episode 9 - Perfecting Your Pitch Episode 10 - Getting Venues to Respond Episode 51 - The Science of Persuasion How to Treat Other Bands: The music industry is a business that is all about relationships. Bottom line: don’t be a diva and don’t treat other bands like crap. . Learn the unspoken rules of how to treat a touring band. Don’t Play too Often: I understand that when you first launch a band, you want to play out as often as possible. However, there are dangers to overplaying. Learn to walk that fine line so you don’t end up annoying promoters or getting burnt out.

This week, we focused on bringing new, creative perspectives to standard music business best practices. Check out the episodes here: 78 - If Your Music Career Was a Food Cart 79 - Two Cent Video Strategy That Will Get Your Priceless Engagement 80 - Why Every Artist Needs Timers on Their Contracts 81 - How to Find New Audiences Through Market Segmentation 82 - Interview with Greg Wilnau

Today we speak with Greg Wilnau of the Musician Monster podcast and 1k With Music. Learn specific strategiesfrom his Live Show blueprint: musicianmonster.com/blueprint Greg has 5 specific steps for making money: 1) Have a clear goal 2) Set up home base (test market) 3) CD Donation strategy (lead market) 4) Direct people to the merch booth 5) Announce a special offer from the stage Recommendations: Books: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Brand Like a Rockstar by Steve Jones Apps: Headspace (Meditation Made Simple)

Market segmentation involves breaking down a broad audience into a smaller subset of customers. You can divide along demographics (age, gender, ethnicity, etc.) and/or psychographics (values, lifestyles, interests, etc.). The more that you can segment a market by narrowing it down while still having an audience large enough to offset any investment, the better. Today, we focus on how this is done.

If you're like most people, you scroll past the terms and conditions sections of most software, 3rd party apps, and social media. When it comes to music agreements like licensing deals, content you upload to other platforms, and recording/distribution deals, this is an even more serious mistake. Here's why you should be calendaring review dates for your contracts and how to make it as painless as possible.

A simple 4-step strategy that you can use to drive more engagement on your videos. Identify a cause and pledge two cents (or more) per view, comment, share, and like. Tell your personal story of why you're supporting that cause Ask fans to submit their own causes, organizations, or campaigns to support Film and share content with the donation being made as proof of performance (and to celebrate!)

What if you took on the mindset of running a food cart and applied it to your music? Adopting best practices and approaches in other industries often unlock new creative energy for our own work. In today's episode, we explore an exercise that will help you develop a new outlook for your own business prospects.

A recap of this week's best ideas: remembering your purpose as a musician and learning how creating a target and list can unlock your creativity in new ways. This week's episodes: 71 - The Guide to Performing Rights Organizations: ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC 72 - 6 Phrases That You Make sound Like a Diva 73 - Hacks for Productivity: Finding Time in Unexpected Places 74 - 5 Things You Can Learn From Your Day Job to Apply in Your Music Career 75 - How to Deal with Conflict in The Band 76 - Interview: Finding the Life Mission of the Artist with Ed Roman

In today's episode, we speak with multi-instrumentalist and multi-award winning artist, Ed Roman. Resources: More about Ed: www.edroman.net www.facebook.com/edromanmusic www.twitter.com/specialedroman Books:Paulo Coelho - The Alchemist Don Miguel Ruiz - The Four Agreements Watch Ed Roman's lyric music video for "Red Omen:" [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxT1NV2YvJY[/embed]

Every team, group, and organization experiences conflict. Bands are no different. When it comes to dealing with different personalities and expectations, it's important to have some healthy ways of dealing with differences in place. Today, we talk about some specific measures you can take to address any problems that may come up. Resources: Episode 24: Creating an Interband Agreement

Whether you have a day job or side hustle, it's a good idea to take note of what skills you're building and to think about how you can leverage those abilities in your music career. Today, we'll talk about 5 common skills learned at most jobs that you can start thinking more deeply about. Want to build more skills? Check out these resources: Udemy Skill Share Coursera 

If you're often feeling like you don't have enough time to invest into your music career, these 11 productivity hacks will help you develop a more efficient schedule. If you have a tip that you want to share, let me know @SimonTheTam

We all know a few artists who have a ridiculous sense of self-entitlement. And though they might take themselves very seriously (and maybe a few of their fans too), the rest of us will laugh behind their backs. In today's episode, we talk about 6 phrases that artists often use that inadvertently make themselves sound like a diva. We'll also talk about what you should say instead. 

If you're a songwriter, publisher, performer, or all 3, then you should be familiar with PROs. But what are the differences between ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC? Can you join more than one? What about Sound Exchange? In today's episode, we cover the basics and what you can do to make sure you're not leaving  money on the table. Resources: ASCAP BMI SESA Sound Exchange

This weekly recap is more like two week recap. Here's what we covered since our big roundup of best ideas: Episode 57: Social Media Listening Tools Every Musician Should Be Using Episode 58: How Often Should You Play? 6 Drawbacks to Playing More Shows Episode 59: The Best Ideas of March: Merchandise, Digital Marketing, and the Interviews Episode 60: Hacks for Using Linkedin in Your Music Business Strategy Episode 61: The Unspoken Rules of How to Treat a Touring Band (for artists) Episode 62: Discussing Finance for Musicians with Scott Statton Episode 63: 6 Things You Can Do for $100 That Will Help Your Music Business Episode 64: How to Make Music Business Contacts Episode 65: 5 Unexpected Places to Promote Your Music Episode 66: How to Manage Expenses for Musicians Episode 67: 50 Revenue Streams for Musicians part 1 Episode 68: 50 Revenue Streams for Musicians part 2 Episode 69: Interview - How to Authentically Connect with Audiences the Jeremy Parsons Way

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Jeremy Parsons grew up soaking in the sounds of Texas music in the dancehalls of the Lone Star State. Jeremy was always a fan of music, but it wasn't until his later high school years that he discovered his knack for it. Driven by his passion, he taught himself to play the guitar and began to write and perform music. Over the past decade, Jeremy has played all over the U.S. and in Europe, including numerous venues in Texas. Pulling from the example of Texas performance artists, Jeremy loves to interact with his audience. He captivates the crowd with his genuine personality, unique humor, and heart-felt love of his occupation. Jeremy draws from his personal experiences to create songs that are keenly perceptive and meaningful. His current single, "Burn This House Down," paints a poignant picture of heartbreak and acceptance that still remains relatable. This song will stick with you long after your first listen. The song is currently in the IndieWorld Country Top 40. Resources:

50 revenue streams for musicians to inspire you to think more creatively about how you can earn a sustainable income. Are you receiving every dollar that you're able to earn? Resources: Future of Music's 45 Revenue Streams for Musicians Performing Rights Organizations: ASCAP BMI SESAC More ways to earn money: Sound Exchange royalties Film Musicians Secondary Money Fund Sound Recording Special Payments Fund SAG AFTRA YouTube Partner Program Patreon National Endowment for the Arts IRS 1023 EZ form (to apply for nonprofit status) Previous Episodes: Episode 3: How to Get Sponsorships (part 1) Episode 12: Crowdfunding Your Way to the Top Episode 13: Interview with Shanna Germain on Kickstarter Episode 22: How to Get Sponsorships (part 2) Episode 62: Interview with Scott Stratton of Finance for Musicians

50 revenue streams for musicians to inspire you to think more creatively about how you can earn a sustainable income. Are you receiving every dollar that you're able to earn? Resources: Future of Music's 45 Revenue Streams for Musicians Performing Rights Organizations: ASCAP BMI SESAC More ways to earn money: Sound Exchange royalties Film Musicians Secondary Money Fund Sound Recording Special Payments Fund SAG AFTRA YouTube Partner Program Patreon National Endowment for the Arts IRS 1023 EZ form (to apply for nonprofit status) Previous Episodes: Episode 3: How to Get Sponsorships (part 1) Episode 12: Crowdfunding Your Way to the Top Episode 13: Interview with Shanna Germain on Kickstarter Episode 22: How to Get Sponsorships (part 2) Episode 62: Interview with Scott Stratton of Finance for Musicians

To create a sustainable income, you have two parts: income and expenses. Today, we're going to focus on 5 big ideas for helping you manage expenses as a musician. Resources: Financial literacy quiz 5 Free Online Classes to Improve Your Financial Literacy Budget for Musicians (by Savvy Musician)

Today, we talk about 5 unexpected places that you probably haven't considered to expand your music's reach. Remember, it's about injecting as much creativity in your outreach efforts as you would your music!