Music Business Hacks

It’s no secret that often in the world music, it’s more about “who you know” than what you know. The industry generally favors pre-existing relationships, whether you are looking for a venue, a sponsor, a review on your new album, or a slot at SXSW. Like it or not, networking can often make or break an act. So let's talk about two big ways you can expand who you know. Resources: Article:  The Difference Between Push & Pull Marketing Episode 8: SMARTER Goals Episode 60: Hacks for Using Linkedin for Your Music Business Strategy Favorite books on sales/networking: Jeffrey Gitomer - The Sales Bible Jeffrey Fox - How to Be CEO & How to Be a Marketing Superstar Dale Carnegie - How to Win Friends and Influence People

You can easily spend $100 on strings, picks, or sticks. You could even buy a cheap electric guitar. While many of those things are important, how can you create a long term investment for your music career? Today, we talk about 6 specific things you could invest in instead. Resources: Music Business Library (my recommendations for books you should read: Guerilla Guide to the Music Business (2nd edition) Welcome to the Music Business: You're F**ked! All You Need to Know About the Music Business (9th edition) What They'll Never Tell You About the Music Business: The Myths, the Secrets, the Lies (& a Few Truths) Six Figure Musician: How to Sell More Music... Music Marketing: Press, Promotion, Distribution, and Retail How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements: Get Funding for Bands, Non-Profits, and more! Music Business Hacks Merchandise you can pick up for cheap: Stickers from Sticker Guy!  Buttons from Busy Beaver Buttons Stuff you can make merchandise with Inexpensive screen printing kit 1" Button Maker

It's tax season, which means you should be thinking more about your finances as a musician. Today, we speak with Scott Stratton of Finance For Musicians and talk about some best practices for accounting, writing off expenses, what to expect with changes in the tax code, and how you can make more with your money. Resources: More about Scott/Finance for Musicians Scott's book: Your Last Five Years Making the Transition from Work to Retirement Book recommendation: The Elements of Investing Best small purchase: The Instant Pot

Most musicians aren't leveraging Linkedin as a serious tool for hacking the music industry. Stand out from the crowd by learning how to make the most of this social media networking media channel. And if you'd like to connect with me, you can do so at www.linkedin.com/in/simonstam.

Our second month is over! For March, we covered a lot of big ideas, but I wanted to highlight some of the most important ones in building a sustainable music career: maximizing revenue from merchandise, hacking social media and digital marketing, and one favorite thing from each person interviewed this month. It's also my birthday so if you'd like to be extra nice, you can leave a review of this podcast! Episodes Referenced: On Merchandise: Episode 31: How to Get Better Pricing from Merch Suppliers Episode 39: 8 Tips to Help You Sell More Merchandise Episode 47: Email Marketing Hacks On Social Media/Digital Strategies: Episode 29: When Should You Boost a Post? Episode 47: Email Marketing Hacks  Episode 57: Social Media Listening Tools Every Musician Should Be Using Interviews: Episode 34: Gayle Skidmore Episode 41: Phillip Broussard  Episode 48: Dez Cadena of Black Flag/The Misfits Episode 55: Adam Gonsalves of Telegraph Audio

When it comes to play out, it's just as much about quality as it is quantity. Yes, booking agents and festivals find it important for you to playing often, but if it's the same market all the time, it isn't doing you any favors. Instead, consider a new strategy for booking... Resources: Episode 2 - How to Book Better Shows Episode 17 - Breaking Into New Markets Episode 23 - Booking SXSW and Other Festivals

In this episode, we cover 5 essential marketing tools that every musician should be using to help listen to social media conversations, monitor their brand, and to research for their craft. Please see below for links to each of them: Google Alerts: Google Alerts is a basic way to discover when a website is posting about you. However, it doesn’t capture everything and it certainly doesn’t cover social media or most blog sites. Still, it’s a good, automated, entry-level way to get some feedback about any kind of search query emailed to you. Sign up at www.google.com/alerts (if you want instant results, mark “as-it-happens” under “how often”). Hootsuite/TweetDeck: Both Hootsuite and TweetDeck offer some tools to consolidate and manage your social media accounts. You can also add search columns that are scanning Twitter in real time. Not everyone who tweets about you will be using your hashtag or tagging you so this is a convenient way to spot what is being discussed and reply immediately. Icerocket: Icerocket sp

In today's episode, we cover some of the biggest ideas from the week as well as answer one of your questions: how to get a record deal? Review the episodes from the week: Episode #50 - Supplies Every Merch Bin Should Have Episode #51 - The Science of Persuasion Episode #52 - How to Negotiate Better Performance Fees Episode #53 - Songwriting Secrets from Max Martin Episode #54 - Hacking Interviews: How to Interview Better (and get more from them) Episode #55 - Interview: Audio Engineer Adam Gonsalves on Mastering Typhoon, Elliot Smith, and More

Today, we interview mastering engineer Adam Gonsalves of Telegraph Audio and talk about hit indie records, the importance of mastering in finishing your studio project, and geek out on favorite pieces of gear. Resources: Favorite gear/studio Adam recommends that you invest the most possible into conversion and monitoringConverters: Weiss Engineering DAC1 Mk-3Forssell Technologies MDAC-4a Monitors: Dunlavy Audio Labs SC-IV/A TC100 and ATC110 Kleimein Hommel 0-300 and 0-300a Books: Amy Chua - The Triple Package Daniel Levitin - This is Your Brain on Music - Kenneth Pohlman - The Fundamentals of Digital Audio Affordable Headphones: Xiaomi Pistons Earbud headphones

When it comes to being interviewed for your music, do you have a plan? How are interviews supporting your music goals (besides exposure)? In today's episode, we provide some media training to musicians. Learn how to get more out of every press opportunity!

The elusive Swedish pop hit machine behind Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, NSync, and countless more songs, Max Martin is starting to open up about his process and his life. We talk about some of his ideas for creating great music. Check out the full Di Weekend interview here. Resources: 6 Steps to Songwriting Success by Jason Blume (book) Songwriters on Songwriting (book) The Chord Wheel (tool/book) The Addiction Formula: A Holistic Approach... (book)

Like all artists, you've probably wondered how to get better pay for your hard work. In today's episode, we talk about the compensation structure of performances: door deals vs. guarantees, and how to get more from either one. Resources: Episode 9: Perfecting Your Pitch Episode 8: SMARTER Goals Episode 30: Hacks for Booking College Gigs

In this episode, we talk about the Science of Persuasion. These are principles that determine how people make decisions. Applied correctly and ethically, you can help influence others positively: improve sales/support, have more success with negotiations, and tell your story better. Watch the video for more: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFdCzN7RYbw[/embed]  

In today's episode, we talk about the supplies that every merch bin should have, including some of the non-obvious stuff that can revolutionize how you approach selling merchandise at shows! So get ready to create that shopping list! Below, I linked to my recommendations on my favorite products (including the best deals), so check these out! A banner (retractable or hanging vinyl style) Portable lights (battery powered and stronger ones with a long extension cord) A locking cash box with change Binder clips and hangers with swivel heads for the shirts A roll of painter’s tape and Gaffer's Tape Markers and pens Display equipment (folding shelves, CD display, etc.) Blank sheets of paper Price tags or sign Mailing list signup Extra Square card readers Scissors, pliers, and a basic tool set Table Cloth A set of bed sheets (to cover the table when you are away) Hand sanitizer (let’s face it, some venues are gross) Less obvious but important things: Laminator - You can crea

I'm back in town from SXSW! Today, we provide our weekly recap on the best ideas that you should review or focus on. Check out: 43 - Why Every Musician Should Have a Post-Show Game Plan 44 - How to Work a Crowd 45 - The Pareto Principle in You Music Business 46 - How to Protect Your Music Through Copyright Registration & Copyright Myths 47 - Email Marketing Hacks 48 - Dez Cadena of Black Flag/The Misfits talks Rick Rubin, Duff McKagen, & Punk Rock

In today's episode, we sit down with punk legend Dez Cadena to talk a bit about his decades of experience touring in punk bands Black Flag and the Misfits, as well as other steeped in rock n' roll history like Duff McKagen (Guns n' Roses), Ramones, and more. Check out Dez's new band, Mister Stratosphere on Facebook and Soundcloud Resources & Recommendations: Gear: Fender Stratocaster USA edition Gibson Les Paul Gold top Gibson Flying V "I like guitars for their own personality" Books: Catch 22 - Joseph Heller No Commercial Potential: The Saga Of Frank Zappa The Real Frank Zappa Book Small purchase: Laurel & Hardy - The Collection (21-disc Box Set)

How can you get the most out of your email? Through two main efforts: acquisition and execution. In today's episode, we talk about some unspoken best practices   that can truly help you grow and get the most out of your email list. Resources: Ep 40: Strategic Philanthropy for Your Music How to Upload an Email List to Facebook Email Marketing for Dummies (book) Email marketing services: Fanbridge MailChimp Emma

Protecting your music through copyright registration is one of the most important things that you can do for your music. It's inexpensive, easy to do, but very misunderstood. Listen to today's episode to learn how you can protecting your art! Resources: Electronic Copyright Service (register your works electronically) Registering a Copyright FAQ Intellectual Property attorneys who can help you with registration: Ron Coleman McNamer and Company Kohl Haver (Swider Haver)

What is the pareto principle and how can you use it for your music career? Tune into today's episode to learn!

Today, we talk about specific tactics on how you can better work a crowd. This includes modeling the flow of your set after theatre as well as being more engaging with the audience by improving your banter. The Slants' light box video: [embed]https://youtu.be/ugl33ZVfLr4[/embed] We use Freytag's Pyramid as an example of building momentum: