Music Business Hacks

What is a post-show game plan and how can you use it to revolutionize your music career? Find out what all successes do after their "main event" and how you can apply those same lessons to your tour dates.

What are the parallels between the music industry and the TV show shark tank? In this week's recap, we talk about the best ideas that you can apply to get you ready for the big moments in your career (including getting on Shark Tank). Episodes: #36 - How to Book a Band Tour, Step by Step #37 - Band manager, publicist, booking agent, lawyer: who to hire and when? #38 - How Artists Can Use the Scientific Method to Hack Their Careers #39 - 8 Tips to Help You Sell More Merchandise #40 - Strategic Philanthropy and Your Music #41 -  Interview: How Phillip Broussard Uses His Finance Background to Hack the Music Industry

In today's episode, we speak with Navy veteran, business maven, and John Mayer inspired blues-pop artist Phillip Broussard. Check out his work: Facebook (official page) YouTube page Bandcamp Resources: Favorite Books: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie The Richest Man in Babylon - George Samuel Clason Gates of Fire - Steven Pressfield Best small purchase: Pushing the Envelope: The Small Greeting Card Manufacturer's Guide to Working with Sales Rep (book) Favorite piece of gear: Fender Standard Stratocaster (in white)

What is strategic philanthropy and how can you use it in your music business? Today, we learn about creating partnerships with non-profit organizations so you can raise the profile of your music while doing some good for the world. Example of a Facebook live video of our own "Tiny Desk Concert" t ACLU headquarters: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX9vIsZyRiA&t=2s[/embed]   Resources: Finding an Organization: Charity Navigator Charity Watch Nonprofit organizations I support: ACLU APANO Liberty in North Korea Trevor Project

The two ways of increasing revenue from merchandise are increasing profits and decreasing expenses. However, sometimes it simply means just selling more product in general. Today, we go over 8 simple tips on how you can start selling more merchandise right away - as well as give a review on what you could be doing better. Resources: Inexpensive graphic design work: Fiver Upwork Merch display: Grid cube storage shelves - compact, modular display. I use 4 of these kits to make big displays for our merchandise. LED battery powered clip on light - I suggest getting 4 of these Deluxe aluminum clip light - for outdoor night shows, good for hanging onto popup tents Credit Card Payment processing services:Square (Point of Sale) PayPal card reader Other episodes on merchandise: Ep. 26 - How to Calculate Return on Investment from Merchandise Ep. 31 - How to Get Better Pricing from Merch Suppliers

You might remember the Scientific Method from your high school days, but what you may not realize is that it can unleash your music business  potential. Here are the 8 steps of the Scientific Method: Define the problem Research/observe the problem Form a hypothesis Conduct the experiment Analyze the results Form a conclusion Publish/share results Test it again Resources: Social Media Lab The Scientific Method for Entrepreneurs (6 Step version)

As your music business grows, you'll need to consider expanding your team beyond just your core band members. The four most important people in your career that can help you take things to the next level include a manager, a publicist, a booking agent, and an attorney. Today, we talk about who they are, what they do, how much they cost, and when you should consider hiring one. Resources: Music Manager Database Directory of Managers and Booking Agents McNamer and Company (entertainment attorney) If you need an IP attorney (for trademark or copyright registration), Ron Coleman is the guy who helped me win a Supreme Court case unanimously.

Today's episode provides an overview on one of the most important parts to your music career: touring. There's no question that touring is one of the most effective ways of building a regional or national following, however, it should be done strategically and methodically. Resources: How to Book a Tour for Your Band, step by step (article) How to Book a Tour (summary version) The Touring Musician: a Small-Business Approach to Booking Your Band on the Road (book) Episode 9: Perfecting Your Pitch

#34 – Lessons Learned from Writing 2,200 Songs and Touring 100k Miles with Gayle Skidmore: An interview with the Netherlands-based singer-songwriter, Gayle Skidmore. #33 – 5 Big Tips That Can Save Your Tour - Tips to save your gear, sanity, and health while on the road. #32 – How Bands Can Create Reaction Videos to Get More Views: How you can hop on this new trend to make some new fans #31 – How to Get Better Pricing From Your Merchandise Suppliers: Ways to save money on one of the most important revenue generating so you can earn more with every sale. #30 – Hacks for Booking College Gigs: Best practices on breaking into this lucrative market #29 – When Should You Boost Facebook Posts?:  - Inquiring minds want to do. How can you make the most of your social media? Today's activity: review the top hints of the week and how you can apply them in relation to your goals

Gayle Skidmore could be described as a serial songwriter, a nonstop touring machine, and one of the most talented singer-songwriters I've had the pleasure of knowing. She's won multiple awards from the San Diego Music Awards, including Best Pop Album and Best in Pop, as well as De Best Singer-Songwriter van het Groene Hart in The Netherlands. She's a master of 22 instruments and has 21 releases under her belt (at the time of this podcast). Check her music out at www.gayleskidmore.com  Books recommended by Gayle: Tennyson: PoemsThe Prophet by Kahlil Gibram Best inexpensive purchase: Columbus Washboard Watch Her Newest Music Video for "Pale Ghosts" here: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY3yVHfin78[/embed]

There’s a lot of great advice out there about how to book a tour but I haven’t found many things about how to survive on tour. Today, I talk about 5 big tips that can help you endure the dangers of the road.  Resources: Episode 5: Staying Healthy on Tour Episode 19: Stuff Every Musician Should Carry Recommendations:  Steering Wheel Locks: Full Werk T-Shaped Car Lock for Vans & SUVs The Club Steering Wheel/Pedal Lock Disklok Large Full Steering Wheel Cover + Alarm Locks for the Trailer: Trailer Hitch Pin Lock (Class I-IV) Universal Hardened Steel Trailer Lock (fits all couplers) Hidden Shackle Puck Lock Cashbox: Steelmaster Locking Cashbox

Have you noticed the growing trend of reaction videos? They're funny and sometimes emotionally moving but more importantly, they're addicting. In today's episode, we'll talk about how can bands incorporate reaction and response videos in their own music marketing - just like Rich Brian did, who now has almost 90 million views on his YouTube music video, which was powered in part by the massive reactions on this reaction video: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KMBELyZ_sM[/embed] Resources: How to Make a Reaction video (tutorial) Skittles Super Bowl Live video

It's pretty well known that colleges are a great market for musicians to make some decent money. But how do you get in and how can you make the most of the experience? In today's episode, we talk about common approaches like using NACA or other organizations as your entry point as well as some hacks that you can use to create your own path. Either way, it's worth checking out if the college market is right for you. Resources: National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) - website Association for Student Government (ASG) - website US College and University Directory - website Perfecting Your Pitch (Music Business Hacks podcast) How to Book College Gigs as an Indie Musician - article How to Get Booked to Speak at Colleges - podcast

With the ever-changing algorithm that is showing less and less of your content to your Facebook followers, it's tempting to just boost your way out of the problem. But is it worth it? What about Facebook ads? Today, we talk about paid social media strategy for Facebook strategy, go over some best practices, and how you can improve your music marketing game. Resources: How to Advertise on Facebook: The Complete Guide (article by Hootsuite) Facebook Advertising for Bands: Boost vs. Ad (Sonicbids blog) 40 Ways Bands Can Use Social Media to Increase Engagement at Shows (article) Books to help you win at social media: Going Social Music Business Hacks Likeable Social Media Crushing It

A recap of where we are 28 days after launching this podcast, including some of the best ideas from the month and where we're going next. Today is the last day to enter the giveaway. Just leave a review on iTunes to enter the contest and win a set of books/consultation (plus it's the best way of supporting this podcast), so please do it right now :)

An interview with Victor Franca, one of the partners and lead engineer at Track Town Records in Eugene, OR. Resources & Recommendations: Must-have microphones: AKGD112 kick drum microphone AKG 414 C414 XLS microphone Home studio goods: Portable vocal recording panel Wedge & Bevel acoustic foam kit Bass corner foam absorber kit Books on recording: Modern Recording Techniques Home Recording Studios: Build it Like the Pros Best buy for recording under $100: Focusright Scarlett Audio Interface More about Track Town Records: https://www.tracktownrecords.com/ More about Victor Franca: https://www.victorfranca.com/

Have you ever stopped to calculate your true ROI on your band's merchandise, music, and products? Have you incorporated the idea of turns so you have a better idea what moves more quickly? Here's how you can apply the best practices from a retail business to your music merchandise. Resources: The Ultimate Guide to Music Merchandise (article) Marketing ROI Formula

There are a few ways to make sure you get to open for a major artist in town. Today, we'll talk about the options that you have available and the pros and cons of each.  Resources: Ep 3: How to Get a Sponsor part 1 Ep 22: How to Get a Sponsor part 2 Ep 9: Perfecting Your Pitch Also, don't forget to leave a review on iTunes!

It’s good to set realistic expectations over each other’s duties as well as having a plan on how money, responsibilities, debts, and things will be divided. What if some band members believe that merch should only be sold to get gas money but others believe some things should be given out to promote the band? What if someone has a lot of friends and takes up all of the guest list spots? Who will handle social media and promotion? Some simple communication, especially things in writing, can save a lot of heartache on the road. Resources: Interband Agreement Template IP Attorney: Ron Coleman Entertainment Attorney: McNamer Law