Music Business Hacks

Latest Episodes:

#69 - How to Authentically Connect with Audiences the Jeremy Parsons Way Apr 10, 2018

Show notes

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: Recommended Gear: Composite Acoustics (carbon fiber guitars) Snark Tuning pedal Snark tuner (clip on) Behringer standard D.I box Amazon Basics Portable Mic Stand (tripod) Book: I Lived to Tell It All - by George Jones Best small purchase: Selenite stone Black obsidian stone To help with "Musician schedule," try: Multi-Vitamins and Minerals The Wild Cow vegan restaurant in Nashville

#68 - 50 Revenue Streams for Musicians part 2 Apr 09, 2018

Show notes

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

#67 - 50 Revenue Streams for Musicians (part 1) Apr 08, 2018

Show notes

#66 - How to Manage Expenses for Musicians Apr 07, 2018

Show notes

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)

#65 - 5 Unexpected Places to Promote Your Music Apr 06, 2018

Show notes

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!

#64 - How to Make Music Business Contacts Apr 05, 2018

Show notes

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

#63 - 6 Things You Can Do for $100 That Will Help Your Music Business Apr 04, 2018

Show notes

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 Kit

#62 - Discussing Finance for Musicians with Scott Statton Apr 03, 2018

Show notes

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

#60 - Hacks for Using Linkedin in Your Music Business Strategy Apr 01, 2018

Show notes

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.

#59 - The Best Ideas of March: Merchandise, Digital Marketing, and the Interviews Mar 31, 2018

Show notes

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

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