Music Business Hacks

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#58 - How Often Should You Play? 6 Drawbacks to Playing More Shows Mar 30, 2018

Show notes

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

#57 - 5 Free Social Media Listening Every Band Should be Using Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

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 specializes in blog searches. Their “big buzz” option also captures activity on Facebook, Twitter, and image sites such as Flickr too. It’s free, easy to use, and does not require registration of an account. Social Mention: Social Mention collects aggregated data across multiple platforms. You’ll see results from Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, photobucket, etc. and there are some basic analytics that help you determine if the sentiment is positive or negative, how many different sources are active, etc. It’s also free and doesn’t require registration. Topsy: Topsy is similar to Icerocket and Social Mention; the main focus is around social media, especially multimedia and blogs. You don’t have to register, but you do have the option of creating an email alert (it ties into your Twitter or Facebook). If you want to get a free 30 day trial to Sprout Social, the professional social media listening and scheduling system that I use, click here.

#56 - Weekly Recap: the Science of Selling & Songwriting/How to Get a Record Deal Mar 28, 2018

Show notes

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

#55 - Interview: Audio Engineer Adam Gonsalves on Mastering Typhoon, Elliot Smith, and More Mar 27, 2018

Show notes

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-3 Forssell 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

#54 - Hacking Interviews: How to Interview Better (and get more from them) Mar 26, 2018

Show notes

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!

#53 - Songwriting Secrets from Max Martin Mar 25, 2018

Show notes

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)

#52 - How to Negotiate Better Performance Fees Mar 24, 2018

Show notes

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

#51 - The Science of Persuasion Mar 23, 2018

Show notes

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]

#50 - Supplies Every Merch Bin Should Have Mar 22, 2018

Show notes

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 create tour ID placards for your road crew, price tags, price sheets, QR code display with an email list sign-up or Facebook page, etc. They’re cheap, easy to use, and very handy.
Button maker
Silk Screen Kit - handy for limited runs of custom merchandise
Rolling Tool chest - Our band loves things with wheels, especially things that stack. It makes load out much faster. I use this Stanley rolling tool chest to hold all of our merchandise. It also sometimes doubles as a stage riser or merch table.
Projector - You can make a dramatic merch display in a dark venue.

#49 - Weekly Recap: Music Business Fundamentals and Improving Your Sows Mar 21, 2018

Show notes

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

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