Music Business Hacks

Latest Episodes:

#28 - 28 Days of Music Business Hacks Feb 28, 2018

Show notes

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 :)

#27 - Recording Studio Hacks with Victor Franca of Track Town Records Feb 27, 2018

Show notes

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/

#26 - Return on Investment (ROI) on Merchandise Feb 26, 2018

Show notes

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

#25 - How to Get the Opening Slot for a Major Tour/Band Feb 25, 2018

Show notes

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!

#24 - Every Musician Needs an Intraband Agreement Feb 24, 2018

Show notes

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

#23 - Booking SXSW and Other Music Festivals Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

If you've ever wondered how to book SXSW and if it's even worth the trouble, money, and energy to get there, you definitely need to take a listen. Then, create a decision making metric to help with all future music career related decisions. Resources: 3 Decision Making Models Used by Warren Buffet and Jeff Bezos

#22 - How to Get a Sponsor pt. 2: Approaching Sponsors Feb 22, 2018

Show notes

Today's episode is on beginning the sponsorship conversation.

If you’ve done the preliminary work of making your brand attractive to sponsors, developing your niche market, and identifying sponsorship prospects with the most potential, then you’re already off to a great start. Those steps are the foundation on which your sponsorship campaign is built. The more carefully you work each of those areas, the more effective you will be in securing sponsorship.

Resources for today:

How to Get a Sponsorship or Endorsement - book How to Get a Sponsor pt. 1 (Episode 3)

Company Researching Tools:

Hoover's One Source Business Information Duns & Bradstreet Vault Corporate Information Linkedin

Cool tools:

Norbert Linkedin Sales Navigator for Email

Also, if you want to connect with me on Linkedin, click here!

#21 - Weekly Recap: It's All About Value Feb 21, 2018

Show notes

This week, we covered a couple of big ideas but they can really be summed up in one theme: it's all about value Episode 15: How to Get on the TED Stage - Being consistently on delivering value to relevant communities can open incredible doors. Episode 16: Hacking Yelp for Your Music - The power of creating a fan biography can lead you down unexpected paths Episode 17: Breaking Into New Markets - You can pair up ingenuity with proven traditional methods to develop new markets for yourself. Episode 18: The Surprising Benefits of Transcribing Your Own Music - The soft and hard skills of musicianship will determine if you'll be a world-class performer or not. These exercises seem simple but will stretch you in amazing ways. Episode 19: Non-obvious Stuff Every Musician Should Carry - My favorite 8 things that every touring musician should bring on the road. Episode 20: It's a Long Way to the Top if You Wanna Rock with Eric Stuart - My conversation with Eric Stuart features a lot of great content and shows the power of dedication, hard work, and humility. The takeaway: find new, creative ways to add value to someone today

#20 - It's a Long Way to the Top if You Wanna Rock with Eric Stuart Feb 20, 2018

Show notes

Brooklyn born and raised singer/songwriter Eric Stuart is a special blend of talent. He has successfully combined the world of music, voice acting and directing for many years. Besides starring in hit shows including Pokémon (Brock, James) and Yu-Gi-Oh! (Seto Kaiba), Eric has toured with such rock legends as Peter Frampton, Ringo Starr, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jethro Tull, Chicago, Hall & Oates, Dave Mason, Julian Cope, Dave Davies, John Entwistle, Steve Howe, The Alarm, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, Jeffrey Gaines, and The English Beat. Show Notes: Introduction song - My Love Can Change That by Eric Stuart Band (01:30) - A typical day in the life of a musician-voice actor (03:00) - The Pros and cons of being a full-time musician (03:30) - Daily habits: always have a guitar nearby (05:20) - When should recording a demo happen? (08:00) - How Eric broke into the recording industry (13:30) - Favorite tools, gear, and habits (16:35) - Catching the attention of Ringo Star (19:35) - How gratitude pays off big time/Why set lengths are important (21:35) - What every opening act needs to know (25:00) - Favorite books (27:30) - Best small purchase/investment (30:00) - Favorite failure (34:00) - Best advice for young, driven musicians and producers (37:07) - Upcoming Projects Resources and recommendations: Music making App: Music Memos by Apple Amp: Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp: Toneville Amps Guitar: Reverend Manta Ray HB Guitar: Fender American Telecaster Book: The Encyclopedia of Rock n' Roll Book: The Catcher in the Rye: All in One Edition by J.D Salinger Book: How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie Lifestyle: 14" Jumbo Nonstick Cooking Wok Lifestyle: Instant Pot Programmable Cooker More information: Eric Stuart's website Audrama Productions

#19 - The Non-obvious Stuff Every Musician Should Carry Feb 19, 2018

Show notes

What are the tools that every touring musician should have them with at all times? Tools/Gadgets to check out:

Hydro Flask Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle
Po Chai Pills
Vigbagnia Garment Packing Envelope
Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner
Ampeak 750W Power Inverter
Anker Portable Charger Powerbank
Loquat Syrup
Dude Wipes (for face, not toilet)

Do you have some tour must-haves? Tweet your recommendations to @SimonTheTam or email them to Simon@musicbusinesshacks.com Other Resources: Episode 5: How to Stay Healthy on Tour Episode 9: Perfecting Your Pitch

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