Stay ConnectedNo Labels Necessary is a Weekly Podcast unveiling the world of marketing from Indie Artists to Major Labels.
This podcast is hosted by the founders of ContraBrand Agency, Sean “Brandman” Taylor and Jacorey “Kohrey” Barkley. ContraBrand Agency is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing.
Copyright: © Copyright 2023 BRANDMAN NETWORK
Check out Wallstream:https://wallstream.com/l/bnListen to Our Podcasts Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-labels-necessary/id1658301063This channel is ran by the founders of No Labels Necessary, Sean "Brandman" Taylor and Jacorey "Kohrey" Barkley. No Labels Necessary is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing. Want to grow your music career . Join our community👇🏽http://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing
Managers, Record Labels & Agencies Interested in Who and Clipping Campaigns:https://contrabrand.typeform.com/to/XsJqbDvHArtists Interested in getting access to WHOP and learning how to do your own clipping campaigns:https://fvr.fan/nln/whop-signup?tags=whopListen to Our Podcasts Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-labels-necessary/id1658301063Timestamps:This channel is ran by the founders of No Labels Necessary, Sean "Brandman" Taylor and Jacorey "Kohrey" Barkley. No Labels Necessary is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing. Want to grow your music career . Join our community👇🏽http://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing
This channel is ran by the founders of No Labels Necessary, Sean "Brandman" Taylor and Jacorey "Kohrey" Barkley. No Labels Necessary is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing. Want to grow your music career . Join our community👇🏽http://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing
In this episode of No Labels Necessary, we sit down with artist-turned-label-CEO Derek Minor to break down how to build your music empire — and avoid the traps that ruin most careers. From bad label deals to shady management, Derek shares the real lessons that helped him take full ownership of his career. Whether you're an artist, manager, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with the strategies, mindset shifts, and real talk you need to succeed long-term in the music business.Interested in going direct-to-fan with the best text and email platform for musicians? 👇🏾https://foreverfanmusic.com/?el=nlnbuttonTimestamps:0:00 – Artist First, CEO Next: Intro to Derek Minor1:25 – 50/50 Manager Splits: Why It’s Risky3:10 – Bad Management Decisions Can Leave You Stuck4:50 – "Everyone Got Paid More Than Me" on Tour6:00 – Why Derek Minor Doesn't Have a Manager Right Now7:00 – Management vs Partnership: Know the Difference9:10 – Artists Must Think Like Business Owners11:20 – Spotting the Wrong Manager Before It’s Too Late13:00 – Why Artists Leave Good Managers Too Early15:00 – Artist vs Businessman: Balancing Both Sides17:10 – Signs of a Bad Label or Bad Manager19:00 – Labels With No Plan = Red Flag21:00 – Fame ≠ Fortune: Why Clout Doesn't Pay25:00 – Artists Must Take Full Responsibility for Their Careers31:00 – Interviewing Labels Like They Interview You36:00 – How to Run a Fair Label and Fix Mistakes39:00 – Red Flags: People Who Blame Everyone Else42:00 – Streamers and Direct-to-Fan Mindset45:00 – Why Building Your Own Business is Easier Today48:00 – Derek’s Future Plans: Artist Imprints and RMG AmplifyThis channel is ran by the founders of No Labels Necessary, Sean "Brandman" Taylor and Jacorey "Kohrey" Barkley. No Labels Necessary is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing. Want to grow your music career . Join our community👇🏽http://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing
SilkSoSmart is a music marketing strategist and creative coach helping independent artists grow fanbases, monetize content, and build careers without a label. Known for his sharp insights on social media growth, music promo, and brand building, Silk’s helped hundreds of DIY musicians turn content into real momentum. If you’re trying to get heard, get paid, and stay independent — he’s the guy you want to hear from.Interested in going direct-to-fan with the best text and email platform for musicians? Visit https://www.foreverfanmusic.com/?el=nlnbuttonto start your free 14-day trial!Timestamps: 0:00 – Real Music Marketers Only: Meet SilkSoSmart1:15 – How JWOP Went Viral: Ads + Seeding Breakdown3:02 – Don't Promote Directly to Your Music5:04 – Stream Numbers vs Fan Ownership: The Real Goal7:36 – What Is Seeding & How $40 Posts Can Go Viral10:42 – Building Forever Fans vs Chasing the Algorithm13:04 – Shifting From Monthly Listeners to Direct Revenue17:00 – $8K From 20 Fans: The Power of Superfans25:01 – Fans Want to Support, But You Have to Let Them33:48 – What’s Next: Fan Pages, Data, and Long-Term WinsListen to Our Podcasts Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-labels-necessary/id1658301063This channel is ran by the founders of No Labels Necessary, Sean "Brandman" Taylor and Jacorey "Kohrey" Barkley. No Labels Necessary is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing. Want to grow your music career . Join our community👇🏽http://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing
See if @landrmusic is the Right Distributor for You:https://glnk.io/5wllp/sean1b0Timestamps:0:00 – Intro: Why I Hate This Question0:44 – 7 Principles to Pick the Best DSP1:01 – Principle 1: Is It a Scam?1:49 – Principle 2: Is It Reliable?3:03 – 2025 Recommendation: LANDR3:54 – Principle 3: Artist Size & Goals4:48 – Why LANDR Might Not Fit Everyone5:13 – Warning: Scammy Distribution Platforms6:07 – Beware of Fake Value Propositions6:24 – Covered DSPs I’ve Recommended Before6:50 – Principle 4: Flexibility When Pausing or Leaving7:56 – The Importance of Pause-Friendly DSPs8:18 – Principle 5: Customer Service Experience8:45 – Principle 6: Easy Import Tools9:32 – Why Import Tools Matter10:01 – Principle 7: Pricing Breakdown10:49 – LANDR’s Tiered Pricing11:26 – Final Thoughts + Recap of All 7 Principles12:28 – Closing: Affiliate Info & What’s NextListen to Our Podcasts Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-labels-necessary/id1658301063This channel is ran by the founders of No Labels Necessary, Sean "Brandman" Taylor and Jacorey "Kohrey" Barkley. No Labels Necessary is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing. Want to grow your music career . Join our community👇🏽http://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing #landr
Watch the Manager's Playbook full episode here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VtOfpLtJncInterested in going direct-to-fan with the best text and email platform for musicians? Visit https://www.foreverfanmusic.com/?el=nlnbuttonto start your free 14-day trial!Timestamps: 0:00 – Should Managers Get 50%?4:00 – Why Your Manager’s Cut Might Change Over Time8:00 – Manager or Business Partner? There’s a Difference12:00 – No One-Size-Fits-All in Artist Deals16:00 – The Real Cost of Motivation: Time, Energy & Sacrifice20:00 – The Secret to Structuring Win-Win Agreements24:00 – Equity vs. Commission: Which Pays Off Long-Term?28:00 – Artists Fear 50%... But Should They?32:00 – How Incentives Shape the Entire Artist Business36:00 – Why Managers Deserve More Than Just a Cut40:00 – Sharing Risk = Real Partnership44:00 – Why Agents Get 10% Without Pushback (But Managers Don’t)48:00 – Stop Hustling. Start Building a Real Business52:00 – Lex Burrow’s Take: Value Your Manager or Lose Them56:00 – Final Word: Business Only Works With the Right PeopleListen to Our Podcasts Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-labels-necessary/id1658301063This channel is ran by the founders of No Labels Necessary, Sean "Brandman" Taylor and Jacorey "Kohrey" Barkley. No Labels Necessary is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing. Want to grow your music career . Join our community👇🏽http://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing
Interested in going direct-to-fan with the best text and email platform for musicians?
Visit https://www.foreverfanmusic.com/?el=nlnbuttonto start your free 14-day trial!Timestamps:0:43 – “An Artist Can’t Be a Success” – Breaking Down the Quote1:40 – Art vs. Science: The Balancing Act of Success3:04 – Buying Into the Hype: When Artists Stop Experimenting4:35 – Young Thug’s Verse Was Just a Play5:58 – Artist vs. Success: Can You Be Both?9:34 – LA Reid's Clive Davis Moment – “Push the Button”11:01 – Marketing Can't Save a Bad Song12:24 – When Viral Fails: 1M TikToks, 1M Streams15:00 – You Can’t Force a Hit Song16:59 – The Modern Button: Micro Moves Over Magic MomentsListen to Our Podcasts Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-labels-necessary/id1658301063This channel is ran by the founders of No Labels Necessary, Sean "Brandman" Taylor and Jacorey "Kohrey" Barkley. No Labels Necessary is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing. Want to grow your music career . Join our community👇🏽http://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing
Interested in going direct-to-fan with the best text and email platform for musicians? Visit https://www.foreverfanmusic.com/?el=nlnkatoto start your free 14-day trial!Get Access to our growth strategies and tools HERE!!! https://foreverfanacademy.com/nln?el=nlnprTimestamps:0:00 Streaming Isn’t the End-All Be-All0:28 KO Meets with Spotify3:48 Biggest Misunderstanding About Spotify5:20 Direct-to-Consumer Is the Real Power Play9:01 Playing the Indie Game the Wrong Way11:15 How Streaming Changed the Music Ecosystem15:18 The Harsh Reality of Music Industry Revenue17:04 Misplaced Artist Rage24:52 Most Artists Just Want Stability, Not Fame 25:59 KO’s Million-Dollar D2C Blueprint 30:36 The Truth About Fake Streams & Label Games 43:12 Why Real Friendships Rarely Exist in Music 1:00:31 Music Industry = Power, Politics, and Perception Listen to Our Podcasts Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-labels-necessary/id1658301063This channel is ran by the founders of No Labels Necessary, Sean "Brandman" Taylor and Jacorey "Kohrey" Barkley. No Labels Necessary is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing. Want to grow your music career . Join our community👇🏽http://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing
We're looking for 10 Artists to Work With For A FULL YEAR:https://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/grow/?el=managerhackInterested in going direct-to-fan with the best text and email platform for musicians? Visit https://www.foreverfanmusic.com/?el=nlnyt203 to start your free 14-day trial!This channel is ran by the founders of No Labels Necessary, Sean "Brandman" Taylor and Jacorey "Kohrey" Barkley. No Labels Necessary is a music-first marketing agency that helps artists impact culture through digital content and marketing. Want to grow your music career . Join our community👇🏽http://www.nolabelsnecessary.com/#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing
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