Music Makin Cents Podcast

A podcast designed to help Independent Artists have success. For free and low cost tips and tricks

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Stop overspending on production and underspending on promotion! If you’re willing to spend $1,000 to make a video, you MUST be willing to spend that same amount to make sure people actually see it.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE: 👉 https://t.co/d9PAeqlkkW
#musicmarketing #musicads

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Stop burning your budget on high-end music videos that nobody sees! If you have $1,000 to spend, spending it all on production and $0 on ads is the fastest way to stay undiscovered.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE:👉 https://t.co/d9PAeqlSau
#musicmarketing #musicbudget #musicpromotion

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Tired of feeling lost trying to grow your music fanbase? 🤯 Forget the "gurus" and complicated schemes. WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE: https://t.co/d9PAeqlkkW #musicmarketing #fanbasegrowth #independentartist #musicstrategy #shorts #musicpromotion #musicianlife #musicbusiness

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Most artists fail because they're living "post to post." 😫 If your music video drops today, but you only finished the edit last night... you're already behind. WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE: 👉 https://t.co/d9PAeqlSau
#musicmarketing #contentstrategy #musicpromotion #musicianlife

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

STOP posting static graphics for your music! Your reach is flatlining because the algorithm needs visually entertaining content to keep people watching. FULL VIDEO HERE: https://t.co/d9PAeqlSau #musicmarketing #independentartist #musicpromotion #musicianlife #musicgrowth

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

There's a lot of confusion around covering other artists' songs and who you need to register with—specifically, The MLC versus Harry Fox. Do you need to sign up with Harry Fox if you do covers, even if you're already with The MLC?

In this video, we help demystify the complex world of digital music royalties. We refer to a crucial resource on The MLC's website that provides a crash course on the royalty landscape in the United States. This diagram breaks down:

-The two different copyrights (Musical Work vs. Sound Recording)

-The four different flows of royalties

-The organizations through which these royalties flow

Understanding this landscape is vital for songwriters, producers, and artists to ensure they are collecting every dollar their music earns!

Check out the full discussion here: https://t.co/ba682r36UN #MusicBusiness #TheMLC #HarryFox #Covers

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Many artists only focus on the income stream from their sound recording, completely overlooking the money available from the second copyright: the song composition (or publishing).

1-Understanding the two copyrights is essential:

2-Sound Recording: Revenue flows through your distributor.

Song Composition (Publishing/Musical Work): Revenue is paid out differently. This includes mechanical royalties from streaming, which is what organizations like The MLC pay out.

If you are an independent artist, you are likely missing out on publishing revenue that flows through societies like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR, and The MLC (for mechanical royalties). Tune in to hear why registering your music with The MLC and other PROs is absolutely crucial for collecting all the money your music earns!

Check out the full discussion here: https://t.co/ba682r3EKl #MusicBusiness #IndieArtist #MusicPublishing #TheMLC

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Are you sure you know who you're signing up with? When choosing a music distributor, there are two crucial things you must understand:

1-Not all distributors have access to all platforms.

2-Not all distributors have direct access.

If your distributor is using a third-party "supply chain partner" to get your music onto a platform, that partner takes a cut of your royalties before the money even reaches your distributor. This means your net profit is reduced because of that extra middleman!

It’s essential to know if your distributor is giving you direct access or if your "100%" royalty share is actually much less after a third party takes their cut. This isn't necessarily a good or bad deal, but you need to read the terms and conditions to understand the agreement you're making. Don't just click "I agree"—find out who your supply chain partners are and how it affects your bottom line!

Check out the full discussion here: https://t.co/IsvOOcoeNv #IndieArtist #MusicDistribution #MusicRoyalties #ArtistTips

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Many artists complain that streaming doesn't pay enough—and they're right! That's why building a real music career requires understanding and utilizing all the different ways to earn money from your music. In this video, we're joined by Dave Bogan from The MLC and the Music Making Sense podcast to dive into the essential business aspects of music that most artists overlook.

Why do artists focus only on streaming?If you're a new artist just starting your career, streaming is the most immediate and accessible revenue stream because you can write a song today and have it on Spotify by the end of the week. However, there is so much more money available on the backend that you might be missing out on!
Tune in as we discuss how to stop relying solely on streaming sales and start exploiting all the revenue opportunities available to you.

Check out the full discussion here: https://t.co/IsvOOcnGXX #IndieArtist #MusicRoyalties #TheMLC #ArtistTips

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

To use social media to your advantage, all your content needs to be entertaining and engaging. As an independent artist, your main job is to entertain people, not just sell to them. Avoid "out now" or "buy now" nonsense. People see thousands of ads every day, so if your post looks like one, they'll just swipe past. If you entertain them by showcasing your music and creating other unique videos, they will stay, watch more, and eventually become a fan and even a superfan. The only way to build a real fanbase on social media is to entertain people into voluntarily supporting your music.

Want to learn more about how to use social media to grow your music career? Check out the full video here: https://t.co/PiA8jmMelW #IndieArtist #SocialMediaTips #MusicBusiness #ArtistAdvice

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

To build a true fanbase, you need brand solidarity across all your platforms. This means keeping your username, handle, bio, profile picture, and content consistent everywhere you post. It's an easy way for people to find you, no matter which platform they're on. A lot of independent artists make the mistake of using a different handle on each platform, making it difficult for fans to follow them. Don't limit yourself to just one social media platform. Simply take the content you're already posting and share it across all your other channels—it only takes a few extra seconds to copy and paste. Additionally, take a few minutes once or twice a week to check comments and engage with people on every platform. This strategy will help you grow your reach and build a genuine fan base.

Want to learn more about how to use social media to grow your music career? Check out the full video here: https://t.co/PiA8jmMMbu #IndieArtist #SocialMediaTips #MusicBusiness #ArtistAdvice

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

For years, independent artists have spent countless hours submitting their music to live stream review shows on Facebook and YouTube. These live streams have all the bad parts of social media and almost none of the good, essentially being a car crash for entertainment. Social media should be about building an ecosystem of people from across the planet who share your interests. As an independent artist, you need to properly showcase yourself online at all times. Instead of wasting time on these shows, focus on entertaining strangers, fans, and superfans.

There are three key ways to use social media to your benefit:

Maintain brand solidarity across all your platforms.

Create entertaining and engaging content.

Be consistent with your posting.

Want to learn more about how to use social media to grow your music career? Check out the full video here: https://t.co/PiA8jmMMbu #IndieArtist #SocialMediaTips #MusicBusiness #ArtistAdvice

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Many people are saying that reaction channels are officially dead because of UMG, but the truth is, they were never a truly effective strategy for independent artists. Most reaction channels have no audience, and even those that do are primarily watched by other indie artists, not potential fans. Participating in these channels is a huge waste of your time and rarely leads to a meaningful audience, usually only resulting in a few pats on the back or a collaboration. The good news is, that era is finally over, and you can now focus your time and money on strategies that will actually get you in front of real music fans.

Want to learn more about effective music marketing strategies? Check out the full video here: https://t.co/PiA8jmMelW #IndieArtist #ArtistTips #ReactionChannels #MusicBusiness

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

For most independent artists today, a marketing agency makes a lot more sense than signing with a record label. The music industry has changed, and digital platforms have empowered artists to connect directly with fans without needing a massive label. A marketing agency works best when you already have some momentum because they are there to amplify your efforts and take you to the next level, not to build something from scratch. If you're consistently releasing good music, engaging your audience, and seeing organic growth, investing in a marketing agency is the best bet for you. Instead of wishing for a label deal, empower yourself and build your own path on your own terms. Want to learn more? Check out the full video here: https://t.co/59AbIr2ueO #MusicMarketing #IndieArtist #MusicBusiness #ArtistEmpowerment #DigitalMusic

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Let's talk about what independent artists actually need, which is a marketing agency. Unlike a record label, a marketing agency focuses solely on getting your music heard by the right people and building a sustainable fanbase. They don't want to own your masters, dictate your creative vision, or loan you money that you have to pay back from your future earnings. Instead, they charge a flat fee for their services with no contracts and no strings attached. A marketing agency isn't a magic bullet to go from zero fans to worldwide tours in a matter of weeks , but it will amplify what you're already doing. Want to learn more about the benefits of working with a marketing agency? Watch the full video here: https://t.co/59AbIr324m #MusicMarketing #IndieArtist #MarketingAgency #MusicBusiness #ArtistTips

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

A record label today just isn't what it used to be. Traditionally, labels were the gatekeepers who funded everything from recording and production to distribution, marketing, and promotion. For decades, they were seen as the only path to a real career in music, offering a big record advance, industry connections, and established distribution networks. This sounds great, but for most independent artists, that dream comes with a huge price tag. When you sign with a label, you face a significant loss of creative control, as they dictate what music is released, what to make, how to look, and even who to work with. The advance you receive is not free money; it's an advance against your future royalties and earnings. You have to pay back every single penny of the advance, plus what they invest in you. Want to learn more about the pros and cons of signing with a record label? Watch the full video here: https://t.co/59AbIr2ueO #MusicBusiness #RecordLabel #IndieArtist #MusicIndustry #MusicMarketing

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

The third step to building a solid base for a viral moment is having a consistent flow of entertaining and engaging video content, in both long and short form. This means posting four long-form videos per month on YouTube. Each of those videos should then be chopped into at least five short-form clips for all the vertical video platforms. The four monthly videos should be a mix of music videos, music-related videos, and lifestyle videos. When you create your short-form clips, make sure the titles and descriptions are interest-based and entertaining, not salesy. Avoid using phrases like "out now," "buy now," or "stream now" because you're in the entertainment business, so your focus should be on entertaining your audience. Want to learn more about how to prepare your content for a successful music career? Watch the full video here: https://t.co/WjUSYmaobp

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Before you go viral, it might seem obvious, but you need to have a back catalog and a steady supply of new music. If you only have a couple of songs out and you happen to go viral, fans will quickly get tired of the limited amount of songs you have. However, if you have dozens of songs, your fans will have plenty to choose from for constant entertainment and won't get bored. In addition to a solid back catalog, you also need a consistent release schedule. This means releasing at least one new song every month and dropping one or two bigger projects, like an EP or a full album, each year. Want to learn more about how to prepare for a successful music career? Watch the full video here: https://t.co/WjUSYmaobp

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

Before you even think about going viral, there are key steps you need to take to get your business in order. This includes having a proper business setup, like an LLC, a dedicated business bank account, and the necessary legal and tax documents for your state and country. If you're in the United States and need help with this, the Small Business Administration website for your state offers free resources. Additionally, you need to make sure all your music is properly registered with agencies like the MLC, Harry Fox, SoundExchange, and either ASCAP or BMI. Getting these legal and financial ducks in a row is crucial for any artist. Want to learn more about how to set up your music business? Watch the full video here: https://t.co/WjUSYmaobp

[Music Makin Cents Podcast @MusicMakinCents]

A lot of independent artists think that a single viral clip or hit song is the key to real success. However, a sustainable music career demands a solid business and marketing plan. Chasing virality is like playing the lottery. It’s a complete trap that often leads to artists becoming one-hit wonders. Think about any musician with a long-term career; they didn't just go viral and call it a day. A solid structure is non-negotiable for building a career that allows you to make music and still have time for your friends, family, and hobbies. Want to learn how to build a sustainable music career? Watch the full video here: https://t.co/WjUSYm9QlR