It seems almost everyone is in Austin right now for SXSW...and that's a good reminder that sometimes it can be beneficial to go against the grain. When trends, movement, or industries all appear to go one in one direction, when is it right for you to do something else that can help you stand out from the masses?

If you're thinking about going on tour, you'll want to listen to this episode first.   Resources: On Merchandise: Episode 26: How to Calculate Return on Investment from Merchandise Episode 31: How to Get Better Pricing from Merch Suppliers On Touring: Episode 33: 5 Tips That Can Save Your Band's Tour Episode 36: How to Book a Band Tour, Step by Step Episode 107: How to Keep a Tour Vehicle Running Properly Episode 108: How a Tour Driving Schedule Can Save Your Life Episode 155:...

Do ever notice how sometimes the press can't stop talking about certain artists? Have you experienced times when you felt unstoppable creatively? Or have you ever struggled to get something started? These are instances of momentum. If you want to create demand, you have to understand how to create momentum. That's when and where you should invest in your career.

Whether you are looking for band members, a team to help the business aspects of your career, or a producer, it is important to have the right process in place so that you can get the most out of the relationship. In addition, you want to save time - yours and theirs - by avoiding relationships and that simply won't work in the long run. Keep these four steps in mind: Have clear expectations and goals Answer: What does success look like? Answer: What is the return on investment for...

How can a business efficiency practice designed for factories be used and adapted for musicians looking to advance their career? Today, we talk about continuous improvement methodology and how those ideas can improve nearly every area of your music, from more effective rehearsals and stage performances to getting better responses to booking emails and better paying gigs. Resources: Episode 4: Don't Practice. Rehearse Instead.

There's a lot of talk about Spotify these days: whether it is creating a disservice to musicians, how it is impacting the music industry at large, and whether it is worth it to dance with them. But distribution is beside the point. Real music-preneurs know that there's a much more important conversation to be had about strategy, audiences, and building a sustainable career.

Most artists understand that storytelling is an essential skill for developing better lyrics. Some also know that it can help with writing a stronger biography as well. However, we can apply the best practices of storytelling to more than just traditional narrative - it can also impact your live show, your pitches, and how you can connect with audiences in other ways, too. Resources: Other storytelling episodes: Episode #97 – Storytelling part 1: Creating an emotional arc Episode #98 –...

Infrastructure is important for organizations and communities to thrive. What about artist infrastructure? Today, I talk about the supports that you need so that you'll be able to leverage big moments and be prepared to execute your plans.

Negotiation is a critical skill for artists to develop a sustainable career yet so few make the time or effort to grow in this area. Today, we'll talk about how you can negotiate for a guarantee or better pay for your shows but the same tactics can be used to get better deals with sponsors, record labels, merchandise/vendors, and more. Here are some of my favorite resources for negotiation: BOOK: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Black Swan negotiation...

Today, we're discussing what you can expect from the music industry in 2022. There's no doubt that there are many changes on the horizon, but here's what you can do to prepare and make the most out of the moment.

If you’re looking for ways to grow your music career while making a real-world impact, check out our free music business conference designed with an equity-first mindset. It takes place Nov 5 + 6 and it’s all available to you for free, first of The Slants Foundation. Get your tickets now: www.cpocmusic.com

Today's episode is taken from a workshop I recently delivered through my nonprofit organization that serves Asian American artists, The Slants Foundation. It was a session specifically on creating a lasting impact - be it cultural, systemic, or industry. We also focused on bigger ideas of how to create a more sustainable arts career by re-examining how we think about relationships, tools, the maps we use, and other key areas. Resources: Watch the video webinar of this episode. Learn more...

The early deadline for SXSW artist applications is coming up. Today, we discuss best practices for applying to SXSW and other major music festivals. Also, I have a special announcement regarding CPOC Music, a new music business conference designed specifically for artists of color. Resources: SXSW Showcasing Artist Application CPOC Music

It's sometimes hard to put long-range goals into perspective when we're considering the many means of getting to them: touring, social media, list building, licensing, music industry trends, formats of releasing music, etc. but those are all tactics, not sustainable strategies that are scalable. Too often, we glamorize the hustle without thinking about what matters even more: working with purpose. Today, we'll talk about whether or not it actually is a long way to the top (if you want to...

The music industry is an ever-evolving landscape that is often adapting to changes in technology, the law, and how people consume music. However, artists often don't adapt to these changes well because we often create processes without a lens of resiliency. In today's episode, we talk about "future-proofing" your work and how you do business so you don't have to recreate the wheel each time you need to do something for your business.

Do you wonder how you can get more stuff done? Today, I share some personal strategies for making more progress in your music career each day. Resources: Episode #368 – Scaling Up pt. 1: The House of Music Episode #08 - SMARTER Goals BOOK: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Today, I'm speaking with Danielle Tucker, the leading force behind the Pandemic-Proof Singer Summit, a free 3-day event filled with leading experts in the music industry who will teach you how to create a sustainable arts career. Today, we'll talk about some of the ideas, what you can look forward to, and how you can stay relevant as a musician in times of uncertainty. Register for free here.

Have you ever thought about what business you're in? The "music business" is too broad of a term and doesn't really define your activities or what can actually sustain your career. When you understand what business you're actually in, you can start being more strategic about your approach and see better returns.

Today's interview is with Stacey Bedform, CEO of Bandzoogle. It was inspired by an article that she wrote for the Industry Observer,  Direct to the fan: websites are where the rubber meets the road for independent artists. I've always been an advocate of having owned channels but I think it is more critical than ever for artists to level up their websites and avoid the trap of social media gatekeeping and filters. Please enjoy this conversation with someone who can see how websites affect...

Today's episode is a fireside chat with one of the most sought after vocal and artist coaches, Wendy Parr. We talk about the transformative power of finding your authentic artist voice. It was hosted by The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to transforming the world through the power of art. To learn more about Wendy's work, visit www.wendyparr.com To learn more about The Slants Foundation, visit www.theslants.org

You've written a song. Maybe you even released it. But how can you multiply its reach and its earning potential?

With so much information out there for artists, newer and lesser established musicians often have trouble deciding on what is most important to focus on. Today, I speak with two younger artists about prioritization as well as addressing common questions for acts in earlier stages of their career. This consultation session is part of the services provided by The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping underrepresented artists. To learn more about the organization, visit...

When it comes to your music or how you present yourself, what makes you unique? How can you approach your songwriting, marketing/communications, and your audiences with the mindset of differentiation so that you can create a scalable and sustainable career? Resources: Episode #291 -How to Dominate a Niche Market part 1: Find a need Episode #292 - How to Dominate a Niche Market pt 2: Smallest Viable Audience Episode #293 - How to Dominate a Niche Market pt 3: What if Your Audience is Too...

I'm making a few predictions for how/when live, in-person music shows will return. If you want to be set for performances, then you better be prepared! Resources & Related Episodes: To optimize merchandise: Episode #26: How to Calculate Return on Investment from Merchandise Episode #31: How to Get Better Pricing from Merch Suppliers Episode #39: 8 Tips to Help You Sell More Merchandise Episode #50: Supplies Every Merch Bin Should Have Episode #59: The Best Ideas of...