Are Black Friday sales really worth it for indie artists? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, Harkos tackles the popular holiday sales season, revealing why typical sales tactics might not be right for musicians. While other marketers suggest running discounts to boost sales, Harkos shares a smarter approach—one that doesn’t rely on fans buying music directly, but instead helps build a loyal fan base primed for future engagement. Harkos breaks down his three-step holiday...

Are you an indie artist thinking about joining a label? Or maybe you’re already on one and questioning if it’s the right fit. This episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast dives deep into the complexities of indie labels and why so many fail their artists. Harkos explores how labels can either uplift or limit your career, emphasizing the importance of control, budgeting, and authenticity in artist-label relationships. In this episode, Harkos uncovers three major pitfalls indie labels fall...

Are you promoting your music on YouTube the wrong way? Many artists unknowingly use their topic pages to promote their music, missing out on a powerful tool that could seriously amplify their reach. In this episode, Harkos breaks down why topic pages are holding you back and how switching to an official artist channel can elevate your music career. From activating YouTube’s algorithm to enhancing your branding, this episode is packed with insights on building an engaged, loyal fan...

Are you sinking time and money into Spotify playlist campaigns hoping for fan growth? It might be time to rethink that strategy. This episode of Music Makin Cents Podcast pulls back the curtain on the popular but often ineffective playlisting trend, showing independent artists why this approach rarely leads to lasting fan engagement. Discover why playlist streams may spike your numbers briefly but fail to build a loyal fanbase—and why strategic awareness campaigns might be the smarter, more...

Tired of feeling like a pushy salesperson while trying to get your music out there? Ever wonder how you can live the musician lifestyle without compromising your authenticity or creativity? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, Harkos reveals the secrets to selling your music without actually selling it. It's not about high-pressure tactics or guilt trips—it’s about building genuine connections, creating value, and showcasing who you really are as an artist. Harkos walks you...

Are you still wasting time on pre-promotion? It’s time to stop chasing outdated strategies that simply don’t work anymore. In today’s on-demand society, fans want your music now, not weeks or months from today. Harkos dives deep into why pre-promotion is dead, how it’s killing your chances of success, and what you should be doing instead. Forget pre-save links and long buildup campaigns; they’re leaving your music lost in the noise of 150,000 daily song uploads. Harkos breaks down the exact...

Feeling stuck in your music career? Are the words "marketing" and "content creation" making you cringe? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, host Harkos breaks down why so many independent artists, bands, and musicians struggle with one of the most essential parts of their success—content creation. Spoiler alert: it's not because the system is rigged, but because they’re standing in their own way.   Harkos dives into the reality that creating engaging,...

Are you struggling to build a fan base that genuinely connects with you and your music? In this episode of Music Makin' Cents Podcast, Harkos gets real about what it takes to stand out in the saturated music industry. Spoiler: it’s all about your brand! If you're thinking branding is just a buzzword, you’re wrong—Harkos breaks down the "3 Pillars" every indie artist needs: Who you are, What you stand for, and What your story is. From mastering these key elements to making sure your name is as...

In this episode of the Music Making Sense Podcast, Harkos lays down the truth about what it really means to succeed as an indie artist. It’s not about high follower counts or chasing empty streams, but about building genuine connections with fans and creating sustainable growth. He introduces the Apex Music System, a game-changing approach that focuses on social media engagement, streaming success, and smart sales strategies to build a real career. Ready to ditch the fake hype and focus on...

There’s only one way to make it as an independent artist, and that’s by treating your music like a business. The trifecta of success? Social media, streaming platforms, and sales. Get practical tips on how to market your music, build a real fanbase, and create a sustainable income. From leveraging streaming to engaging your audience and creating insider programs, this guide gives you the roadmap to thrive in the music industry. #IndependentArtist #MusicMarketing #SocialMedia...

In a world full of sameness, being different is the best way to stand out! By embracing your individuality and creating communities online, you can connect with like-minded fans who truly vibe with your music. Forget trying to appeal to everyone – focus on showcasing your oddball side and watch as a loyal fan base grows around your uniqueness. With billions of people online, there’s an audience out there just waiting to resonate with your sound! #Music #Unique #FanBase #Community #ArtistLife

Think you need to pack up and move to a big city to make it in the music industry? Harkos and KP are here to tell you to pump the brakes. In this episode, they break down how online promotion, a killer EPK, and a strong fan base can make waves, no matter where you are. Learn why professionalism, consistency, and being about your business are the keys to making your music pay off. It's time to stop making excuses and start making moves.   For all Links MMC Pod click here...

In today's music industry, selling physical albums is outdated—everyone's listening on their phones! Stop wasting time on USB thumb drives and focus on digital sales where the real money is. Think abstractly about how your fans consume music and tap into the financial potential of streaming. It’s not just about getting heard; it’s about getting paid. #streaming #digitalmusic #albumsales #phones #financialsuccess #Streaming #AlbumSales #DigitalMusic #PhysicalCopies #USBThumbDrives #Phone...

In a world flooded with noise, standing out as an independent artist demands more than just talent—it's about consistent content creation, authentic branding, and leveraging online platforms to your advantage. Embracing your unique identity and promoting real value can set you apart from the crowd. Whether you're navigating the digital landscape alone or with a strong team, remember: your individuality is your superpower. Use the power of podcasts, find your niche, and never underestimate the...

Struggling to find opportunities to perform in your area? Moving to a new city won’t magically boost your music career. It’s all about grinding in your local scene and building a loyal fan base first. Don't just hope for success—bring your A-game to every live performance, even in a small town. Engage with your audience, bring merch, and make those connections. Your real power lies in your online presence and the fans who’ll follow you anywhere. That's how you unlock paid gigs and real...

In this episode, we talk about: breakdancing's inclusion in the Olympics, the critical need for dancers to protect their intellectual property through copyright and trademarking, the power of visual identity and authenticity in the dance industry, the impact of the internet on global culture, competition, and self-expression, Plus much more! For all Links MMC Pod click here https://podlink.to/MMCPod Horrible Designs Link - https://invi.tt/L3DA TNHotSauceCO - https://tnhotsauceco.com/...

Competition in music is healthy, but in reality, the only person you should compete with is yourself. Instead of wasting energy worrying about what other artists are doing, focus on engaging with your fans and creating music that resonates with them. Building a deeper connection through communication and content is what truly matters. Learn from others' successes, but always make it uniquely yours. #MusicCompetition #ArtistGrowth #FanEngagement #CreativeJourney #MusicIndustryTips

In this episode, we talk about: Trend jacking and news jacking in the music industry, staying consistent, avoiding the temptation to follow trends, copyrighting and registering music before releasing it, streaming platforms as a promotional tool, leveraging current events and trends in music marketing, capitalizing on social causes and political events, comedy in music marketing and the importance of authenticity, Plus much more! Full Stack Creative Video -...

Being an independent artist is challenging, but nothing good ever comes easy. To change your life for the better, you have to do something difficult. Many people join the military to improve their situation, taking on the risks and sacrifices involved. As an independent artist, you have to take the hard road and invest time and effort into learning and doing things yourself or find ways to pay others to help you. Don't have a lottery mindset and expect to get signed without having anything to...

In this episode, we talk about: merchandise and memorabilia as revenue streams, strategic planning and preparation before releasing music, crafting a robust marketing plan and setting up a strong back-end infrastructure to maximize revenue, how to build brand awareness and sell an unforgettable experience, engage with your audience through entertaining visual content, leverage user-generated content and memes, and explore revenue opportunities beyond streaming platforms. Plus much more! For...

Are you tired of spending time and energy trying to get on Spotify's editorial playlists, only to find out they're filled with bots? It's time to rethink your strategy and focus on what really works. The best way to reach a massive audience is through targeted paid advertising, not outdated playlist pitching. Use your smartphone to create engaging, cost-free music videos and connect with real fans. The key to success in the music industry is to think smarter and work harder. Embrace the power...

In this episode, we break down a video by  @wordplaytjay  called 'Why the Music Business is Closed for Independent Artists.' In the video we go over: virality and how it can lead to success in the music industry, being prepared to capitalize on virality by having their music available on streaming platforms and having a strong marketing strategy in place, sustaining success and creating consistent content, investing in advertising and marketing to grow as an artist, how to view money as a...

Apple Music and Youtube Music Pay Almost 3 Times What Spotify Does. Apple Music pays one penny per stream and has 92 million paid subscribers. It is growing rapidly and is expected to continue growing, especially with the increasing number of people using Apple products. Streaming revenue is an important source of income for artists, and Apple Music offers a higher payout compared to Spotify. Artists can also sell their songs and albums on Apple Music, providing an additional revenue stream....

In this episode, we talk about: The concept of creating an 'adult hip hop' category to bridge the generational divide in rap music. How this could benefit both older and younger artists by allowing them to cater to their respective audiences, and the ongoing debate between traditional and modern HipHop styles. The challenges older artists face in staying relevant, the impact of dance trends on careers, and the importance of targeted marketing for maintaining success. We Ask "could 'adult...