Kohrey - Building Artist Brands through Creating Views, Streams, and REAL Followers with Digital and Influencer Music Marketing

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In the last few years, for the first time we’re living in an age where musicians and artists can take control of their music career, and use powerful strategies to promote their own music. In the digital age, artists have the ability to find real fans to stream their music on Spotify and watch their videos on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Musicians don’t have to rely on labels or others to make a living doing what they love. Also, the artist team no longer needs to follow the traditional model of manager, attorney, agent, label, publicist, and publishing company. In the new music industry, one of the most powerful persons to have on your artist team is a digital marketing expert.

Kohrey is a digital marketing expert, and the co-founder of the Brandman Network and Contraband Agency. Through their companies they have created powerful results for independent musicians in finding a real audience that they can convert to loyal fans. They teach artists how to do this through their agencies and with all the amazing content they share on their YouTube Channel and Instagram. Kohrey and his partners are making a real difference in artists careers, and taking them to build successful businesses.

In this conversation, we talk about digital marketing, promoting shows, about the different platforms to promote music and much more. To learn more about Kohrey visit https://www.contrabrand.agency/ and https://www.instagram.com/kohreydasavior/.

Quotes from Kohrey
“If we’re seeing that people are willing to come to an old bakery to watch a concert, it really opens up the world to what artist touring can look like.”
“Events, if you have the stomach for it, the capacity for it, and the team for it, it’s one of the best networking things you can do.”
“The way to play the game in marketing is the same whether you’re emerging or established.”
“Content is 60% of the game. If you don’t start there, you’re not even competing.”
“You should know enough to know what you’re not good at and what you need to delegate.”
“You don’t need to run your marketing campaigns forever, but at least understand enough about it so when you’re hiring somebody you know what they’re talking about and what questions to ask.”
“Spotify is like the industry scoreboard.”
“YouTube is the most rewarding platform to grow on.”
“TikTok is the first social media platform where there is music promo going on 24/7 and everyone is clearly fine with it.”
“Spotify doesn’t convert as well to other platforms, as other platforms convert to Spotify.” “Ads alone are not enough to break an artist.”
“Ads make it easier to take risks on the other stuff.”
“The strategy is in the long term.”
“The email list does show work ethic.”

Highlights from this Episode
[02:35] Promoting Shows in Alternative Venues
[10:58] Organizing Blue Summer Festival & Booking Touring Artists
[22:07] Promoting lesser known artists through Digital Marketing
[26:24] About Contraband Agency
[31:10] Developing Your Artist Team
[35:40] Booking Agents
[41:40] How to know who’s a good manager
[47:27] Best platforms for musicians
[53:03] The right time and way to direct people to Spotify
[56:15] Advertising on YouTube
[01:01:36] Engagement with retargeting ads
[01:03:20] Directing fans to your email list
[01:09:44] Taking care of your fans along the funnel
[01:13:10] Getting to know Kohrey

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Blue Summer ATL
Paradigm Agency
International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA)
Jonathan Hay
Brandman Sean
Kendrick Lamar
Meek Mill
Travis Porter
Miguel
Creative Juice Podcast
Earn Your Leisure
Joe Budden Podcast
[BOOKS]
All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Don Passman
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
All Marketers Tell Lies by Seth Godin
Jab, Jab, Jab Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuck
The Art & Science of Respect by Jay Prince
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by 50 Cent