Ron Richard - Owner of SimplePlay Presents and Talent Buyer at One Eyed Jacks in New Orleans - Artist Development Strategies from Years of Booking and Promoting Live Music

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

Ron Richard is the owner of New Orleans based Artist Development and Promotions company, SimplePlay Presents, and the Talent Buyer for One Eyed Jacks. In this episode, we cover how to become an artist manager, artist development, booking shows, the advance process, opening for national acts, and much more. Ron has been a concert promoter in New Orleans for over 10 years, and has worked with all the major venues in the market. SimplePlay presents has become a major artist management company in the market that has worked with artists such as Big Freedia, Naughty Professor, Sweet Crude, and many more.

To learn more about Ron Richard, keep in touch with him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/roncheadle/, and check out the shows he’s booking at One Eyed Jacks at https://www.oneeyedjacks.net/.   

Highlights from this Episode
[2:45] Ron’s first concert experience
[3:45] Ron’s story of getting started in the Music Business
[4:48] What is SimplePlay
[6:08] Skills an Artist Manager Needs
[7:25] Dealing with stressful situations  
[8:30] When artists should pursue managers
[10:15] Things artists should keep track of
[10:40] Managing and working with new artists
[14:18] Lessons from Promoting Shows for Artist Managers
[15:10] Advancing Shows
[16:28] Getting started as an Artist Manager
[18:30] What artists should look for in a manager
[20:05] Favorite New Orleans Jazz Fest moments
[21:32] Starting out as a promoter and reducing risks
[22:55] Making good deals and growing your business
[24:49] Getting started in competitive markets like New Orleans
[26:25] Not burning bridges with competing promoters
[28:00] Types of deal when promoting shows
[29:35] Emailing promoters - etiquette and pet peeves
[32:40] Putting together local shows with other locals
[33:45] Going out to shows
[35:32] Opening for National Acts
[36:52] Common mistakes artists make
[37:40] Lesson that took Ron the longest to learn
[39:31] Dealing with booking contracts
[41:45] Past and current mentors
[42:05] What Ron wants people to know about New Orleans
[43:40] Getting to know Ron Richard

Quotes from Ron Richard
“We sold 2 shirts, but made money on tickets. So, we canned the T-Shirt idea, and got into promoting.”
“You have to know your artist.”
“Go settle up as soon as you can, and make sure you get deposits”
“Go see shows, and talk to artists”
“Be smart with what you choose, and know your market.”
“Sometimes it works out, and sometimes you lose. That’s just how it goes.”
“The worst they can tell you is no, or they’ll just over quote you really high.”
“Work well with everyone, and eventually stuff will come back.”
“Make a point to go to other venues and show face, and talk to other buyers and people.”
“Make your hometown beckon for a show.”
“You don’t want to come off amateur to an agent.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Pearl Jam
Sage Francis
One Eyed Jacks
SimplePlay
Big Freedia
Tank & The Bangas
Sweet Crude
Motel Radio
Coyotes  
Shep Gordon
AEG Presents
Live Nation
Maison
Joy Theater
Orpheum Theater
Sync Up Music Conference
New Orleans Jazz Fest
SXSW  
My Morning Jacket
EOTO
PollstarPro
Genius Sign App
Reptar
Port of Call - New Orleans
Green Day
Office Hours with Tim Heideker  
Tuesdays with Stories with Mark Norman
Hunter S. Thompson
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon [Documentary]
History of The Eagles [Documentary]  

Ron’s Definition of Making It:
“Doing something you feel really happy doing, and fulfills you. To me, I have the most fun job in the world.”

Get in touch with Ron Richard
IG: @roncheadle

Related Articles & Episodes:
1. Promoter and Artist Deals & Settlements
2. Booking More Shows by Writing Better Emails to Talent Buyers, Promoters, and Venue Owners
3. Opening for National Acts
4. Wayne Lee - Journey of Legendary New Orleans Talent Buyer

Oliver Wood of the Wood Brothers - An Adventure with Musical Greats, Independence, and Creative Freedom

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

Get ready to embark on a beautiful creative adventure. One of the things I preach the most is the Malcolm Gladwell theory of 10,000 hours. If you’re fully present, and dedicate 10,000 hours of your time into something, you’ll reach a level of greatness. When I first started the podcast, it was a 90 day experiment that turned into a passion, and maybe one could say I finally found my lane. Now, I’m trying to hit my 10,000 hours as quickly as possible as a podcaster, teacher, mentor, and public speaker. When it comes to songwriting and music, I always teach my students that they should be investing as many hours as they can on improving their craft, and to collaborate with others that will help elevate their skill as a musician and songwriter. This week, I launched a new group project where students get chosen at random to spend a week with a group of 4 to 5 people as writing partners and come up with an original song. This was a project inspired by Oliver Wood. When I think of Oliver, I think of someone that has been on a creative adventure of music as musician and songwriter. His journey and stories are a tale of greatness.

Oliver Wood is one of the founders of The Wood Brothers, along with his brother, Chris Wood. After several years on their own path, they discovered their musical bond and have been on a wonderful journey ever since their first release in 2006. On February 2nd, 2018, The Wood Brothers are releasing their sixth album ‘One Drop of Truth,’ which dives headfirst into a deep wellspring of sounds, styles, and influences. Whereas their previous outings have often followed a conceptual and sonic through-line, here the long-standing trio featuring brothers Oliver and Chris Wood along with Jano Rix treat each song as if it were its own short film. The plaintive, country-folk of the album’s opening track “River Takes The Town” gives way to The Band-esque Americana soul of “Happiness Jones.” The stream of consciousness ballad “Strange As It Seems” floats on a cloud of ethereal beauty, standing in stark contrast to “Sky High”—a Saturday night barnburner built upon stinging slide guitar funk. “Seasick Emotions” is rife with emotional turmoil, yet “Sparkling Wine” is jaunty and carefree. The end result is undeniably The Wood Brothers’ most dynamic recording to date.

In this conversation, Oliver Wood discusses the new album, along with some stories of his mentor Tinsley Ellis, his father, and advice for aspiring musicians and songwriters. Oliver Wood has had such a wonderful career, and in this episode, he shares some of his stories and lessons from those adventures.  

Get the new album "One Drop of Truth"

Highlights from this Episode
[3:06] Musical Influences and New Orleans Music
[4:32] Making of the New Album “One Drop of Truth”
[7:40] What Oliver is most excited about with the new album
[8:37] Self Producing Albums
[11:40] If he were creating a Music Business program for Songwriters
[17:38] Being mentored and learning the business with Tinsley Ellis
[19:26] The moments that inspired The Wood Brothers
[23:38] Lesson that took Oliver the longest to learn

Quotes from Oliver Wood
“Put yourself in it 100%, and don’t compromise things.”
“Get your pure idea recorded.”
“Half of it is just a motivation thing and a confidence thing, or lack thereof. And you just have to overcome that.”
“You learn things by doing them.”
“Write songs, and write a lot of them. And listen to songs, listen to a lot of them.”
“There has to be something that promotes individuality.”
“Students need to be encouraged to find their own voice.”
“Group projects are great, because we learn from each other.”
“Just stay in the moment and don’t worry about things. Especially when it comes to music.”
“The best part is made when you’re not thinking about anything.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
The Wood Brothers
Stevie Wonder
Prince
Tinsley Ellis
Freddie King
Derek Trucks
Chris Wood
Medeski, Martin, and Wood
Blue Note Records
Norah Jones
Zac Brown
Thirty Tigers

Oliver Wood’s Definition of Making It:
“If you’re doing what you love, you’ve made it.”

Get in touch with The Wood Brothers
http://thewoodbros.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thewoodbrothers
https://www.instagram.com/thewoodbros/
https://twitter.com/thewoodbrothers

Go See The Wood Brothers Live
Upcoming 2018 Tour Dates:
Jan. 25 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theatre
Jan. 26 - Washington, DC - Lincoln Theatre
Jan. 27 - Washington, DC - Lincoln Theatre
Jan. 28 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
Jan. 30 - Albany, NY - The Egg
Jan. 31 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
Feb. 1 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
Feb. 2 - Portland, ME - State Theatre
Feb. 3 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
Feb. 9 - Miami Beach, FL - Groundup Music Festival
Feb. 21 - Phoenix, AZ - MIM Music Theater
Feb. 22 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up
Feb. 23 - Los Angeles, CA - Fonda Theatre
Feb. 24 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Feb. 25 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Feb. 27 - Arcata, CA - Kate Buchanan Room
Feb. 28 - Ashland, OR - Southern Oregon University
Mar. 1 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
Mar. 2 - Seattle, WA - Neptune
Mar. 3 - Seattle, WA - Neptune
Mar. 15 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City
Mar. 16 - Chattanooga, TN - Robert Kirk Walker Theatre
Mar. 17 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
Apr. 11 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
Apr. 12 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre
Apr. 13 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
Apr. 14 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
Apr. 15 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
Apr. 17 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Ballroom
Apr. 18 - Ann Arbor, MI - The Ark
Apr. 19 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
Apr. 20 - Knoxville, TN - Bijou Theater
Apr. 21 - Brevard, NC - Songsmith Gathering
Apr. 22 - Charlotte, NC - Tuck Fest
May 25 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
May 27 - Cumberland, MD - DelFest

Get all the info and tickets here. 

Related Episodes:
1. Neal Casal of Chris Robinson Brotherhood Shares Stories of His 30+ Year Career
2. Ivan Neville of Dumpstaphunk - Growing up ina Family of Musicians & Greatness
3. Leslie Mendelson - Expanding Musical Horizons & Meeting Friends in Unexpected Places

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Mark Samuels - Owner & Founder of Basin Street Records - A 20 Year Journey and Counting as an Independent Record Label Featuring the Beautiful Sounds of New Orleans

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

Longevity is the word that resonates the most with me when it comes to building a successful career or being an entrepreneur. Creators - musicians, songwriters, filmmakers, artists, producers, etc. are all entrepreneurs and therefore business owners. I find a lot of entrepreneurs that get really impatient three to four years into their journey. Often times even sooner. We want things to happen right now. I’ve been there myself. One of the lessons that took me the longest to learn, but resonates the most with me today, is to look at a career in terms of the long-term picture. Yes, it’s important to seize the day and live every day to be as fulfilled as possible. However, in reality, we spent most of our time on the journey to our goals, then actually at the final destination itself. Most of us are going to live to be over 80 years old. If you have “success” in your 20’s, what happens for the next 50-60 years? What happens when you run out of money?

When I think of success and longevity, I think of people like Make Samuels, owner, and founder of Basin Street Records. Not only is he focused on the longevity of his label, but also the artists he represents. He takes personal responsibility to wake up early every day, knowing he’s responsible for their livelihood, and their families livelihood. In 2017, Basin Street Records celebrated it’s 20 Year Anniversary as an Independent Record Label. The label features the wonderful sounds of New Orleans with artists such as Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Rebirth Brass Band, Jon Cleary, Los Hombres Calientes, Jeremy Davenport, Bonerama, and so many more. Mark Samuels, started the label in 1997 with the release of Kermit Ruffins - the Barbecue Swingers Live, which was recorded at the historic music venue, Tipitina’s. The labels second album, Los Hombres Calientes won a Latin Billboard Award, and the 2012 Rebirth Brass Band album “Rebirth of New Orleans,” brought the label it’s first Grammy win. In this conversation, Mark Samuels shares these and many more stories. You’ll learn how the label started, New Orleans culture, and many lessons on running an independent record label.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Also, I hope you open yourself up to exploring different styles of music, and listen to the sounds of New Orleans. The sounds of Basin Street Records.

Get the 20 YEAR Anniversary Album featuring Kermit Ruffins & Irvin Mayfield.

Highlights from this Episode
[3:02] Mark Samuels first concert experience
[4:00] The first time he picked up an instrument
[5:15] Moving from New Orleans to New York City
[6:52] First experience with the music industry
[10:42] Past and current mentors
[12:30] Getting started on the business side of the music industry
[25:35] Lessons learned from promoting concerts
[30:33] Deals and contracts
[36:22] Creating your labels vision and brand
[40:48] Running a label being based in New Orleans
[55:04] Advice for getting a label started
[59:31] Things artists should look for in working with a label
[1:05:16] The Grammy Winning Rebirth Brass Band Album
[1:08:40] Getting to know Mark Samuels

Quotes from Mark Samuels
“Figure out what things are important, and what things you can do better.”
“Speech, Debate, Creative Writing - no matter what you’re doing. Those are the things you should spend time on.”
“When you’re dealing with intellectual property, you can’t do things on a handshake.”
“When you have partners, you need to have an agreement about how you’re going to part ways.”
“You have to be prepared for disasters.”
“Get the accounting systems started from day one.”
“If you’re not going to run your business properly, don’t start a business.”
“If you have people that are going to count on you, outside of yourself, you better be prepared to wake up early and work, every day.”
“Learn as many different things that you can.”
“You’re going to need aspects of your career managed. Figure out what those are.”
“Ask to speak to the other bands that are signed to that label.”
“If you bring enough to the table, you’ll find someone willing to work with you.”
“It’s too easy to take a good picture on an iPhone, to have a lousy press photo.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Wynton Marsalis
New Orleans Jazz Fest
University of Texas (Austin)
Delfeayo Marsalis
Branford Marsalis
The Police
Cutting Edge Music Business Conference
Generations Hall
Jeremy Davenport
Kermit Ruffins
Tom Thompson
Basin Street Records
Tipitina’s
The Barbecue Swingers Live
OffBeat Music Magazine
Justice Records
Rebirth Brass Band
Irvin Mayfield
Los Hombres Calientes
Jason Marsalis
Snug Harbor  
House of Blues New Orleans
Orpheum Theater - New Orleans
Jon Cleary
Henry Butler
Saràyah
Dr. Michael White
Louis Armstrong
Earl Palmer
Neville Brothers
The Meters
Dr. John
The Subdudes
Treme (TV Show)
NCIS New Orleans (TV Show)
Grammy Winning Rebirth Brass Band Album - Rebirth of New Orleans
“A Beautiful World” - 20 Year Anniversary Album
Haley Reinhart
Spinal Tap
[BOOKS]
22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al and Laura Ries

Mark Samuels’ Definition of Making It:
“I think I’ve made it! I have 4 amazing kids. With them, I think I’m leaving the world in a better spot, and I hope our music lives on forever.”

Get in touch with Mark Samuels
https://www.basinstreetrecords.com/

A Small Sample of the Sounds of Basin Street Records

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Related Articles & Episodes: 
Davey Jay - Copyright & Publishing Masterclass
Erick Charles - Field Marketing Director at Fueled by Ramen/Roadrunner Records

Lennon Cihak - Building a Massive Network Through Writing for Blogs and How Musicians can Get Featured on Music Blogs

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

A common thing we always hear in the music industry, “it’s all about relationships.” I’ve always said that promoting shows is the ultimate gateway drug into the music business and building relationships because you get to work with venues, agents, managers, publicists, labels, and artists. However, promoting shows comes with huge risk. You could fall on your face, and lose a ton of money. Lennon Cihak is an example of being genuine, organized, and putting in really hard work can build a massive network. As of the release of this episode, he is a recent college grad from Full Sail University and is already build a powerful network through writing for blogs.

Lennon Cihak is a writer for EDM.com, Noiseporn, Magnetic Magazine, and Digital Music News. He’s also started his own blog EDMinaSoda, where he explores his writing covering other interests in the world of EDM. In this episode, you’ll learn about Lennon’s journey, how he organized his homework schedule so he could take on more projects, how to build genuine relationships, how to get write-ups on music blogs, and much more. Lennon is already doing some amazing things, and he hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential. He’s approaching the music business with a positive attitude, hustle, and with kindness, and therefore, has built a great network.

Highlights from this Episode
[3:02] Time at Full Sail University
[4:28] Students, Classes, and Professors that inspired Lennon
[6:52] Getting involved and decision making process of what to get involved with
[11:13] The journey of Lennon Cihak
[17:28] How students can get started getting experience
[19:48] Journey in writing
[21:10] Opportunities from Blogging
[24:50] Building long lasting relationships
[29:08] Lennon’s writing schedule
[33:25] Research and energy management for writing
[36:16] Decision process on which artists to feature and write about
[38:33] Email format when reaching out to a writer for a feature
[51:44] Working with Phil Pallen and tactics for Twitter
[57:36] Getting to know Lennon Cihak

Quotes from Lennon Cihak
“I would start some of my projects even before class so I could ask questions.”
“It’s this maze you can follow, and pinpoint other opportunities you can follow.”
“In marketing, you’re going to meet a lot of people.”
“Step out of your comfort zone and try something new.”
“I’m silently taking note of who’s where.”
“Know your worth. You’re worth something and your time is worth something. Regardless to how much experience you have.”
“Work with people who show you respect back.”
“A relationship is working with somebody, and getting to know them beyond their work life.”  
“Trying to reach everybody is a big marketing NO NO.”
“The fewer messages we have to get back and forward on, the better.”
“There is a reason you wrote that song, tell us why you wrote that song.”
“If someone can relate to it, it’s going to be more powerful.”
“Be personable.”
“When I meet you, I want that persona [from email impression] to flow.”
“Give them a reason to follow you.”

An article by Lennon Cihak (mentioned in this conversation). 

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Full Sail University
Pro Tools
Logic
SPARK
WWE
EDM.com
Noiseporn
EDM Tunes
Dancing Astronaut
Magnetic Magazine
Phil Pallen
Jamvana
EDM in a Soda
Steve Aoki  
Greg Rollett
Tim Ferriss
Davey Jay (Music Attorney)
Ari Herstand
Lewis Howes
Rachel Platten
Jonny Lang
Crazy Frog
Fanburst
Article on Fanburst by Lennon Cihak
Elon Musk
Michael Jackson
Prince
Adam Lambert
John Lennon
Lady Gaga
Deadmau5
[BOOKS]
Shut Up and Tweet by Phil Pallen

Lennon Cihak’s Definition of Making It:
“Working hard, staying persistent, never give up, find your niche, love what you do, and you’ll never work a day of your life.”

Get in touch with Lennon Cihak
Lennon@lennoncihak.com
Lennoncihak.com
Twitter: @lennoncihak
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennoncihak/

Related Articles & Episodes:
1. Davey Jay - A Copyright & Publishing Foundation Masterclass - Episode #056
2. Angela Mastrogiacomo - Building Your Story Through Written Form - Episode #062

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Brad Mason - Finding Motivation by Being Fully Engaged Through Movement, Nutrition, Sleep, and Giving Back to the Community

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

I started off 2018 with a new approach to setting New Year's Resolutions and goals. I took a note from the Tim Ferriss email newsletter, and went through my 2017 calendar. In addition to that, I went through my 2017 Facebook and Instagram timeline since I don’t put everything on my calendar. Then I made a list of all the things that I really enjoyed and people I enjoyed spending time with, and a list for the negative or sad moments, and people that I didn’t enjoy spending time with. After making the list, I went through the positives and highlighted the 20-30% of things that brought me the most joy. Normally I would’ve done the same with the negative list, but those were mostly situational things - hurricanes, death, and losses. On the list of positives, I even highlighted the things that brought me joy that I wish I  did more of, such as meditation, giving back, and exercise. My goal for 2018, is to schedule the things that bring me the most joy as much as possible. If possible, daily!

This conversation with Brad Mason, not only challenged me to stick to this, but to also challenge myself more mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I believe I scratched the surface of that in 2017, this year I want to get uncomfortable challenging myself in those areas. What motivates and inspires you? What are your challenges? In this conversation with Brad Mason, we talk about motivation, giving back, time management, setting goals, getting out of a rut, dealing with anxiety, and much more. One of the main drivers to motivation that Brad talks about is optimizing your nutrition, movement, and sleep. These are the things that will help make motivation easier. However, that has to come from within ourselves. Someone can create the perfect job with the right amount of money, in the most beautiful city for you, but that doesn’t guarantee motivation and happiness. It all begins with you, and if you’re struggling, it’s time to move more, eat healthier, and get enough daily sleep.

Brad Mason is an attorney that graduated from Drake University School of Law and Vice President at a bank technology company. At his core, it has always been important for him to do something positive to impact the community. Regardless of working 60 to 80 hour weeks, he uses strategies to allow him to be more engaged, effective, happy in life and make time to give back. From running obstacle courses to marathons, Brad tries to make sure he’s always fully engaged and present in the moment. This has allowed him to be able to do more in life, and unplugging gives him the energy to be fully engaged in other areas. Brad has always been one of my mentors, and someone who inspires me. It’s really exciting to kick off 2018 with an episode that will hopefully motivate you to be more fully engaged.

Also, I want to challenge you to give more in 2018. This can be in time, money, energy, and effort. As Brad Mason mentions in this episode, even if it’s something as little as a smile and holding the door for someone to get you going to giver more. The world needs you to be fully engaged, and share your love with others. Below are a list of places to where you can start to learn about volunteer opportunities.

The Give Team 

Highlights from this Episode
[3:50] What is the Give Team?
[6:38] The story of Brad Mason
[8:38] What motivates Brad Mason
[11:50] Why do people struggle with motivation?
[13:22] How to figure out your WHY
[17:15] Most common bad advice with motivation
[19:08] Being fully engaged
[24:03] Getting out of a rut or bad days
[25:22] Working on self-awareness
[26:45] Motivating and working with unmotivated or negative people
[29:17] Lesson learned from a moment that didn’t go your way
[32:20] Dealing with Anxiety
[34:02] Goal Setting
[43:27] The average of the 5 people you hang out with the most
[45:40] Time Management and Setting Realistic Expectations
[48:40] Finding the time, money, and/or effort to give more
[50:42] Finding opportunities to find a cause that speaks to you
[52:00] Joining the Give Team from afar
[53:38] Getting businesses and organizations more involved
[54:31] One of Brad’s favorite stories of giving back
[1:00:35] Getting to Know Brad Mason

Quotes from Brad Mason
“Life is a team sport, so draft your team accordingly.”
“Seek out those who can help you get to where you want to go.”
“By unplugging from one part of your life, and plugging into another, you give yourself energy in those other areas.”
“Nutrition, Movement, and Sleep - if you can nail those things, you’ll get the most out of your time here.”
“Write down, what are the words that define you and who you are.”
“Motivation is magic! You know when you got it.”
“We have the mental capacity to be at an optimum state for 90 minutes.”
“You got to go see pain because on the other side of pain is joy and greatness.”  
“When you see something that’s really firing you up, go engage and learn more about it.”
“Our brain naturally wants to go to the easy thing...go seek those things that might be difficult and challenging.”
“Events and engagements aren’t what defines you, it’s how you respond to those things that define you.”
“What are the characters that make you who you are, and make sure that your goal aligns with that.”
“The goal is where you’re going, but it’s how you’re getting there that defines who you are.”
“You don’t have to enjoy every part of the process.”
“If you go in knowing you’re going to learn along the way, and you enjoy learning, then there is minimal risk.”
“Is it going to cause you to hit the snooze button, or is it going to cause you to put your feet on the floor.”
“The stronger we are, the more we are going to accomplish.”
“Never beat yourself up. Ever! There is nothing to be gained from that.”
“Worry is the worst emotion. It has no positive effect at all.”
“Life is nothing but a series of habits and experiences. So make those habits intentional and those experiences amazing.”
“If you fell down, then get back up. Keep moving, because moment is magic”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
The Give Team
Parramore Neighborhood
New Image Youth Center
Rock for Hunger
Human Performance Institute
Inky Johnson
Jacko Willink
Boys and Girls Club
Musicians on Call
Zach Deputy
Bee Gees
Pat Benatar
Bruce Springsteen
750words.com
Tim Ferriss Podcast
James Altucher Podcast
Jim Loehr
David Goggins
Eric Thomas
[BOOKS]
The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
The Big Potential by Shawn Achor

Brad Mason’s Definition of Making It:
Getting in touch with Brad Mason
E-Mail: brad.mason@justkeeppouring.com
Website: http://www.giveteam.net
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/giveteam
Instagram: @thegiveteam

Volunteer Opportunities:
New Image Youth Center - http://newimageyouth.org/ 
The Give Team - http://www.giveteam.net/
Volunteer Match - https://www.volunteermatch.org/ 
Musicians on Call - https://www.musiciansoncall.org/
Create the Good - http://createthegood.org/ 
ONE Campaign - https://www.one.org/international/
Suicide Prevention Lifeline - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 
Your local Church
Your local Animal Shelter
And many many more

Related Episodes: 
1. Faraaz Merchant - Dealing with Anxiety, Depression, Suicide, and Addiction
2. Greg Rollett - Taking Risks & Trying New Things

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/makingitwithchrisg/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Greg Rollett - Taking Your Marketing Game to the Next Level with Content Creation, Newsletters, and Sales Funnels

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

Greg Rollett returns to the show for his third time. In this episode we get into tips on creating content, the importance of content, how to apply the marketing sales funnel to build your brand and business, and much more. Since last time Greg was on the show, episode #017, he has successfully launched his TV Show Ambitious Adventures where he travels around the United States to meet with successful entrepreneurs. The show is distributed on Entrepreneur.com where Greg is also a consistent guest teaching lessons on entrepreneurship, and sharing many of his articles. For those that don’t know Greg, he’s a serial entrepreneur, Emmy Award Winning Producer, Multi-Time Amazon Best Selling Author, and much more. In this episode, we discuss content creation strategies, putting together effective newsletters to communicate with your fans, the sales funnel process, and much more.

This is from the first episode of Ambitious Adventures. Check out more at ambitious.com/adventures. 

Highlights from this Episode
[4:40] 2017 Successes for Greg Rollett
[7:35] How many platforms should you be creating content on
[10:48] What type of content should musicians be creating?
[12:57] How consistent should you be?
[14:51] Repurposing Content
[16:40] Getting your audience from content to email subscriber
[19:48] What is a good opt-in?
[22:26] Hypothesizing who your ideal fan would be
[25:27] Creating the fan newsletter  
[28:32] Review and example of a sales funnel
[31:38] How to get people to become promoters of your brand
[34:10] Lesson learned in 2017
[37:02] Getting to know Greg Rollett

Quotes from Greg Rollett
“Online TV is everything right now.”
“You have to be putting yourself out there constantly and consistently.”
“If you’re not there in the news feed, somebody else is.”
“Email is not dead!”
“You need to play to your strengths.”
“I’m very bullish on video, but I don’t think it’s for everybody.”
“Get awesome at doing it once a week.”  
“It’s more important to be consistent in the beginning.”
“Start with what you actually can commit to and will deliver.”
“What’s going to make someone stop and pay attention to you?”
“The opt-in, there has to be an incentive for someone to join.”
“You really need to think about, what does the fan want.”
“What does the marketing want? What is the big idea?”
“If you really want to build a fanbase, fans really need to be able to identify with you.”
“Write the newsletter like you’re writing your friends.”
“People want to be part of something bigger.”
“We all want to believe in our stars.”
“If you have fans who actually really like your stuff, they want to be involved.”
“Go back and do more of what worked.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Tim Ferriss
Kevin Rose
Ambitious Adventures   
Ambitious Life on Entrepreneur
Full Sail University
Entrepreneur.com
Ambitious Media Group
Gary Vaynerchuk  
Joe Pulizzi
Medium
Atticus (Poet)
Black Thought Freestyle
Kiss Army
Lewis Howes
Hootie and the Blowfish
Lord of the Underground
Dr. Dre
Shaquille O’Neal  

Greg Rollett’s Definition of Making It
“Being able to do what you what, when you want, with who you want, for the price that you want.”

Getting in touch with Greg Rollett
Greg@ambitous.com
https://www.facebook.com/ambitiousadventuresshow
https://www.instagram.com/gregrollett/
https://www.facebook.com/gregrollett   

Related Podcasts:
1. Greg Rollett Episode #001 - Taking Risks & Trying New Things
2. Greg Rollett Episode #017 - Creating Your 1,000 True Fans
3. Kyle Lemaire, Episode #054 - Disrupting the Traditional Music Business
4. Joe Pulizzi, Episode #055 - Killing Old Marketing Practices with Content Marketing
5. Jasmine Star, Episode #051 - Building the Right Fans on Social Media

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/makingitwithchrisg/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Touring with a Plan and Strategy - Where to Play, When to Play, and How to Sell Tickets

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

This episode is all about Touring Strategy! How often to play, which cities or markets to play, what types of venues to play, what are promoters, talent buyers, and venue owners looking for, and how do you get a booking agent. This is my first solo, lecture style episode. One of my student's favorite classes is when I cover tour strategy, and it’s a lecture they always ask me to record. Now it’s available not just for my students in the class, but all of the Making It students and listeners around the world. In this episode, you’ll learn some simple easy to use strategies, that will help you simplify the topic of touring, and answer a lot of the common questions I receive.

I’ve seen a lot of artists make many mistakes when it comes to touring. Yes, it’s fun and exciting to hit the road, but it can also be very costly and expensive. Touring up and down the coast or around the country over and over again to play in empty rooms, is just not a good way to do business. Now if you’re just looking for adventure, have at it. I’d love to just circle the country over and over again. However, when it comes to building a career and longevity, it’s better to do things with a strategy. Look at it as a roadmap. You don’t want your driver on the road blind without a game plan or a map to follow. You’ll never get to where you want to go that way, or at least it’ll take much longer. This episode is here to lay out a strategy for you when it comes to touring. It’s not the only way to do things, but it’s something to think about and something anyone could build off of and make it their own.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this solo/lecture style episode. The holidays are a great time to experiment with new formats for the podcast to learn what gives our listeners the most value going, so we can deliver the best content for you in 2018.

Additional Resources to Book Your Next Show/Tour:
1. Booking More Shows by Writing Better Emails to Talent Buyers, Promoters, and Venue Owners
- Use this article to help you book more shows, and write better emails as you’re mapping out your tours, or selecting which markets you’re going to play.

2. 40 Strategies to Promote Your Next Show
- Use this article to help you promote the shows you book, and make sure to grab the free marketing plan below.

3. How to Open for National Acts
- Use this article to help you get opening slots for national acts.

Make sure to read all these articles to really benefit from the strategies mentioned here.

Highlights from this episode:
[5:31] Playing with Purpose
[6:25] Determining your Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)
[10:12] Who Books the Shows
[13:50] What are Promoters Looking For?  
[30:13] The types of Venues to Play
[35:34] How Often to Play
[39:40] Which Cities/Markets to Play
[42:52] How Many Cities to Develop at a Time

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Delta Rae
Foo Fighters
House of Blues New Orleans
Live Nation
Earthday Birthday
WJRR 101.1
Dickerman from WJRR
SunFest - West Palm Beach
AEG Present
Jason Hunnicutt of 1904 Music Hall
Ari Herstand
Creative Artist Agency (CAA)
William Morris Endeavor (WME)
Paradigm  
Kessler Theater in Dallas, TX
Ari Nisman (College Booking Agent with Degy Entertainment)
Andy Grammer
Steve Aoki
Shannon Curtis
Dawn Beyer
Kyle Lemaire
Vulfpeck  
Chris Stapleton on Joe Rogan Podcast
Hydrogen Child
Joe Pulizzi
[BOOKS]
How to Make It in the New Music Business by Ari Herstand

Booking Agent Interviews
Kevin Stone - Florida Theater - Jacksonville, FL
Wayne Lee - New Orleans, LA
Dan Larson - Okeechobee Music Fest / Venue 578 - Orlando, FL
Allen Anders - AEG Presents - Dallas, TX
Michael Yerke - Live Nation - Los Angeles, CA

Talent Buyer Interviews
Alec Vidmar - United Talent Agency (UTA)
Ari Nisman - Degy Entertainment
Jeff Howard - Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)
Pete Anderson - Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)
Jeremy Holgersen - United Talent Agency (UTA)
Joshua Knight - Paradigm Agency
Meg White - ICM Partners

Tommy Darker - Creating Unique Business Models And Strategies for DIY Musicians

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

It’s important for us to remember that everyone is a human being. Behind all the usernames and social media handles, there is a real person behind there just like you and I. Think about how would you try to connect with a real person at a networking event, at church, a party, a concert, or at a restaurant, before you reach out to someone. I’d like to believe that everyone wants to be heard, and is trying to figure out a way to can live a better life and be able to “live the life they love.” Not only is this something I truly believe in, but it’s also one of the biggest messages by this episodes guest, Tommy Darker.

Tommy Darker is a DIY Musician and Entrepreneur. He has mastered the Alexander Osterwalder concept of creating unique Business Models and has applied it to the music business for musicians. Tommy is also the founder of Whiise, a platform where any musician can go and ask their questions about the music business to industry leaders from around the world. He’s a regular guest lecturer at the University of Westminster in London, England and the Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain. In this conversation, we talk about Tommy’s story being from Greece and now is based in London, England to how musicians can use the business model canvas, some unique and creative strategies to get your music on more Spotify playlists, and much more.

To learn more about Tommy Darker, visit http://www.tommydarker.com/ and ask your question at https://www.whiise.me/.

Grab the Music Business Models eBook or one of the many ebooks from Tommy Darker's Library. 

Highlights from this Episode
[3:48] What Tommy likes to teach about at Universities
[5:18] Tommy’s ideal music business program
[6:57] Where should someone visit in Greece
[7:55] The message Tommy wants people to learn from his Kickstarter Campaign
[13:34] Musicprenuer Hub (now Whiise)
[16:00] Topics people have the most questions about
[17:21] Where he finds experts and how someone can become an expert for Whiise
[18:44] Tommy’s Philosophies on Touring being located in Europe
[25:48] What is the business model canvas and how can musicians use it
[29:20] Where Tommy likes to start with the business model canvas
[38:12] What is value proposition
[44:02] Tommy’s Philosophies on Key Partners
[48:12] Where does an Artist Manager fall into all of this
[50:48] What are channels of distribution musicians should focus on and Spotify Playlists
[57:46] How can Musicians use Facebook Bots
[1:02:01] Strategies on building relationships with Spotify Playlist curators
[1:07:22] Setting Goals
[1:10:25] Getting to know Tommy Darker

Quotes from Tommy Darker
“If you just put this mp3 on stream or Spotify, you’re missing out on a lot of opportunities.”
“When you talk with your community, you learn so many things.”
“There is tons of knowledge, and if you don’t share it, it doesn’t exist.”
“I want people to be immersed in what I do.”
“When you can control the experience...you can actually create something that’s way more valuable than what Spotify or other services dictate what you can do.”
“I usually prefer to go the hard way and find venues or platforms that can help me curate an experience.”
“Go out and do stuff, and learn, and create your own playbook.”
“Try to start realizing what kind of audience do you have.”
“Failing is part of the process.”
“Try to create something that will get an emotional response out of people.”
“People like connecting.”
“Usually people will pay much much more when what they buy makes them feel something.”
“Partnerships is all about relationships.”
“Facebook is a place where friends hang out, you need to create an experience that’s not salesy.”
“People like asking questions.”
“Remember, everybody that you’re talking with is a human being.”
“If you start with thinking with how can I get on the playlist, you already lost the battle.”
“The quickest way you can add value to somebody is to connect two people to each other.”
“The more people you know, the more you can get to know more people.”
“You can’t really lie to yourself if you have written down what you need to do.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
University of Westminster
Berklee College of Music - Valencia, Spain
Full Sail University
Tommy Darker Kickstarter Campaign
Whiise
YOUNow Live Streaming
Sofar Sounds
Patreon
Next Big Sound
Indepreneur Indies (Facebook Group)
Killing Joke
Andrew Dubber
NoiseTrade
Pledge Music
ManyChat (Facebook Bot)
Facebook Workplace
Depeche Mode
[BOOKS]
Problem Solving 101: A Simple Book for Smart People by Ken Watanabe
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal  
How Music Works by David Byrne
The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gottschall
Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead by David Meerman  

Tommy’s Definition of Making It
“To become better than myself yesterday.”

Getting in touch with Tommy Darker
tommy@tommydarker.com
http://www.tommydarker.com/
http://www.musicpreneurhub.com/ 
https://www.kenophania.com/
https://www.facebook.com/tommydarker

Related Podcast Episodes:
1. Ari Herstand - Creative Ways to Build a Following, Generate Revenue, And Promote Your Music
2. Kyle Lemaire - Disrupting the Traditional Music Business
3. Dawn Beyer - Earning $74k with Facbeook Live 
4. Cathy Heller - Building a Career with Sync Licensing 
5. Shannon Curtis - How to Earn Over $50k in 4 Months with House Concerts

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/makingitwithchrisg/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Cathy Heller - Building a Career with Sync Licensing And Teaching Musicians How They Can Too

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

One of the most frequent types of questions I get from musicians and music business students are related to sync licensing, and when receiving these questions, I had the perfect person in mind to answer them. It’s been a few years since I’ve talked to Cathy Heller, but I knew she was the one I absolutely had to get on the show to speak about sync licensing. From when we first met, she has always been very passionate about coaching songwriters about the types of songs that get placed, and always had amazing resources and information available to help guide them. It was so wonderful reconnecting with Cathy and having her as a guest on the show to help answer some of those common questions. However, it is also an amazing gift to our listeners to have such an incredibly passionate, positive, and motivational mentor and teacher sharing an inspirational message that a successful and fulfilling career in music is possible, even without a record deal.

Cathy Heller has built a career in the Sync Licensing world after building a career with placements in TV Shows, Movies, and Commercials. After her success, she started her own company, Catch The Moon Music, where she represents and helps other musicians with sync licensing success. She’s an incredible teacher and mentor, offering consultations, and courses for musicians. One of her newest passions as a teacher includes being the host of her own podcast, Don’t Keep Your Day Job. In this conversation, you’ll learn what types of songs have the most success in sync licensing, common themes and genres that have the most success, how to get a sync licensing agent, and much more. In this episode, she also shares her meticulous researching and note-taking skills, that have helped develop her wisdom and understanding of what works best in the world of sync licensing.

Grab this Amazing Free Download from Cathy for our Podcast Listeners

Highlights from this Episode
[4:08] Meeting Michael Jordan
[9:30] Journey of starting her own podcast - Don’t Keep Your Day Job
[13:49] Cathy Heller’s story
[29:30] Common misconceptions and mistakes musicians make with sync licensing
[38:04] The process of a song being chosen for sync placement by a Music Supervisor
[44:45] Common themes that get placed for commercials
[47:47] Resources where people can learn about what type of music is getting licensed
[50:12] Process of clearing songs
[54:38] Types of producer arrangements
[1:00:02] How to find a licensing agent
[1:01:44] Getting to know Cathy Heller
[1:05:33] Cathy Heller’s Hollywood Vampires

Quotes from Cathy Heller
“If you have the persistence if you have the grit, and you have the passion for something, it doesn’t matter if you’re the first draft pick, or you’re the 150th draft pick, you’ll become the one that everyone is talking about.”
“All you can do in life is know what your effort is. You don’t really know what’s going to be on the other side of that.”
“To find out that something that you do can change the life for someone else, that’s the ultimate sweetness.”
“How do you be an artist if you don’t get a record deal? That’s the question.”
“There are so many ways to make a living doing what you love.”
“The intersection of you doing something you love, to create, that somebody else goes I find that’s beautiful or I need that, and then they are going to pay you for that. That’s actually not just a way to make money, but maybe even finding your bigger purpose in life.”
“My goal here is to do something authentic, that also tells the stories of other people’s souls.”  
“We lost the respect for discipline.”
“You have to make music that they need.”
“In life, being uncomfortable doesn’t always mean don’t do it.”
“Be resourceful! Your number one resource is not your time, money or connections. It’s you!”
“I purposely make it my choice and my priority to be inspired and happy.”
“It is our responsibility to make sure we have a good day.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Michael Jordan
Don’t Keep Your Day Job [Podcast]
Ron Fair
Jimmy Iovine
Interscope Records
Craig Kallman
Atlantic Records
Ingrid Michaelson
Regina Spektor
Snow Patrol
Grey’s Anatomy  
Ed Sheeran “Castle On The Hill”
This American Life [Podcast]
Ira Glass  
The Access Course
TuneFind  
splendAd  
Huck Ingram (Entertainment Attorney)
David Sacks
Billy Joel
Wayne's World Soundtrack  
Amy Porterfield  
Jasmine Star  

Cathy’s Definition of Making It
“Realizing what you have inside of you that really contributes to the world.”

Getting in touch with Cathy Heller
Submissions@catchthemoonmusic.com
hello@catchthemoonmusic.com  
http://www.cathyheller.com/
https://www.dontkeepyourdayjob.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cathy.heller/
https://www.facebook.com/CatchTheMoonMusic/
https://twitter.com/cathyheller

Related Podcasts:
1. Copyright & Publishing Foundation Masterclass with Davey Jay

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Angela Mastrogiacomo - Building Your Story Through Written Form, From Artists Bios To Social Media Management, Publicity And Much More

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Angela Mastrogiacomo is an entrepreneur, publicist, blogger, and founder of Muddy Paw PR and Infectious Magazine. What inspires me about Angela, is all the amazing content she puts out there for artists to learn more about email etiquette, social media management and marketing, mental health issues in the music business, motivation, and so much more. The amount of information she contributes to the industry is too much for one podcast episode, and we’ll definitely need to get her back for a round two. This episode is packed with information on social media management and marketing, writing your own bio, how to get a publicist and what she looks for in artists, and much more.

Article by Angela Mastrogiacomo on ReverbNation

Highlights from this Episode
[4:25] Differences between Music Industry in Canada and United States
[7:35] Muddy Paw PR
[8:53] Angela’s Journey in the Music Business
[12:52] Things she looks for in potential clients
[15:18] Tips on telling the Artist Story
[18:15] How to find a bio writer
[19:10] Things to not put into a bio, and format musicians should follow
[21:43] Band having its own persona
[23:30] How can artists use their persona on social media and the 70/20/10 Rule
[29:01] How would an artist reach out to fans of similar artist
[33:48] What should artists include on their website
[38:02] What makes a good newsletter and what’s the best way to collect emails
[42:08] Utilizing a Blog to build your brand and following
[44:47] How to make the most out of interviews and things to avoid
[47:57] When to reach out to publicists, and things to look for
[50:26] How long an artist should work with a publicist and having realistic expectations
[55:42] Topics Angela wants artists to know more about
[1:00:12] Angela Mastrogiacomo

Quotes from Angela Mastrogiacomo
“Looking back now, I really wish I started with an internship first.”
“A lot of artists suffer by trying to cut costs and write their bio themselves.”
“Someone that reaches out with well enough lead time shows that they are a serious artist.”
“Authenticity will always translate better.”
“There is nothing worse [in a bio] than a band's entire history.”
“Use your bio as a place to let people in on your personality.”
“It’s such an essential component that you’re promoting other bands to build that community and build that network.”
“Social Media should be treated as you would any friendship.”
“What matters is the connection your audience feels with you, and they can’t feel connected to you, if all you’re doing is selling to them.”
“Your website is your hub.”
“One you’re super clear on your brand, everything else will fall into place.”
“There is nothing really that replaces in person [meeting fans].”
“The actual value comes from getting to those vulnerable spots...those are the things that connect us as humans.”
“Even if it’s a small blog, you have to treat it like it’s the biggest blog in the world.”
“You should be grateful if your publicist tells you up front something is not going to happen.”
“A big part of PR is getting in front of the industry.”  
“PR is all about building buzz and getting your name out there.”
“It’s important to hire people to help you. You can’t do everything.”
“There is nothing more important than your own mental health and sanity.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Factor Music Grant [Canada]
Muddy Paw PR
Anberlin
Infectious Magazine
Pitchfork
Michael Franti
Shadow of Whales
1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly [Blog Article]
Electric Kiwi
Alternative Press
Stereogum
Green Day

[BOOKS]
The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
The Firestarter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

Angela’s Definition of Making It
“That feeling of fulfillment when you’re working towards something that matters.”

Getting in touch with Angela
https://muddypawpr.com/
https://twitter.com/Angela_Mastro
https://www.instagram.com/Angela_Mastro/

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

5 Creative DIY Approaches for Musicians in Today’s Music Business

This is our second annual Thanksgiving special. In this episode, show producer, Jason Trosclair, joins the show to discuss creative DIY approaches for musicians from past guests. I've gathered some of the best advice about how an independent musician can approach their career on their terms, with their own unique voice. These conversations are extremely valuable because they show you there is more than one way to achieve your goals. Along with some insight from Jason and I, on the topic, this episode includes conversations with:

Joe Pulizzi
Ari Herstand
Shannon Curtis
Dawn Beyer
Kyle Lemaire

Happy Thanksgiving from the Making It crew!

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Dawn Beyer - Earning $74k with Facebook Live, Being Authentic, and Building Genuine Connections

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

One of the most inspirational things to me is seeing people pave the path to their journey in their own very unique and authentic way. It’s been such a blessing to have shared some of those stories on the podcast already, and encountering many more everyday. Pursuing your dreams comes with so many challenges regardless of what field one goes into. When it comes to being an entrepreneur trying to make a living from their own art and creative works, it almost feels like a million additional layers of difficulty are in the way. However, I’ve also learned that those who are extremely patient, consistent, genuine, and truly authentic to who they are, and are comfortable to share that with the world along with being vulnerable, that’s usually when the magic happens. Dawn Beyer is an artist whose story and journey has inspired me, and it was a true honor to have her on the show and share that with the world.

The journey of Dawn Beyer began like so many musicians in Nashville, trying to find their niche, and playing endless hours for little money on Broadway. Everything changed for Dawn the first time she went live on Facebook, and had 10 strangers listening to her play while in her living room. These 10 viewers turned into earning $74,000 in one year using Facebook Live, to flying around the country to play private shows for her Facebook Live community. In this conversation, Dawn shares her story, how to be authentic, and how to create real connections with real people. She also offers coaching where she teaches musicians how they can do the same utilizing Facebook Live, and build their careers on their own terms, without having to sacrifice who they are.

Highlights from this Episode
[3:02] How her musical journey began
[5:08] Dawn’s experience playing on Broadway
[16:05] Losing her voice, and discovering Facebook Live
[29:40] What type of artists is Facebook Live for?
[30:32] How to promote a live session before going live
[32:42] What’s the plan before going live, and how to start the live video
[34:44] Suggestions on description for live video
[38:20] Building a direct connection with your audience that’s watching
[40:32] Gear to use for a better broadcast
[42:25] Opportunities that have come from live broadcasts
[45:27] Dawn’s Team
[47:14] Advice for Musicians being Authentic
[52:18] Projects that Dawn Beyer is working on
[56:18] Getting to know Dawn Beyer

Quotes from Dawn Beyer
“On Broadway musicians probably make $40 to $60 per gig”
“Every artist should be on Broadway for a certain amount of time; it teaches you so much”
“It’s humbling, because everybody there [In Nashville] is so talented”
“In the morning when you wake up and go to your living room, are there 10 people there?”
“Keep going live, consistently”
“Anytime I was playing music, I would go live for whoever wanted to watch, and that turned into selling more and more albums.”
“It got to the point where so many people wanted albums, and I started selling something else.”
“I eventually made $1,200 in one weekend, and that’s when I let go of playing on Broadway.”
“I have gratefulness because when I started I camped for a month and did not sleep in a house.”
“I’ve spent three weeks at home this year and have been traveling all year playing for people that have seen me go live.”
“It’s about perspective and having an answer for people.”
“I look at them as people, not views.”
“You have to really connect through the camera and with those people [watching].”
“Whatever fonts you use, or with anything you do, stay consistent.”
“Get a little bit of your stuff together before going live.”
“Use something that gets people’s attention.”  
“Tell your story, be honest, and be open. People like real things.”
“Be yourself, and be real. Be real with that camera.”
“I can actually connect with people, which so cool.”
“The only thing we can be is authentic, and be ourselves.”
“Stop and take the time to find your own connection with your inner peace.”
“One of the most attractive traits you see in someone else is vulnerability.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Broadway in Nashville
WannaB’s Karaoke Bar
The Real Nashville
Claw Phone Tripod  
Shannon Curtis
Rick Barker
Rick Barker talk on CD Baby
Garth Brooks
Dixie Chicks
[BOOKS]
The $150,000 Music Degree by Rick Barker
Notes from (over) the Edge: Unmasking the Truth to End Your Suffering by Jim Palmer

Dawn’s Definition of Making It
“Doing what I love without having to compromise who I am.”

Connect with Dawn Beyer
dawn@therealnashville.com

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Meg White - Booking Agent at ICM Partners: Success by the Power of Kindness, Hustle, Patience, and Building Meaningful Relationships

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

The foundation of the music business, and really for life, is developing strong and meaningful relationships. To kindness into those relationship, and always focusing on what can you do for them, versus what can they do for you. This starts with your first introduction, continues at your internship, to a potential job, and well beyond all of those. Meg White is a Booking Agent at ICM Partners, who has always focused on the strengths of her relationships, and at the end of the day just being a really good person. It’s this, combined with hard work, being patient, and never giving up that’s gotten her to where she is today. And even though she’s completely humble, she has been a rising star of the Music Industry, and continues to reach  to be the best version of herself that she can be. She does not let that get to her head, stays grounded, and is always focused on putting people first.

Meg White is a Booking Agent at ICM Partners. Her journey at ICM began after an internship at Roadrunner Records, working with and cold calling College Radio Stations. At ICM she has worked as an assistant under three very different personalities, from which she has learned many amazing lessons. She has worked as an assistant first for Scott Morris, to Marsha Vlasic, and finally to Mark Siegel, before becoming an agent herself. She’s a rising star in the music industry, and is becoming more and more of an influential agent in the business. In this conversation, she shares some of her stories of her journey, advice for artists on creating their tour strategy, best practices of reaching out to promoters to book your own shows, and how to develop a relationship with booking agents. She’s known as the “Red Headed Assassin,” and she kills with kindness.   

Highlights from this Episode
(3:56) Calls or emails?
(4:45) New Orleans and its hidden culinary gems
(6:33) The Red Headed Assassin
(7:58) What Meg looks for in an artist
(9:05) Networking out of the big cities
(10:08) How often do you go to shows?
(11:15) Tangible tools for artist exposure
(13:26) Touring strategy
(16:13) Different strategies in Hip Hop
(17:15) Email structure for promoters
(19:11) 8 sentence emails
(19:47) Submitting to an agent
(21:15) An agent being the first one on board
(21:50) Meg’s roster
(22:47) Starting and learning at ICM
(28:02) “Meg’s courses” for the music industry
(31:42) Touring experience
(35:03) Interring at ICM
(38:10) BTS questions
(38:30) First concert and first album
(39:22) Must-have routines
(39:53) Favorite book and documentary
(40:57) Meg’s Hollywood Vampires
(41:25) Fill-in-the-blanks

Quotes from Meg White
“Artists should be willing to network…this business is all about relationships”
“Just because your social numbers are high it doesn’t mean you’re gonna sell tickets”
“Unless you’re teaming up with an artist that sales tickets I wouldn’t go to bar that no one goes to”
“Regarding emails, keep them short and sweet”
“Stats look good to everybody”
“A sense of urgency is something that it’s not leaner, you just have to have it”
“[as an agent] there artist always comes first”
“College can never prepare you for the real life”
“You have to show that you care about people”
“Being able to handle even the smallest of issues…that’s how you build trust”
“Being an intern is beneficial especially if you follow up”
“There are more good people out there than bad ones”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Death From Above 1979
Brooklyn Steel
Moonchild
Lalah Hathaway
Salt’n’Peppa
ICM
Sevendust
Mariah Carey
Count of Monte Cristo
Love Lucy
Hollywood Vampires
Frank Sinatra
Elvis Presley
Paul McCartney
Sting

Meg’s definition of making it
There’s no end of making it, I’m learning something new everyday

Get in touch with Meg White
Instagram 
http://www.icmtalent.com/

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Holly Garman - A Creative Approach to Starting a Business in Public Relations Ranging from Music, Fashion, Food, and Theater

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

With a diverse background in fashion, food , music and theater, Holly brings a unique blend of creativity, passion and strategic planning to her life as a publicist--generating major results and leaving a lasting impact for each client she represents. Holly began her career as a press liaison at The Comcast Center for the Performing Arts (formerly Great Woods) outside of Boston where she guided on-site press efforts for Elton John, Cher, Ringo Starr, Aerosmith, Graham Nash, Phil Collins, Bon Jovi and more. In 2009, she launched her own company, HMG Public Relations, where she started off handling PR needs for musicians. Over the years, her company has expanded into many other areas of entertainment such as Broadway Brews, Nonprofits, fashion, theater, and many other exciting adventures. In this episode, we discuss what a publicist does for musicians. At what point should an artist acquire a publicist, and how much lead time should they have prior to releasing an album. Also, what does she look for in artists she works with, her thoughts on press releases, artist bios, how to reach out to the media, and much more.

Highlights from this Episode
(5:56) What is a publicist?
(7:14) Favorite thing about being a publicist
(9:09) Recent success story
(12:26) Holly’s origin story
(18:12) Current clients and work
(21:47) Criteria to work with artists
(24:17) How to begin your story
(29:53) Ideal release timeline for an EP
(31:45) Good artist bio
(33:25) Common questions for a bio
(34:20) Press releases
(35:40) Reaching the press
(37:31) Proper follow up with the press
(39:17) Common mistakes
(40:35) Right time to reach out to a publicist
(41:20) How to become a publicist
(43:47) “Holly’s courses” to become a publicist
(45:50) First concert and first album
(46:26) Favorite books and documentaries
(46:58) Past and current mentors
(48:44) Platonic drinking buddies
(50:17) Fill-in-the-blanks

Quotes from Holly Garman
“publicists create relationships between artists and press”
“publicity is NOT paid for”
“it’s my job to make them [press] think they discovered on their own”
“if no one knows you, is that much harder”
“there are no guarantees with any sort of PR that is going to stick”
“it’s really important not to take an artist on too early”
“look at what makes you unique and keep really applying yourself that way”
“highlight what is cool about what is happening with your career right now”
“know that publicists talk to each other”
“[for a bio] tell a story rather than listing boring information”   
“the best thing you can do is really know who you’re reaching out to”
“It’s important to understand the audience your creating publicity for”
“A lot of mentors come and go and that’s ok”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
My Dear Disco/Ella Riot
Michelle Chamuel
Hydrogen Child
Emily Kopp
Hamilton
Broadway Brews Project
NYC Brewers Guild
Bonnaroo
Beach Boys & Chicago in Madison Square Garden
Abbey Road, The Beatles
The Catcher in the Rye
Spielberg
Rockwood Music Hall
Thomas Jefferson

Definition of Making it
"When you wake up everyday excited to go to work"

Get in touch with Holly Garman: 
HMGPR

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Leslie Mendelson - Expanding Musical Horizons and Meeting Friends in Unexpected Places

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

The music business is becoming more competitive everyday. With record labels influencing influencers and playlist curators at streaming companies, with more and more artists hustling to get their music out there, and the listeners having endless amount of options than time to listen to music. Regardless of all the competition, some of the common themes I’ve learned from my interviews on the podcast, and from listening to other podcasts of people that stand out and build longevity, are patience, consistency, and being authentic to yourself. One of the biggest lessons that, Leslie Mendelson, shares in this conversation is that it’s not only important to be authentic, but to have a clear vision of what you want your music, sound, and style to be like. Leslie Mendelson, is an artist that has been extremely patient, and is starting to shine as her true authentic self, and sharing her soul through her beautiful songs with the world.

In 2017, Leslie Mendelson released a new album, 8 years after her grammy nominated debut “Swan Feathers.” This new album, “Love & Murder,” has taken her music in a new direction, and is a true representation of her authentic self. After struggles with her label, management, and an album that never got released, Leslie is in the driver's seat of her journey and finding friends in unexpected places. A singer-songwriter, has found  herself in the “jam band” world collaborating with artists such as Steve Kimmock, Karl Denson, Soulive, and many more. Her newest album features a beautiful cover of Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou,” featuring Grateful Dead founding member, Bob Weir. Today, Leslie Mendelson is sharing her gift of music with the world with her new album, another new project on the way on October 27th with the Kimmock’s, and more music and tours coming soon. In this conversation, she shares some of the amazing stories on how she met her new friends, her struggles with her label, winning a Grammy, and much more.

Highlights from this Episode
(2:24) Favorite moments from 2017 (so far)
(5:38) Influences and lessons learned from collabs
(6:34) Musical influences as a kid
(7:08) First instrument
(10:50) New Record
(15:14) Love and Murder album
(16:07) Poughkeepsie Journal Cover Photo
(17:07) Roy Orbison cover with Bob Weir story
(20:55) Deal with Rykodisc Records
(23:02) Expectations of first record deals
(28:33) Grammy nomination
(29:23) Unfinished album
(31:14) Working with Glyn Johns
(32:33) What to look for in a manager
(35:12) Working with Royal Potato Family
(36:11) Process for Love and Murder
(38:37) Writing process
(40:00) Advice for musicians
(41:40) Favorite show played
(43:40) First concert attended and first album bought
(45:14) Book and Documentary recommendation
(45:52) Platonic Drinking-Buddy  
(46:21) Mentors, past and present
(47:10) Best advice ever gotten
(47:33) Leslie is currently excited about…
(48:38) New album insights
(49:18) Fill-in-the-blanks
(50:03) Call to actions

Quotes from Leslie Mendelson
“there’s so much to learn with you first record”
“I don’t think I have regrets but I think of ways things could’ve been better”
“really know what you want going in [a record deal]”
“{management] is a partnership”
“it’s hard to cut through [the noise], you need people around you that are smart and that believe in you”
“find a way to express yourself”
“everything has been done, find your way to do it authentically”
“find your own lane”
“the meaning of life is to love, give love, receive love”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Love and Murder Album
Berlin NYC
Bob Weir
Steve Kimock
Marco Benevento
Soulive
Karl Denson
Grateful Dead
Joni Mitchell
Carole King
Neil Young
Bob Dylan
James Taylor
Satellite City
Poughkeepsie Journal
Roy Orbison
Swan Feathers
Rykodisc Records
Howard Stern
Jimmy Iovine
Bruce Springsteen
Mark Howard
Glyn Johns
Royal Potato Family
Steven Miller
Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
The Road by Cormack McCarthy
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Bill Murray

Leslie’s definition of Making It
Making it is being able to do what you love and keep it going

Get in touch with Leslie Mendelson
Facebook
Website
Instagram

Get the New Album "Satellite City" 
http://www.2lin.cc/satellitecity

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Davey Jay - A Copyright & Publishing Foundation Masterclass with Entertainment Attorney Davey Jay

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Davey Jay returns to the podcast for a copyright and publishing foundation masterclass. In this episode we discuss everything you need to know to get started with building a foundation knowledge of how copyright and publishing works. Davey Jay discusses the benefits of registering your copyright. We cover how mechanical royalties, performance royalties, and synchronization licenses work. Also, you’ll learn which codes you need to obtain to make sure all of your online streams and digital plays are being tracked correctly. The benefits of SoundExchange, and why every artist should sign-up. How do you properly cover or sample a song, and make money from it, and much more.

To learn more about Davey Jay, check out our round one episode on the show, where we discuss how she got started as an entertainment attorney, tips for those wanting to get into entertainment law, common deals, red flags with record contracts, and much more.

A few Copyright & Publishing terms to be familiar with:
Mechanical Royalties: Each time a song is reproduced on a physical or digital recording, the song owner is entitled a payment from the company doing the reproduction. The standard per copy set by the United States Copyright office is $0.091.

Performance Royalties: Every time the song is performed live (by the original artist or a cover), or the song is played on radio, over a jukebox, over speakers at a business, non-interactive streaming and interactive streaming, or any other public setting, the songwriter is entitled a performance royalty fee.

Synchronization License: A song used in sync with video, such as YouTube, Commercials, TV Shows, Video Games, or any other video, the song owner is entitled a payment at a negotiated rate, by the company using the song in their video.

Performance Rights Organizations (PRO's): In the United States, those are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. These organizations represent the songwriters and publishers, and collect performance royalties. SOCAN in Canada, and PRS in England.

Two Copyrights for a Song: One for the composition (melody and lyrics), and one for the sound recording (the actual recording of the song, aka the Master). Register at https://www.copyright.gov/. 

Harry Fox Agency: Handles mechanical licenses.

From https://heroic.academy/indie-guide-music-copyright-publishing/

Highlights from this Episode
(3:38) Updates since part 1
(4:58) Topics and FAQs in Music Law 101
(6:48) Legal protection for a brand new song
(7:40) Benefits of copyrighting
(9:58) Process for registering songs
(10:58) Types of Copyright
(12:23) Copyrighting Singles/Albums
(13:47) PROs
(16:00) Businesses and licensing
(18:52) Soundexchange
(21:40) Royalty rate
(23:30) ISRC codes
(26:55) Mechanical Licenses
(29:38) Synchronization and Master use Licenses
(33:16) Songs with multiple writers
(36:52) Split Sheets and Collaboration Agreements
(38:09) Publisher share and writer share
(40:14) Benefits of having a publisher
(42:33) Co-publishing deals
(44:19) Advances in publishing deals
(45:02) Record deals and copyrights
(46:25) Cross collateralization
(52:23) Rihanna example
(55:57) Managers
(57:36) When to consult an attorney
(58:45) Band agreements
(1:00:00) Get advice form an attorney
(1:01:09) Choose a superpower
(1:01:49) First album and concert
(1:02:40) Recommended books and documentaries
(1:03:41) Mentors
(1:05:23) Recent Discovery
(1:06:43) Night of drinks with
(1:07:27) Fill-in-the-blanks

Quotes from Davey Jay
“In music law, the facts are very critical”
“As soon as you make an original work of authorship tangible, you have a copyright to it”
“Show people the big stick you’re gonna hit em with”
“Look into what they [PROs] are offering, as far as perks and benefits”
“Different types of streaming generate different types of revenue”
“There’s no set fees for Sync Licenses”
“Joint author and co-owners of the work…share everything equally, regardless of the level of contribution”
“The Appropriate publishing deal is entirely dependent upon where the songwriter is at that point in their career and who the publisher is”
“The publisher split is for any sort of licensing”
“Artists who end up broke is because they weren’t paying attention”
“Write your own music”
“Be careful with managers…they have the power to make or break you”
“When you’re starting a band is best to start with a band agreement”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Music Law 101
Will’s Pub Orlando
Lil Indies
U.S. Copyright Office
ASCAP
BMI
SESAC
Soundexchange
RIAA
ISRC Code
ISWC Code
Harry Fox Agency
Rihanna - Diamonds
REO Speedwagon
Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
Salmon Rushdie
Music, Money and Success
Alan Schlesinger
Hank & Cupcakes
Ruth Bader GInsburg
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Robin Williams
David Bowie

Contact
Meehle & Jay Business and Entertainment Law
Phone 407-792-0790

Davie Jay’s Definition of Making it
“Making it is, at the end of the day, feeling that you did good…”

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Joe Pulizzi - Killing Old Marketing Practices And Building Media Companies with a Content Marketing Focus

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Joe Pulizzi is the founder of Content Marketing Institute (CMI), and is known as the Godfather of Content Marketing. His book “Content Inc.” inspired the start of this podcast. Content Marketing Institute is the largest education and and training organization for content marketing, which also includes the largest in-person content marketing event in the world, Content Marketing World. Pulizzi is the author of Epic Content Marketing, which was named as one of the must read business books of 2013 by Fortune. He’s also the author Content Inc., and co-author of the September 2017 release, Killing Marketing. He is the founder of Content Marketing Institute and Content Marketing World. In this conversation, we talk about what Content Marketing is, and how artists can use it to build their brands, and turn themselves into powerful media companies.

There is so much information out there when it comes to marketing. Though it’s important to constantly be learning and educate yourself, it can also be very overwhelming with the amount of information out there. Joe Pulizzi, not only describes a strategy that’s realistic, but also digestible. I mention Gary Vaynerchuck on the podcast a lot, but you can’t start off creating content on every platform, and try to be everything to everyone. Even Gary Vee started off building ONE media channel first, his YouTube channel for Wine Library. When reading Joe’s books, and listening to this episode, you’ll learn the importance of a narrow hyper focused strategy that offers enormous value to a very specific target audience. It’s this kind of approach that Making It with Chris G. has been building its business on over the past year.

A narrowed focus on ONE channel (the podcast), with a focus on giving value to musicians and music business students as the primary audience. The goal is to start expanding the “Making It” brand into blogs, and events. Our THREE media platforms. In Joe’s book, Content Inc., he talks about the power of the three and three model. The first three media platforms you build are the personal ones. For us that’s podcasts, blogs, and events - which Making It will be expanding to in the near future. I really hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did, and hope it’ll inspire you to check out one of Joe’s book. - Chris G.

Highlights from this Episode
(5:41) Joe’s new book: Killing Marketing
(8:00) Joe’s electronic sabbatical
(10:36) Joe’s first concert and first album
(11:30) Content marketing
(13:33) Common bad advice by marketers
(16:18) Focusing on a primary channel
(21:25) A musician’s content
(26:30) Where do artists start?
(31:15) Joe’s backstory
(36:48) Overcoming ruts
(40:45) Effective newsletters
(44:00) Building an audience
(48:10) Reaching out to influencers
(51:03) Writing goals
(54:54) Disney’s business model
(57:32) Joe’s morning non-negotiables  
(58:57) Favorite books and documentaries
(1:00:06) Fill-in-the-blanks

Quotes from Joe Pulizzi
“marketing really should be a profit center”
“it all starts with giving away really valuable information”
“today everyone has a smartphone, they can ignore us at will they don’t have to pay attention to us so you have to create information that’s with paying attention to”
“those [social media] platforms own those audiences, you don’t; you’re basically renting them”
“organic reach on Facebook has pretty much gone away”
“we’re inconsistent with our communication so consistency is really, really key”
“you have to start with one audience, one platform, one content type at a time”
“really know who your core fanbase is, and then lean into that”
“it’s a marathon, not a sprint; there’s no such thing as viral success anymore”
“if you’re not going to put the effort into it, maybe you shouldn’t do anything at all”
“if you build an audience first, they will tell you how they want to pay”
“don’t fall in love with what makes you money, fall in love with your audience”
“you can only target one audience at a time”
“email is not dead”
“create something that is worth talking about”
“once you have a show, make sure you have a call to action”
“figure out what they [influencers] need and how you can help them, and you’ll get it back in return; tenfold”
“if you keep a goal in your head, it’s not real”
“don’t miss family, spiritual goals”
“if you build an audience in the middle you can generate revenue in ways you’d never though of before”
“question everything you’re doing about the music industry right now”
“build the audience first and the revenue will follow”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Content Marketing Institute
Killing Marketing
Content Inc
Bee Gees’ Spicks and Specks (Joe’s first album)
Ohio State Fair
Casey Neistat
Matthew Patrick
New York Times
John Deere
Entrepreneur on fire
Gary Vaynerchuck
Rob Scallion
Nine Inch Nails
Grateful Dead
The Huffington Post
Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich
The Defiant Ones

Disney Business Model

Content Marketing Institute Business Model

Get in touch with Joe Pulizzi
Joe’s webpage: http://www.joepulizzi.com
Twitter: @joepulizzi

Joe Pulizzi’s Definition of making it
“The ability to spend time with the people you love and not be thinking about something else at the same time”

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro
 

Check Out these Books by Joe Pulizzi

Kyle Lemaire - Disrupting the Traditional Music Business with Powerful Marketing Techniques that Build Successful Careers in the Industry

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Be ready to turn everything you’ve learned about the Music Business upside down, and learn how successful entrepreneurs are building their careers and longevity. Kyle Lemaire is an entrepreneur, marketing expert, and disrupter on how things are traditionally done in the music industry. We go right into what he believe major record labels are doing wrong, and how their marketing departments are failing their artists. He’s a firm believer that there is an audience out there for everyone, but how do you find this audience? Kyle uses some very successful marketing techniques that are highly effective for entrepreneurs that the traditional music industry is either completely ignoring or not even aware of. He’s the owner of Indepreneur, where he strives to educate musicians, and has a mission to impact the careers of 1 Million Artists.

In this interview, Kyle and I discuss some of the background of major labels, and why he believes their marketing departments are failing. He shares some success stories with specific marketing techniques that have build audiences and brought in thousands of dollars for his artists. Kyle discusses strategies that successful entrepreneurs are using that also work in the music business, and that artist’s should be using, and much more. This was a very inspiring conversation, and challenges you to break to wheel of the traditional music business. As Ari Herstand has said “There isn’t just one way to make money in the music industry anymore.” Kyle shares some ways he’s had success in creative ways with his artists.

Highlights from this Episode
(7:00) Artists and record labels
(11:36) Labels and marketing
(15:44) Artists and marketing
(22:20) Education material
(27:11) Nino Bless story
(34:20) Retargeting
(36:25) Calls to action
(38:20) Building an audience on Facebook
(42:00) Opt-ins
(46:32) How often to release content
(49:33) Post opt-in engagement
(52:52) Campaign budget
(55:40) Marketing great products
(57:20) Campaigning for live shows
(1:00:47) Ads for tours
(1:06:21) Building an audience as a promoter
(1:12:00) Kyle’s Full Sail journey
(1:14:25) College education
(1:16:28) Kyle’s taking a course
(1:17:50) Indepreneur courses
(1:21:07) Static percentages
(1:24:00) Managers
(1:25:57) Artists who aren’t entrepreneurs
(1:27:59) 1st person that comes to mind as Successful
(1:32:50) Goals
(1:37:25) Kyle’s favorite album and concert
(1:38:42) Kyle’s favorite books
(1:40:08) Exciting recent discovery
(1:40:56) Morning routine
(1:41:53) Drinks with dead or alive
(1:42:29) Fill the blanks

Quotes from Kyle Lemaire
“We don’t rely on record labels nearly as much”
“People don’t discover music on owned platforms like radio anymore”
“Labels don’t now how to keep attention”
“[artists] the skills that enable to connect with humans on a one to one level, makes you perfect for marketing”
“It’s to what you can do, it’s what you believe you can do”
“Twenty people in a thousand will get signed and of those who do get signed, one in twenty get to release an album”
“Make more transactions per customer, that’s what this [music industry] is terrible at”
“The goal is to generate as many supporting fans as you can”
“An indirect introduction is the best kind of introduction”
“It takes six to seven touches to generate a sale from a new customer”
“Instead of having [people] join an email list, we have them join a Facebook messenger list”
“On Facebook the content that works best is content that doesn’t look like an ad”
“You wanna give a way more than any label ever would, and then you ask for a sale”
“The more people you have on your list, the more offers you have to be making”
“Don’t do this [marketing campaigns] if you don’t have a great product”
“If innovation is there, marketing must follow”
“People don't just buy because they’re the right people, they buy because they’re the right people and they’ve been put though the right sequence of interaction”
“Leaving home is incredibly important, people who don’t leave home they to stay at home”
“There are tons of jobs in the industry that they pay people to do, that technology can already do”
“I see a future where indies can get themselves to 100k a year, and then hire a manger”
“The only reason you give someone a percentage is because you don’t know what they should be doing”
“I think we should empower musicians…tell them that they’re enough”
“Being clear about what you want and then getting it, that is success”
“Literally saying outlaid what you want has such dramatic impact”
“You can choose your future, and your decisions model that you have chosen”
“The meaning of life is to not let others determine what life is for you”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Appetite for Self-Destruction: The Spectacular Crash of the Record Industry in the Digital Age
Robert Cialdini
Jay Abraham
Nino Bless
Joe Budden
Slaughterhouse
The 502s
Intimate Behavior by Desmond Morris
Swipe Files
Ticketmaster
The Misfits
The Supervillains
Dr. Hugo Villegas
James Altucher
Quantum Media
Soliloquists of Sound
Hitmen
Breakthrough Advertising
Scientific Advertising
Chatfuel

Get in Touch with Kyle Lemaire
https://indepreneur.io/homepage

Kyle Lemaire’s definition of making it
To completely change how music works as an industry

Keep in touch with us:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris G.
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Antony Bland and John Mathiason of Candyshop Management - Two Entrepreneurs and Artist Managers Sharing Stories and Lessons from 50+ Years of Combined Music Industry Experience

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

When it comes to artist management, there are many different company structures, philosophies on best practices, and overall completely different approaches to managing an artist’s career. Also, artist managers and promoters, are pretty much the only ones that can get right into the industry without any proper training or education. Sure to the most part, someone can start an agency, label, PR firm, or publishing company in their bedroom, but most of the times for the people out there doing it, that’s not the case. Usually they start with some type of internship, training system, or even need a college degree (for example, entertainment attorney’s). However, if my bestfriend is in a band, I can start managing them today. If I have as little as $500 in my bank account, I can contact an agent and book a show with one of their baby bands, today.

Prior to recording this interview with Antyony Bland, and John Mathiason, we discussed that there is no rule book or system to get into artist management. We all feel very passionate about educating artists and young managers, about different approaches, and how to do what’s best for their artists. The reason this podcast started, was to create the resources for my college students and artists I mentor, that I wish existed when I got started. Antony Bland and John Mathiason are the co-founders and owners of Candyshop Management. Combined the two of them have over 50+ years of experience in the music industry, spending many of their years in artist management, publishing, record labels, marketing, merchandising, and much more. In this episode they both share their journey and lesson with a focus on the importance of education. We discuss artist management, how to become a manager, the success story of the Mowgli’s, merchandising, and much more.

Highlights from this episode
(7:15) Good management philosophy
(18:26) Resources and areas of focus in the music business
(22:58) Common misconceptions on what a manager does
(27:05) First 90 days with a new artist
(33:16) Artist’s bad decisions
(38:10) Candyshop Management beginnings and work
(42:52) The Mowgli’s Story
(49:51) Merch and Publishing
(52:39) Starting with T-Shirts
(58:56) Accessory Items
(1:00:57) How to choose a march company
(1:04:37) Who should be the march seller?
(1:08:20) How and when to have a meet & greet
(1:14:42) How to handle internet trolls
(1:19:09) Publishing
(1:22:50) Advice for emerging managers

Quotes from Antony Bland and John Mathiason
“as managers I think we take the approach that we are always learning something new even though we’ve been doing it for a long time because things change…as a manager, your artist has to look at what they do with you as a try partnership…”
“…you can breakout as an artist without the need of a record label… if you’re smart about the way you run your business and you’re good in terms of your ability on a creative level…”
“we are a society that makes stars out of people who don’t do anything”
“sometimes for us, the first mark of success is when an artist doesn’t have to have a job…”
“I think the biggest misconception for artists is that as soon as they get a manager they don’t have to worry about anything…”
“the social [networks] are the biggest drivers for us in terms of marketing and so we try to figure out what’s the best way to maximize it…we take the first three months to determine where our relationship with an artist is gonna go”
“the worst thing an artist can do for us is lie… Don’t come to us with crazy social numbers and then us finding out that 95% of them are in Shanghai… honesty is very important because if you as the artist are putting out there things that aren’t true, it just makes our jobs more difficult…”
“management is 50% proactive and 50% reactive”
“you have to know your audience..but you also have to be smart about how you’re going out. Merchandise is just as much promotion as it is earnings…”
“if the band hates the shirt and it’s the ugliest shirt you’ve ever seen, that’s usually the biggest selling of the shirts”
“you need a merch seller before you need guitar tech…I’d even put a merch seller before front of house…but you have to have a good one…”
“it is not a perfect science, none of this stuff is perfect and a lot of the times we learn from one experience that can teach us about another experience…”
“[when dealing with internet trolls] don’t engage; as soon as you engage, you’re setting yourself up and there’s nothing that anybody can do at that point. You put yourself in a position where you’re not gonna get anywhere, it’s not an argument its just someone who wants your attention.”
“when you write a song, registering everything with the publishing company is the first thing you should do as soon as you record that song you should start thinking about registering it with Sound Exchange…”
“intern everywhere…the more knowledge you have will set you up to be a manager cause you can go for for a management company but having specific knowledge of how everything works is vital.”
“education is paramount; being able to understand the business, being able to ask other people for advice, being able to share the knowledge I think is the only thing that is going to keep us as managers an keep our artists in a good stop.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
CandyShop Management
SXSW
ASCAP
BMI
SESAC
The Mowgli’s
House Of Blues
Blue Collar
Kevin Devine
Sound Exchange

Get in contact with Candy Shop
http://candyshopmanagement.com/

Definition of making it
“For an artist, wanting to be the best artist they can possibly be, as we want to be the most successful management company we can be, try to make a successful living out of that and always have fun”

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.) 
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Jasmine Star - Ripping the Bandaid off to Pursue Your Dreams, and Building a Successful Business of the RIGHT Fans with Powerful Social Media and Content Strategy

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Jasmine Star is a social media and business strategist, and professional photographer. After deciding law school wasn’t for her, Jasmine ripped the bandaid off, and decided to follower her dreams to become a photographer. Through building a powerful content marketing strategy, she’s become a successful entrepreneur, teacher, and practitioner in developing and implementing social media skills to build the RIGHT audience. In this episode, Jasmine shares her story, advice for musicians and aspiring entrepreneurs, along with some of her social media tactics. It’s time to rip the bandaid off, and pursue to “live the life you love.”

Learn more about Jasmine Star and sign-up at https://mysocialcurator.com

This podcast is brought to you by Bandzoogle. Building a website should be easy. Bandzoogle is the website for musicians by musicians. Save 15% on your 1-Year Subscription with promo code "makingit" and start with your 30-Day FREE Trail

Highlights from this episode
(3:15) Favorite podcasts
(5:23) First 90 days of her dream career
(8:12) Generating confidence from the ground up
(10:00) Jasmine’s international photography accolades
(11:42) Jasmine’s backstory
(15:45) Rip the Band-Aid off, today
(17:19) Finding the idea client
(19:46) Content creation for ideal client
(21:58) Engaging strangers in social media
(25:05) Social Curator
(28:37) Common mistakes on Instagram
(31:37) What and how often to post
(33:32) Posts other than promotion
(35:17) Hashtags in Instagram
(37:48) Instagram pods
(41:18) Live video
(44:31) Day at VaynerMedia
(45:27) Favorite failures and lessons learned
(46:17) First concert and first album

Quotes from Jasmine Star
“I’m a firm believer in new beginnings and telling the right stories”
“How bad do you want this and how bad do you want to do all the unglamorous work that’s going to take to get where you want to go”
“What are the rules of the industry; once I figure out the rules, then I understand how I can break them…there’s this dynamic of I know the rules, so I don’t have to play that game anymore”
“At the end of the day, I understood my assets and I understood my liabilities…I thought about it on a different perspective: was there a way to transition or refrain what my liabilities were and use them as a way to reposition my growing brand? and I think that made a really big difference”    
“We can spend our lives thinking and overthinking and imaging worse case scenarios that will never come to fruition, and so instead of wasting that precious time…I’m a firm believer in just doing stuff; doing it and not expecting it to be a perfect outcome…I find just as mucho value in understanding what didn’t work as understanding what did work"
“It’s not about being popular…I don't want a million followers more than I want a million dollars. It’s more important to be profitable than to be popular”
“The most powerful way to use social media…is to create value for your followers”
“You want to get noticed? Start talking to the right people”
“Position yourself as helpful resource, create value and create conversation. Those are the three things everybody in social media has to do first far before they start propping their own stuff to pitch online”
“In order for you to manifest the thing that you want, you must be the first to action”
“’Trust is the current currency on the web’, trust is how you grow a business”
“Anything that is going to create conversation outside of promotion is going to be fantastic for whatever it is that you're trying to sell”
“Consistency is going to be a key in making sure you're growing”
“Record companies and producers see so much talent every single day. What they don’t see is a lot of talent with a hell of a lot of people behind them…”
“No matter what people say: good, bad, ugly; if we commit to helping one other person by sharing the things that we know, we can go to bed great that night”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Jasmine’s website
Top Wedding Photographers 2009
Ideal Client
Social Curator
Live Video Checklist and Preparation Sheet
VaynerMedia

Get in touch with Jasmine Star
@jasminestar on all social media
www.mysocialcurator.com

Jasmine Star’s definition of making it:
“My definition of making it is waking up pursuing what you love, thanking people along the way and finding a fire and a passion to pass on to other people”

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Keep in touch with us
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://twitter.com/makingitchrisg
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Episode Credits
Host: Chris Goyzueta
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro