The Key To Distribution In The Music Industry | Advice from Jewel, Logic, Gunna & More | A Mashup

Podcast Summary

• Building a brand and providing value to a specific audience: In the music industry, focusing on a specific fanbase and engaging with them authentically can lead to brand growth and success

  In today's business landscape, particularly in the music industry, creating value for a specific audience and building a strong brand are key to success. Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes that the money is no longer primarily at the end consumer, and instead, there is significant potential in branding and access. IKE, as a rapper, echoes this sentiment and advises treating music like an entrepreneur would his product, focusing on a specific group of fans and pouring energy into engaging and providing value to that audience. Ultimately, being present and authentic in your art and interactions can lead to a deep connection with your fans and potentially, great success.

• Building Authentic Connections Takes Time and Effort: To build authentic connections, engage genuinely with others in your community, stay patient, and keep working towards your goals.

  Building authentic connections in the music industry, or any industry for that matter, requires genuine engagement and patience. The speaker emphasizes the importance of liking and engaging with others in the community before expecting them to reciprocate. He shares his personal experience of dedicating 18 years to building a following on Twitter, and the unexpected success that came from it. For those starting out, the Internet is a valuable tool for building an audience and creating a unique world for your music or art. The speaker encourages persistence and patience, as the results may not come immediately. He also warns against giving up too soon, as you never know when your hard work will pay off. In essence, be authentic, engage with your community, and stay patient.

• Revolutionizing artist discovery with self-expression and digital platforms: The power of self-expression and digital platforms is revolutionizing the way artists are discovered and connect with audiences, allowing for a more inclusive and authentic musical landscape.

  The power of self-expression and the accessibility of digital platforms have revolutionized the way artists can be discovered and connect with audiences. This was not the case for many talented musicians in the past, who may have missed their opportunity due to lack of exposure or being in the wrong place at the right time. It's important to remember that the focus should be on the music itself and its lasting impact, rather than just trying to gain attention for the sake of it. The future of art lies in embracing the vast pool of talent on the internet and appreciating the musicality and authenticity of each creation. As we create and consume art, let us keep in mind that conversations about it should remain relevant for generations to come.

• Leveraging Influencers for Music Promotion: Engage with influencers on social media, document your creative journey, and cold-email media outlets for effective and low-cost music promotion.

  Open platforms provide musicians with a better opportunity to showcase their musicality and reach a wider audience, compared to the past when business considerations may have limited exposure based on stereotypes. Gary Vaynerchuk, during an episode of AskGaryVee, advised Daniel, a songwriter from Miami, Florida, to leverage influencers to promote his music on social media, specifically Instagram, as an effective and low-cost strategy for gaining attention. Gary suggested that Daniel engage with influencers by commenting and messaging them based on relevant hashtags, and even offered to help Daniel connect with influencers who might be interested in his Arabic rap music. Additionally, Gary suggested that Daniel document and share the journey of releasing his album on Medium.com, and cold-email media outlets to pitch original articles about his experience. Overall, Gary emphasized the importance of influencers in gaining attention for creative projects and encouraged Daniel to be persistent and strategic in his outreach efforts.

• Collaborating with peers can lead to increased visibility and learning opportunities for aspiring producers: Collaborating with peers can help aspiring producers build a strong personal brand, attract new opportunities, and learn valuable skills.

  For startup businesses, especially those focused on personal branding, collaboration with peers can be an effective way to gain exposure and attract new opportunities. This friendly competition can lead to increased visibility among each other's audiences, potentially attracting the attention of rappers or other industry professionals. Additionally, creating and sharing content about your process and expertise can help establish your identity and build a loyal following. Nathan, a 14-year-old aspiring producer from Kentucky, was advised to engage with other producers, learn from them, and use their insights to improve his own skills. By collaborating and sharing his knowledge, Nathan can build a strong personal brand and potentially attract the attention of larger artists. Additionally, Nathan was encouraged to be patient and persistent in his pursuit of success. By continuing to learn and grow, he can set himself up for long-term success.

• Balance your passion with education: Passion and education are important, balance both for valuable skills and opportunities. Patience, persistence and finding ways to balance are keys to success.

  Even if you're a 14-year-old with a strong passion for music or any other craft, it's important to balance your life and not neglect education. While it might be tempting to focus solely on your passion, having a well-rounded life and continuing your education will provide you with valuable skills and opportunities. The speakers, who both started their careers at a young age, emphasized the importance of patience and persistence. They also advised against dropping out of school unless there's no other option. Instead, they suggested finding ways to balance your passion with other aspects of your life, such as working part-time jobs or starting a YouTube channel. Remember, the journey to greatness takes time and dedication, so keep working at it and don't get discouraged.

• Authenticity and consistency are key to building a successful content creation journey.: Promise and deliver content, collaborate, believe in your potential, and keep creating to grow an audience and be remembered.

  Authenticity and consistency are key to building a successful content creation journey, even if you start small. Gary Vaynerchuk emphasized the importance of promising and delivering content, no matter what resources you have at hand. He also highlighted the value of collaborations and volume in growing an audience and being remembered. Despite the challenges and the potential for self-doubt, believing in your potential and putting yourself out there can lead to significant opportunities. Remember, it's the hits that people remember, not the filler. So, keep creating and keep putting yourself out there.

• The power of storytelling and vulnerability in music: Artists who speak truthfully about real-life experiences resonate with audiences and set themselves apart, while the future of music lies in building strong artist brands and giving artists equity in their own success.

  The power in the music industry lies in storytelling and vulnerability, as exemplified by artists like Tupac and Biggie. These artists broke through by speaking truthfully about real-life experiences, which resonated with audiences and set them apart from their peers. The future of music lies in building strong artist brands and giving artists equity in their own success. The monetization of music itself may be challenging, but the value of live events and personal connections will continue to be valuable. It's important for artists to understand their unique offerings and cultivate a culture around their music. The music industry has undergone significant disruptions, from radio to digital streaming, and it's crucial for artists and industry professionals to adapt and learn from these changes.

• The power shift in celebrity endorsements and business partnerships: Today's celebrities and musicians demand significant equity in business deals, reflecting a larger entrepreneurial mindset and the importance of strategic partnerships and effective branding for businesses.

  The economics of celebrity endorsements and business partnerships have significantly shifted over the years. Whereas once a brand like VitaminWater might have paid just 50 cents for a sponsorship deal, today's celebrities and musicians demand a much larger piece of the pie, often receiving 5-30% equity before a business even launches. This trend reflects a larger entrepreneurial mindset, where control of economics is a priority. It's a race to the bottom, with the power increasingly in the hands of those with a strong brand and influence. This shift highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and effective branding for businesses looking to succeed in today's market.