BONUS EPISODE: The Future of DIY
After 15 years of hosting this podcast, Kevin Breuner has moved on to the next adventure in his music career — but the DIY Musician Podcast will continue! What’s going to change? What’s going to…
#337: My Top 6 Pieces of Advice for Artists – Kevin’s Parting Words
After 17 years at CD Baby and 15 years hosting this DIY Musician Podcast, Kevin Breuner has a big announcement: He’s saying farewell to both and looking forward to a new adventure in his music…
#336: The INSANE Social Content Idea List for Musicians
Artists who want to promote their music online know they have to be active on social to build an audience and engage fans, but some days you just don’t know what to post! If you’re…
#335: Why Musicians Quit – And How to Avoid It!
Pursuing a music career can be incredibly challenging. As an independent musician, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated. The journey is full of ups and downs, and the road ahead looks like endless work….
#334: 5 New Spotify Features & 5 Fun Hacks
Spotify has some amazing new features to promote your music and create a better listening experience for users. In this episode, we’ll discuss each of them, as well as five creativity, marketing, and productivity hacks!…
#333: Cassie Petrey – Building a Social Strategy
Whether you love it or hate it, social media is one of your best options when it comes to finding an audience for your songs and building a lasting fanbase. In this episode, we talk…
#332: 15 Email Marketing Mistakes Musicians Make
Email is still the most effective online communications channel you have to market your music, drive sales, and deepen your connection with fans. If that’s statistically true (and it is), then why do so many…
#331: 5 Things Musicians Should Leave Behind in 2023
Are you holding your own music back? Whenever we hear an artist rationalize why they haven’t achieved a certain level of success, it often seems like they’re getting in their own way due to some…
#330: 10 Ways to Build Anticipation for Your Music
There’s too much music out there now for an average listener to care about YOUR SONGS just because they’re available on streaming platforms. That’s why you need to create anticipation BEFORE your new music launches….
#329: Releasing Music: Paid or Famous?
Would you rather earn a living from your music or gain massive reach on social and streaming? Of course those two things don’t HAVE to be at odds, but when you’re towards the beginning of…
#328: A.I. and Music – Why Musicians Should Care!
Everyone is talking about A.I. — or “artificial intelligence” — and the impact it will have on musicians and artists. Will advanced machine-learning and information synthesis help usher in a new era of creativity, or…
#327: The Key to Making More Money from Your Music
For independent artists, the most reliable way to earn a living from music isn’t streaming, social monetization, or even lucrative opportunities in sync licensing. It’s merch sales! In this episode, Dave Cool of Bandzoogle talks…
#326: Gamifying Your Music Promotion Using Discord
Want to bring your listeners on a journey? To send them on an adventure that goes deeper than bonus “behind the music” content? How about a multi-player RPG your fans can play together on Discord!?…
#325: Releasing Music in 2023
If you’re releasing new music in 2023, of course you want it to “succeed” and reach as many listeners as possible! But you’ll need much more than checklists and rote release strategies; making your music…
#324: Music Predictions for 2023
In some ways, 2022 felt like another year on pause. In other ways, the past 12 months passed in the blink of an eye. How did music trends (and the music industry) change this year?…
#323: Talkin’ TikTok Trends – How to Use Them for Your Music Promo
TikTok is a powerful platform for music discovery; your songs and videos can reach the right new fans because of TikTok’s algorithm. But did you know it’s also one of the best places to find…
BONUS EPISODE: Viral Success for Niche Music – How TikTok Worked f...
How does niche music reach millions on TikTok? In this discussion from 2022’s DIY Musician Conference, CD Baby’s Chris Robley spoke with Jeremy Carter-Gordon of the vocal group Windborne. Not only have Windborne’s videos gone…
#322: Breaking Into Your Local Music Scene
Whether you’re new to music, new to town, or finally getting back out there after a break, it can be really beneficial to make solid connections in your own hometown before you try to conquer…
BONUS EPISODE: Get the Gig, Keep the Gig!
Want to know how to make yourself more desirable, marketable, and overall employable as a side-person or session musician in today’s post-pandemic climate? In this session from the 2022 DIY Musician Conference in Austin, TX,…
#321: Everything After the Music: What Else You’ll Need to Succeed
What ELSE do you need for a successful music release besides the mastered music files? A lot! Let’s talk through both the big-picture and nitty-gritty things you’ll want to prepare before you launch your next…
#320: The 5 Hardest Things About Being an Independent Musician
Let’s be honest, there are some things about being an independent musician that kinda suck. There are (at least) five common personal and professional struggles that go hand-in-hand with creative pursuits. And in this episode…
#319: Musician Horror Stories
Imagine a terrifying world where you’re an… independent musician. Boo! In this spooky Halloween-themed episode, Kevin and Chris talk about musician horror stories — both the kind that are common amongst DIY artists and a…
#318: Getting 1,000,000 Followers on TikTok
How did an artist who’d been told NO by everyone in the industry blaze her own path to success using TikTok? In this episode, Britnee Kellogg reveals the details behind her massive achievement, sharing the…
#317: 8 Things New Artists Get Wrong
When recording artists are just starting out, they often overcomplicate things that are simple, and underestimate things that will be difficult. This confusion might just be a matter of inexperience, and the artists will learn…
#316: Musician’s Guide to TikTok
No matter what genre of music you make, TikTok is one of your biggest opportunities for finding fans and building an audience today. If you still feel like you’re sitting on the sidelines while the…
#315: 50 Promo Ideas in 50 Minutes
One of our most frequently asked questions is “How can I promote my music?†In the era of limitless opportunities for music promotion on social media, through email and with new formats like short-form video,…