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,…
#314: Power Up Your Music Videos
If you think you need to spend thousands of dollars shooting a professional looking music video just to get people to watch, think again! Short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels and trusty standbys…
#313: 2022 DIY Musician Conference Recap & Highlights
With hundreds of attendees both in person and virtual, dozens of presentations from industry insiders and countless jam sessions, mentoring workshops and after parties, the 2022 DIY Musician Conference was the biggest and best indie…
#312: How to Promote Your Live Shows with Bandsintown
Live music is officially back! If you’re an artist who plays live often, Bandsintown is an essential tool for listing and promoting your shows.From notifying fans about when you’ll be in their area, to recommendation…
#311: Live Gigs: Thrive, Survive, or Die?
Touring and playing live can be a great way to expand your audience, sell merch and interact with your existing fans. But there are also many things that can go wrong on the road. From…
#310: Crafting Your Music’s Elevator Pitch
Before anyone ever hears your music, they need to be convinced to listen. Maybe they’re getting a recommendation from a friend or they see a cool Instagram ad or blog review. Maybe it’s an eye-catching…
#309: How Sync Licensing Can Launch Your Career
With Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill†and Metallica’s “Master of Puppets†seeing runaway success after their placement in Stranger Things, sync licensing is back in the news. While these are classic hits from veteran…
#308: Successfully Releasing an Album in a Singles World
Even in the age of singles, there are many benefits to releasing an album. Learn why you should keep albums part of your release strategy, and how to successfully release an album.