On this episode of the Music Making Sense Podcast, I want to talk about chasing that big record deal and why it might actually be what's holding you back. The truth is, most independent artists don't actually need a record label anymore; what they really need is a marketing agency. I'll explain how record labels have changed, why a deal might not be the dream you think it is, and what a marketing agency can do to help you build a real, sustainable career.

The Harsh Realities of a Record Label Deal: While a record advance and industry connections might sound great, they come with a huge price tag. When you sign with a label, you face a significant loss of creative control; they can dictate what music you make, how you look, and even who you work with. Furthermore, the advance you receive is not free money—it’s an advance against your future royalties and earnings. You have to pay back every penny of the advance, plus all of their expenses like recording, touring, and marketing costs. This means you might not see a single dime in royalties for years, or even ever, and you’ll be locked into a restrictive long-term contract.

Why a Marketing Agency is the Modern Solution: Unlike a traditional label, a marketing agency focuses on one thing: getting your music heard by the right people and building a sustainable fan base. They don't want to own your masters or dictate your creative vision. Instead, they charge a flat fee for their services, with no restrictive contracts or strings attached. A marketing agency serves as a strategic partner, handling things like social media strategy, running targeted ad campaigns, building your email list, playlist pitching, and PR outreach. They can also help define your brand and leverage data to optimize your efforts for maximum impact. The best part? You retain 100% ownership and creative control of your music.

The Importance of Building Your Foundation First: Before you hire a marketing agency, it's crucial to understand that it is not a magic bullet. An agency's job is to amplify what you're already doing, not build something from zero. You must first have a foundation of good music, organic engagement, and a growing buzz. To build this foundation, you need to have a solid plan in place and be working at least 90 days in advance, just like the "big dogs" in the industry do. If you are consistently releasing good music, engaging with your audience, and seeing organic growth, then investing in a marketing agency is your best bet for success.

I want to emphasize that a marketing agency works best when you already have some momentum going, as they are there to amplify your efforts and take you to the next level. Empower yourself and build your own path on your own terms.

***Free Live Stream: 90 Days of Music Marketing***If you're still trying to do everything DIY and don't have a solid plan yet, I have something for you. I'm hosting a free live stream called "90 Days of Music Marketing," designed as a step-by-step plan for indie artists who need help building that solid foundation. In this exclusive session, I will cover building your foundation for consistent growth, strategic content creation and scheduling, social media distribution, music registration, and monetization strategies.

Click here to sign up for the free live stream: https://apexmusicsystem.systeme.io/live_strategy_sessions

For all things MMC Pod, head to mmcpod.com

On this episode of the Music Making Sense Podcast, I challenge the common belief that one viral moment or hit song is all it takes for real success as an independent artist. I argue that the "lottery mindset" is a complete trap and that real, sustainable success demands a solid business and marketing plan at all times. I'll outline three key steps you need to have in place before you even think about going viral.

Step 1: Get Your Business in Order: Your music needs a proper business setup. This means having a full business entity like an LLC, a dedicated business bank account, and all the necessary legal and tax documents for your state and country. All your music must also be properly registered with agencies like the MLC, Harry Fox, and SoundExchange. When it comes to a Performing Rights Organization (PRO), you should choose either ASCAP or BMI, but not both. For help with this process in the United States, I recommend the Small Business Administration website for your state, which offers free resources.

Step 2: Build a Back Catalog and Consistent Release Schedule: If you have a viral moment with only a couple of songs out, fans will quickly get tired of the limited amount of music you have. To avoid this, you need a back catalog with dozens of songs for constant entertainment. In addition to a solid back catalog, you must have a consistent release schedule, releasing at least one new song every month and one to two bigger projects like an EP or full album each year. This provides the consistent content needed to build a sustainable career.

Step 3: Create Consistent, Engaging Video Content: The third step is to have a consistent flow of entertaining and engaging long and short-form video content. You should post four long-form videos per month on platforms like YouTube. Each of those videos should then be "chopped" into at least five short-form clips for other platforms. These videos should be a mix of music videos, music-related videos, and lifestyle videos. When creating short-form clips, make sure your titles and descriptions are interest-based and entertaining, not salesy. I have four free AI scripts on my website to help with this.

Without this solid foundation, a viral moment is nothing more than 15 seconds of fame. This framework is designed to help you build a real, long-lasting career as an independent artist.

***Free Live Stream: 90 Days of Music Marketing***

I'm hosting a free live stream called "90 Days of Music Marketing," designed as a step-by-step plan for indie artists who need help with setting all of this up. In this exclusive session, I will cover understanding the music marketing landscape, defining your unique artist brand, building a 90-day marketing blueprint for consistent releases, and monetization strategies that go beyond streaming revenue.

Click here to sign up for the free live stream: https://apexmusicsystem.systeme.io/live_strategy_sessions

For all things MMC Pod, head to mmcpod.com

Are you an independent artist trying to grow your music career with cover songs? Stop wasting your time! Most artists use covers wrong and end up getting washed away instead of riding the wave. In today's hyper-competitive music industry, you need a solid strategy to turn covers into a powerful tool for fan growth.

In this video, I break down exactly why most cover song strategies fail and reveal the 3 essential steps you must take to make covers work for your music career. Learn how successful artists like Jimi Hendrix, Bruno Mars, and The Weeknd leveraged covers to explode their fanbases, and how you can apply those same principles.

Problems Solved / Topics Covered:

-The Cover Song Trap: Why simply "riding the wave" with covers often backfires for independent artists. -Strategic Cover Usage: Understanding the key difference between how major artists use covers vs. common indie mistakes. -Proper Registration: The critical importance of correctly registering your cover songs to protect your rights and collect royalties. -Ethical Distribution: Why Landr is the recommended choice for unlimited music distribution and cover song licensing. -Building Your Catalog: The necessity of having a substantial original music catalog for long-term fan growth. -Consistent Releases: My recommended frequency for putting out new music to keep your audience engaged. -Video Content for Growth: How to leverage long-form and short-form video to build connections and convert listeners into loyal fans. -The 90/10 Rule: Balancing original music with cover songs for maximum impact.

Need more help with your music marketing strategy? ➡️ Check out all the free and low-cost tools at: https://musicmakincentspod.com/artisttools

Landr Referral Link: 🔗 Get unlimited music distribution and cover song licensing with Landr: https://glnk.io/5wllp/music-makin-cents7eq

Key Music Organizations:

The Harry Fox Agency (HFA): https://www.harryfox.com/ The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC): https://www.themlc.com/ Songtrust: https://www.songtrust.com/ BMI: https://www.bmi.com/ ASCAP: https://www.ascap.com/