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/

Is music streaming a scam or a secret weapon? In this episode of the Music Makin’ Cents Podcast, Harkos breaks down the real truth about streaming for independent artists. Yeah, streaming platforms don’t pay much, are filled with bots, and don’t give you fan emails. But guess what? It’s still one of the most powerful tools to grow your fanbase — if you know how to work the system.

In this video, you’ll learn 5 strategic steps to turn streaming into a growth machine for your music career. From creating 2 versions of your songs (one with a call-to-action) to building a real fan funnel with content, YouTube, and a website — this is THE blueprint you need to stop spinning your wheels and start seeing real results.

Whether you're tired of posting and praying, frustrated with no traction, or just overwhelmed by all the moving pieces — this episode gives you actionable, no-fluff advice to finally make streaming work for you instead of against you.

Previous Episode Mentioned: https://youtu.be/DevpiKRpoaA

Website Course: https://apexmusicsystem.systeme.io/all-in-onembs

✅ What you’ll learn in this video:

• The real pros and cons of streaming

• 5 steps to drive fans from streaming to your website

• How to create content that actually grows your fanbase

• Why consistent scheduling beats algorithm complaints

• The overlooked move that turns strangers into superfans

💥 PLUS: Harkos is offering a FREE one-on-one strategy call to build your personal music plan, with a content calendar + ChatGPT scripts included. No catch, no card. Just results.

Previous Episode Mentioned: https://youtu.be/DevpiKRpoaA Website Course: https://apexmusicsystem.systeme.io/all-in-onembs 📞 Click here to schedule your free strategy session ➡️ https://www.musicmakincentspod.com/freecall

👇 Drop a comment if this helped — or even if it didn’t. Real feedback helps us all grow.

🔥 BONUS: LANDR even gives you Dolby Atmos, Shazam, Gracenote, Store Maximizer, and more—all included in the $44.99/year Distribution Pro package.

Oh yeah... and if you want 20% off that already crazy low price, I got you 👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://glnk.io/5wllp/music-makin-cents⁠⁠

🎯 No hidden fees. No nickel-and-dime nonsense. Just real distribution built for real artists.

If you're an independent artist trying to grow your fanbase in 2025, chances are you're stuck doing the same things everyone else is doing—and wondering why nothing’s working. On this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, Harkos breaks down the real reasons most indie artists fall flat when it comes to music marketing... and exactly how YOU can break the cycle. 🎯🔥

🎧 Watch this before dropping your next single.

🎙️ In this episode, Harkos reveals why cookie-cutter strategies, lazy content, and the wrong mindset are keeping you from building a real fanbase. If you’re tired of chasing views that don’t convert, this episode gives you the exact blueprint to build momentum and finally see results from your music marketing.

🔹 What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why most indie artists have the wrong approach to marketing ✅ The mindset shift that gets you real engagement ✅ How to create content that actually attracts fans ✅ What you should stop doing immediately ✅ How to build a marketing strategy that scales with your career

👉 ⁠⁠⁠https://glnk.io/5wllp/music-makin-cents⁠⁠ Use this link for 20% OFF ANY LANDR plan—whether you're just distributing music or upgrading to Studio Pro for mastering tools, samples, and next-level resources.

🎤 Harkos works with indie artists daily and is helping them ditch outdated tactics, grow a real audience, and keep 100% of their creative energy focused on what actually works.

📞 Need Personalized Help Growing Your Music Career? Book a FREE 1-on-1 Strategy Call with Harkos at ⁠⁠musicmakincentspod.com/freecall⁠ Get: ✅ A Custom Growth Plan for your fanbase ✅ A Personalized Content Calendar ✅ 4 ChatGPT Scripts for high-performing titles & descriptions

Stop guessing. Start growing.

🚨 "DistroKid Is Overcharging You—Here’s Why LANDR Is a Better Deal!" 🚨

If you're an independent artist using DistroKid in 2025, you might be paying way more than you need to. With additional fees for services like Content ID, Dolby Atmos, and more, the costs can quickly add up. But there’s a better option—LANDR Distribution Pro offers these same premium services for a flat annual fee, saving you hundreds of dollars. 🎵💰

👉 ⁠https://glnk.io/5wllp/music-makin-cents⁠ Use the link below for 20% OFF ANY LANDR plan, whether you just want music distribution or the Studio Pro package, which includes mastering tools, samples, and educational resources.

In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, Harkos breaks down the hidden costs of DistroKid and explains why LANDR is a smarter choice for independent artists who want to distribute their music without breaking the bank.

🔹 The True Cost of Using DistroKid

While DistroKid’s base plan starts at $22.99/year, extra services can significantly increase your yearly expenses:

✅ Content ID (YouTube + TikTok) – $4.95/song/year ✅ Dolby Atmos (High-Quality Audio) – $27/song ✅ Store Maximizer – $7.95/year ✅ Discovery Pack (Shazam & Others) – $0.99/song/year

If you release 12 songs a year, these add-ons could cost:

• $60/year for Content ID
• $360/year for Dolby Atmos
• Total: $540+/year by Year 3

These costs increase every year as fees are charged annually per song—which means the more you release, the more you pay.

🔹 Why LANDR Distribution Pro Is the Better Choice

For $45/year, LANDR Distribution Pro includes all the essential features DistroKid charges extra for—without the recurring fees:

✅ Unlimited Music Releases with 100% Royalties ✅ Content ID (YouTube + TikTok) – Included ✅ Dolby Atmos (High-Quality Audio) – Included ✅ Store Maximizer & Discovery Pack – Included ✅ Leave a Legacy – Keep your music online if you stop paying

By switching to LANDR, you could save hundreds of dollars annually while still having access to advanced features and faster customer support—with responses in 2 business days.

🎤 Artists Are Already Making the Switch

Many independent artists working with Harkos have already moved their music to LANDR using the easy import tool—transferring from DistroKid is fast and simple.

👉 Use the link below for 20% OFF ANY LANDR plan, whether you just want music distribution or the Studio Pro package, which includes mastering tools, samples, and educational resources.

⁠https://glnk.io/5wllp/music-makin-cents⁠ 📞 Need Help Growing Your Music Career?

Book a FREE 1-on-1 consultation with Harkos at ⁠musicmakincentspod.com/freecall⁠ where you’ll get:

✅ A Custom Marketing Strategy to grow your fanbase ✅ A Content Creation Calendar for consistent promotion ✅ 4 ChatGPT Scripts to generate SEO-rich titles & descriptions

Start focusing your budget on promoting your music instead of paying unnecessary fees.

Independent artists, STOP wasting your time on strategies that are holding you back! Most musicians struggle to grow because they focus on the WRONG things—and it’s keeping them broke, frustrated, and invisible. In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, Harkos exposes the 3 biggest mistakes killing your career and shows you how to actually build an engaged fanbase in 2025.

🔹 Why perfectionism is ruining your progress

🔹 The biggest trap artists fall into when trying to grow

🔹 Why outdated marketing strategies DON’T work anymore

🔹 The RIGHT way to promote your music (without getting scammed)

🔹 How to build a REAL audience and turn them into super fans

Too many great artists give up too soon because they don’t see results. Don’t be one of them! Watch this episode and learn how to stop struggling and start growing today!

💡 Need a REAL strategy for your music career?

🔗 Book a FREE call with Harkos: ⁠MusicMakinCentsPod.com/freecall⁠

🎬 Watch next: ⁠https://youtu.be/s8QtYd7rh8w⁠

🔔 Subscribe & turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes on music marketing, branding, and independent artist success.

STOP Chasing Viral Fame! Independent artists are being LIED TO about what it takes to succeed in the music industry. In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, host Harkos exposes why going viral on TikTok or Instagram does NOT guarantee a fanbase—or a paycheck. If you’re serious about building a real music career, you need to hear this.

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

-Why Most Music Marketing Advice is Garbage (And What Actually Works) - https://youtu.be/kyx-AknFgPU

- Why Pre-Promotion is Dead - https://youtu.be/-0Jy3W9byrg

What You’ll Learn:

• Why viral clips DON’T build lasting success for independent artists.
• How short-form videos should ACTUALLY be used to grow your fanbase.
• The real money breakdown—why Instagram & TikTok pay next to nothing.
• YouTube vs. Spotify vs. TikTok—where you should ACTUALLY promote your music.
• The #1 strategy for turning strangers into loyal superfans.

Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Going viral doesn’t mean success—building a fanbase does. 2️⃣ Stop wasting time chasing trends and start creating real engagement. 3️⃣ YouTube is the #1 platform for music promotion & monetization. 4️⃣ Use Google & YouTube Ads to drive REAL growth & revenue. 5️⃣ Want a free strategy session? Scroll down and book a call with Harkos NOW!

To cut clips, I recommend using a software called Opus. It’s easy to use and helps you get clips faster. Use my link and they’ll give you a discount. https://www.opus.pro/?via=18aa66

Work With Harkos: Want real growth? Book a FREE 1-on-1 call and get a custom strategy: https://www.musicmakincentspod.com/freecall Get the Music Business System Course to build a fanbase that actually PAYS YOU: https://www.musicmakincentspod.com/fangrowt

Subscribe for weekly episodes and drop your questions below—Harkos responds to EVERY comment!

Key Moments:

• 0:22 – "The biggest lie about ‘going viral’ in music marketing"
• 1:40 – "Why viral clips don’t equal real fan growth"
• 2:59 – "The shocking truth about how much TikTok & Instagram REALLY pay artists"
• 4:45 – "The best platform for real music promotion in 2025"
• 7:12 – "How to turn short-form videos into long-term fans"
• 10:08 – "The strategy I use with every artist I work with"
• 15:43 – "Why YouTube & Google Ads are the most effective marketing tools"
• 21:04 – "How to book a FREE 1-on-1 strategy call with Harkos"