312 Chris Taylor – Creative Resilience Through Music and Storytelling
The Unstarving Musician
In this powerful return appearance, singer-songwriter Chris Taylor (episodes 65, 97) joins us for a deeply personal conversation as part of a storytellers series. A creative force in constant motion, Chris opens up about his journey while preparing to release an exciting new collection of music. Our discussion weaves through themes of artistic comparison, trust in creative instincts, and a transformative experience opening for Six Pence None The Richer. Chris shares intimate stories from his youth in San Antonio's bible belt, including his complex relationship with his father and the...
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311 - Musician Finance: Building Your Safety Net (It's Simpler Than You Think)
The Unstarving Musician
Let's face it - most musicians didn't pick up their instruments because they love spreadsheets or numbers. In this practical musician finance episode, we break down the often-intimidating topic of financial management into actionable, musician-friendly steps. Learn how to build a financial safety net that will give you more freedom to make music, including proven strategies for multiple revenue streams, simple budgeting techniques, and essential musician-finance practices that won't make your head spin. Whether you're a full-time musician or working toward it, these straightforward financial...
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310 Creative Meets Commerce: A Musician's Guide to Revenue Stream Balance
The Unstarving Musician
This deep-dive episode explores how independent musicians can effectively balance their creative output with various revenue streams. From live shows and streaming to licensing and teaching, I break down the business focus and creative aspects of each income source. Learn practical strategies for time management, tools for productivity, and real-world examples from artists like Shannon Curtis, Bradford Loomis, and Dean Johanesen. Whether building a sustainable career or managing a passion project, discover actionable steps to maintain your artistic fulfillment while achieving financial...
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309 Harmony in Hustle: Blending Creativity and Business for Musical Success
The Unstarving Musician
Ever feel like you're juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle when it comes to balancing your music career? This episode dives into the wild world of being an independent musician-slash-solopreneur. It explores the age-old question: Can you be both a creative genius and a business whiz simultaneously? (Spoiler alert: You totally can!) Get ready to unpack the challenges and surprising rewards of wearing both the artist and entrepreneur hats. Discover strategies for switching between your creative and business brains without getting whiplash. Plus, learn how to use your business smarts...
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308 Wearing All the Hats: A Guide to Balancing Your Music Career
The Unstarving Musician
Hey musicians! It's Robonzo here, and I've got a fresh episode for you that's all about the juggling act we call being an independent musician. In this episode, I'm diving deep into the challenges we face as music artists, marketers, managers, and producers all at once. I'm sharing real talk about the constant chase for education and income in our ever-changing industry. We'll explore how to find balance in this crazy journey, tackling everything from time management to the art of focusing on one task at a time. And yes, we'll chat about how AI is shaking things up too! I've got some solid...
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307 Joe Patterson – Navigating Music Career Transitions And The Changing Music Industry
The Unstarving Musician
In this episode, host Robonzo engages in a rich conversation with friend and musician , diving deep into the intricacies of music careers, passion projects, sync licensing, and more. Key highlights: 1. Career Transitions: Explore Joe's journey of returning to music after a successful career in another field. He candidly discusses the challenges and rewards of returning to his musical passions. 2. Passion Projects and Band Dynamics: Joe shares valuable insights on finding the right players for passion projects, discussing his secret for successful musical collaboration. 3. Sync Libraries: Joe...
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306 The Road to Success: Mastering the Art of Touring for Independent Musicians
The Unstarving Musician
In this episode, we dive deeper into the world of touring for independent musicians. Whether planning your first mini-tour or looking to elevate your existing tour game, this episode is your comprehensive guide to life on the road. Key topics covered: Strategic Tour Planning: Learn how to create a balanced schedule mixing different venue types for maximum impact and profitability. Effective Promotion: Discover multi-platform social media strategies and the power of pre-sale discounts and VIP packages. Branding Your Tour: Understand the importance of giving your tour a...
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305 Tara Brueske – Booking Tips Every Musician Needs And Creating Educational Content
The Unstarving Musician
In this episode of The Unstarving Musician, I speak with , a seasoned musician, composer, and educator. Tara shares her experiences from early days of playing and composing to her current role as an active educator in voice, piano, performance, and gig acquisition. The conversation covers: Tara's new book, "20 Must Have Booking Tips Every Musician Needs" Making connections via social media Strategies for getting gigs and developing educational products Insights on finding an audience for educational content Segmenting and serving supporters and customers Email list engagement and paid...
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304 YouTube's Hidden Payday: Tracking and Collecting Music Royalties
The Unstarving Musician
In this episode, I'm diving deep into the world of tracking and collecting music royalties on YouTube. As an independent musician myself, I know how complex and often confusing this topic can be. That's why I'm breaking down YouTube's intricate royalty system for you, from the basics to advanced aspects. I'll walk you through: The four types of YouTube royalties and how to collect them Requirements for joining the YouTube Partner Program The crucial role of Content ID in protecting your intellectual property Strategies to maximize your YouTube earnings Common misconceptions about YouTube...
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303 Donations As A Monetization Option For Indie Musicians
The Unstarving Musician
This episode of The Unstarving Musician explores how independent musicians can effectively use donations as a viable income stream. The conversation covers: The historical precedent and modern relevance of fan support Crafting compelling donation requests Popular donation platforms and payment options Creating a dedicated donation page Offering incentives to encourage support Tips for successful crowdfunding campaigns Whether you're just starting out or looking to diversify your income, this episode provides practical strategies to engage your fanbase and help sustain your musical journey...
info_outlineWhether your art is in music or some other realm, leveraging your email list is paramount. Email marketing is a topic near and dear to my heart.
Once you have an established email list, the easiest way to leverage it is by sending regular emails to subscribers. They are your supporters, after all. Begin by considering how often you will send emails. In my experience, this can be a challenging commitment to meet, but you can change the frequency if you initially over commit. Consistency is key. Subscribers will lose interest in you and possibly even forget about you if your emails are irregular or infrequent.
This episode covers getting started, planning ahead with an editorial content calendar, email topic examples, the anatomy of newsletter emails, why email works so well for creating deep connection with supporters, the peril of relying on social media alone, how your email list can help you make money, ConvertKit as an email platform for audience building, and more.
Please enjoy this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever podcasts are found.
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This episode was powered by Music Marketing Method, a program for independent musicians looking to grow their music career.
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Mentions and Related Episodes
Editorial content calendar template
Contact Robonzo at The Unstarving Musician
Build an Email List, Build a Fan Base, Make Money with Your Art
Resources
The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs, by Robonzo
Music Marketing Method – The program that helps musicians find fans, grow an audience and make consistent income
Bandzoogle – The all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music
Dreamhost – See the latest deals from Dreamhost, save money and support the UM in the process.
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