Diy Musician Podcast

Cristina gives a little insight into what is next for the DIY Musician Podcast, and Jack interviews artist BARii about their incredible journey as a DIY artist turned pro-songwriter.

Relationships are the driving force behind a successful music career. Think of a photographer who captures your essence, a marketing expert who promotes your music, and a meticulous mentor who helps you find order in chaos. As an independent artist, you'll encounter a diverse network of supporters who can redefine your musical journey. In episode #346 of the DIY Musician Podcast, Chris and Cristina explore these essential connections, unveiling eight key allies you should engage with. Plus, Chris has a big announcement...

Running ads for your music isn't easy, no matter what the experts tell you. But it CAN be one of the best ways to reach new listeners and build a lasting audience of fans and customers. So in this episode, Chris and Cristina talk about 10 ways to streamline your ad efforts. The point of this conversation isn't to provide tips on maximizing and optimizing and endlessly tinkering with options. It's to simplify your life running ads, so you can realistically see progress, not perfection. 

After 18 years as a band AND business, Bombadil is still going strong. In this "Artist Spotlight" episode of the DIY Musician Podcast, Cristina and Chris interview James Phillips of the independent indie-folk group about their long journey as a recording and touring act, the challenges they faced along the way, and how the keys to their longevity are creative respect, daily habits of collaboration and communication, and treating every aspect of their music like a business. -- Check out Bombadil's music and tour dates. Follow their touring and recording adventures. -- Distribute your music with no annal fees. Plan your successful release with a customized timeline.  Learn how to grow your audience, boost your streams, and build a sustainable music career on your own terms. 

Are you struggling to find the time to make and promote your music? In this episode, Chris & Cristina discuss ways to carve out MORE time for your music amidst a busy life, and how to get more productive and creative within the limited time you have already.

As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Sadly, music is such a public-facing endeavor that our egos are often on high-alert, which can lead to to moments where we put our worst foot forward! What can we do about it? In this episode, Chris & Cristina discuss some common musician pitfalls when it comes to social etiquette, networking, artist mindset, and more. Plus, we'll hear a short discussion between CD Baby's Jack Poulis and Lee Wilson, an R&B singer who found success while exploring a completely different genre. 

IF you do it right, advertising on social is one of the best ways to build an audience for your music. But so many musicians are held back by bad attitudes and misconceptions about advertising. In this episode, Chris interviews social advertising expert Kyle "Circa" LeMaire to set the record straight on music advertising.

There's no doubt, great social content can unlock so many doors in your music career. But “social” can also feel tired and impersonal, like you're shouting into the void. In this episode, Chris & Cristina discuss how to engage audiences without relying on big platforms or one-off posts. Check out this inspiring list of alternative ways you can interact with your fans so that your messages and conversations feel personal and surprising!

Are there common struggles most young musicians face? Can they be avoided? Whether you're a new musician just starting out, or you're an experienced artist looking for a reminder on healthier ways to maintain your music career, this episode is for you. Cristina and Chris discuss the five things they wish they'd known years ago. If they'd learned these lessons earlier, their music (and happiness) might've been further along by now. 

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 stay the same? In this quick bonus episode, Chris Robley previews the new format, and tells you how you can shape the future of this podcast!

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 career.   Where's he headed? What did he learn from his time at CD Baby? And what's his top 6 tips for musicians who want to make a life in music?  All that and more in this episode.

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 stumped for social inspo, check out this episode of the DIY Musician Podcast where we run through an insane list of ideas for you to try. 

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. But why do musicians really quit? What are the pain-points that cause so many talented musicians to throw in the towel? And most importantly, how can you overcome these challenges and thrive in your music pursuits? In this episode of The DIY Musician Podcast, we'll take a look at some common reasons why musicians quit, and offer encouraging solutions to help you keep moving forward! 

Spotify has launched some new tools for artists to promote their music, and in today's episode we're going to discuss how to use these new features and what they might mean for your music poromotion. Plus, we have 5 fun music marketing hacks!  

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 with Cassie Petrey, CEO and co-founder of Crowd Surf, a music marketing firm that has run social media campaigns for household names like Camila Cabello, Kim Petras, and Backstreet Boys, as well as countless local and grassroots artists. 

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 musicians fumble when it comes to their email list?  In this episode, we'll address 15 common mistakes musicians make when it comes to email marketing.

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 outdated beliefs or faulty priorities. And this has nothing to do with the quality of the music. Sometimes people with amazing songs aren't reaching the audiences they could because they're holding too tightly to ideas that no longer serve them. Is it time to embrace new tools, trends, and mindsets? Time to abandon some stale modes of thinking? In this episode, we'll discuss five things we should all let go of!

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. In this episode we'll discuss how to do exactly that, drawing lessons from artists such as Walk Off the Earth, Emma McGann, and Ellie Dixon.

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 your music career, it helps to focus on one top priority.  There isn't a correct goal; it'll differ depending on your interests and talents. But how you allocate your time and budget will change based on the priority: paid or famous?   In this episode, we discuss those differences.

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 could artificial intelligence destroy the music industry (on its way to destroying humanity?)