Music Makin Cents Podcast

Are you an independent artist still leaving your music stranded on a useless YouTube "Topic Channel" in 2026? In this video, I break down exactly how to merge your distribution with your main YouTube channel to unlock your Official Artist Channel (OAC) in less than five minutes. Many independent musicians don't realize that keeping your music on a separate topic channel severely slow...

Are you still leaving your music stranded on a useless YouTube "Topic Channel"? In this video, I break down exactly how to merge your distribution with your main YouTube channel to unlock your Official Artist Channel (OAC) in just a few minutes. As an independent artist, you might not realize that keeping your music on a separate topic channel severely handles your potential growth. With...

Are you getting "ghost streams" that look good but feel wrong? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Pod , host Harkos deep-dives into the "Fake Stream Trap" that is currently causing a massive purge of independent artists in 2026. If you’ve seen videos like “The Spotify Fraud Penalty Exposed” or read articles about Spotify’s $10 per-track fine for bot activity, you know the...

Are you tired of "magical" shortcuts and "cheat codes" that promise instant fame? In this 2026 edition of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, host Harkos exposes why the hashtag strategies and scam playlists of the past are complete bullst**. Harkos provides a deep-dive marketing strategy breakdown for the modern independent artist. To have a real career in 2026, you need a system t...

Have you ever had a crucial music release stalled because your distributor’s customer service was slow, unhelpful, or non-existent? As independent artists, a smooth music business is pivotal to real success, but technical issues and general questions require fast, proper handling. On this episode, host Harkos dives deep into the frustration of dealing with poor customer support from major DIY plat...

It’s true that streaming alone doesn't pay much . But for an independent artist to build a real career, you have to exploit all the different ways to make money from your music. On this episode, I’m sitting down with Dae Bogan from the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) to break down the complex world of music business and royalties. Most artists only think about streaming and sales, but th...

On this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, I'm diving into why chasing a spot on a reaction channel is a waste of your time and money. I’ve seen independent artists spend countless hours sending their music to these live streams. The truth is, these channels are not watched by real music fans and will never lead to a sustainable career. Instead, I'll show you how to use social media...

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...

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 ab...

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 rev...

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,...

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 befo...

🚨 "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 annua...

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 perfect...

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 Marketi...

🚨 STOP Wasting Money on Spotify Promotion! 🚨 In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast , host Harkos exposes the biggest lies independent artists believe about Spotify and why it's sabotaging your music career. If you're serious about growing real fans and making money from your music, you NEED to hear this. 💡 What You’ll Learn: Why Spotify is NOT the best platform for artists (a...

Tired of falling for “get 1,000 fans in 30 days” schemes that leave you disappointed? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast , host Harkos exposes the myths behind quick-fix fan-building strategies and shows you the REAL path to building a loyal fan base. This is the guide for independent artists who want sustainable success without sacrificing integrity. What You’ll Learn: The fan vs. f...

Are you hustling backwards as an independent artist? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, hosted by Harkos, he uncovers why spending $700+ on music video production without a solid marketing plan is sabotaging your career. Learn how to flip the script and grow your fan base while saving money! What You’ll Discover: Why blowing your budget on “industry-quality” music videos doesn’t gua...

Are you always telling people to "Support Local Music"? Are you trying to figure out how to stop being just another local artist? The way to stop being local is very simple. This episode exposes the harsh truth behind the "support local music" mindset and why it’s holding you back as an artist in 2025. If you're an indie musician searching for actionable strategies to grow your fan base and take y...

Are you sabotaging your music career with fake features, fake streams, or fake social media followers? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast , Harkos exposes the biggest mistakes holding indie artists back and shares a proven three-step strategy to build real success in the music industry. Discover why fake strategies not only fail to create growth but can also destroy your credibility,...

Think buying a feature from a big-name artist is the shortcut to success? Think again. In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast , Harkos pulls back the curtain on the shady world of fake features, exposing why these “opportunities” are nothing but scams hurting indie artists. From fake music videos to recycled beats sold to thousands of unsuspecting artists, Harkos explains how these tacti...

What’s your streaming wrap-up post really doing for your career? In this episode, Harkos dives into the trend of artists sharing their yearly streaming numbers and why it’s a marketing misstep in today’s digital age. He breaks down the psychology behind social proof, explains why streaming platforms and social media are promotional—not sales—tools, and delivers a roadmap for building a true fanbas...

Ever heard industry experts say, “Don’t release music during November and December”? On this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast , Harkos is here to debunk that 90% nonsense and show you why the holiday season is actually the perfect time for indie artists to make their mark. People are always consuming music—whether they’re shopping, cooking, or traveling—so why not be the artist they discov...

Are Black Friday sales really worth it for indie artists? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast , Harkos tackles the popular holiday sales season, revealing why typical sales tactics might not be right for musicians. While other marketers suggest running discounts to boost sales, Harkos shares a smarter approach—one that doesn’t rely on fans buying music directly, but instead helps buil...

Are you an indie artist thinking about joining a label? Or maybe you’re already on one and questioning if it’s the right fit. This episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast dives deep into the complexities of indie labels and why so many fail their artists. Harkos explores how labels can either uplift or limit your career, emphasizing the importance of control, budgeting, and authenticity in artist...