Music Makin Cents Podcast

Are you promoting your music on YouTube the wrong way? Many artists unknowingly use their topic pages to promote their music, missing out on a powerful tool that could seriously amplify their reach. In this episode, Harkos breaks down why topic pages are holding you back and how switching to an official artist channel can elevate your music career. From activating YouTube’s algorithm to enhancing...

Are you sinking time and money into Spotify playlist campaigns hoping for fan growth? It might be time to rethink that strategy. This episode of Music Makin Cents Podcast pulls back the curtain on the popular but often ineffective playlisting trend, showing independent artists why this approach rarely leads to lasting fan engagement. Discover why playlist streams may spike your numbers briefly but...

Tired of feeling like a pushy salesperson while trying to get your music out there? Ever wonder how you can live the musician lifestyle without compromising your authenticity or creativity? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, Harkos reveals the secrets to selling your music without actually selling it. It's not about high-pressure tactics or guilt trips—it’s about building genuine co...

Are you still wasting time on pre-promotion? It’s time to stop chasing outdated strategies that simply don’t work anymore. In today’s on-demand society, fans want your music now, not weeks or months from today. Harkos dives deep into why pre-promotion is dead, how it’s killing your chances of success, and what you should be doing instead. Forget pre-save links and long buildup campaigns; they’re l...

Feeling stuck in your music career? Are the words "marketing" and "content creation" making you cringe? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, host Harkos breaks down why so many independent artists, bands, and musicians struggle with one of the most essential parts of their success—content creation. Spoiler alert: it's not because the system is rigged, but because the...

Are you struggling to build a fan base that genuinely connects with you and your music? In this episode of Music Makin' Cents Podcast, Harkos gets real about what it takes to stand out in the saturated music industry. Spoiler: it’s all about your brand! If you're thinking branding is just a buzzword, you’re wrong—Harkos breaks down the "3 Pillars" every indie artist needs: Who you are, What you st...

In this episode of the Music Making Sense Podcast, Harkos lays down the truth about what it really means to succeed as an indie artist. It’s not about high follower counts or chasing empty streams, but about building genuine connections with fans and creating sustainable growth. He introduces the Apex Music System, a game-changing approach that focuses on social media engagement, streaming success...

There’s only one way to make it as an independent artist, and that’s by treating your music like a business. The trifecta of success? Social media, streaming platforms, and sales. Get practical tips on how to market your music, build a real fanbase, and create a sustainable income. From leveraging streaming to engaging your audience and creating insider programs, this guide gives you the roadmap t...

In a world full of sameness, being different is the best way to stand out! By embracing your individuality and creating communities online, you can connect with like-minded fans who truly vibe with your music. Forget trying to appeal to everyone – focus on showcasing your oddball side and watch as a loyal fan base grows around your uniqueness. With billions of people online, there’s an audience ou...

Think you need to pack up and move to a big city to make it in the music industry? Harkos and KP are here to tell you to pump the brakes. In this episode, they break down how online promotion, a killer EPK, and a strong fan base can make waves, no matter where you are. Learn why professionalism, consistency, and being about your business are the keys to making your music pay off. It's time to...

In today's music industry, selling physical albums is outdated—everyone's listening on their phones! Stop wasting time on USB thumb drives and focus on digital sales where the real money is. Think abstractly about how your fans consume music and tap into the financial potential of streaming. It’s not just about getting heard; it’s about getting paid. #streaming #digitalmusic #albumsales #p...

In a world flooded with noise, standing out as an independent artist demands more than just talent—it's about consistent content creation, authentic branding, and leveraging online platforms to your advantage. Embracing your unique identity and promoting real value can set you apart from the crowd. Whether you're navigating the digital landscape alone or with a strong team, remember: your...

Struggling to find opportunities to perform in your area? Moving to a new city won’t magically boost your music career. It’s all about grinding in your local scene and building a loyal fan base first. Don't just hope for success—bring your A-game to every live performance, even in a small town. Engage with your audience, bring merch, and make those connections. Your real power lies in your onl...

In this episode, we talk about: breakdancing's inclusion in the Olympics, the critical need for dancers to protect their intellectual property through copyright and trademarking, the power of visual identity and authenticity in the dance industry, the impact of the internet on global culture, competition, and self-expression, Plus much more! For all Links MMC Pod click here https://podlink.to/...

Competition in music is healthy, but in reality, the only person you should compete with is yourself. Instead of wasting energy worrying about what other artists are doing, focus on engaging with your fans and creating music that resonates with them. Building a deeper connection through communication and content is what truly matters. Learn from others' successes, but always make it uniquely y...

In this episode, we talk about: Trend jacking and news jacking in the music industry, staying consistent, avoiding the temptation to follow trends, copyrighting and registering music before releasing it, streaming platforms as a promotional tool, leveraging current events and trends in music marketing, capitalizing on social causes and political events, comedy in music marketing and the importance...

Being an independent artist is challenging, but nothing good ever comes easy. To change your life for the better, you have to do something difficult. Many people join the military to improve their situation, taking on the risks and sacrifices involved. As an independent artist, you have to take the hard road and invest time and effort into learning and doing things yourself or find ways to pay oth...

In this episode, we talk about: merchandise and memorabilia as revenue streams, strategic planning and preparation before releasing music, crafting a robust marketing plan and setting up a strong back-end infrastructure to maximize revenue, how to build brand awareness and sell an unforgettable experience, engage with your audience through entertaining visual content, leverage user-generated conte...

Are you tired of spending time and energy trying to get on Spotify's editorial playlists, only to find out they're filled with bots? It's time to rethink your strategy and focus on what really works. The best way to reach a massive audience is through targeted paid advertising, not outdated playlist pitching. Use your smartphone to create engaging, cost-free music videos and connect wi...

In this episode, we break down a video by  @wordplaytjay  called 'Why the Music Business is Closed for Independent Artists.' In the video we go over: virality and how it can lead to success in the music industry, being prepared to capitalize on virality by having their music available on streaming platforms and having a strong marketing strategy in place, sustaining success and creating co...

Apple Music and Youtube Music Pay Almost 3 Times What Spotify Does. Apple Music pays one penny per stream and has 92 million paid subscribers. It is growing rapidly and is expected to continue growing, especially with the increasing number of people using Apple products. Streaming revenue is an important source of income for artists, and Apple Music offers a higher payout compared to Spotify. Arti...

In this episode, we talk about: The concept of creating an 'adult hip hop' category to bridge the generational divide in rap music. How this could benefit both older and younger artists by allowing them to cater to their respective audiences, and the ongoing debate between traditional and modern HipHop styles. The challenges older artists face in staying relevant, the impact of dance trend...

Capturing and holding audience attention as an artist is the most important thing. If people don't know who you are then they can't support you. Having a website is crucial for building a fan base and monetizing your art, and getting people to your site from streaming platforms is so simple, most overlook it. Learn how simple it can be to take people from streaming to your site in this vid...

In this episode, we talk about: How to learn the importance of consistent releases, targeted content creation, and savvy marketing strategies. The benefits of diversifying your streaming presence beyond Spotify to platforms like YouTube Music and TikTok. Practical tips for DIY music videos and artwork with free tools like CapCut and Canva. How to build a solid fan base and elevate your music caree...

Many artists dream of getting signed to a record label, but the harsh reality is: signing doesn't guarantee success and can lead to being shelved in a bad contract. Building a strong personal brand as an independent artist and mastering the business side of music are essential for long-term success. Social media's power in growing your career is underestimated too much. Before considering...