The Music Industry Blueprint Podcast

On today’s episode, Rick debunks the most common social media myth, that being active on social media will take up all of your time. Rick gives you some tips on how and when to schedule your posts so that you won’t be stuck on your socials all day. “Treat your social media like your meal plan. Give them something for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”-Rick Barker   What do you want to hear from the Mu...

Grab and pen and paper! Today Rick shares insider tips on how to interact with fans, face to face. He gives practical information on how to manage the time that you spend with your fans so that things don’t get chaotic. Also, discover some of the best practices for selling your merchandise.   “You never want to be so big that you don’t have time for your fans, they are the only thing that keep you...

Today on The Music Industry Blueprint, Rick sits down with the creator of Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast & Female Musician Academy, Bree Noble. On this episode Bree and Rick discuss why you need to know your purpose as a musician.  Also, tune in to find out how other artists are utilizing Facebook live and Facebook retargeting.   “You need to tailor your music business for what works for you...

Today on The Music Industry Blueprint, Rick continues his discussion on managers. On this episode, he discusses what you can do to make yourself attractive to a manager and the skills that you need to effectively manage yourself. Unlock the secret of how to get managers to approach you.   “Get the ball rolling and managers will find you.”-Rick Barker   What do you want to hear from the Music Indus...

On this episode of The Music Industry Blueprint, Rick is on the road with American Idol winner, Trent Harmon, as his manager. He gives us the inside scoop on what it’s like to be a manager.  Stay tuned to find out if you need a manager or a mentor.   “You can learn the skills that I have if you are willing to put in the work, time and investment and go out and get a mentor.”-Rick Barker   What do...

On this episode of The Music Industry Blueprint, Rick shares insider information on how major record labels operate. He shares the answers to these common questions, “What does it take to get signed by a major label” and “How much engagement does a label want to see before they sign you?”.  Also, stay tuned to find out why it may be in your best interest to not get signed early in your career.   “...

On this episode of The Music Industry Blueprint, Rick sits down with Scotty Huff, a jack of all trades.  Scotty is a fellow podcaster that is a singer, songwriter, record producer and musician. He shares why it is so important to know your personal limitations when it comes to your talents. Also, stay tuned to find out if horns are making a come back in country music.   “Know your strengths but mo...

On this episode of The Music Industry Blueprint, Rick speaks on why he can not make you a star. He also discusses the right attitude you should possess when reaching out to people in the industry. Also, stay tuned to hear how you can get on anybody in the music industries good side.   “Equip yourself with the right tools and knowledge to go out and get your own experiences.”-Rick Barker   What do...

On this episode of The Music Industry Blueprint, Rick discusses a common theme at Music Biz 2018, content -- how it should be made and when to use it. He goes into depth on the importance of native content and the differences between platforms. Also, stay tuned to hear Rick’s sequential marketing strategy for Facebook.   “You need to provide the proper content. It may take longer, but the payoff i...

On this episode of The Music Industry Blueprint, Rick interviews the Twitter expert,  Madalyn Sklar. They go into depth on important features artists should be utilizing on Twitter. Also, stay tuned to hear Madalyn’s expert advice on the best video practices for Twitter.   “Be on there every day to stay visible, consistency is the best thing you can do. ”-Madalyn Sklar   What do you want to hear f...

On this episode of The Music Industry Blueprint, Rick shares his experiences at the Canadian Music Week. He goes into depth on his key takeaways from a session with industry leaders. Also, stay tuned to hear critical press release advice from a well known Variety magazine writer.   “You are not going to take over the whole world if you can’t take over your own town. ”-Rick Barker   What do you wan...

On this episode of The Music Industry Blueprint, Rick sits down with musician, author, and founder of the world's first and only all-Asian American dance-rock band, Simon Tam. They go into depth on what you should be focusing your time on as an “entrepreneurial” artist. Also, stay tuned to hear how Simon’s band won their Supreme Court Case against the US government for their right to be called “Th...

Do you find yourself blaming others because YOU haven’t reached your goals? Then this episode is for you. Rick shares how he came to the realization that he was hindering himself. Once it became clear that HE needed to go out and get the knowledge he was lacking, things began to change. Tune in to hear this inspiring story.   “If you don’t know it, learn it. ” -Rick Barker Subscribe to iTunes or G...

On today’s show Rick is joined by Dave Cool from Bandzoogle. They discuss the importance of artists having their own website. Dave and Rick discuss new features from Bandzoogle as well as the necessities for a user-friendly, functioning website. Tune in to hear more about what features need to be included on your site.“If you have poor quality images on your site, people are going to make a judgme...

Every opportunity or investment may not be right for you. To save yourself time and money you should be analyzing the benefits that it will bring to you. In this episode of the Music Industry Blueprint, Rick discusses how he determines which opportunities and investments are right for him and how you can do the same. “When opportunities come to you, sit down and take a good look at the long-term b...

“Just because you played well on the college level, doesn't mean you are ready for the NBA”.  You have to bring your “A” game to be considered by record labels. There are so many artists out there that the record labels are looking for reasons to turn you down, so don’t give them any. On this episode of the Music Industry Blueprint, Rick tells us exactly why you do not want to get discovered befor...

Have you ever been judged for something before you were given the opportunity to prove yourself? On this podcast, Rick shares his past trials and tribulations when he was Taylor Swift’s manager. He discusses the ridicule he got for approaching things differently. Rick also discusses the recent comments on Bobby Bones as the American Idol mentor. “Too many people have opinions but not many people h...

Did you know that the majority of artists that are signed to labels are in debt? In fact, there are more independent artists making money than there are signed to labels. On this episode of the Music Industry Blueprint, Rick is joined by Greg Wilnau from the Musician Monster’s podcast. Tune in to find out how this independent artist went from working a job he hated to making money off of his music...

“Don’t take things personally!” Sometimes that’s easier said than done. On today’s show, Rick gives us some insight on why we shouldn't take things so personally when it comes to the music industry. He shares some great information on how to get your music solicited, what expos you should be attending and why you should not act “out of character” on social media. If you have been trying to get off...

It was once said that patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success. The same holds true in the music industry. On today's show, Rick talks about the importance of having patience when trying to build your career as an artist. So many people are trying to be discovered today, find out why that may not be such a good idea. “In my opinion, the biggest killer of c...

In this industry, there are two types of people, the starving artist, and the thriving artist. Both are very talented but there is one major difference, their mindset.  Jeff Goins, author of the best selling book, “Real Artists Don't Starve”, joins Rick on this episode of the Music Industry Blueprint. Listen in as Rick and Jeff discuss the mindset you need to make a decent living off of your art....

Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans listening to a podcast in their busy schedules? You’re not the only one that listens to podcasts, Rick is a huge podcast fan as well. Podcasts are super convenient and they’re the best way to gain knowledge on topics that interest you. On this episode of the Music Industry Blueprint, Rick shares his 6 favorite podcasts. These podcasts have shaped and molded Rick...

Has someone you admire in the music industry ever granted you facetime? In this fast-paced industry, it doesn't happen often, so when it does you better not miss out. On today’s show, Rick tells us about a similar incident that happened to him. Listen in as he draws some very relevant advice from the mistakes of others.   “Your sound is not identified by data and analytics. Your sound is identifie...

Rick sits down with Ian Clifford, founder of makeitinmusic.com, to discuss the importance of email marketing. While some think it’s a dead art, Ian and Rick explain why it is a necessity for every “do it yourself” artist. In addition, they give you the rundown on how to build a mailing list and an effective marketing sequence as well. Plus listen in for the exclusive offer only for MIB podcast lis...

It’s Q and A time on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast. Rick is scrolling down Twitter and Instagram and answering your questions. In this episode Rick gives valuable advice for aspiring songwriters that want to get the attention of artists and labels. Also, find out what you could be potentially wasting your time on as an independent artist and where that time would be better spent.   “What I...