IOTM Blog
Posted: Mar 4, 2025
Category: Tips & Tricks
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**Guest post by Melissa Mulligan, Recording Industry Vocal Coach & Music Career Mentor for independent artists.
"When I sat down to make the two videos I'm sharing with you here, I did not intend to publish them. So, you're literally seeing me, in my home studio, helping a friend get ready for his tour. But the 10-minute routine I captured that day has been working so well for so many singers, I keep sharing this with more of the touring artists I coach. Even if we are working together weekly on more long term vocal goals, this routine is consistently upping the level of my vocalists' performances!"
Posted: Feb 11, 2025
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post by Eric Todd, Founder/CEO of iProdigy, a Grammy-winning artist development and funding platform for artists at every career stage.
"With the dominance of streaming platforms like Spotify offering unprecedented competition and dismally low payouts, independent artists are finding it nearly impossible to earn a sustainable living solely from streaming revenue...The reality is that success in the music business no longer revolves around simply getting placed on playlists or racking up streams. Instead, artists must cultivate dedicated fan bases and build direct-to-fan (D2F) communities that they can monetize outside the constraints of digital service providers (DSPs)..."
Posted: Jan 29, 2025
Category: Show Booking
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While we do have community driven sections of the site, specifically the availabilities, the most effective method of using the platform to get shows and tours booked is via direct outreach to the venues, colleges, and festivals in our venues database.
Posted: Dec 10, 2024
Category: Recording
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**Guest post written by Ryan Donaldson of Boombox.io.
"Audio quality is the cornerstone of music production, shaping the way listeners experience music across diverse platforms. Behind every flawless track lies the expertise of mastering engineers and mixing engineers, whose roles are critical in ensuring that music resonates perfectly, whether played on studio monitors or smartphone speakers. This article explores the meticulous steps taken to refine audio and achieve professional-grade sound, highlighting the tools and techniques used to perfect every track."
View Full ArticlePosted: Nov 27, 2024
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post by Kristen Ford, LA based indie rock act with a passion for music business.
"Happy Thanksgiving! A time for awkward chats around the dinner table, carbs with a side of carbs, sweater weather, and Black Friday Sales! This is that unique time of the year when all the retailers, life coaches, and memberships flex their marketing muscles and slash prices. For annual memberships, this can be the BEST time to purchase."
View Full ArticlePosted: May 29, 2024
Category: Show Booking
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There are a couple of reasons why a venue would be classified as "excluded" when using the IOTM QuickPitch to reach out to music venues and colleges/universities: 1. That venue does not use email to book. 2. That venue only or mostly works with local talent. 3. That venue is primarily a rental facility...With that being said though, there can be a lot of valuable options in the excluded list, so do not hesitate to go through it individually once your QuickPitch is approved.
Posted: May 1, 2024
Category: Show Booking
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Following up with music venues that do not respond to booking inquiries is an important part of the booking process. After all, persistence is key to landing the most gigs. Things do get a bit more complicated though when you are talking about sending a second cold pitch to a group of venues included in an Indie on the Move QuickPitch email. The first step is to remove the venues that did respond initially so those conversations can continue individually. Then once the venues list is updated, you can very easily add a relevant follow up message and new pitch name. You'll see we already took care of the proper formatting. This video will show you the rest of the process.
Posted: Apr 23, 2024
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Cássio from CS Discos.
"In this age, making music is not nearly enough, in contrast with earlier times, when making good music until a producer liked it was the most common path. Saturation in the market and the breaking of the barrier to publishing a music catalog created a market in which the majority of content is never seen. With roughly 100,000 tracks being uploaded daily on Spotify, the offer is exponentially higher than the demand..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Mar 19, 2024
Category: Promotion
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**Guest post written by Cyber PR, originally featured on the Cyber PR Blog.
"Here at Cyber PR, musicians frequently call and ask me to write and blast a press release. The strongest reason to write a press release is for a particular event (like a show, a benefit, or a special occasion) OR for a very niche market (a “genre” of music is not a niche but a charity benefit or a tech related news piece like you are featured in a new app is!) I discourage blasting but I do encourage well-researched outreach. Here is how to create a press release in 8 steps." View Full Article
Posted: Feb 21, 2024
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Matt Santry, founder of www.WellPaidMusician.com.
"2024 Tax Tip for Self-Employed Performers: This year (2024), pay all your contractors via one electronic pay method like PayPal or Venmo so that you can reduce or eliminate issuing 1099s next year. This is because of the new 1099-K."
Posted: Feb 7, 2024
Category: Recording
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**Guest post written by Nick Braren, owner and operator of Upaya Sound. This was originally an excerpt from his new book COMPLETE CREATIVE CONTROL – The Art Of Recording Music Unveiled.
"Recording vocals should be a fairly simple undertaking, as we are only using one mic, with one sound source – what can possibly go wrong? The problems arise mostly on the performance side, and as a producer, I see it as my job to provide the setting for the best vocal performance possible."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jan 24, 2024
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by David Andrew Wiebe, founder & CEO at The Music Entrepreneur HQ.
"If you’re having trouble prioritizing music in your life, you’re certainly not alone...there is a way to ensure you prioritize music in your weekly schedule, no matter how busy you think you might be. The question is... Are you willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen? If you want to find out whether you’re going to make the cut, read on..."
Posted: Jan 10, 2024
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Sometimes we feel like we aren’t doing well when in fact we are doing better than ever. There are moments when we achieve something great only to feel like we missed the mark. Why does our success sometimes feel like a failure?"
View Full ArticlePosted: Jan 3, 2024
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Aaron Enneking as featured in the artist growth blog.
"Managing an unsigned artist can be a challenging yet immensely rewarding experience...Without the backing of a record label, you (and your artist) will have to take on multiple roles and responsibilities to ensure their success. However, don’t let that discourage you! As artists like Macklemore and Chance the Rapper have shown, there’s no limit to what an unsigned artist can achieve. In this article, we'll discuss eight tips for how to manage an unsigned artist and help them navigate the music industry." View Full Article
Posted: Nov 29, 2023
Category: Recording
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**Guest post written by Nick Braren, owner and operator of Upaya Sound. This was originally an excerpt from his new book COMPLETE CREATIVE CONTROL – The Art Of Recording Music Unveiled.
"Before you learn the foolproof process of what works, I want to first tell you about what things you should avoid. Knowing the mistakes of music production that others (me included) have made will further streamline your thought processes and stop you from wasting time, energy, money and gear. By knowing what not to do, it will become much clearer what to do instead."
View Full ArticlePosted: Nov 15, 2023
Category: Technology
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**Guest post originally featured in the PlaylistSupply Blog.
"In today’s digital age, technology continues to revolutionize the way we approach various industries, including music marketing. One of the most exciting advancements in this realm is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into music promotion strategies. When it comes to playlist marketing, AI can be a game-changer, providing valuable insights and automating certain tasks to maximize your outreach and increase reception. In this article, we’ll explore the powerful combination of PlaylistSupply and ChatGPT, two AI-driven tools that can supercharge your music marketing efforts."
View Full ArticlePosted: Oct 18, 2023
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by David Andrew Wiebe for Bandzoogle.com.
"One of the reasons musicians end up choosing to become artists and joining bands in the first place is because they love live performance and simply can’t get enough of the adrenaline and dopamine cocktail. That is, of course, until they’ve been rejected by 10 venues in a row and grow tired of trying to grind it out. It’s usually at this point that the bassist chimes in with – “I know! We should find a booking agent!” But is now the right time for a booking agent? And, if it is, how do you get one?"
View Full ArticlePosted: Sep 12, 2023
Category: Marketing
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**Guest post originally featured in CS Discos' e-book Cover Your Way Up, a guide to leveraging music covers on YouTube.
"Understanding YouTube’s algorithm can be your ticket to shining amidst so many creators. With millions of videos uploaded daily, the algorithm’s effort is directed towards tailoring content to viewers’ preferences, ensuring they get a satisfying experience. As artists, understanding this system can amplify your online presence."
View Full ArticlePosted: Aug 30, 2023
Category: Marketing
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**Guest post originally featured in the Symphonic Distribution Blog.
"Publicity is arguably the most misunderstood of all the marketing efforts recording artists go through. Many creators, from musicians and influencers to songwriters and producers, have wild visions of what publicity is and how it functions to support and enhance the trajectory of their career. Typically, these visions aren’t accurate. To clarify this process, here’s a rundown of everything you need to know..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Aug 2, 2023
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Katherine Dvoskin, Co-Founder & Piano Teacher for K&M Music School, San Diego.
"In the enthralling journey of morphing from a classroom maestro to a virtuoso on the concert stage, there's a symphony of skills that every musician ought to master. These skills are the crescendo to your performance, and like the meticulous tuning of an instrument, they prime you for the ebbs and flows of a life spent on the road. In this post, we will explore three key skills that music education helps cultivate: stage presence, repertoire selection, and audience engagement." View Full Article
Posted: Jul 18, 2023
Category: Technology
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**Guest post written by Leonard Patterson of Artist Collective AKA @ac_leonardp.
"...the truth is, we have control of how and when A.I. impacts our jobs if we lean into it and don’t ignore it thinking “this too shall pass...” That’s why I wanted to gather a list of A.I. tools that you can use to enhance your instruction, courses, and lessons...My hope is that at least one of these tools inspires you or better yet helps you continue sharing your gifts and passions with others."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jul 5, 2023
Category: Career Goals
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**Guest post written by Katherine Dvoskin, Co-Founder & Piano Teacher for K&M Music School, San Diego.
"Music education plays a crucial role in building a solid foundation for aspiring musicians. It goes far beyond simply learning how to play an instrument or sing; it encompasses a range of skills and experiences that prepare individuals for a successful career in the music industry. In this section, we will explore three key areas where music education helps in building that strong foundation: deepening appreciation and knowledge of music, developing work ethic and discipline, and enhancing coordination and multitasking skills." View Full Article
Posted: Jun 13, 2023
Category: Tips & Tricks
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**Guest post by Fang from Lords of the Trident, the most METAL band on earth!
"We sit down with Martin Atkins - the godfather of the DIY band business, and inspiration for this whole video series - to talk about the current state of the music business, and how to make your band stand out!"
View Full ArticlePosted: Jun 6, 2023
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Logan Crowell, Founder & President of HOME, Helping Our Music Evolve.
"Whatever the case, if you are starting a community, and especially if you are planning your own music industry support hub, you will benefit from the tips I have shared in this post. By implementing effective community building strategies, support hubs like HOME - Helping Our Music Evolve create an environment that encourages collaboration and engagement among their members."
View Full ArticlePosted: May 31, 2023
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post by Musician Indie Coalition, Business-Based Artist Development Experts who help DIY Musicians develop, launch and scale their music careers.
"If your goal was to become a doctor, a teacher or even an athlete, there are clear paths and guidelines for pursuing those professions that you would be required to follow....In contrast, if you’re pursuing a music career, this dynamic doesn’t exist...Even if your goal is to sign a record deal, you need to first build a successful business around your music, because labels are looking for proven acts that they can exploit and not acts they need to develop...This is why you should seek guidance from someone that can explain the overall process for building a music career, as well as someone that can help you overcome the challenges and obstacles you’ll encounter as you progress through your career. This brings us to our main topic: 5 Reasons You Should have a Mentor..."