What's Important to You?
The First Step to Setting Up a DIY Music Business
Our goal here at When Songs Mean Business is to remove financial roadblocks so musicians are free to create.
But what does that really mean?
Stress about money is something many people feel. 72% of all Americans are regularly stressed about their finances, which causes depression, inhibits creativity, stifles growth, decreases the quality of the music being put out.
How can you concentrate on creating a masterpiece when you're worried that you can't pay your bills?
My job as a DIY music business manager is not to fix your finances for you, but rather to teach you how to do it on your own.
See, the music business has a problem when it comes to money management.
For decades, music business instructors have glossed over basic finance and accounting, encouraging people to hire out this role. But, most big-time business managers won't work with you until you're making somewhere around $250,000 a year, and even then, you’re “in development.”
Many CPAs and traditional accountants don't understand the music business and charge hundreds by the hour.
What's a DIY musician to do?
How can this industry grow if it's full of people who don't understand finance?
Luckily, I have created a solution to this monetary tragedy
The process I teach here at When Songs Mean Business merges together several reputable business development and strategy guides, combined with my own music business experience, and the advice from dozens of my colleagues and friends.
When you follow the process, establish the structure, and put the music first, the rest becomes easy.
Marketing falls into place.
The struggle stops being "how do I convince people to care?" and becomes "how do I continue to communicate with these people in a consistent and authentic way?"
There is magic in this.
The process begins with establishing your core values.
This lesson will guide you through the process of determining what's important to you.
It creates a filter for your gigs, your teammates, and your business partners.
It makes it easier for you to say yes to gigs you want, and no to things you're over.
If you've been struggling to release an album, establish your core values.
If you're unsure what kind of venues you want to play, start with your core values.
If you can't decide between hiring management and PR, why not see if your core values help make it clearer?
At the end of this course, you'll have a clear and honest picture of what's important to you.
Ready to get started?
Your Instructor
Hi! I’m Steph. I’m a little silly, ridiculously optimistic, enthusiastic, and ambitious. I’m obsessed with music, and I believe that those who can create music are among the most important - and fun! - people on Earth.
My favorite place to be is an outdoor music festival, dancing barefoot in the grass to anything from bluegrass to techno.
I love talking about the different qualities of various instruments, what makes an amazing stage production, and how to capture - and keep! - an audience’s attention.
I live for the moments when music creates communities, inspires change in the world, and motivates people to be better versions of themselves.
It’s my mission to remove financial roadblocks, so musicians are free to create.