NHT Blog

Last week I did a consultation with someone who came to me because she wants to start a podcast.  Needless to say, there are lots (and lots) of questions from someone in that position.  Having been podcasting for more than seven years now, I can anticipate just about all of them.

It goes without saying that the pandemic really took its toll on indie recording artists who count on making money playing live shows and selling merch at those performances.  With so much opening back up now, there is a mad scramble to get back on stages as quickly and as often as possible.  After all, the rent is still due.  Your car payment still hasn’t gone away.  The cell phone company didn’t stop sending a monthly bill just because of the Coronavirus.

Two days ago on the official Instagram account for the weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast I put up a post about my four-volume eBook series that provides tips for aspiring entertainers for on and off the stage.  The questions that I put in the description, though, bear repeating here.

Your website can be a terrific marketing tool for your music. Or it can be something that you forget about and only remember to update every half a year or so. Maintaining a website may not be the most enjoyable task in the world, but when done right it can grow your fan/listener base tremendously.

It has come to my attention that there’s a whole generation barely even using email.  There’s probably a debate that consists of them calling me old and me (arguing that and) saying that they’re missing out.  But regardless of your age, if you think you’re missing out on opportunities, it might simply be because (gasp) you did send one email and then gave up, moved on, when you didn’t hear anything back.

I was surprised when speaking to a colleague recently and heard a reaction of unfamiliarity when I used the term “solopreneur” and he later asked me, “What was the word you used again?”

There are probably more people than you realize who are running their own business these days.  Even if they have a full-time job but are also running a side hustle that could almost make an argument for being full-time, the latter is likely their own business too, so to speak.

To many artists and bands, recording in a studio can feel exciting, but at the same time feel nerve-racking. You’re about to record your masterpiece. Exhale.  That’s it, breathe. Here are six tips to help you when going to record there:

Your website is one of your most valuable tools for being found by fans all around the world.  Unlike social media accounts, you own your website and its content.

For those that feel they might not need one, or, don’t prioritize it, here’s why your website is better than only using social media:

Every recording artist has a first time, meaning, their initial visit into a professional recording studio.  It can certainly be overwhelming in more ways than one.  Part of what you’ll need to sort through is who everybody is and what they all do there.

For those that perform music who are fortunate to be getting bookings and stepping back on-stage again, there’s another opportunity not to be overlooked.

After all those months of sitting at home waiting and wondering when the pandemic would end and “settling” for only being able to perform online, you’re starting to put some dates on your calendar.  I know, finally!