Your Spotify artist profile isn’t just a placeholder—it’s your storefront, your press kit, your digital merch table, and your virtual … Continue reading
What kind of songs don’t qualify for YouTube Content ID?
Some audio is not eligible for monetization via Content ID on YouTube. What is Content ID? In short: Content ID — as it pertains to most musicians and labels — … Continue reading
How old do you have to be to copyright your music?
The age limit for copyright. Is there an age requirement to copyright something in the USA? No, there is no age requirement. But, there is a classic American Dilemma here: … Continue reading
Promoting your newest music with a series of YouTube videos
How Eleanor Dubinsky spans genres, crosses borders, and communicates it all through video(s). Eleanor Dubinsky didn’t start creating her new album Soft Spot of My Heart with a particular genre … Continue reading
Taxes for USA-based musicians: how to file, when to claim income, and what expenses to deduct
Tax advice for DIY musicians. [Disclaimer: This advice does NOT substitute for consulting with a tax professional, and you are always under obligation to comply with IRS guidelines. For additional … Continue reading
How to make $100,000 playing your own songs on Facebook Live
Making a living as a musician on Facebook Live. Country singer-songwriter Dawn Beyer earned over $100,000 in 2017 by playing her original music on Facebook Live — with nothing more than … Continue reading
What to do (and NOT do) in your streaming music promotion
How to promote your music on streaming platforms. Many independent artists are making a full-time living off the revenue generated from streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora. Making … Continue reading
20 stories of creative musical independence, Pt. 2: Gospel Lee
“Quality Hip Hop Your Mom Would Be Proud Of.” Gospel Lee is a study in the power of knowing your niche, knowing what to do with it once you figure … Continue reading
Musical teamwork: the pillars of effective collaboration
10 things to remember when you’re working with other musicians. I just got back from Oregon where I played the part of Peter Gabriel in a re-creation of his Secret … Continue reading
How to choose an artist name that’s Google-friendly
Is Your Artist Name Getting Lost On Google? Musicians: Don’t be “UnGooglable!” Is it “unGooglable?” Is it “unGoogle-able?” Whatever, I think you get the point: You need your music, your … Continue reading
The keys to earning money through YouTube’s Partner Program
It’s been a while since YouTube changed its rules for channel monetization. To earn ad revenue through the Partner Program, your channel now needs at least 1000 subscribers and 4000+ … Continue reading