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The Secret Weapon for Sync Success? It’s Not a Plugin—It’s DISCO

Posted: May 6, 2025

Category: The Musician Business

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**Guest post written by Xander Rushie of School of Sync.

 

DISCO SoS


"If you're an indie artist writing, recording, or producing your own music and you’re even thinking about getting into sync licensing, there’s one tool you need to know about: DISCO...[It] is the professional standard for sharing music with music supervisors, ad agencies, and sync reps. If you’re still using Dropbox or SoundCloud to send your tracks, it might be time to level up...Unlike Google Drive or WeTransfer, DISCO was built by music supervisors for music supervisors to solve common challenges in the music industry and simplify the process of sharing and managing files. It loads quickly, preserves your metadata, and presents your music in a polished, professional way."

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How to Follow Up w/ Venues Included in an IOTM QuickPitch Email [Updated]

Posted: Apr 29, 2025

Category: Show Booking

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How to follow up QuickPitches - Updated


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.

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Why Getting Paid Should Be the Easiest Part of Being an Artist

Posted: Apr 23, 2025

Category: Technology

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**Guest post written by TrueFans Connect, a mobile and venue-based donation tool.

 

TrueFans Connect - Fox & Bones
"Let’s be real—when you’re busy creating, hustling gigs, and connecting with fans, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your money will show up. But here’s the thing: if your payment system isn’t smooth, you’re leaving cash on the table and adding unnecessary stress to your already-packed schedule." View Full Article

Additional Tips for Success From SubmitHub

Posted: Apr 15, 2025

Category: Promotion

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**Guest post written by Tilly Simon of SubmitHub, a great tool for gaining more coverage for your music.

 

Other Artists SubmitHub


"The core of SubmitHub is submitting your music directly to curators. Here are some additional tips to help you get the most out of your submissions and increase your chances of success..."

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Musician’s Guide to LinkedIn

Posted: Apr 8, 2025

Category: Promotion

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**Guest post written by Cyber PR, originally featured on the Cyber PR Blog.

 

Musicians Guide to LinkedIn - Cyber PR
"If you read my blog regularly, you know I have been focusing a lot lately on Micro-Networking and my theory that execution is critical if you want to cause a tangible shift in your career as an artist. This leads me to a social site you may not have considered for your music career: LinkedIn. You probably already use it for your day job, freelance work, or other non-music activities. LinkedIn is a gold mine when it comes to networking, especially within industries. But if you’re new to LinkedIn, how can you set yourself up and optimize for networking there?" View Full Article

How to meet amazing people in the music business

Posted: Apr 2, 2025

Category: The Musician Business

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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.

 

how to meet amazing ppl


"One of the biggest things you can do for your music career is to make new connections. Do you ever wonder how those other bands are getting all the best shows? Well, they probably know somebody to get those awesome gigs. You might think it is impossible to meet amazing people in the music business, but it isn’t that hard actually. Let’s dive into how you can start making great new music industry contacts."

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How to find support acts in cities which artists are unfamiliar [Updated]

Posted: Mar 25, 2025

Category: Show Booking

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How to Find Support Slots 2025


1. Ask the talent buyers for recommendations. 2. Ask local people that you know. 3. Check out the venues' websites. 4. Post a show availability on IOTM. 5. Use YouTube. 6. Search for acts via the IOTM members directory.

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6 design tips for your band website

Posted: Mar 18, 2025

Category: Online Presence

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**Guest post written by Melanie Kealey for Bandzoogle.com.

 

6 Design Tips - BZ


"As a musician you need a beautiful online presence to set yourself apart from the crowd...Updating your band website’s design, much like releasing new music, can revitalize your story and not only make your content feel fresh. It will give you something to work on and promote to your fans, keeping your music top of mind. So if you haven't thought about your website design in some time, these tips will help kickstart your creativity. Time to get updating — let’s take a look!"

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Musicians! We have Congressional support to make a Living Wage

Posted: Mar 11, 2025

Category: The Musician Business

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**Guest post by WordPlay T. Jay, hip-hop artist and producer based in Tacoma, WA.

 

WordPlay T. Jay


"Since the advent of music streaming, our careers have not been the same...Streaming services partnered with the major labels to carve out exclusive rates in exchange for vast catalogs of music and market share...It’s discouraging and that diversity is under threat. Fans want to see artists thrive and musicians are struggling to earn a living. Fortunately, you can do something to help musicians earn a living wage."

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My Ultimate 10-Minute Vocal Warm-Ups for Touring Artists

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.

 

Melissa Mulligan - Touring Vox Plan


"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!"

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The differences between Indie on the Move subscriptions and how to use those features [Updated]

Posted: Feb 26, 2025

Category: Show Booking

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Diff bw Prem and Deluxe - IOTM - 2


Indie on the Move offers a couple of different account/subscription levels: free, premium, and deluxe. While you can find a point by point breakdown of those features on the site's pricing page, this video shows you how those features can be put to use as it relates to your show/tour booking through the platform.

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Records for All

Posted: Feb 19, 2025

Category: Merch

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**Guest post by Wes Wolfe of Tangible Formats - Custom Vinyl Records For All.

 

Records for All - Tangible Formats


"For many independent artists, releasing vinyl isn’t a viable option. It’s impractical—the process is expensive and complex. The final product is heavy, inconvenient to transport, and takes up valuable space...Fortunately, we’re in a time when pressing plant capacity finally exceeds demand. Independent artists now have more options and leverage than they did just a few years ago...Releasing your music on vinyl is now more accessible for artists at any stage of their career."

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Why Artist Development Is All That Matters in 2025

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.

 

Artist Dev in 2025 - iProdigy


"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)..."

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Chartmetric Year in Music 2024 [Spotify]

Posted: Feb 4, 2025

Category: Music Streaming

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**Guest post from Chartmetric as featured in their reports.

 

Spotify Listener Dist 2024 - Chartmetric


"Spotify has become the go-to music streaming platform for listeners across the globe. The artists that Chartmetric track had a combined total of 61.4 billion listeners and 23.4 billion followers...Of the 11 million Spotify profiles tracked on Chartmetric, only 1.58 million (14%) have more than 10 listeners from month to month - emphasizing just how much the platform is utilized by undiscovered artists."

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The best way to get shows and tours booked with Indie on the Move [Updated]

Posted: Jan 29, 2025

Category: Show Booking

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Best way to get shows/tours booked IOTM 2025


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.

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Understanding Spotify Stats: Your Guide to Artist Analytics

Posted: Jan 22, 2025

Category: The Musician Business

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**Summarized from a guest post by One Submit, music promotion for independent artists.

 

Understanding Spotify Stats - OneSubmit


"Are you curious about your music's performance on Spotify? Whether you're a new artist just starting out or an experienced artist looking to monitor streaming stats and grow your online presence, Spotify provides features to help you explore your music's performance and presence across different platforms."

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9 TIPS ON HOW TO RELEASE A COVER SONG LEGALLY

Posted: Jan 14, 2025

Category: Licensing

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**Guest post written by Sync Songwriter. Their mission is to not only help independent artists and songwriters learn and understand the sync licensing world but to also help them build relationships with music supervisors.

 

Release Cover Song Legally - Sync Songwriter


"Although there are plenty of benefits to recording and releasing a cover song (especially for sync licensing), many artists never do. This is usually due to the concern regarding the legalities of releasing a cover of another person’s composition. However, covering a song legally is not as daunting as one might think. If done properly and ethically, the rewards of such a release can really benefit an artist’s career."

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5 tips to get the most out of your artist website

Posted: Jan 8, 2025

Category: Online Presence

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**Guest post written by Joseph Longo for Bandzoogle.com.

 

Get Most Out Of Website - BZ


"Your website is one of the most powerful tools in your artist toolbox. It’s your home base online, where fans can connect with you directly and discover everything they need to know about your music. To make your site work harder for you, here are five essential tips to help you maximize its potential..."

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Is Social Media Failing Your Music Promotion?

Posted: Jan 2, 2025

Category: Social Media

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**Guest post written by Cyber PR, originally featured on the Cyber PR Blog.

 

Social Media Failing - Cyber PR
"I’ve been thinking a lot about social media music promotion...when I start to reflect and take stock of the year we’ve had. This one has been complicated, to say the least. I’ve lost a lot of sleep thinking about the massive shifts in music marketing...Creatives have felt these impacts profoundly. We watched in awe as Taylor Swift changed the GNP in every city she stormed through while many of us scratched our heads, wondering how to build our own audiences in this evolving environment. Social media has transformed, and its implications for music promotion must be unpacked." View Full Article

How To Survive the Winter Slowdown of the Music Industry [2024]

Posted: Dec 18, 2024

Category: Tips & Tricks

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**Guest post originally featured in the Symphonic Distribution Blog.

 

Slow Down Symph Dist


"Every year from about mid-December onward, the music industry becomes a ghost town. People start going on vacation and taking time off, major label artist releases slow down big time, and for indie artists, it’s no man’s land. And while that coupled with the frigid temperatures might be enough to have you hunkering down and never leaving the safety of your home for the next few months, this time of year is actually incredibly powerful for setting yourself up for success. Here’s everything you need to know..."

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How the Pros Perfect the Sound: An Inside Look at Audio Refinement

Posted: Dec 10, 2024

Category: Recording

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**Guest post written by Ryan Donaldson of Boombox.io.

 

Audio Refinement - 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."

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10 Essential Tips for Sync Writing: Crafting Songs That Stand Out on Screen

Posted: Dec 3, 2024

Category: The Musician Business

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**Guest post written by Xander Rushie of School of Sync.

 

Sync Writing - Xander Rushie


"1. The Best Song Wins 2. Don’t write in the first person 3. Don’t Bore Us - Get To The Chorus! 4. Treat Each Section As a New Scene 5. Don’t Be Explicit..."

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Black Friday

Posted: 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.

 

Kristen Ford 2024


"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."

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How to Rate and Review Venues on Indie on the Move

Posted: Nov 26, 2024

Category: Indie on the Move

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How to Rate and Review Venues on IOTM


Like a lot of other platforms, IOTM has ratings and reviews built into the site so that the community can benefit from other peoples' experiences. How can you contribute back to the site in the same fashion?

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How to steal new fans from other bands

Posted: Nov 19, 2024

Category: Fans

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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.

 

Steal Fans - Legit Mus


"Have you ever felt like you wanted to find a way to steal all the fans of that band that is doing better than you? Well, you can. The best part is that you aren’t really stealing them and you won’t get arrested. Find out which bands are similar to you. Their fans can be your fans. If they like that other band then why can’t they be your fan as well?"

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