Music Makin Cents Podcast

Are you an independent artist still letting your music sit on a useless YouTube "Topic Channel"? In this video, I break down exactly how to merge your LANDR distribution with your main YouTube channel to unlock your Official Artist Channel (OAC) in under three minutes. Even uploading music to distribution is harder than connecting your OAC, yet so many DIY musicians miss out on this simple step. Without an Official Artist Channel, you lose out on essential cosmetic branding (like custom channel banners and the verified music note badge), you can't post Shorts with your music, and your comments section is completely disabled by default! I walk you step-by-step through the LANDR dashboard and highlight the #1 crucial requirement that LANDR actually tells you about upfront—unlike DistroKid or TuneCore, who completely hide it on their checklists. Plus, I share why I personally stick with LANDR after trying DistroKid, Empire, and Sony Orchard, and how genuine comment interactions trigger the YouTube algorithm to push your music to new fans. Learn how to take control of your music distribution, clean up your YouTube presence, and turn casual listeners into superfans.🔗 Resources & LinksMy Official Website: mmcpod.comGet 20% Off LANDR Distribution: https://glnk.io/5wllp/music-makin-cents7eq Create Viral Shorts with OpusClip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=18aa66Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase a package at no additional cost to you. I only recommend tools I personally use and trust to grow my own music career!Connect With Me (Free Marketing Questions)Have custom questions about your independent music marketing strategy? Drop a comment below, or reach out directly—I offer personalized advice completely free with no catches! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicmakincentspod/Email: [email protected] Moments (Timestamps)00:00 - Stop Letting Topic Channels Waste Your Music's Potential 00:37 - Welcome to the Music Makin Cents Podcast 00:59 - What is a YouTube Topic Channel & Why Do They Exist? 02:09 - The Major Limitations of Topic Channels (No Shorts or Customization) 03:03 - Building Credibility with Custom Branding & Music Badges 03:21 - Activating the YouTube Algorithm with Shorts and Music Videos 04:22 - Why the Comments Section is Essential for Audience Reach & Superfans 05:40 - Step-by-Step: How to Connect LANDR to Your Official Artist Channel 06:36 - The #1 Name Requirement LANDR Includes That Others Ignore 07:44 - Why I Use LANDR (Compared to DistroKid, Empire, & Sony Orchard) 08:31 - Real Customer Service vs Being Left to Fail 09:23 - Get 20% Off LANDR (Or Share It With Another Independent Artist) 10:00 - Get Free One-on-One Music Marketing Strategy Advice

Independent artists, STOP wasting your time on strategies that are holding you back! Most musicians struggle to grow because they focus on the WRONG things—and it’s keeping them broke, frustrated, and invisible. In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, Harkos exposes the 3 biggest mistakes killing your career and shows you how to actually build an engaged fanbase in 2025.🔹 Why perfectionism is ruining your progress🔹 The biggest trap artists fall into when trying to grow🔹 Why outdated marketing strategies DON’T work anymore🔹 The RIGHT way to promote your music (without getting scammed)🔹 How to build a REAL audience and turn them into super fansToo many great artists give up too soon because they don’t see results. Don’t be one of them! Watch this episode and learn how to stop struggling and start growing today!💡 Need a REAL strategy for your music career?🔗 Book a FREE call with Harkos: MusicMakinCentsPod.com/freecall🎬 Watch next:https://youtu.be/s8QtYd7rh8w🔔 Subscribe & turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes on music marketing, branding, and independent artist success.Key Moments:01:22 - Why Most Artists Get Jaded & Quit – The #1 reason musicians give up too soon.05:20 - 3 Major Mistakes That Destroy Music Careers – What NOT to do if you want to grow.06:54 - Why Perfectionism is Holding You Back – Stop overthinking and start releasing music!10:46 - The Truth About Music Promotion – Why spending all your money on recording is a mistake.14:16 - The "Easy Route" Trap – Why quick-fix marketing strategies will NEVER work.19:08 - Why Outdated Tactics Are Ruining Your Growth – The real reason you’re not getting fans.24:30 - The Right Way to Release Music in 2025 – How to keep fans engaged year-round.34:27 - How to Actually Build a Fanbase (Step-by-Step) – What serious artists must do to succeed.40:41 - Free Strategy Call with Harkos – Get a custom plan to grow your career today.

🚨 STOP Wasting Money on Spotify Promotion! 🚨 In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, host Harkos exposes the biggest lies independent artists believe about Spotify and why it's sabotaging your music career. If you're serious about growing real fans and making money from your music, you NEED to hear this. 💡 What You’ll Learn: Why Spotify is NOT the best platform for artists (and what to focus on instead). How YouTube pays 3x more per stream than Spotify (and is safer from fake streams). The playlist scam tricking indie artists into wasting money. Why running ads on YouTube + Google ads is the BEST music promotion strategy. The #1 mistake independent artists make that keeps them from growing. 🌟 Key Takeaways:1️⃣ Stop chasing empty Spotify streams—they don’t build real fans!2️⃣ Use YouTube & YouTube Music to maximize earnings and visibility.3️⃣ Create entertaining, engaging videos (not static images) to grow your audience.4️⃣ Run smart ad campaigns on Google & YouTube for REAL results.5️⃣ Want a free strategy session? Scroll down and book a call with Harkos NOW! 📣 Work With Harkos:💰 Want real growth? Book a FREE 1-on-1 call with Harkos and get a custom strategy: musicmakincentspod.com/freecall🎓 Take the Music Business System Course to build a fanbase that actually PAYS YOU: musicmakincentspod.com/fangrowth ✅ Subscribe for weekly episodes and drop your questions below—Harkos responds to EVERY comment! Timestamps 1:40 – "The truth about Spotify: Why it’s NOT the best platform for artists" 2:52 – "Spotify pays WAY LESS than YouTube—here’s the proof" 4:12 – "The playlist scam that’s costing you money (and how to avoid it)" 6:39 – "Why YouTube & Google Ads CRUSH Spotify for music promotion" 9:08 – "How to use video content to build real fans (NOT just followers)" 13:56 – "Why TikTok changed the music industry forever" 17:52 – "The ad strategy every independent artist should use" 25:26 – "YouTube monetization & royalties: How artists can actually get paid" 31:04 – "How to book a FREE 1-on-1 strategy call with Harkos"

Are you hustling backwards as an independent artist? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, hosted by Harkos, he uncovers why spending $700+ on music video production without a solid marketing plan is sabotaging your career. Learn how to flip the script and grow your fan base while saving money! What You’ll Discover: Why blowing your budget on “industry-quality” music videos doesn’t guarantee success. The simple formula: Keep production costs low and redirect funds into strategic advertising campaigns. Game-changing DIY tips to create quality videos for less than $300. How to use YouTube, Google, and social media ads to exponentially grow your audience. Why video content is the currency of the modern music industry and how to maximize its potential. Proven Strategies for Independent Artists: Leveraging low-budget video production for massive ROI. Building an authentic fan base with lifestyle-focused content. Monetizing your music through streaming, merchandise, and insider programs. Avoiding common traps like spammy DMs and overpriced productions. Work With Harkos: Full Marketing Strategy + Ads: Get expert help managing ads and creating a growth plan for just $100/month (plus your ad budget). DIY Coaching: Learn to run your own campaigns in 2-3 sessions for $300. Stop wasting money and start seeing results! Book a FREE call with Harkos to discuss your strategy: [email protected] Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly tips on growing your music career. Questions? Drop them below—Harkos replies to every comment! Key Moments: 0:22 – "The $700 mistake independent artists keep making" 2:00 – "Why you shouldn’t spend big on music videos without a fan base" 5:39 – "Keep music video costs under $300—here’s how" 9:15 – "DIY options: Tools and tactics for affordable video creation" 13:43 – "How to leverage Fiverr for pro-quality editing on a budget" 16:32 – "The power of ads: Reaching fans for pennies per view" 18:40 – "YouTube and Google ad strategies to grow streams and subscribers" 24:02 – "Lifestyle content: Connect with fans beyond the music" 30:00 – "How to monetize and scale your career with smart investments" #MusicMakinCentsPodcast #IndependentArtistTips #MusicVideoMarketing #DIYMusicVideos #FanBaseGrowth

Are you sabotaging your music career with fake features, fake streams, or fake social media followers? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, Harkos exposes the biggest mistakes holding indie artists back and shares a proven three-step strategy to build real success in the music industry. Discover why fake strategies not only fail to create growth but can also destroy your credibility, making it impossible to gain genuine fans. Harkos explains how to stop faking it and start building a loyal fan base through consistent, engaging content, strategic ads, and a fully functioning music business system that works for you. Episode on Fake Features: https://youtu.be/ClCrpb22-kI Free Merch Store Tutorial: https://apexmusicsystem.systeme.io/c1fbd4df In this episode, you’ll learn: Why fake features, streams, and followers harm your career. How to create entertaining and engaging content that builds your brand. The power of using strategic ads to grow your reach and gain real fans. Why a music business system is critical for turning listeners into superfans. A step-by-step guide to setting up your music business system for as little as $25 a year. Key Moments: 00:01 - What are the biggest mistakes indie artists make in their music careers? 06:30 - Why are fake features more harmful than helpful? 11:45 - How do fake streams damage your credibility on Spotify? 17:20 - What are "stream teams," and why should you avoid them? 24:00 - How does fake engagement hurt your social media growth? 28:35 - What’s the three-step formula for building real success in the music industry? 36:15 - How can you create a music business system for just $25 a year? 45:10 - Why does consistency matter more than perfection in content creation? Start Building Real Success Today! Don’t let fake strategies ruin your music career. Learn how to set up your own music business system with the All-in-One Music Business System Course! Watch a free preview on how to build your merch store at Apex Music System—no credit card or email required. https://apexmusicsystem.systeme.io/c1fbd4df #MusicMarketing #IndieArtistSuccess #GrowYourFanbase #StopFakeStreams #MusicBusinessSystem #ApexMusicSystem #IndependentArtists #DIYMusician #RealMusicFans #EngagingContent #SpotifyStreams #SocialMediaForMusicians #FakeFollowers #ArtistGrowth #MusicPromoTips #ContentCreation #IndieArtistLife #MusicBranding #BuildingSuperfans #MusicBusinessTips #StopFakingIt #CreateConsistentContent #RealStreams #RealFans #StrategicAds #IndependentMusicCareer #MusicMarketingStrategies #FanEngagement #MusicMakinCentsPodcast

What’s your streaming wrap-up post really doing for your career? In this episode, Harkos dives into the trend of artists sharing their yearly streaming numbers and why it’s a marketing misstep in today’s digital age. He breaks down the psychology behind social proof, explains why streaming platforms and social media are promotional—not sales—tools, and delivers a roadmap for building a true fanbase. Spoiler: It all starts with ditching vanity metrics and focusing on direct email communication, authentic branding, and a solid website strategy. From understanding algorithms to crafting an affordable website for just $25 a year, Harkos unpacks how independent artists can stop spinning their wheels and start making real connections that lead to sales, superfans, and sustainable income. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take control of your career, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you succeed as a DIY artist. Watch a Free Module From The Course: https://apexmusicsystem.systeme.io/c1fbd4df ResourcesConnect with Harkos: Website: www.musicmakincentspod.com Submit music for WTF Wednesday reviews: www.musicmakincentspod.com Affordable website course: www.apexmusicsystem.com In this episode, you’ll learn: Why posting your streaming numbers won’t attract new fans—and what to do instead. The importance of email communication and how to turn casual listeners into superfans. How to create a website for just $25/year and leverage it for direct sales and fan engagement. Why algorithms reward authentic content and how to use them to your advantage. A practical guide to using ads and micro-content for organic growth and algorithm activation. Key Questions / Moments:00:00 – Why is sharing your year-end streaming numbers a mistake?01:09 – What does “social proof” mean, and why doesn’t it work anymore?03:08 – Why is social media for strangers and email for fans?05:13 – How do social media algorithms actually work?09:15 – What’s the difference between marketing and sales platforms?13:48 – What’s the ultimate goal of a strong artist marketing strategy?20:04 – Why do bots, stream teams, and fake playlists backfire?27:11 – How can giving away free downloads boost your email list?33:12 – How can you set up a fully functioning website for $25/year? #IndieArtistTips #MusicMarketing #FanBuilding #StreamingTips #MusicBusiness101 #DIYMusician #IndependentArtist #EmailMarketingForArtists #SocialMediaStrategy #MusicPromotion2024 #SpotifyTips #AppleMusicPromotion #AffordableWebsites #BuildYourFanbase #RealFansRealIncome #MusicAlgorithms #StopFakeStreams #MusicBranding #SocialProofMyth #FanEngagement #IndieMusicPromotion #ArtistSuccess #StreamingStrategy #MakeMoneyWithMusic #MusicEntrepreneurship #MusicMarketingStrategies #SuperFans #WebsiteForArtists #EmailMarketingTips #FanJourney #StopPostingNumbers #RealConnections #MusicLifeHacks #MusicianAdvice #GrowYourMusic #DigitalMusicMarketing #RealArtistGrowth #StreamingRoyalties #AuthenticMusicPromotion #CreativeMarketingForMusicians #HowToDIYMusic

Are Black Friday sales really worth it for indie artists? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, Harkos tackles the popular holiday sales season, revealing why typical sales tactics might not be right for musicians. While other marketers suggest running discounts to boost sales, Harkos shares a smarter approach—one that doesn’t rely on fans buying music directly, but instead helps build a loyal fan base primed for future engagement. Harkos breaks down his three-step holiday strategy for independent artists, focusing on effective ways to draw in new listeners, convert them to loyal fans, and maximize holiday sales without getting lost in the seasonal noise. Discover how to engage potential fans on social media, utilize email lists for true connection, and strategically plan sales that resonate with your most dedicated listeners. Previous Episodes Mentioned: https://youtu.be/M6hrPtVI_PY Resources: Connect with Harkos: www.apexmusicsystem.com In this episode, you will learn: Why traditional Black Friday sales might not be effective for musicians and how to build holiday sales around true fans. How social media engagement can bring in new listeners and lead them to your inner circle. The importance of email marketing to foster a deeper connection and increase sales potential. Ways to turn casual listeners into superfans who support your music long-term. A unique three-step holiday sales strategy that includes free music downloads and merchandise deals for loyal fans. Key Moments: 00:01 - Why don’t Black Friday sales work for selling music? 01:10 - How can indie artists stand out during holiday sales? 05:25 - What’s the role of email marketing for musicians? 10:16 - How do you convert strangers into superfans through content? 15:32 - Why is giving away free downloads valuable for fan engagement? 21:50 - What should you avoid when promoting on social media? 25:15 - How can email strategy improve your holiday sales? 31:00 - When should you introduce exclusive holiday merchandise? #IndieArtistMarketing #MusicMarketing #IndependentMusician #FanEngagement #HolidaySales #BlackFridayForArtists #MusicPromotion #BuildYourBrand #ApexMusicSystem #GrowYourFanbase #EmailMarketingForMusicians #HolidayMerchandise #ConvertListenersToFans #StreamingStrategy #YouTubeForMusicians #MarketingTips #SpotifyPromotion #ArtistMerchandise #MusicBranding #FanGrowth #EngagementStrategy #DIYMusician #ArtistMarketingTips #SocialMediaForMusicians #MarketingForIndieArtists #MusicBusiness #IncreaseMusicSales #DigitalMarketing #EmailStrategy #BuildingLoyalFans #MusicIndustryInsights #SmartHolidaySales #MaximizeMusicSales #BoostYourBrand #FanConnection #HolidaySalesTips #MusicPromotionTips #MusicMarketingPlan #GrowAsAMusician