— PRO LECTURE
Why You Feel Stuck + What To Do About It.
Looking back on my journey to becoming a full time music producer, here is my best advice on how to get unstuck and start moving toward your music dreams.
My best advice on getting unstuck and turning pro.
In this mini lecture I share the reasons why you might feel stuck in your music career and what to do about it. This is not some kind of theory or speculation.
These lessons come from my personal journey - from being stuck in a corporate career (that was slowly sucking my soul) to becoming a full time producer in the world of music and brands.
Feel free to speed it up - but don’t skip it.
Feeling stuck?
Read on. 👇
Problem 1:
You have no clear path. 🙁
Because you don't have a clear path for turning your musical talent into a career - but you still have to pay your bills (we all do!) -you choose the path that is most clear to you right now: having a dayjob that will pay your bills.
Nothing wrong with this - this is normal and necessary for some time. But some people get sedated by the monthly paycheque and stop striving toward their real calling.
"The most Dangerous things are Heroin and a Monthly Salary—they’re both Highly Addictive."
- Former Monthly Salary Addict
I get that it’s not easy to work a full day at your dayjob and then try to keep your musical dreams alive on nights and weekends.
But understand that this means you will spend most of your best time / energy doing a job you probably don't love -
Leaving what you love most - making music - until the very last.
Tired and uninspired you will chip away at your music dreams for a few hours on nights and maybe weekends.
The main problem with this?
Because you don't have a clear path for what your music career might look like -
The little time you put into music is not DIRECTED TOWARD A DEFINITE DESTINATION.
You dabble with this, you dabble with that....and even though making music gives you joy -you are still left with a feeling that your MUSIC CAREER IS NOT MOVING FORWARD.
And you're probably right. It's probably not....
Not feeling progress, not feeling momentum, you become dispirited, demotivated and resign yourself to the path you already know - sticking with your dayjob.
The Solution:
Define a Definite Destination. 🎯
You need a definite destination.
This definite destination will have specific directions you need to follow to get there.
Leading toward this definite destination will be a clear path that has proven to work for other musicians.
(And we're not talking about still trying to sell your singles for pennies to people who already stream music for free.)
The destination and path we teach is not easy or fast - but it is definite and clear:
We get paid by music production companies who specialize in making music for brands.
Once your destination and path become clear - even if you only have nights and weekend to work on your music career - your work will be focused, it will be deliberate and directed toward a SPECIFIC goal.
So even with little steps - you will be making progress - down a definite path toward a definite destination.
And because you will feel the progress and see the path ahead of you clearly...
It will motivate you to keep moving.
You will no longer feel stuck.
Problem 2:
You stick to what you already know. 🧐
Another problem that might cause you to get stuck is not knowing all the different ways that musicians can make money.
This was my problem, this is why I felt stuck and afraid to seriously pursue music as a way of making a living.
I only knew about licensing my singles to labels, getting paid for remixes....basically trying to sell my music.
I was tired of trying to sell my music. It was sporadic and unreliable.
And I thought that's what I would have to do more of....to make music a full time career.No wonder I felt discouraged and doubtful about my chances.
Little did I know that...
All this time....There was a world (a whole industry!) in which countless musicians were making a living making music for big brands - right from their home studios.
How did I miss this? Why didn't I learn about it sooner?
I don't know....it doesn't matter.
The fact is - when my friend introduced me to the world of music and brands - my prayers were answered.
Here was a new world with new possibilities - that totally caused a mindset shift in my approach to my music career:
Instead of selling my singles for pennies to people - I started selling my musical skills to COMPANIES who could afford to pay my bills.
If I was to do this all over again - I would open my mind to ALL THE DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES OF MAKING MONEY WITH MUSIC.
The Solution:
Open your mind to new possibilities. 🤩
The world is rapidly changing. The old ways don't work - new and different models are emerging for musicians.
Open your mind to new possibilities. Read about the different ways various musicians make their living from music today.
You will be suprised and inspired when you expand your horizons! You will be energized with new ideas!
I personally believe that the world of music and brands is full of opportunities for musicians.
Afterall, brands are the benefactors of commercial artists today - brands spend millions on producing creative multimedia content -
content that needs sound and music! And I don't see this changing anytime soon...
A lot of things might change in our world - but one thing that won't change is brands spending billions to get our attention!
So do what you can to learn about this world and all other exciting ways in which musicians make money today.
Problem 3:
No system, no structure. 🤪
I mentor and work with a lot of talented musicians around the world.
You know what the biggest difference is between the musicians who turn pro and those who will always be amateurs?
Talent? Sure - that's a part of it...but only a part of it.
But the biggest thing besides talent that turns amateurs into pros is: STRUCTURE + SYSTEMS.
The guys and gals who eventually get great opportunities are those who approach their music career SYSTEMATICALLY.
They don't leave their daily work to chance, they don't work only when they feel like it, they don't stop when things don't go well....
The Solution:
Routines as antidotes to Rollercoasters. 😇
Set up and they stick to a SYSTEM.
What do I mean by a SYSTEM?
I mean an organized set of scheduled, repeatable and measurable actions - that get them closer to the desired outcome.
You think Scheduling, Systems, and Structures will suck the life and fun out of your creative work?
You're wrong. The finest creative cratfspeople in the world would not succeed without their daily routines, structures and systems.
Once you know your destination - and the steps you need to take to get there -
You set up a daily routine that allows you to actually take those steps - DAILY.
Not just when you feel like it, not just when inspiration strikes...
The point is - the steps - no matter how small - are not sporadic - they are systematic - they are scheduled -
A lot of musicians run on spontaneity. Nothing wrong with this...
When inspiration strikes - all the better - be ready to record!
But what if inspiration doesn't strike?
What if you're not getting any traction?
Well, to a pro - it doesn't really matter.
Rain or shine - they have scheduled and committed to their daily system.
Small steps - every day - no matter the weather - will take you a long way.
Bringing it all together.
Your next steps to turn pro. 👉
What does this all mean in the world of music and brands?
It means we have a definite destination, a clear path - so we know where we're going!
Our path is different from the traditional ways of making money with music -
And it has proven to work for many talented musicians around the world.
So now that we have a destination and a path -
We set up a plan and a system.
You need to identify your superpower. ⚡️
The kind of sound you are able to craft better than most.
You need to find examples of your kind of sound already being used in the marketplace.
If you find your kind of sound being used by brands - great - you might be a good candidate for our business.
Next...
You need an irresistible portfolio that showcases your superpower. 🎬
And so you need to produce or gather your best pieces for your portfolio. Make sure your portfolio reflects what’s actually happening in the world of music and brands. Not sure what goes on there? Go to www.adsoftheworld.com.
Next...
You need a simple website that is clear, crisp and compelling. 💻
Something simple and irresistible - with your best work front and center. We show our masterclass students how to build one that has proven to work in our business - step by step...
You need to contact people once you have a portfolio and website. 💌
(We show you how to do this too.)
So you set up a system - a schedule - to work on the music for your portfolio.
And once you're done with the portfolio - you set up a daily system and schedule to work on your website.
And then you're done with the site - you set up a contact database and fill it with potential clients.
And when you're done with the contact list - you start reaching out to people - daily.
For example - no matter if you feel like it or not - no matter what else may happen in your day -
Commit to reaching out to 3 people a day. That's it. That's a simple and sustainable system. 🤝
And over the next 3 months - just stick to that system. Don't think, don't wonder, don't worry - just stick to the system. 3 people a day will turn into 15 people a week, 60 people a month,
180 people in 3 months, 360 people in 6 months, 720 people in a year. That's a lot of people!
Something HAS TO HAPPEN when you reach out to 720 people!
And yet - we don't think about the number 720...instead...we only focus on sticking to our simple system: 3 a day.
And speaking of simple and small....
Ready to get unstuck?
Start following in the footsteps of the pros.
We are the only comprehensive masterclass made by musicians who are already in the business, for those who are still on their way.
Don’t miss your chance to be guided step by step through the journey of learning the craft and the business, building your portfolio and your website and getting your first shot - making a living making music for brands - right from your home studio.
The 35% discount offer is going away soon. Don’t miss your chance to save $500 for Lifetime Access. We offer installment payments and 30 day - no questions asked refunds.
Not just another masterclass. A game changer.
“A gamechanger…worth every penny and more…”
Lewis K. , Songwriter & Composer, Illinois
“It really is a life changing experience…”
Thies B. , Music Producer, Amsterdam
“Long story short, this is an absolute no-brainer…”
Miguel P. , Music Producer & Composer, Spain.
Curious to learn more?
Check out our Youtube channel where you will find a goldmine of rare, valuable and free lessons about our industry.
The 7 Essential Things You Need to Break Into Our Biz.
What does it take to break in, survive and succeed as a musician making music for brands?
After thinking about my own career and chatting with my industry peers - I came up with a list of 7 essential things (and traits) that succesful musicians in our industry have in common. Please take these to heart and I promise they will accelerate you ahead of many other musicians without the “pro” mindset. Watch it here.