The Producer Files Issue #24
Read time: 5 minutes
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In this issue (#24) of The Producer Files:
ϟ Discussion: 3 growth phases every producer must understand
ϟ Something new: We started the Producer Hotline!
ϟ Strategy: How to get paid every month producing
ϟ Plus our recs (recommendations) of the week!
DISCUSSION: 3 growth phases every producer must understand
I've noticed a big problem bubbling up recently.
And it's preventing music producers from unlocking real growth in their business and career.
The problem is this: They are focused on the wrong thing at the wrong time.
And if you're feeling any frustration or uncertainty right now with what you're doing, then this could be a reason.
So, I want to share one of the simple frameworks that I use to help dissect problems for producers:
You've probably heard me mention the "3 components" of a producer's career before: freelance, assets, and industry.
Each one of those is a different way to generate income (and/or opportunities).
Think of them as the “model” you're focusing on, i.e., getting clients at your studio, building a product to sell online, or growing your song catalog in order to land a better pub deal.
Now think of the “3 Growth Phases” as indicators for what you should be focused on WITHIN each model.
There is the:
Build Phase
Stabilize Phase
Scale Phase
I'll break them down:
The Build Phase is when you are focused on just developing and implementing the skills you need to hit the milestone you're after. (control)
The Stabilize Phase is when you learn how to “manage everything” once you get busy in order to make it stable. (consistency)
The Scale Phase is when you use the resources (time, money, connections) that the stability phase has afforded you in order to diversify your income and go after your bigger goals. (longevity)
So how does this help you?
As I mentioned earlier... What I'm noticing is that producers who are in one growth phase are trying to do activities meant for a different growth phase.
This is a common one…
There are a lot of producers who are focused on productivity systems and finding balance, but they are still in the build phase (and wondering why they feel stuck).
Creating super detailed systems is more for the stability phase, after you are able to generate a lot of opportunity and need to manage it.
If you're a freelancer, and you don't know how to go out and control your inflow of new work, then productivity is not your most important problem (in most cases).
Here is another common one…
A producer will reach out to me and all they talk about is scaling their business.
They are asking questions about running ads or hiring people.
However, despite getting work, they struggle to make ends meet every month. Some months are good and others are bad.
This producer is in the stability phase (needs to focus on making things stable) but is wasting time and energy on activities better fit for the scale phase.
So how can you determine which phase you're in?
I have a bigger process that I like to use, but here is a quick guideline…
If you feel unsure of where your next payday is coming from, then you're most likely in the build phase. Your focus should be on equipping yourself with the skills you need to control your deal flow (and get good at them).
If you feel good about being able to generate income but you're feeling overwhelmed, then you're most likely in the stability phase. Your focus should be on systems, management, and balance.
And if things have been stable for a while and you feel bored and/or unfulfilled with what you're currently doing, then you're most likely in the scale phase. Your focus should be on leverage and diversifying your income (and making sure that you're enjoying the work that you're doing).
Hope that helps!
SOMETHING NEW: We launched the Producer Hotline! (get support from us at no cost)
We're excited to announce the newest project from us here at Dark Label…
For a while now, we've been trying to decide on the best way to provide personalized support to producers at no cost.
And the only way we could think to make that work is if we got some helpful content out of it.
We understand that not every producer that comes across us is ready or able to work with us yet, so we made the Producer Hotline!
Here's how it works:
Click the “record” button.
Record your question/story/situation (anonymously).
Aaron and I will answer/respond to them on our video podcast (YouTube). Audio podcast will be released too.
We are going to keep this specifically to career-related questions for now. You can provide context, but please keep submissions to 2 minutes or less.
Go here to be one of the first producers featured. We will start launching episodes as soon as we have enough submissions.
Or - this might be a terrible idea that doesn't take off, but we're willing to try it out!
STRATEGY: How to get paid every month producing
For the past four years or so, I've recommended a pretty cool business model that producers can implement when working with indie artists.
It's convenient for the artists, predictable for you, and works for both seasoned pros as well as producers earlier on in their freelance career.
Like Will here from Australia, who is still in his first year of building his freelance business as a producer…
When producers first hear about our "Momentum Model," they immediately think that it's just some kind of subscription plan…
But actually, we've found that straight-up subscription plans don't work that well.
The Momentum Model is much more than that, and you can watch a full tutorial video that will explain the model to you here.
Recs of the week
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Recs of the week 〰️
ϟ Our producers are really loving this tool called Gling which helps them make content faster. It's AI editing marketed to YouTubers, but it can also be used for short-form content. Check it out here.
That's all folks! Thanks for reading The Producer Files and when you're ready, feel free to reach out to us…
Leverage our data and expertise working directly with 600+ professional music producers, from bedroom studios to the Grammy-winning talent behind your favorite songs.
