Marketing Made Simple

Why That Worked #28: John Mark McMillan—How to Make Promotion a Part of the Creative Process

Jul 16, 2025
Join musician and songwriter John Mark McMillan, who brings over 20 years of experience and 10 albums, as he delves into the art of authentic promotion. He discusses the struggle of sharing art without feeling like a sellout and the emotional connections that music fosters. John shares insights on merging creativity with business, emphasizing vulnerability and storytelling in engaging audiences. Discover how he navigates the dynamic between artistic freedom and audience connection, ultimately leading to a genuine impact.
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INSIGHT

Artists Must Lead Both Sides

  • Successful artists must own both their creative vision and business strategy.
  • Over-reliance on others for business leads to a critical turning point in career direction.
INSIGHT

Music Connects Us Deeply

  • Music helps us practice not feeling alone by creating connection through shared experiences.
  • Listeners find themselves in art, which builds a form of relationship with the artist.
ADVICE

Write First for Yourself

  • Start your creative process by ignoring the audience to express what matters to you.
  • Later, open the door to consider how the message serves and resonates with your audience.
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