
The Music Industry Blueprint Podcast
The Music Industry Blueprint Podcast is consistently rated as one of the Top Music Business Podcasts.
Hosted by Taylor Swift's Former Manager Rick Barker. Rick is known for his straightforward and honest approach when it comes to the Music Business. This weekly podcast is designed to help keep you up to date with what is happening in the world of music and the latest trends when it comes to digital marketing.
Rick, also has a Subscriber ONLY Podcast that comes out daily called the "MIB Secret Society."
You can subscribe at www.rickbarker.com/secret
Latest episodes

Oct 1, 2018 • 1h 3min
Episode 66: The TRUTH about Music Licensing with Michael Elsner
Don’t know how to make it in the music industry? Today’s episode will show you how the music industry has changed for your benefit. Listen in as Rick sits down with Michael Elsner, a producer, songwriter, and author of The 4 Step Plan to Licensing Success. Michael explains why this is the golden age of music licensing as he gives his step-by-step process to getting started and succeeding through licensing. “Every part of a song can find a home.”- Michael Elsner What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! ***Want to be a guest on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast?*** Send an email to podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com With the following information: Name, website, social handles, questions you would like to ask Rick and contact information Time Stamps: 2:25 - From Michael’s pursuit of being a rock star to his introduction to licensing music 10:50 - Michael’s observations of artists that inspired him to music licensing 13:25 - We are in the golden age of music licensing 15:34 - Having a strategy to get music out there 16:19 - Writing elements of songs instead of whole songs 19:55 - It’s all about the elements and the placements 25:36 - The 4 step process of developing music for licensing 25:59 - Step 1: Build your catalog 27:51 - Step 2: Create valuable content (multiple mixes and placements) 28:31 - Step 3: Mastering metadata 39:23 - Step 4: Getting your music heard (working with producers) 47:45 - How the 4 step process sets you apart from other professionals 51:00 - Getting your music licensed by changing your approach -- get Michael’s free e-book! Resources: MasterMusicLicensing.com Courses & Consulting Master Music Licensing - The 4 Step Plan to Licensing Success FREE E-BOOK Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action TED Talk Start with Why by Simon Sinek Connect with Michael: Instagram Facebook YouTube MichaelElsner.com Connect with Rick:

Sep 27, 2018 • 29min
Episode 65: She Crowdfunded over $20,000 with an Email List under 2000
In this episode of the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast, Rick interviews Cheryl B. Engelhardt. She’s a musician and composer who has 4 records out and has toured internationally. This advice goes out to all the artists who are having difficulty with their email lists. Tune in for tips and tricks to convert your fans, warm up your list, and start up proper email conversations. “What you think is not interesting is often interesting to other people.”-Cheryl B. Engelhardt What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! ***Want to be a guest on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast?*** Send an email to podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com With the following information: Name, website, social handles, questions you would like to ask Rick and contact information Time Stamps: 5:58 - How to network as an artist 7:35 - Why it’s important to have proper email conversations 8:54 - Keeping a relationship with your email list 10:36 - The million dollar tip for email conversion 12:35 - How to warm up an email list 16:26 - What doesn’t work in email lists 21:14 - The three points of excitement to convert a consumer Resource: FANBASE Blueprint Connect with Cheryl: Facebook Instagram Twitter www.inthekey.co/results Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact:

Sep 24, 2018 • 9min
Episode 64: Step by Step Guide to Building a Fan Base for Beginners
In this short episode of the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast, Rick will talk about building a fanbase. This advice goes to all the new artists who are struggling with creating an audience. Tune in if you want to find out, step by step, how to create an audience by yourself and with the resources that are available to everyone. “Social media gives you the opportunity to get in front of an audience much faster than playing live.”-Rick Barker What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! ***Want to be a guest on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast?*** Send an email to podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com With the following information: Name, website, social handles, questions you would like to ask Rick and contact information Time Stamps: 2:05 - Building an audience 4:25 - Creating opportunities for yourself 6:20 - Every artist has fears 7:26 - Recap of the step Resource: FANBASE Blueprint Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com Contact: podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com for a chance to be a guest on the MIB podcast show

Sep 20, 2018 • 19min
Episode 63: How to Get Organic Exposure with Ben Ganz
On today’s episode of the Music Industry Podcast, Rick interviews Ben Ganz, founder of Vego Pictures. Ben talks about his past, the creation and evolution of his company, launching Kevin Hart’s app, and more. Plus, tune in to find out how Ben got an insane amount of exposure organically. “I’ve evolved my company to be the special force of the digital media world.”-Ben Ganz What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! ***Want to be a guest on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast?*** Send an email to podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com With the following information: Name, website, social handles, questions you would like to ask Rick and contact information Time Stamps: 2:50 - What does Ben do 4:18 - Ben’s company - it’s creation and evolution 5:23 - Launching Kevin Hart’s network 6:36 - The Complete evolution of the company 9:30 - Getting an insane amount of exposure organically 12:11 - No competition, only collaboration 15:55 - The next big thing Resources: Laugh Out Loud by Kevin Hart app People mentioned: Kevin Hart Roman Atwood Rob Level Connect with Ben Ganz: Website HOLLYWOOD 2.0 - THE VEGO SHOW Instagram Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter

Sep 17, 2018 • 10min
Episode 62: Why It's Important to Take Care of Your Health as an Artist [Lessons from the Rascal Flatts Tour]
More updates on the Rascal Flatts tour. Recently, an event had to be canceled on the tour because of an artist's vocal health. Rick reviews the good and bad in social media when events like this happen. Tune in to find out more. “As an artist, it’s important that you take care of your health.”-Rick Barker What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! ***Want to be a guest on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast?*** Send an email to podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com With the following information: Name, website, social handles, questions you would like to ask Rick and contact information Time Stamps: 1:10 Current update on the Rascal Flatts Tour 2:42 How Dan + Shay used social media to try to salvage the event 5:55 Why it’s important to take care of your health as an artist 8:01 Be appreciative of what you have People mentioned: Trent Harmon Rascal Flatts Dan + Shay Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com Contact: podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com for a chance to be a guest on the MIB podcast show

Sep 13, 2018 • 8min
Episode 61: The Differences Between Major Label Artists and Indie Artists
Rick is back on the road with Trent Harmon on the Rascal Flatts tour. On this episode you will hear some of the exciting things that are happening behind the scenes. On today’s episode Rick breaks down the differences between major label artists and independent artists. You can get a lot of chances if you’re independent but you do have to work for it. “You don’t get a lot of chances when you’re signed to a label, but you get all the chances when you’re independent.”-Rick Barker What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! ***Want to be a guest on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast?*** Send an email to podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com With the following information: Name, website, social handles, questions you would like to ask Rick and contact information Time Stamps: 1:20 - Anniversary of 9/11 3:19 - The job of a major label artist vs. the job of an indie artist 4:38 - The indie artists need to show that they are doing their jobs 6:22 - Build your audience, and the right people will hear about you Resources: Facebook Live with the Firefighters People mentioned: John Flanagan Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com Contact: podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com for a chance to be a guest on the MIB podcast show

Sep 10, 2018 • 25min
Episode 60: Why You Don’t Have to be Signed to a Label to Make Serious Cash Flow
On this episode of the Music Industry Podcast, Rick interviews Chris Greenwood aka Manafest, music marketing genius and indie artist. Chris shares his successes as an artist and how his business - Smart Music Business - has helped other artists achieve the same level of success. Tune in to get the practical advice that will help you in the long run. “A band got 10 million streams and the label gets all of that. I’m about to get 10 million and I get all of that.”-Chris Greenwood What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! ***Want to be a guest on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast?*** Send an email to podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com With the following information: Name, website, social handles, questions you would like to ask Rick and contact information Time Stamps: 1:45 - Chris Greenwood and his career 6:53 - Putting old songs to work 8:48 - Why Chris felt it was important to spend money to get the audience 12:26 - Getting the audience to participate in a transaction with you 15:14 - How does Chris get the people to buy from him 18:53 - Chris’ way of touring Resources: Manafest.com The Smart Music Business Podcast Manafest Facebook Campaign People mentioned: Gary Vee Connect with Chris Greenwood: Smartmusicbusiness.com YouTube - Smart Music Business YouTube - Manafest Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube

Sep 6, 2018 • 13min
Episode 59: How to Nurture Relationships with Fans
On today’s episode of the Music Industry Blueprint, Rick shares an old interview he had with Steve Palfreyman, founder of the Music Launch Hub. Tune in to find out Rick’s expert advice on fan engagement and how to nurture your fans, not just increase your numbers. “These fans will do everything for you if they feel like you know them.”-Rick Barker What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! ***Want to be a guest on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast?*** Send an email to podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com With the following information: Name, website, social handles, questions you would like to ask Rick and contact information Time Stamps: 2:18 - A review of the Steve Palfreyman Show 5:20 - How does Taylor Swift nurture so many fans 7:29 - Using the right tools 8:40 - What fan engagement really means 10:47 - Jump in on that conversation Connect with Steve Palfreyman: Facebook Instagram Twitter musiclaunchhub.com Stevepalfreyman.com Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com

Sep 3, 2018 • 45min
Episode 58: The Business of Music with Circa from Indepreneur
In today’s episode of the Music Industry Blueprint, Rick talks with Kyle “Circa” Lemaire, his good friend and founder of Indepreneur. They discuss the music industry, how it operates, and give advice on how to succeed in this world. They share the ins and outs of the business and the secrets that are often overlooked. You don't want to miss the nuggets of knowledge they drop in this episode. Tune in now! “Life is about finding meaning by figuring out how strong you can be, and musicians can be the best at that.”-Kyle “Circa” Lemaire What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! ***Want to be a guest on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast?*** Send an email to podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com With the following information: Name, website, social handles, questions you would like to ask Rick and contact information Time Stamps: 4:10 - Circa and Indepreneur 6:02 - History of the music industry 9:28 - The government controls what you get in royalties 16:51 - Advances come from engagement 21:09 - Superstars are business people, not just artists 24:48 - Spend money to gather an audience and point them to your products 34:48 - What Circa did with Indepreneur Resources: Peter Diamandis and the 6 D’s DigitalMarketer Lab Creative Juice Podcast People mentioned: Russell Brunson Connect with Kyle “Circa” Lemaire: Indepreneur Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram

Aug 30, 2018 • 10min
Episode 57: Key Take Aways and Tips from the Taylor Swift Reputation Stadium Tour for Young Artists
It has been about 10 years since Rick worked with Taylor Swift. Recently he took his family to see her live in action. Listen in as Rick takes a walk down memory lane and revisits some special moments he and Taylor shared. Also, if you are a female artist, stay tuned to hear Rick’s advice on how to get some more exposure. “If you always err on the side of being humble and gracious, you will always win.”-Rick Barker What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! ***Want to be a guest on the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast?*** Send an email to podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com With the following information: Name, website, social handles, questions you would like to ask Rick and contact information Time Stamps: 1:10 The Taylor Swift Reputation Tour 2:48 Humbleness goes a long way 3:49 The opening acts 6:05 An opportunity for young females can capitalize on 7:33 Making sure you are prepared for the opportunity Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com Contact: podcast@musicindustryblueprint.com for a chance to be a guest on the MIB podcast show