Let’s face it, the music industry has drastically changed. But is it for better or worse? Some new artists argue that streaming has made it very difficult for up and coming artists. Rick shares his thoughts on this topic. Tune in to find out why this might be the best time to be in the music industry. “We need to spend more time adjusting to the way things are [in the music industry] instead of complaining about the way we wish things were.” -Rick Barker   What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 1:55 Adapting to the changes in the industry 2:20 Opportunities to test your market and build your audience 2:50 The advantages of modern technology for the music industry 3:55 How most artist’s make their money 1:30 Learning how to utilize streaming 5:34 Why it’s a good time to be in the music industry Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com

If you were a brand new artist and someone offered you $5000 to invest in your music business what would you spend it on? This is the question Rick is addressing today. A lot of new artists would assume the best thing to do is to record a song and hire a PR firm to push it to radio. WRONG! Rick shares what he would strategically do so that there is an opportunity for more investments in the future.   “It’s a lot easier to go back and ask for more investment money if they see that you spent wisely on your first investment.” -Rick Barker   What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here!   Time Stamps: 1:56 The scenario: What do you invest in when you are brand new? 3:11 The first step - Educate yourself 4:30 Invest in good video equipment 5:29 Invest in a vocal program 6:09 Invest in training for weak areas 7:02 What to do with your first 4-5 songs 7:22 Working your socials   Resources: Lifetime Membership Fanbase Blueprint Cari Cole Vocal Training Brett Manning Vocal Training Linda Septien Vocal Training Judy Rodman Vocal Training   Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com

Today on the Music Industry Blueprint, Rick discuss the 360 deal. This episode breaks down how the 360 deal came about and who benefits from the deal. Rick shares insider tips on negotiating deals, and what investors should look for with potential artists.   “Make sure that if anyone is participating in any form of the revenue stream that they are helping contribute a little bit.” -Rick Barker   What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here!   Time Stamps: 1:30 Are 360 deals fair to the artist? 3:18 How the 360 deal came about 5:50 Negotiating the terms of the 360 deal 7:00 Paying your investors 7:55 What type of artist should I invest in? 8:15 Educating yourself as an investor Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com

Today on the Music Industry Blueprint, we are continuing the conversation about publishing. This episode is geared toward the self publishing writers. Tune in as Rick breaks this part of the industry down for you.   “Before you sign a publishing deal, make sure you get an entertainment attorney to look over it.”-Rick Barker   What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 2:25 The benefits of having a publisher 2:55  The 2 types of artist deals 4:40 Budgets, money and attorney 5:20 How publishing works for artists that are already signed to a label 6:30 Why you shouldn’t take the advances unless you need it 7:00 Protecting your music when you self publish 7:45 Great resources for writers 8:22 Publishing in a nutshell Resources: ASCAP BMI CD Baby Pro Song Town Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com

On this episode, Rick continues answering questions from his email subscribers. Today he discusses the 2 types of publishing deals. Rick gives us some insider information on the hiring process, what staffed songwriters make and an inside look of the publishing process. If you are a songwriter, this episode is for you. “Hold on to your publishing as long as you can. The person that holds the copyright is the person that gets to make the rules and decisions. ”-Rick Barker   What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here!   Time Stamps: 2:45 What is a publishing deal 3:25 2 types of publishing deals 4:50 What it’s like being a staff writer 7:00 Getting your songs out there on your own 8:00 Why you should hold on to your publishing as long as you can 8:23 The journey of a song written by a staffed writer   Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com

Recently, Rick asked his followers what they want to hear on the podcast. So, on today’s show, Rick is sorting through his mail and answering your questions. He gives tips on posting to your socials, as well as tips on what your website should look like.   “You may be listening to the podcast, but are you doing what I teach on the podcast?.”-Rick Barker   What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 2:50 The issue with free content 4:00 Different music career paths 6:00 Tips for posting on social media 8:00 Why your website should match your music 8:15 Applying the information given on the podcast 9:30 One of the biggest mistakes companies are making with their social media 10:00 Things to look for in upcoming episodes Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com

On today’s episode of the Music Industry Blueprint, Rick discusses a new product from one of his favorite podcasts, Creative Juice. Aimed at the indie artist, you don’t want to miss the great content this program has to offer. Tune in to hear why Rick stands behind this product and its creators.   “You never, know it all. Things are always changing.” -Rick Barker   What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 2:10 Why Rick buys his competitors’ programs 3:24 Circa’s passion about the indie artists 5:00 Who is The Creative Juice Podcast for? 6:10 New changes to the Indepreneur program Resources: Indepreneur | Music Marketing That Works The Creative Juice Podcast Perpetual Traffic Podcast Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com

On this episode of the Music Industry Blueprint, Rick passionately shares his thoughts on artists looking for validation. Artists must realize that they are the only ones that can make their goals and dreams happen.  Rick also discusses the work ethic and mindset that you need to make the right connections and be successful in the music industry.   “If you are waiting for someone else to give you permission to achieve your goals and dreams...STOP IT.” -Rick Barker    What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 2:30 Why you don’t need anybody's validation 3:12 Do you have the skills that you need? 4:00 Is the system not working, or is it you that’s not working? 4:50 Having the right connections 5:50 Stand out! DO NOT BE GENERIC 7:41 Recap of this podcast’s key points 8:40 Don’t waste your time, educate yourself 9:20 How to approach professionals People Mentioned: Gary Vaynerchuk - Wikipedia LeBron James - Wikipedia Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com

On today’s episode of the Music Industry Blueprint we are discussing TV talent shows once again! This time Rick gives us 10 valuable tips to follow when creating a submitting video for auditions. Currently, The Launch, American Idol and The Voice are all accepting audition videos, so make sure you take notes and apply these tips to your submissions. “Because you’re doing a video submission [to TV talent shows], take the time to practice.”-Rick Barker   What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 2:17 Mistakes Rick has seen in submission videos 3:39 Tip # 1 Make sure your audio is crisp 3:47 Tip # 2-3 Telling your story with clarity 4:30 Tip # 4-5 Give us the best you in the shortest amount of time 4:53 Tip # 6 Don’t let your instrument drown out your voice 5:32 Tip # 7-8 Looking your best in front of the camera 6:15 Tip # 9- 10 Reviewing your video Resources: The Launch American Idol The Voice Fanbase Blueprint Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com

On today’s episode, Rick gives us a behind the scenes look at meet and greets. He shares some of strange requests and his experiences he has had with Taylor Swift and Trent Harmon fans. Rick also teaches us how to properly deal with these sometimes awkward situations. “A lot of times fans take things very personal when they have a request, but we have to take a look at the long term repercussions.”-Rick Barker What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here!   Time Stamps: 1:40 Dealing with strange requests from fans 2:46 The story behind why Taylor Swift stopped meet and greets 5:20 Current situation going on with Trent Harmon 6:30 What you do for one fan you have to do for all 7:11 Leave the hard decisions up to the manager 8:00 Why many artist won't look at fan’s emails and social media comments Connect with Rick: Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Soundcloud RickBarker.com Contact: rick@rickbarker.com