The Music Industry Blueprint Podcast

American Idol, The Voice, The Launch…. the list goes on and on. There are so many TV talent shows out there but which one is right for you? On this episode of the Music Industry Blueprint Rick discusses the pro’s and con’s of TV talent shows and what marketing tools you need to have in place before your name goes up in lights. Listen in as Rick gives his expert advice on each TV show to help you decide which one would be the best fit for you. “Once the door opens and we put you in the door, the rest is on you.”- Rick BarkerLove the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes!What do you want to hear from the Music Industry Blueprint Podcast? Tell us here! Key Highlights:  ⇾ Understanding the purpose of TV talent shows⇾ What you need to have in place before you go on a TV talent show⇾ Which TV talent show is right for you Time Stamps03:18 - Things that you need to have set up before you go on a TV talent show04:41 - Rick’s review of American Idol05:23 - Rick’s review of The Voice06:18 - Rick’s review of The Four07:26 - Rick’s review of America’s Got Talent07:56 - Rick’s favorite TV Talent Show - The Launch Resources & LinksAmerican IdolThe VoiceThe FourAmerica's Got Talent The Launch People MentionedScott Borchetta from Big Machine Label Group Connect with RickFacebookInstagramYoutubeTwitterSoundcloudContact:

In today’s episode, Rick talks about the way the music industry has changed with the growth of technology. With an audience at your fingertips at all times, utilizing social media to engage with people is a necessity for growing your fanbase. Rick explains just how you can use the internet to share your music and your message every second of every day. “You have the ability to directly connect with your fans on a minute by minute, second by second. basis.”- Rick Barker  Key Highlights: ⇾ How technology has changed the opportunity for exposure.⇾ Why this is the most EXCITING time to be an artist.⇾ The value of engaging with fans.⇾ Using your music as marketing material to get your name out there in the industry.  TIME STAMPS 01:20 - How technology has changed the music business and how social media is creating amazing opportunities for young artists to reach a global audience. 04:06 - The importance of engagement rather than views to get the conversation started with your customers. 05:58 - How to share your music. Social media? Leveraging what? More enticing detail here. 08:09 - Creating content that makes people passionate, changes lives, and leaves a lasting impact.  Connect with RickContact: rick[at]rickbarker.com

Rick Barker is undoubtedly one of the strongest influences working behind the scenes of the music industry today. In this episode, Rick talks about how he navigated the industry, from working at radio stations to becoming a consultant for Big Machine Label Group. Rick has a desire to share the knowledge he has gained over the past 25 years in a way that is brutally honest, thought-provoking, and valuable. Key Highlights: ⇾ The importance of asking the right questions⇾ Rick’s journey through the music industry⇾ Rick’s work as a successful music consultant  Time Stamps01:19 - Who Rick Barker is and his expertise in artist development02:53 - Rick’s love of music that stems from listening to the radio as a child04:21 - How Rick turned his life around after following the wrong path05:33 - The radio station job that started Rick’s career08:08 - Rick’s journey with Taylor Swift that shifted the future of his career11:57 - How the music industry is changing with internet marketing  Connect with RickContact: rick@rickbarker.com

Social media is the most powerful tool available to rising artists today. There’s no need to pour money into a world tour just yet when you can reach almost every corner of the earth by simply pressing a button. Today, Rick addresses just how artists can get involved with their followers in order to make the most out of what’s already in your hands. Why you need to see platforms like Facebook Live videos and Instagram Live videos as huge blessings and not a chores.  “If you put HATE in front of anything, it will not grow.”- Rick Barker   Key Highlights ⇾ Discover how to create your own engaging social media content⇾ Changing your mindset to see social media as the powerful tool it is⇾ Utilizing social media to learn about your fans’ interests, and create content that's relevant and entertaining for your fans  Time Stamps 01:40 - The importance of utilizing social media as a tool  02:19 - The cost of touring vs having a worldwide audience at your fingertips  03:23 - Learn to stop dreading social media, shifting your mindset from chore to massive opportunity 06:16 - Picking the right platform for you, why you need to focus on where you can provide value, and avoid being anything but mediocre  07:53 - Getting involved in conversations with your fans through social media    Connect with RickContact: Rick[at]Rickbarker.com

“Get your music on the radio.” “Build a management team.” There are a lot of outdated myths still floating around about how to be successful. In today’s age of technology, there are now numerous ways to become a well-known artist. Today, Rick talks about ways to get your music out there using relevant methods such as social media outlets, hustle and hard work. “Stop believing there’s some magic pill or magic formula. That magic formula is hard work.”- Rick Barker  Key Highlights: ⇾ The endless resources you have on the internet⇾ The outdated myths about how to become an artist and what you need to do to become more attractive to big music labels⇾ Educating yourself through hands-on experience  Time Stamps 01:23 - Busting the myth of needing a team to be successful--you can do a lot with just your cell phone and hustle 03:13 - Why you don’t need radio play to be a successful artist 04:28 - Create a lot of music to feed people’s want to consume 07:41 - Make yourself irreplaceable by being the person who finishes  Connect with RickContact: rick[at]rickbarker.com

The internet has made it beyond easy for us to share music with others, discover new artists and get discovered by people all across the globe. In today’s episode, Rick talks about the importance of utilizing these methods of music sharing to get your music out there in hopes of making an impact. Key Highlights: ⇾ The ease of finding music today.⇾ How the process of making music has become simplified.⇾ Using the tools that are readily available to change lives through your music.  Time Stamps 01:23 - How the internet makes discovering new music and new artists easy, fast, and shareable  03:31 - Why it’s the best time ever to be in the music business  04:35 - What you need to do every day to get your music in front of as many people as possible Connect with RickContact: rick[at]rickbarker.com

Rick Barker is the President and CEO of the Music Industry Blueprint in Nashville, TN.He is a manager, entrepreneur, author, and consultant focusing on the recent changes in the music business. By sharing his experience and insider tips, he helps his clients understand the music business and fast-tracks their steps to success. While those things describe his business life, the titles that he loves most are the ones which describe his personal life: Sober, Christian, Husband, and Father.Rick grew up in Alabama and was raised by a single mom. Growing up with very little in way of money and resources, Rick developed a work ethic and learned to hustle at the age of 12. By the age of 14, he was helping his mom financially support his brothers and sister. Rick was not a fan of the traditional education system. He found himself doing just enough to get by in the classes that didn’t interest him, yet excelling in those that did. At the age of 17, his life changed dramatically when he moved to California to live with his dad.He got involved with the wrong crowd and ended up quitting high school. Later, he found himself addicted to drugs and living homeless on the streets of LA.On April 4 1989, after battling a cocaine addiction Rick got on his knees and prayed that God would let him die. Yet, God had other plans for Rick. These plans included sobriety, pursuing his dream of being on the radio, marrying his wife (Jill) and having two great children (Brianna and Logan), and one-day meeting and managing Taylor Swift.All of these trials and tribulations influenced him to become the man he is today. Rick Barker’s motto is “Your Past Does Not Define Your Future” and he is living proof of that. For more info on the MIB Podcast and a free copy of Rick’s book The $150,000Music Degree go to rickbarker.com