My .4 Cents

• Indie Artists’ Best-Kept Secret w/ Brian Zisook of Audiomack

  Brian Zisook, co-founder of AudioMack, shares the origin, mission, and evolution of the music streaming platform. He discusses how AudioMack carved out a niche as a discovery-focused service initially rooted in hip hop and now with a major presence across Africa, Latin America, and multicultural youth markets worldwide. By providing free tools and empowering independent artists through human curation, education, and innovative features like geo-targeted playlists and in-app messaging, AudioMack has democratized music access globally. Brian also tackles broader themes around music marketing, fan engagement, the importance of community and regional identity in music, and the current shortcomings in artist management and industry practices—all while offering thoughtful insight and practical advice for creators navigating today’s music landscape.Find My .4 Cents On Your Favorite Podcast App And Subscribe Here https://beacons.ai/mypoint4cents00:00 - Introducing Brian Zisook from Audiomack00:22 - What Is Audiomack?01:02 - The Genesis of Audiomack in 201202:17 - Early Days and DJBooth Crossover02:43 - Shaping a Platform for Independent Artists03:43 - Audiomack’s Focus on Hip-Hop and Global Growth05:19 - Why Africa Chose Audiomack07:27 - Building Communities Through Localization09:39 - Regional Music Curation in the U.S.10:54 - Global Misconceptions About African Music13:01 - Where Audiomack Fits in the Artist Marketing Mix14:53 - Investing in Human Curation16:49 - The Audiomack Tastemaker Program20:10 - Solving Artist Discovery and Engagement Problems22:38 - The Future of Audiomack and Global Expansion25:32 - Audiomack vs Full-Catalog Streaming Giants27:39 - Favorite Emerging Music Marketing Tactics30:12 - The Power of Fan Clubs and Direct Artist Access36:13 - Marketing Advice for Artists in Emerging Markets38:42 -Follow Andrew [email protected]://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow [email protected] dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  49:40

  --------

  49:40
• Is TikTok, Reels or Shorts Better For Music Promotion?

  In this episode of “My Point Four Cents,” the hosts—Jesse Cannon, Dustin Boyer, Andrew Southworth, and Matt Bacon—engage in a detailed conversation on music marketing and platform strategies, featuring special guest Brian Zisook, co-founder and EVP of AudioMack. The discussion dives into platform trends, contrasting how artists often perform differently across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts due to algorithmic preferences, content suitability, and user behavior. They explore the nuances of platform-native content, engagement impact, the significance of “profile scores,” and tactics like the $1.80 comment strategy for growth. Brian Zisook provides an in-depth overview of AudioMack’s unique position in music streaming, its international growth—particularly across Africa and the diaspora—and the platform’s focus on discovery, curation, and accessibility for independent artists. They also tackle how platforms like Bandsintown help artists promote tours through free and paid tools. The episode blends real-world examples with strategic advice, emphasizing experimentation, audience alignment, and adapting to varied digital environments.Follow Andrew [email protected]://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow [email protected] dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  1:06:28

  --------

  1:06:28
• The Secret That Got Him 130 Million Streams!

  My .4 Cents host Andrew sits down with Chris Greenwood, also known as the artist "Manafest", to dive deep into his journey as an independent musician and music entrepreneur. Chris shares his evolution from touring artist to Spotify success, discussing his wins in sync licensing, including a six-figure Olympics placement, and the shift from active to passive income through streaming. He opens up about the strategic use of Facebook ads, merch funnels, and catalog sales to sustain a thriving music business. The conversation also explores the pros and cons of the modern music industry, offering insights for up-and-coming artists on building a sustainable career, maximizing revenue streams, and avoiding common pitfalls. Whether navigating streaming platforms or leveraging digital marketing, Chris provides a wealth of real-world lessons based on his experience as both a successful artist and a mentor through his Smart Music Business platform.Find My .4 Cents On Your Favorite Podcast App And Subscribe Here https://beacons.ai/mypoint4centsFollow Andrew [email protected]://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow [email protected] dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  49:30

  --------

  49:30
• How Many Streams It Takes For Spotify To Promote Your Music

  This episode of "My Point Four Cents" features a deep dive into the Spotify algorithm with musical artist and educator Chris Greenwood, also known as Manafest. Hosts Dustin Boyer, Matt Bacon, Jesse Cannon, and Andrew Southworth explore the metrics behind Spotify's Popularity Index and share insights from a data-driven study that analyzed the streaming behavior of hundreds of artists. Andrew explains findings from their research, revealing surprisingly simple correlations between streams and algorithmic playlist placements such as Release Radar and Discover Weekly. The conversation also covers artist development strategies, sync licensing, the economics of digital and physical music sales, and the realities of modern streaming income. Greenwood shares his journey from major label deals to independent success, including stories of high-value sync placements and how he leveraged digital marketing and sales funnels to sustain a thriving music career.Watch Andrew's video on the Spotify Algorithm here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w3hk2KtKXo&t=603sHelp us crack the algorithm for part 3 here: https://forms.gle/Yiffp3CjMiJf8nvT6Follow Andrew [email protected]://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow [email protected] dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  1:06:11

  --------

  1:06:11
• Will "Personality Content" Kill Your Music's Growth?

  Andrew Southworth, Matt Bacon, Jesse Cannon, and Dustin Boyer delve into the complex dynamics of “personality content” in the evolving world of music marketing. They engage in a candid roundtable discussion on how artists balance showcasing their music with sharing personal, often unrelated content online, and explore the risks and rewards of merging personality and artistry on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The episode also features a deep-dive interview with James Rhodes, President and CEO of independent label FiXT Music, who discusses their mission to empower artists through fair 50/50 deals, their successes in sync licensing, and building sustainable, long-term careers for niche acts in rock and electronic genres. The conversation touches on trends in artist-label relationships, predatory deals, the value of streaming services like Spotify, and the challenges of the live music economy, particularly in major cities like New York.Follow Andrew [email protected]://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow [email protected] dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  1:27:42

  --------

  1:27:42

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About My .4 Cents

My .4 Cents: Podcasts in Family