For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Ryan Waczek is an Emmy-winning soundtrack composer, producer, and songwriter. He is known for his diverse background and accomplishments, including scoring the award-winning documentary “Floating Horses: The Life of Casey Tibbs” (2017) and composing for the Emmy-Winning television show “Theater Corner” with Dulé Hill and Daniel J. Watts (2021). His hybrid orchestral style has drawn comparisons to renowned composers such as Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. He is also the founder of the Indie Music Academy, an online resource that provides musicians with training on how to grow their audience and monetize their music. Through the academy, he offers a comprehensive suite of video tutorials, audio lessons, and written content aimed at helping independent artists succeed in the music industry.
What You’ll Learn
Ryan Waczek emphasizes the importance of authenticity and audience engagement for musicians, highlighting that building a fan base should happen concurrently with the music creation process. He suggests that rather than striving for polished perfection, artists should share their genuine, sometimes messy, creative journey. This approach not only makes content more relatable but also fosters a deeper emotional connection with fans. By embracing vulnerability and involving their audience in the unfolding story, musicians can create a loyal and invested fan base, ultimately benefiting their long-term success.
Things We Discussed
Ryan also elaborates on two additional strategies for driving traffic and building an audience: direct advertising and playlisting. Direct advertising involves paying for traffic on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, using engaging content to capture attention within the first few seconds. This method offers more reliability compared to organic reach, making it viable for those with marketing budgets. Additionally, playlisting falls under influencer marketing, where artists leverage existing audiences curated by playlist creators. By getting their music featured on popular playlists, artists can gain streams and exposure, effectively borrowing the playlist's audience to promote their songs. Both strategies aim to enhance visibility and engagement with potential fans.
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