It’s #MusicMonday, and that can only mean one thing – it’s time to get caught up with industry news!
Here’s what caught my attention this week (it’s not all rosy!).
▶️ YouTube Shorts Nearly Doubling an Artist’s Total Reach
As Hypebot shares:
- Artists who uploaded YouTube Shorts in January saw over 50% of their new channel subscribers come from Shorts.
- Fan-created YouTube Shorts boosted the average artist’s unique views by over 80%.
We’ve been experimenting with YouTube Shorts for eight days on the Music Entrepreneur HQ channel, which has resulted in over 4,100 views and five subscribers so far. That’s not a lot of subscribers (basically two per Short), but it has proven the fastest path to growth on YouTube for us in recent months.
The views have been wildly inconsistent though, with one Short gaining just two views, and another garnering over 1,700 views.
For the time being, you can bet that we’re going to continue pumping out shorts for our channels, as well as those of our clients. We encourage you to give them a go too!
▶️ Talks Concerning TikTok Ban Escalate in the U.S.
Governing bodies could not be more contradictory, hypocritical, and tone deaf if they tried (not like that’s anything new). Recent cries of TikTok ban send a clear message of “we don’t like China,” all the while trying to encourage diversity and inclusion across the world. If you can’t gather that creating a world where everyone is accepted is not their end game, by now, then I’m not sure I can help you.
To be fair, I have been warning of the potential banning of TikTok since January. If you don’t have a backup plan, now would be the time to start digging your well before you die of an unquenchable thirst. I’ve always advised setting up a WordPress site on SiteGround, but barring that, at least check out the new ByteDance app, Lemon8.
Also see:
- As US eyes TikTok ban another ByteDance owned app hits #1 in App Store
- US Government has offered no valid reasons for a TikTok ban [Op-Ed]
- US threatens to ban TikTok violate freedom of speech: Mike Masnick Op-Ed
- TikTok ban seems more likely after this week’s Congressional hearing
- Only 22% of American Adults Oppose Banning TikTok, Survey Finds – Including 56% of Active Users
▶️ Twitter Algorithm Uncovered
The media has been hounding this, and the not so ulterior motive appears to be taking cheap shots at Elon Musk.
I’m not interested in that. I’m interested in understanding how the algorithm works. Especially since some of the tactics that were working for me just weeks ago no longer appear to be working.
My friend sent me this tweet thread via Akash Gupta, and I think it’s the most useful thing on the topic. You’re welcome.
▶️ Winamp Resurrects, Launches Winamp for Creators
Generation Z probably won’t have heard of Winamp at all, but it really whipped the llama’s ass…
I remember them fondly for their skinnable music player, which was one of the best at the time. Once iTunes came out, they sort of became a moot point, the way MySpace became moot when Facebook exploded in popularity.
As with many services that have come before it, Winamp for Creators promises to create an ecosystem that rewards musicians fairly for their work, and restore balance to the Force… I mean, the music business.
Vagueness aside, it’s effectively a platform empowering you with the ability to set up your own fan club (Fanzone) and monetize your fans. I’m sure it differs from Fangage or Patreon somehow, but I’m not clear on how.
With Winamp for Creators, you can also access copyright management and distribution services. They are currently adding NFT and licensing services as well.
Also see:
▶️ Reap the Rewards of an Ownership Mindset in Your Music Career & Achieve Elevated Results
In case you missed it, in the latest episode of The New Music Industry Podcast, I shared a foundational mindset concept – why taking responsibility for your music career and the results you create will propel your growth like little else.
▶️ The Productivity, Performance & Profits Breakthroughs Program Begins This Tuesday
The Productivity, Performance & Profits Breakthroughs Facebook group was set up to support the launch of my first premium book, the Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook.
My first live stream is slated for tomorrow, around 6:20 PM PST. If you haven’t joined the group yet, but are committed to having a breakthrough in productivity, what are you waiting for? Get in while you still can!
▶️ Best of David Andrew Wiebe
I blog daily on my personal blog. Here are my favorite posts from the past week:
Final Thoughts
And that’s what jumped out at us this week, but if there’s anything else you think we should have covered, leave a comment below and let us know!
- 297 – How to Build a Magnetic Reputation as a Musician - June 2, 2023
- 296 – Investing in Yourself to Grow Your Music Career - May 26, 2023
- Moog 70th Anniversary & The Return of the Minimoog Model D - May 23, 2023
