Every month in our Artist Coaching community, we host a Q&A session. And every month the same thing becomes painfully clear: everybody wants to “make it,” but very few understand what the journey actually looks like.
Yesterday’s Q&A hit a few topics that so many artists struggle with. Here are the biggest takeaways.
1. Making Money From Music Takes Years, Not Months
A 22-year-old producer asked how he can become full-time without going to university. And honestly… this is where I give the uncomfortable truth.
Making money from music works like compound interest. In the beginning you put in effort, time, money, energy, and for a long time it feels like nothing happens. Only after years does the compounding start. Most artists need at least 2–3 years just to build momentum. Not to “live from it.” Just to get things moving.
That means you need some sort of financial stability, finishing school or having a side job. Not responsibility-heavy work, just something that pays the bills so you can put your remaining energy into music. Because going all-in with no income is romantic until you can’t pay rent, can’t go on dates, can’t even go on holiday. Reality hits hard.
2. Content Is More Valuable Than Your Music (Yes, Really)
Someone asked what to focus on if they’re “starting from scratch” again.
My answer was simple: content.
One track takes weeks or months and reaches a few thousand people.
One good video takes hours and can reach the same amount, or more.
Content builds an audience. Content builds trust. Content is the reason someone even hears your music in the first place.
Music is part of the brand. But content is the engine that moves everything forward.
3. Rejection From Labels Gets Easier When You Build Evidence
A producer asked how to deal with getting rejected by labels all the time.
This is one of those things you only learn through repetition. The more you release on your own, the more you see your tracks perform, the more you build internal evidence that you don’t need someone else’s approval to make impact.
One no doesn’t mean the track isn’t good. It just wasn’t right for that label, or that A&R, at that moment.
Your confidence grows by releasing, not by waiting for permission.
4. Being an Opening DJ Means Playing for the Room, Not Your Ego
Someone playing a festival this weekend asked how “hard” they should go as an opener.
Short answer: you don’t play prime-time music at 2pm. You’re there to set the mood, warm up the room, and prepare the crowd for whoever comes next. That’s the job. Staying in your own lane while serving the event.
5. If Your Releases Aren’t Translating Into Gigs… Here’s Why
A producer releasing on Wall, Hysteria, and Spinnin’ asked why bookings still aren’t coming in.
This is the tough reality:
Good music is not enough anymore.
Promoters pay for security.
If they book you for €1,000, they want to be sure they can sell €2,000 or €3,000 worth of tickets because of your name.
That doesn’t come from music alone.
That comes from brand, your fanbase, your content, your social presence.
Music is the product.
Brand is the value.
6. Consistency Wins: In Content, DJing, Podcasting, Everything!
We talked about the podcast too. The only reason it’s where it is now is simple: consistency. Two years of showing up every Wednesday at 2pm. People know exactly when it’s happening, and that ritual builds trust.
Artists should approach their brand the same way.
Pick a day. Pick a time.
Show up. Every. Single. Week.
Break the chain too often, and the audience disappears.
7. Live Streaming Is One of the Best Ways to Build an Audience
Someone asked if live streaming is useful before getting gigs.
My answer? It’s perfect. Super raw, unfakeable, real. Not the fastest strategy, but one of the strongest. People get to know you as a person, not just a logo and a Spotify link.
If you want help with this journey, that’s exactly what we do
Everything we talked about in this Q&A: momentum, content, rejection, brand, consistency, these are the exact things we guide artists through in our 1:1 coaching programs.
If you’re serious about building a long-term career and you want someone in your corner who’s been through it all:
We’ll look at where you’re at, what you’re struggling with, and what needs to happen next to move your career forward.
If you’re ready to go all-in, we’ll build a plan together, step by step, that fits your goals and your reality.
Whether you’re at the start or already releasing on labels, having the right guidance saves you years of guesswork.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Let’s build your career the smart way.
Regards, Joey