#154 - Understanding Who You Are As a Personal Brand

As an independent artist, especially as a female performer, you can't replicate what the traditional music industry model is doing, so why try? One of the most important things that today's independent artists need to understand is online entrepreneurship. Especially when it comes both to and from the female perspective, which can be more challenging for today's independent artists in what many consider a male-dominated world. Our conversation with today's guest, Lindsey Kirkendall, helps the artist understand who you are as a personal brand. We talk about having your audience discover not who you are, but more importantly, what you are in today's business. She explains that as an artist, you're not selling music as much as you're selling emotion, keeping in mind that approaching it from a business is just as much as an art, as is artistry. We also talk about how e-commerce can now be a big part of your income these days, especially while you're not touring or performing live. You can have a full-time career in music and have a life that you love instead of riding the fence between the two worlds of music and your day job. Lindsey teaches artists how to get paid what they're worth. As an industry veteran who has spent 15+ years working independently and on the music industry's corporate side, she has developed a broad understanding of the music business landscape - and what female artists are often up against. She began her corporate career as a marketing consultant to independent artists at Salem Publishing. During this time, she began to take notice of the seismic shifts happening in the digital space and became determined to show artists a new way. A way that allowed artists to build a thriving, profitable career while maintaining complete independence from the label system. This excited her, and she quickly dove into 1:1 business coaching, helping artists learn how to grow, engage, and monetize their online fanbases. Although she enjoyed working with artists from all walks of life, she focused her work primarily on women at the end of 2018. As an artist and mother herself, she understands that women often need support and resources that look much different from what the current landscape offers. She supports her clients thru 1:1 coaching, education, and group programs, helping them build custom music business plans that get them from point A to point Pay as quickly as possible. Her resume is as varied as they come, including roles in artist management, national radio promotions, marketing consulting, on-camera host, vocalist, and live concert videographer, to name a few. She's had the privilege of working with such organizations as CMT, MTV, Starstruck Entertainment, Sony, BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC, but her favorite role is mom to her two boys: Slayton and Ryker. www.lindseykirkendall.com   The Business Side of Music ™ © 2021 Beyond the Music Co-Produced and Hosted (by the guy who has a face for podcasting): Bob Bender  Co-Producer, Creator, and Technical Advisor (the man behind the curtain): Tom Sabella Director of Video and Continuity (the brains of the entire operation): Deborah Halle Editor (the "ums' and "aahs' removal guy who makes us sound good): Mark Sabella Marketing and Social Media: Kaitlin Fritts Talent Acquisition and Scheduling (the one who keeps us on track) Tammy Kowalski All Around Problem Solver and keeper of the key to the vault: Connie Ribas Recorded at: The Bunker in Franklin, TN (except during the Covid 19 pandemic, then it's pretty much done VIA Skype or over the phone, with the exception for those fearless enough to come to Bob Bender's living room… and there are a few). Mixed and Mastered at Music Dog Studios in Nashville, TN Production Sound Design: Keith Stark Voice Over and Promo: Lisa Fuson Website: businesssideofmusic.com  Stream or Download (free) businesssideofmusic.com  To submit to be interviewed: [email protected] Sponsorship information businesssideofmusic.com/sponsor-affiliate/ Join our mailing list for show announcements, career advice, industry discounts, gifts, and more.  Like Free Special Thanks to Tom Sabella and Traci Snow for producing and hosting over 100 episodes of the original "Business Side of Music" podcast and trusting us to carry on their legacy. For our disclaimer and all its details, please click on the applicable link on our website.