Episode 56: Music Marketing Tips and Outsourcing Hacks with Zach Sprowls

For the entire interview transcript, please ⁠click ⁠here⁠. In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Zach Sprowls, an American pianist and composer known for his evocative and heartfelt piano compositions. He often uses the piano as his primary storytelling tool, creating music that resonates deeply with listeners.  Some of his notable works include: “All Beginnings Are Hard” - This piece features both a solo piano version and a version with a string quartet. The solo piano version was recorded live on an acoustic piano. “I Thought I Knew” - Another popular piece, is available in a live, piano-only version. What You’ll Learn Music Marketing Strategies: Ads are a long-term investment that may take years to see profitability. Caution with playlist placements (e.g., SubmitHub, Playlist Push) as they can lead to low engagement and confuse streaming algorithms. Create a personalized "This Is [Artist]" playlist and direct ads to it for better streaming and fan engagement results. Recommended ad spend is $50/month to start, with $300/month being a good sweet spot for measurable growth. Business Education for Musicians: Musicians need business knowledge to succeed in a capitalist society. Understanding money management and market strategies is essential for promoting music effectively. Musicians must develop business skills to reach a wider audience. Outsourcing and Delegation: Balancing creativity and business can be taxing for musicians, especially those who aren't wired for administrative tasks. Hiring someone for even a few hours a week can lead to more peace of mind and greater overall productivity. Delegating tasks allows musicians to focus on their strengths while someone else handles responsibilities that drain their energy. Benefits of Outsourcing: Outsourcing administrative tasks is more efficient and saves time. Freed-up time can be redirected toward creative work, enhancing productivity. Building a support system through outsourcing provides peace of mind and reduces overwhelm. Things We Discussed Zach Sprowls shares valuable insights on balancing creativity with business as a musician. He emphasizes the importance of learning marketing strategies, such as using ads and personalized playlists, to build a fan base over time. Zach also discusses the necessity of acquiring business skills in a capitalist society, as promoting music effectively requires understanding money and markets. Additionally, he encourages musicians to consider outsourcing administrative tasks to free up time for creative work, highlighting how even small investments in hiring can lead to greater productivity and peace of mind. Connect with Zach Sprowls Personal Website Spotify Apple Music YouTube Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Connect with Jason Tonioli Website  Facebook YouTube  Instagram Spotify Pandora Amazon Music Apple Music