The Business of Audio Podcast

👉 Get Your FREE Clients Red Flag Checklist: https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/aboutWhen you're starting your audio career, saying YES to almost every opportunity can be a good thing.You need experience. You need relationships. And you need to get into rooms and actually do the work.But eventually, you have to learn another skill:When to say NO.After more than 40 years in the audio business, I've learned that not every client is the right client, not every project is worth taking, and sometimes the gig you turn down can be just as important as the one you accept.In this episode, we're talking about difficult clients, red flags, pricing, working for "exposure," opportunity cost, protecting your time, referring projects to other professionals, and knowing when a job simply isn't the right fit.The goal isn't to work with everybody.It's to build a career working with the right people.— Donny Baker The Business of AudioGet Good. Get Clients. Get Paid.

👉 JOIN THE BUSINESS OF AUDIO COMMUNITY FOR FREE: https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/aboutWhen I started working in audio, I thought the formula was simple:Get really good at recording and mixing, and eventually people will hire you.After more than 40 years in this business, I've learned that being good at audio is only part of what it takes to build a career.I've watched incredibly talented engineers struggle to find consistent work while others built long careers—not necessarily because they were better engineers, but because they understood the other side of the business.In this episode, we're talking about:Why great audio skills don't automatically create clientsWhy the best engineer doesn't always get the gigBeing someone clients actually want to work withReliability and professionalismCommunicationBuilding relationshipsReputation and referralsLearning the business side of audioWhy talent alone isn't a business planDon't stop getting better at your craft.But if you want to make your living doing this, learn how to turn those skills into a business.Get Good. Get Clients. Get Paid.

BUILD YOUR AUDIO BUSINESS WITH US: https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/aboutYou might not need more clients.You might just need to do a better job following up with the people you already know.Audio engineers spend a lot of time trying to find new leads, grow their audience, post on social media, and get strangers to notice them.Meanwhile, their next project may already be sitting in their phone or inbox.In this episode of The Business of Audio, I talk about one of the simplest business lessons I've learned over more than 40 years in the industry: silence doesn't always mean no.We'll talk about:Why potential clients disappear after asking for a quoteWhy following up isn't begging for workTurning past clients into repeat clientsAsking for referralsBuilding a simple follow-up systemWhy your next client may already know youThe difference between prospecting and following upAnd while I'm talking specifically about audio engineers, producers, and studio owners, this lesson applies to almost any service business.Before you spend more money or time trying to find strangers...Take another look at the people you already know.Your next client might already be there.Learn to make your living making music happen.— Donny Baker The Business of Audio

👉 Build Your Audio Businesshttps://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/aboutFor years, I believed that if I became a great audio engineer, everything else would fall into place.It doesn't work that way.After more than 40 years in the audio industry, I've learned that successful careers aren't built by waiting for opportunities—they're built by creating them.

🎙️ Build Your Audio Business with us:https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/aboutAfter more than 40 years in the audio industry, I've noticed something.The engineers who build long, successful careers aren't always the most talented.They're the ones who consistently do a few important things differently.In this episode, I share the seven habits I've seen separate hobbyists from professionals—lessons learned from decades of working with everyone from first-time bands to Grammy-winning artists.If you're serious about building a real career in audio, these principles can help you become the kind of engineer clients trust, recommend, and hire again.In this episode:Why consistency beats raw talentThe importance of finishing what you startWhy listening is one of your greatest skillsBuilding relationships instead of chasing clientsWhy systems make better businessesThe value of never stopping your educationThinking long-term instead of chasing quick winsWhether you're just getting started or you've been recording for years, these are the habits that can help you build a career that lasts.Join the ConversationIf you're looking for a place where audio engineers, producers, and studio owners are learning, growing, and building real businesses together, we'd love to have you.👉 Start your 7-Day Trial:https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/about

The best investment I ever made in my studio wasn't a microphone or a plugin.It was a simple system that made running my business easier and my clients happier.Watch the full video to see why.

The Top 10 Things Clients Say That Drive Audio Engineers CrazyIf you've spent any time in a recording studio, you've probably heard a few phrases that make every audio engineer smile... or quietly shake their head.After more than 40 years in recording studios and on the road, I've heard just about everything. From "We'll fix it in the mix" to "It'll only take five minutes," some client comments have become legendary.In this episode, I share ten of the funniest, most common things clients say—and more importantly, what they usually mean. Along the way, I'll tell a few stories from my career and explain why learning to communicate with clients is just as important as knowing how to run Pro Tools or place a microphone.Whether you're an audio engineer, producer, studio owner, or musician, I think you'll recognize a few of these.Start your 7-day trial and join The Business of Audio community:https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/aboutInside you'll find practical audio training, business systems, live coaching, mix critiques, and a community of engineers, producers, and studio owners building real careers together.Learn to make your living making music happen.

I've been fortunate to work with Grammy winners, chart-topping artists, and some of the biggest names in the music industry. But my favorite recording session wasn't with any of them.It was with four young musicians who walked into my studio carrying crumpled one-dollar bills they'd earned delivering pizzas and working at Trader Joe's. They believed they had one great song, and they were willing to spend everything they had to record it.What happened next became one of the biggest turning points of my career.In this episode, I share the story behind my first Gold Record, why I chose to take a chance on an unknown band, and the lesson that has stayed with me ever since: never underestimate passion, preparation, and people who truly believe in what they're creating.If you're an audio engineer, producer, musician, or anyone chasing a dream, I think you'll enjoy this one.Start your 7-day trial and join The Business of Audio community:https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/aboutInside you'll find live coaching, practical business training, mix critiques, and a community of audio engineers, producers, and studio owners building real careers together.Learn to make your living making music happen.

If I Could Go Back 40 Years, I'd Tell Myself ThisIf I could sit down with my younger self at the beginning of my audio career, what would I say?After more than 40 years as an audio engineer, studio owner, producer, and mentor, there are a few lessons I wish someone had shared with me much earlier. Some I learned the easy way—but most came through mistakes, setbacks, burnout, and experience.In this episode, I share the advice I'd give my 20-year-old self about gear, clients, business, relationships, work-life balance, and what success in the audio industry really looks like.Whether you're just getting started or you've been doing this for years, I hope these lessons help you avoid some of the mistakes I made and build a career you'll be proud of.Ready to build a real career in audio?Start your 7-day trial and join our community:https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/aboutEvery lesson in this podcast was learned in the real world—not the classroom. My hope is that you can borrow my experience instead of spending 40 years making the same mistakes.

For more than 20 years, I owned and operated a commercial recording studio.Like many engineers, I believed success meant a bigger studio, more gear, and a full calendar.Then everything changed.When the building was sold and I had to close the studio, I found myself questioning everything. I felt burned out. I felt like I had failed. I wondered if it was somehow my fault. On top of that, I had to begin parting with equipment I'd collected over more than 40 years in the audio industry.It wasn't easy.But looking back, losing the studio forced me to make the biggest mindset shift of my career.In this video, I share that journey honestly—the struggles, the lessons, and why I believe success in audio has much less to do with buildings and gear than it does with adaptability, relationships, and serving people.If you've ever faced a setback, this podcast is for you.

Most people think success in audio comes down to talent.It doesn't.The biggest difference between hobbyists and professionals is mindset.Here's one lesson from 40+ years in audio.