Guess what:

All those people telling you that you can't make money with music are right.

… if you believe them.

Really that's what it comes down to right?

B-e-l-i-e-f with a capital B.

People have been saying it for years.

But it didn't stop Ed Shereen from pursuing music. Didn't stop Corey Smith (who's made it happen and turned down record deal in the process).

Didn't stop Jack Conte (Pomplamoose) – who is now helping thousands of artists make money via Patreon.

And Jack White, OK Go, Avicii, and one and on and on.

They didn't listen so I figured, why should I. And hell, why should you.

With out belief you have nothing. Zero chance.

But if you believe plus you are making good music – and you have people besides your mom telling you that you make good music – then the next step is figuring out how you can make money with it.

It took me awhile and I am still learning every day but ultimately…

It comes down to a few things:

• Target the right fans
• Go find them
• Give them a reason to stick around
• Build a relationship with them
• Rinse and repeat

If you do a good job at doing those things, you will increase the chance that people will buy your music.

In fact, I am getting $5, $10 and $20 PER SONG and I don't even charge (I use the Name Your Price model).

Here, watch this video. I'll show you…

That didn't happen over night and it took a lot of poking and prodding but its something right?

Am I rich?

Am I, in the words of Kid Rock “fuckin bunnies gettin fuckin Matchbox 20 money?”…

Nope.

BUT… it's something:

Something I can use for my next recording session.

Something I can use to do a little more marketing.

Something I can use to pay for the pizza to get the drummer of the front porch with (right Rudeman?)

And above all, something I can use to keep the fire of belief a-burnin.

Do you see what I mean?

Anyway, that's my two cents. Bottom line, try not to let it bring you down

I'll leave you with a few lyrics from Mr. Nick Shattucks AWESOME freakin song Follow That River.

When I feel like a pile of dog crap after a crap show or when I'm in a why-the-hell-do-I-bother fog, this tune brings me off the ledge every time.

Life is precious ain't fragile, never quit, never settle

don't submit to the chains and the whips of the people who pray you fail

I say Hail to the Kings and Queens of the dreams

living in poetry and melody

to stanzas and six strings

and I sing…

Follow that river baby, follow that river mama.

Click here to go listen to it right now.