@ryanleslie - Building a publishing startup, one thing I noticed is the extreme parallel between the publishing and music industry. So I've paid a lot of attention to the models and methods of madness used within music. Given that and building up on this question "2. Any interest in still releasing the album through (now) traditional channels such as Spotify and Apple Music?" — Do you feel it's much more efficient (and wise) to work with these big distribution channels rather than challenging them at a game they've, in their own right, dominated?
@imcatnoone work with them to drive people to you and then own the relationship with the people who show interest! They're the big funnel - the discovery platform. Once you capture, cultivate and clearly state your value prop as a writer - entertainment or education, I know of so many writers and podcast publishers that are doing 6 figures from audiences in the mid hundreds!!!!!
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@ryanleslie - You once told me (heavily paraphrasing) that where other artists hire managers/agents, you hire developers. Was there something specific that inspired that (brilliant & unique) approach? Was there an epiphany moment??
@jacobsmith88 yes - I had ideas for my career and path that were in many ways conflicted with the ideas that a traditional manager would have for me. I needed to build tools for how I envisioned my FUTURE to be. Product Hunt is a great repository for the many many solutions that are being built which anticipate a shift in human behavior. I knew my supporters would ride with me so I need a way to build a virtual ark to take them with me as the flood of streaming inundates the music industry. I know names, I know faces, I know cities, I know people.
@mcwbernz any great music excites me. DMM's SuperPhone is far from a way for people to "get more known". The SuperPhone is a tool for activating the people who already know you and want to support you. This way you can keep the music playing until you make that special record that connects on a larger scale and "gets you more known." Even then SuperPhone is tracking when someone becomes a supporter and which supporters are contributing the most to the movement.
Hey Ryan, was wondering why the 1000 person limit and what plans you have if the limit is met? Love what you're doing, we chatted a few years back and good to see how things have progressed!
@delk you already know! Artists should watch their data like hawks and appreciate their early adopters - same way startups do. Founders should be passionate, focused, and flexible in the execution of their vision. I've watched some of the greatest at work in the studio and though they may search for that right delivery, that right cadence, that right instrumental - the best are always passionate and focused on being the most unfiltered, most concentrated versions of themselves they can be.
@ryanleslie - A question from one of our community members on Facebook: Craig Snowdon asks, "Were you inspired by bands like Radiohead who put Hail to the Thief available to their fans on a pay what you want basis? I like the idea it's taking the TYT network way of getting news to their fans and putting it to music!"
@ems_hodge I'm inspired by the people who support me and what they want. When Radiohead says "pay what you want", does he call/text/email a thank you and then take the relationship seriously - someone who's copped Hail to the Thief let me know!!!! I take the relationships super seriously and that allows me to actually do real numbers ($2M gross from 30K Ryan Leslie music and movement supporters) based on real relationships.
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Hi Ryan, I'm a big fan. Your 2013 show at the Howard Theatre was the first concert I ever went to.
Do you think a subscription model can work for other forms of exclusive content like behind the scenes footage, in-studio live streams, song snippets, etc? I think it would be interesting to see someone like an Instagram fitness model for example offer exclusive content for micro-subscriptions as a business model.
@osmanify the vibe here is access man. Content should be an incentive and anyone who wants the convenience will contribute some nominal amount. The access is the real scarcity. Hang out at the beach with your favorite IG model and grab a snapchat to stunt on your homies - what's that worth! That's the wave!!!!!
Stark
Art of the Hustle - Episode 4 with Diishan Imira
Art of the Hustle - Episode 4 with Diishan Imira
Dropsource
Art of the Hustle - Episode 4 with Diishan Imira
INK'A
Art of the Hustle - Episode 4 with Diishan Imira
Primer Library
Art of the Hustle - Episode 4 with Diishan Imira
Product Hunt
Art of the Hustle - Episode 4 with Diishan Imira
Art of the Hustle - Episode 4 with Diishan Imira