- The Producer Lab
- Posts
- $2 Million From 1000 True Fans
$2 Million From 1000 True Fans
One artist made a fortune with a small fanbase, get the scoop on a new social app, and discover some cool plugins and gear in this week's edition
The Producer
July 07, 2023
Hey there! Ernesto here. this week we're diving into the inspiring story of Ryan Leslie, the buzz around Threads, and as always, our track of the week. Let's get it!
This Guy Made $2 Million From 1000 True Fans
Ryan Leslie, a Harvard graduate and renowned musician turned entrepreneur, has crafted an inspiring narrative that every independent artist should know. Leslie's impressive career spans collaborations with industry giants such as Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Puff Daddy, LL Cool J, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Usher, Mary J. Blige, and Chris Brown. However, his success didn't come from chasing after millions of fans. Instead, he focused on a small, dedicated audience and turned it into a fortune, earning $2 million from this strategy alone.
Recognizing the potential of having a more personal connection with his fans, Leslie decided to take a different path. He made the bold move of removing his music from all streaming platforms, a decision that many would consider risky. But Leslie had a vision. He offered his music directly to his fans, asking them to text him to get his new album. This move allowed him to differentiate between casual listeners and dedicated fans.
When Leslie put his number on Twitter and invited people to text him, 35,000 people responded. But he didn't just ask for a text; he asked for a text to get his new album. This specific intent captured at the initiation of the conversation led to a high conversion rate. About 17,000 people bought the record, bringing in $170,000. But more importantly, Leslie now had a record of every single person willing to spend money with him.
Leslie's story is a powerful reminder that in the digital age, artists have more control over their careers than ever before. By focusing on building a personal connection with a dedicated audience, artists can create a sustainable career on their own terms. It's a motivating tale that shows a life of making music is more attainable than you might think.
Track of the Week:
Industry News: The Next Big Thing for Artists or Another Dead End?
In the ever-evolving landscape of social media platforms, a new contender has entered the ring - Threads. But is it worth your time as a music producer or DJ?
Threads is a new social media platform that focuses on close friends. It's a camera-first messaging app where you can share photos, videos, messages, Stories, and more with your Instagram close friends list. But the question remains, is it beneficial for artists to be early adopters of new platforms?
Being an early adopter can have its advantages. You can establish a strong presence and grow your audience as the platform expands. However, it's also a gamble as the platform may not take off as expected. Moreover, with Meta (formerly Facebook) at the helm, there's a risk of repeating the pattern we've seen with Facebook and Instagram: a big push to get on the platform, followed by a drastic reduction in reach once ads are activated. Many businesses that relied heavily on these platforms suffered greatly when this switch happened.
As always, it's essential to do your research and weigh the pros and cons before jumping into a new platform. Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
Looking for a new piece of gear that won't break the bank? Check out the Arturia MicroBrute Analog Synthesizer. This compact and powerful synth packs a punch with its multi-wave oscillator, classic Steiner-Parker filter, and modulation matrix. And the best part? It's just under $200. Check it out here.
Upcoming Events:
The Wednesday Roast - Twitch stream at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on July 12th, 2023. Get feedback on your track mixdowns and ask production questions!
E.R.N.E.S.T.O's links that don't suck:
The Broken English Traxx Dad Hat! (in stock)
Listen: Top 10 Tracks of the Month | Spotify | Apple Music
The Label: Broken English Traxx
Meme of the Week:
