Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in music but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Monica Strut, a musician, music journalist, podcaster, and digital marketer, based in Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I run workshops and courses and mentor up-and-coming bands and musicians in career growth within the music industry. I predominately work with career artists (as opposed to those doing music as a hobby) who are interested in touring the world and making money doing what they love!
Tell us about yourself
I've been working towards making music my career since I was a teenager and discovered rock n' roll. But even though I studied music at university, I felt unsure about how to build an online presence and audience for my band. It wasn't until I started working as a music journalist, editor of a label-owned magazine, and digital marketer within the music industry I learned how the modern music industry actually worked. The industry has changed so much within the last few years, yet many musicians are still using an outdated blueprint or just feeling stuck on what to do next.
There's a huge gap in knowledge, and whilst university degrees have their place, the music industry changes too quickly for them to keep up. So I started running my own workshops and coaching bands on releasing music independently, how to be self-managed, and grow a fanbase on their own. I've seen so many of my talented peers give up on their dreams because they didn't have this knowledge, and helping great artists get into the world (and the confidence that comes with that) is what motivates me every day to do what I love.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I've coached many bands who've been signed to labels, management, or booking agencies after working with me, which is pretty cool. I often help bands get off the local level and start playing bigger shows like festivals and with international support, and it's so cool to see that progression, as well as the confidence that comes with empowering someone to take their career into their own hands and achieve their goals. I also love that I get paid to do this - wild!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Sometimes it can be isolating, and there's no one to tell you what to do if you feel stuck or if you're doing a good job. So much of what I do is online and social-media based, so unless people message me or leave a comment on a post, it can sometimes feel like I'm putting out content into the ether. But I try and work with coaches and communicate regularly with others in my industry to manage this as much as possible.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get outside your comfort zone daily.
- You'll experience imposter syndrome at every step (you just get better at managing it).
- Know your 'Why.'
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.monicastrut.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monicastrut
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicastrut/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/monicastrut
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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