10 Lessons I have Learned from the music industry

Welcome to Colors, the monthly newsletter dedicated to design, self improvement and entrepreneurship (plus anything that I think that is interesting that month).

About me—I'm Matt, I’m a UX Designer who used to work primarily in the music industry. I love music, design and all things entrepreneurship. Here all my links: bento.me/colorshft

Working in the music industry didn't work for me

At the start of 2022 I decided to make the jump and quit my job to become a full freelance graphic designer in the music industry.

At first I loved it, I was able to work on high budget projects that required a lot of different deliverables with clients I wanted to work with.

Even though I was working on projects that I always wanted to be able to work on, my passion was gone and the high demand for client work I had at the start of the year didn't last as long as I thought.

Working as a designer in the music industry is about word of mouth and social media DMs (with some email communication).

I ended up spending 50% of my time marketing myself using email campaigns, making TikTok’s and social media content just to develop more industry connections.

Which wasn't why I decided to become a freelancer. So I decided to move in a new direction, to earn more and refuel my passion for design.

Leveraging my clients

However I had a plan, a plan since June last year. I was going to use my client's work money to learn new skills and start a side business, to the point where I could pivot where my focus. That was always my ultimate goal.

I knew that the best way to increase the monetary output from my time was to learn a high value skill and start a side business. I chose UX design and an Amazon ecommerce business.

It also meant I was working on my own business instead of helping others build theirs. My business was naturally so much more fun, engaging, and satisfying for me.

A new start

My plan had worked. At the start of the year I switched my focus onto UX design and running the day to day operations of me and my partners Amazon business.

The great thing about an e-com business is that I can — make money in my sleep. I can scale my business by putting in the work up front and not be tied to being paid for my time.

What I have learned from the music industry:

1. Old clients is how you make money long term

3. Don't wait for an opportunity to come to you, go to the client

4. You have to base pricing on value, not your time

5. You won't scale your business (easily anyway)

6. Just because a client is famous doesn't mean they will pay you more

7. Upselling additional services (social media banners, packaging etc)

8. Your price = business costs + tax x (the margin you want)

9. Client's want their experience to be as seamless as possible

10. Make sure you have simple terms and conditions

11. Email clients who have clients (Great post by AAA)

Resource Hut

A collection of links to stuff I think are worth sharing.

Max Hay - a new Blender content creator that I found and possibly my favourite

One Switch - a Mac app that allows to toggle

KidEight Podcast - a really insightful chat about @KidEight’s career, NFT collection and the future

Sam Thomas - Check out he's amazing new rebrand and his killer email newsletter

Xero - if your a freelancer / run a business just use this accounting software to invoice, sign contracts and do your taxes

Font share - a stunning free font website, sharing the best and most polished free fonts

- Matt :)