Modern Producer Secrets

Join Adam Reifsteck as he chats with Andy Gesner, the founder of HIP Video Promo, about his incredible 25-year journey in music promotion. Andy shares how his love for music began with The Beatles’ legendary Ed Sullivan performance, his early days as a musician, and the moment that led him to start his own music video promotion company. From working on Johnny Cash’s iconic Hurt video to helping indie artists find their audience in the digital age, Andy offers valuable insights on making standout music videos, building a strong artist brand, and avoiding common career mistakes. Whether you're a musician, producer, or just passionate about the music industry, this episode is packed with must-know tips for navigating today’s ever-changing music landscape.

Adam Reifsteck dives into the key strategies for creating, pricing, and positioning your offers as a music producer. You will learn how to identify your ideal client, structure a value ladder, and craft irresistible offers that align with your clients’ needs. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced producer looking to scale your studio business, this episode will give you the tools to increase your income and impact.

In this episode of Modern Producers Secrets, host Adam Reifsteck delivers a comprehensive framework for selling high-ticket music production services. Emphasizing the importance of understanding your client’s goals and challenges, Adam shares actionable tips on how to ask the right questions, handle objections, and close deals effectively. Whether you're a seasoned producer or just starting out, this episode equips you with the mindset and strategies to build trust and create mutually beneficial relationships with artists while driving your business forward.

Adam Reifsteck interviews Katerina Panopoulou--a singer turned business coach for creatives--in this episode of Modern Producers Secrets. Katerina delves into her process of helping artists and music producers build sustainable careers by combining the right business strategies with mindset. She also emphasizes that success requires a willingness to invest in personal and professional growth. She shares tips on networking authentically and managing time effectively as a creative entrepreneur.

With the holiday season fast approaching and new year right around the corner, you may be assessing the current state of your music business. Perhaps you are trying to figure out how to get more production clients, considering a pivot, or even facing a bit of burnout. Regardless of your current situation, this episode out of our podcast archives is just the inspiration you need to close out the year on a high note while setting yourself up for success in 2025.

In this episode of Modern Producer Secrets, host Adam Reifsteck sits down with composer and producer Marcus "DaFingaz" Manderson to discuss his inspiring journey from playing piano and organ in church to working in music production for media. Marcus shares how the pandemic shifted his focus towards sync licensing, leading him to success in creating music for TV, film, and even movie trailers. He also offers insights into his educational background at James Madison University and Full Sail, how his day job at National Geographic influences his approach to music production, and how he balances the demands of a full-time career with his music projects. Listeners will learn about Marcus’s creative process, the importance of building a music catalog, and his advice on entering the sync space, including the significance of community and support. Marcus highlights his recent projects, including creating music for a Disneyland theme park attraction, and discusses trends in the industry, like the growing demand for vocal music in sync licensing.

In this episode of Modern Producer Secrets, host Adam Reifsteck sits down with Grammy-nominated mix engineer, radio producer, and educator Mary Mazurek to explore her fascinating journey in the audio industry. Mary shares how she went from humble beginnings as a studio assistant to becoming a trailblazer in a male-dominated field, offering candid insights into the challenges of gender bias and the importance of perseverance. She reveals how chance opportunities and a passion for both music and science shaped her career, from assisting on major recording sessions to teaching the next generation of audio professionals. The episode dives into practical advice on navigating the audio freelance world, setting fair rates, and adapting to technological advancements like immersive sound formats. Listeners will learn how Mary’s commitment to lifelong learning and her openness to unexpected paths helped her craft a successful and sustainable career in music production.

In this episode of Modern Producer Secrets, Adam Reifsteck and Chris Budd discuss balancing personal artistic projects with client work and the challenges of staying relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.

Adam Reifsteck sits down with Peter Bladh, a seasoned music producer from Sweden, to delve into the dynamic and rapidly evolving music industry. They share strategies for building an online personal brand that attracts and retaining clients.

In this episode of Modern Producer Secrets, Adam Reifsteck sits down with composer Caleb Swift to delve into the intricacies of building a successful career in composing for TV and film.

If you’re struggling to make the money you want in your music production business, have you ever considered that the reason you’re not getting the sales you want is…you’re selling the wrong thing? Maybe it sounds crazy, but this is one of the biggest mistakes we see struggling music producers make! In this episode, Cameron and Adam uncover creative ways to leverage your zone of genius so that you can get consistent and high-paying projects with better artists.

Are you tired of seeing ads for business coaching programs promising you your dreams are right around the corner if you just follow their secret success formula? It can seem like snake oil is everywhere, from Amazon drop shipping to building your own empire as a sample-pack-fueled startup. Cameron dives into the brutal reality behind these programs, exposing the cold, hard truth.

Does it seem like there’s never been a more challenging time to “get into” the music industry? New technologies are taking our jobs, and our audiences are constantly dropping the last shiny object for whatever new shiny object comes out. If you’re ready to pierce the veil and cut through the noise, Cameron gets deep in this episode. He shares life lessons from his personal experiences and gets to the core of why it is essential to define and hold onto your core purpose.

Do you have big dreams for your music? Do you see music production as a gateway to something greater but have no idea how to monetize it? Dani Felt was driven by her passion for music into a much greater purpose and has freed herself from the 9-5 shackles by constantly working on herself and her vision and taking significant risks on her ideas. Tune in to this insightful interview if you want to learn the secrets to self-mastery that have empowered her to sell high-ticket offers to clients confidently and competently.

There are so many threats to the music industry that it seems like the wrong time to jump into building a career or launching your own business. If you’re in the death throes of giving up and you’ve barely started building a business or have been endlessly pushing through a slow churn that feels like it hasn’t gone anywhere, this episode is a must-listen. Cameron and Adam discuss the six invisible factors that you can leverage right now.

Are you tired of feeling like your mixes are what’s keeping you from success? Do you constantly seek advice and feedback and expect your problems to be in your mix or master? The secret that the major producers are leveraging isn’t in their perfect mixes or masters. Join Cameron as he interviews professional mix engineer and producer Varti Deuchoghlian, who’s distilled the secret of growing as an artist or producer. This is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Have you ever heard someone give you vague advice? Do you run into walls when asking for help, only to find that the advice is just regurgitated variations of the same cliché? Join Adam and Cameron as we explore some of the most common misconceptions. From breaking down industry clichés to exploring the impact of personal habits on professional growth, this podcast is your backstage pass to real, sustainable success in the music industry. Tune in to unlock the secrets of thriving as a modern music producer.

Are you tired of switching between communication apps to interact with your clients or leads because they prefer to message you in a particular app? Are you finding it difficult to keep track of various opportunities, projects, and client conversations? If yes, you must tune in to this episode. Cameron discusses managing your communication more effectively. This episode is packed with valuable insights, so don't miss out on why you shouldn't be available on every communication platform.

Turning a passion for music production into a successful business can seem daunting and even impossible. If you're feeling burnt out and frustrated with your lack of progress, then you won't want to miss this episode. Adam and Cameron return to discuss the most common obstacles music producers face in their business and share tips on how to overcome them.

Join Cameron as he chats with a music industry veteran who has secured numerous sync placements. Together, they dive into the world of licensing and placements, exploring the key components contributing to Ed Hartman's legendary career. If you want to learn how to leverage this aspect of the music industry, tune in now.