I Got This Producer FULL TIME In 12 Months to Prove It's Not Luck

Experimenting with a New Music Producer

Introduction to the Experiment

• On May 23rd, 2023, an experiment began focusing on a completely new music producer without any prior experience or portfolio.

• The goal was to demonstrate that it is still possible to build a viable career in music production despite common industry complaints.

• The process will be outlined step-by-step, providing a clear path based on real evidence.

Meet Christian Sano

• The subject of the experiment is Christian Sano, a Canadian producer who reached out through YouTube and applied for assistance.

• A major obstacle identified early on was Christian's lack of time due to his commitments as a full-time PhD student and job responsibilities.

Step One: Choosing the Right Business Model

• It was crucial for Christian to focus on one income stream for the next 12 months to avoid overwhelm and financial instability.

• The chosen model was freelance music production, allowing him to gain experience while getting paid directly by independent artists.

Setting Financial Goals

• To meet his financial needs of $3,200 per month, it was determined that he should charge at least $800 per project based on his capacity to handle four songs monthly.

• This approach emphasized using mathematical calculations over emotional reasoning when setting prices.

Building a Portfolio

• A significant challenge arose as Christian lacked evidence of his ability to produce commercially viable music; he needed at least three solid tracks for credibility.

• His initial productions were experimental and did not showcase marketable skills; thus, improvements were necessary.

Improving Production Skills

• Focused efforts were made on enhancing Christian's arrangement skills and vocal production techniques over several weeks.

• Key areas addressed included tuning vocals effectively and creating compelling arrangements that serve both the song and artist.

Step Three: Branding Essentials

• With five months into the journey, branding became urgent but had to be prioritized effectively due to time constraints.

Getting Started as a Music Producer

Building an Effective Profile

• Christian needed to establish a clear identity as a producer, ensuring that his profile conveyed who he is and what he does without ambiguity.

• Key additions to his profile included:

• A clear profile picture showing his face.

• A concise line of text summarizing his role.

• A link tree for showcasing work and contact information.

• Posts featuring three songs from his portfolio.

The Challenge of Getting Paid

• Step four in Christian's journey was crucial; it involved overcoming the significant hurdle of getting paid for his work, where many producers struggle and often give up.

• To achieve financial goals, Christian aimed to land four songs per month at $800 each, totaling $3,200. This required sending out proposals consistently.

Proposal Strategy

• The focus shifted to the number of proposals sent monthly; no proposals meant no clients.

• As a newcomer, Christian needed to connect with at least 120 artists to secure eight proposals (with a target acceptance rate of 50%).

Relationship Building

• Engaging with artists casually was essential; this involved conversations to understand their needs and explore potential collaborations.

• By discussing how he could contribute based on initial interactions, Christian aimed to gauge interest without overtly selling himself.

Overcoming Obstacles

• Despite reaching out to numerous artists, obstacles persisted. Many producers quit or shift models when faced with challenges.

• Understanding that obstacles signify growth rather than failure helped Christian persevere through tough times in securing deals.

Closing Deals Effectively

• To address concerns about quality, Christian offered guarantees like money-back options if clients were unsatisfied with the song.

• He adjusted pricing strategies by creating higher tiers for services which made standard fees appear more competitive.

Increasing Visibility and Attracting Clients

• Enhancing social media presence by sharing content about ongoing projects led to increased visibility and client inquiries.

Progress and Achievements in Music Production

Personal Milestones After Joining Dark Label

• The speaker shares a significant update about their music career, highlighting the release of three tracks over one weekend, marking a major milestone since joining Dark Label.

• They express excitement about meeting their living expenses entirely through music-related income for the first time, indicating financial progress linked to their musical endeavors.

• The speaker notes a substantial increase in their Instagram following from 400 to over 2,000 followers since March, showcasing growth in personal branding and audience engagement.

• Reflecting on the past year, they describe the journey as surreal and emphasize the importance of hard work and guidance in achieving professional status as a music producer.