14. Normalising exposure in dance music as payment is rank
Hello to all of those brave souls - the entrepreneurs and musicpreneurs in dance music who are going it alone - making a living while building a life around your passion for electronic music.
You’re doing something most people question. Is there money in that?
A question I have heard a gazillion times. ever since I founded my company The Unicorn Mothership. Since 2015 I guide DIY DJs and electronic music producers who are ready to face the fears that limit both their craft and career in dance music - particularly through overcoming procrastination.
I teach them how to cultivate a greater sense of personal wellness and mental well-being which helps them to feel confident about their steps so that they can move the needle in dance music.
I have learned a ton since starting my business and wanted to create a space for myself as a CEO where I can just get raw and real my personal experiences, expertise and future vision for all things wellness and mental well-being in electronic music, mindset, spirituality, entrepreneurship in electronic music, and more.
Consider this the secret diary of an electronic music wellness expert. A place where I get to be all of me - no filter, no strategies, no nothing. So if you do decide to listen, that’s what you’re going to get.
PS. I decided to not care too much about getting it all perfect in terms of how it sounds. I just record these episodes on my phone and honestly don’t even bother to edit de-s or de-nothing anything. It’s literally as raw and real as it gets.
On this episode I’m cutting through the bullshit of exposure for payment. We need to stop normalising this in the dance music industry, stat!
Screw those who say that you shouldn’t be in music for the money. Of course it’s never just about the money, but what you can do with it.
Here is something I do not approve of in the dance music industry: using exposure as a form of payment.
In fact, I’m firmly against it and i absolutely loathe the fact that this is still being normalised in this industry. it’s oppressive and we need to stop this practice.
On this episode, you can explore this with me:
There is a huge difference between intentionally volunteering your time, talent, craft and art, and being expected to offer it up for free.
Exposure is never a guarantee.
Not having enough in the budget to pay you or not being able to afford your prices is a choice. It means not being willing to make the exchange a priority.
Money and your mindset around money are actually not about money but about your own sense of self-worth and your level of confidence to express and stand behind your own value.
I hope you’ll enjoy the episode!
If you need any help with cultivating wellness in dance music, then know that I can help. You are always more than welcome to reach out to me by sending me a DM on IG @unicorneline, or if you’d rather email, then you can use captain@theunicornmothership for that - that’s my personal email.
Needless to say conversations are confidential and I’ll get back to you at my earliest convenience, that’s a promise!
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Did you experience any ‘aha’ moments from this episode?
What was your biggest insight and how can you turn that insight into action starting today? Drop them in the comments below!
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