Music Makin Cents Podcast

Music Makin Cents Podcast is a podcast for artists, by artists. Harkos is a Marketing Manager and HipHop Artist, who helps give musicians of all genres and success levels the knowledge and help that they need to grow. He has helped many artists achieve real growth in their careers through; brand development, social media presence and marketing as well as content creation strategy. Have custom questions about your independent music marketing strategy? Reach out directly—it's absolutely free! -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicmakincentspod/-Email: musicmakincentspod@gmail.com

Music Makin Cents Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 122 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Music Makin Cents Podcast, a education show with 122 episodes published.

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  Music Makin Cents Podcast

  How to Connect TuneCore to Official Artist Channel on YouTube (Step-by-Step)

  Jul 9, 202619 min

  Are you an independent artist still leaving your music stranded on a useless YouTube "Topic Channel" in 2026? In this video, I break down exactly how to merge your distribution with your main YouTube channel to unlock your Official Artist Channel (OAC) in less than five minutes. Many independent musicians don't realize that keeping your music on a separate topic channel severely slows down your potential growth. Without an Official Artist Channel, you lose out on essential cosmetic branding (like your custom channel banner and the music verification badge), you can't post Shorts with your music tracks, and worst of all—your comments section is completely disabled by default! I dive deep into a step-by-step tutorial on how to connect your official artist channel on YouTube using TuneCore, including a major hidden requirement that TuneCore completely leaves off their dashboard checklist. Plus, I pull back the curtain on the real cost of music distribution, explaining why I personally prefer LANDR over TuneCore, my thoughts on playlisting as a marketing strategy, and how to stop acting like a machine so you can build genuine connections with superfans. Learn how to properly leverage your comments section to trigger the YouTube algorithm, increase your reach, and scale your music career as a DIY musician. 🔗 Resources & Links My Official Website: mmcpod.com TuneCore OAC Page: web.tunecore.com/youtube_oac Get 20% Off LANDR Distribution: https://glnk.io/5wllp/music-makin-cents7eq Create Viral Shorts with OpusClip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=18aa66 Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase a package at no additional cost to you. I only recommend tools I personally use and trust to grow my own music career! Connect With Me (Free Marketing Questions) Have custom questions about your independent music marketing strategy? Drop a comment below, or reach out directly—I offer personalized advice completely free with no catches! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicmakincentspod/ Email: musicmakincentspod@gmail.com Key Moments (Timestamps) 00:00 - Stop Letting YouTube Topic Channels Slow Your Growth 00:46 - Welcome to the Music Makin Cents Pod 01:09 - What is a YouTube Topic Channel & Why Do You Have One? 02:30 - The Massive Limitations of a Topic Channel (No Comments or Shorts) 03:23 - Customizing Your Channel Banner & Getting Verified 03:54 - Hacking the YouTube Algorithm with Shorts & Long-Form Video 04:44 - The Secret to YouTube Growth: Mastering the Comments Section 05:32 - Stop Using Emojis! How to Reply to Fans Like a Human 06:35 - Why an Official Artist Channel (OAC) Changes Everything 07:27 - Step-by-Step: How to Connect TuneCore to Your Official Artist Channel 08:32 - The Hidden Requirement TuneCore Doesn't Tell You 09:57 - Why I Maintain a TuneCore Account (But Don't Use It For My Music) 11:36 - TuneCore Pricing Breakdown & Playlisting Strategy Critique 12:37 - Why I Personally Use LANDR for My Music Distribution 14:59 - Get 20% Off LANDR & Real Customer Support 16:50 - Why Free Music Marketing Information Matters to Me 17:41 - Let's Talk! Get Free One-on-One Music Strategy Advice

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  Music Makin Cents Podcast

  How to Spot Fake Streams Before Spotify Bans You (2026 Alert)

  Jan 9, 202615 min

  Are you getting "ghost streams" that look good but feel wrong? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Pod , host Harkos deep-dives into the "Fake Stream Trap" that is currently causing a massive purge of independent artists in 2026. If you’ve seen videos like “The Spotify Fraud Penalty Exposed” or read articles about Spotify’s $10 per-track fine for bot activity, you know the stakes have never been higher. Harkos shares his personal story of getting 2,000 streams in a weekend and realizing it was a death sentence for his track—not a success. He breaks down why big playlists are one of the worst ways to get streams because they are almost never real listeners—they are statistically proven to be bots. If you aren't careful, these scam playlists can get your entire profile removed from Spotify and kicked off your distributor. Explore why major labels can afford bot farms while independent artists can't, and why most distributors like DistroKid and TuneCore promote playlists but don't actually watch your back. Learn how to use Landr and its free Stream Scan service to safeguard your career from fraud before it’s too late. Crucial Resources for Independent Artists Safeguard Your Music (20% Off Landr): https://glnk.io/5wllp/music-makin-cents7eq Watch Previous Video: The 3 Real Ways to Grow a Fanbase: https://youtu.be/DmH1kXNqI-0 Free Strategy Session: Visit mmcpod.com to brainstorm your unique 2026 strategy with Harkos . Why Fake Streams Are Career Killers in 2026 The "Shadow Ban" Effect: Even if you aren't fully removed, fake streams ruin your metadata, meaning the algorithm will never show your music to real people again. Distributor Negligence: Most DIY distributors will kick you off their platform the moment Spotify flags you, offering zero human support to resolve the issue. The Landr Solution: We explore why Landr is the only distributor proactively protecting artists with their free Stream Scan technology. The Landr Advantage Unlike other platforms that leave you stuck with a strike or removal after a fake stream event, Landr provides active protection. Stream Scan: Included for free in any distribution package, this tool analyzes reports and notifies you of high-risk activity before your account gets flagged. Human Support: When issues arise, you need a distributor that looks out for your music and helps you fix the problem before it becomes a headache. Key Moments & Timestamps 00:00:15 – The "2,000 Stream" red flag: Why I freaked out. 00:01:03 – Welcome to the Music Makin Cents Pod with Harkos . 00:01:45 – Why big playlists are statistically proven to be fake streams. 00:02:50 – The Major Label Secret: Why they can use bots and you can't. 00:04:10 – How scam playlists use "enticement" to trap indie artists. 00:05:30 – The "Distributor Betrayal": Why DistroKid and TuneCore won't help you. 00:06:45 – Strategy issues resolved : Using Landr Stream Scan to stay safe. 00:08:12 – How to report a scam playlist before it’s too late.

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  Music Makin Cents Podcast

  2026 Music Marketing Strategy: The Only 3 Steps to Grow a Real Fanbase

  Jan 2, 202614 min

  Are you tired of "magical" shortcuts and "cheat codes" that promise instant fame? In this 2026 edition of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, host Harkos exposes why the hashtag strategies and scam playlists of the past are complete bullst**. Harkos provides a deep-dive marketing strategy breakdown for the modern independent artist. To have a real career in 2026, you need a system that balances the algorithm’s hunger for visual content with a sustainable business model. This episode covers the 3-step "High Frequency" system—strategic video creation, short-form saturation, and low-cost ads—to ensure your strategy issues are resolved once and for all. If you want to know how to build a real fanbase this year, this is the only marketing strategy walk thru you need. Contact Harkos - mmcpod.com Opus Pro Discount Link - https://www.opus.pro/?via=18aa66 The 2026 3-Step Strategy Step 1: The Video Strategy (The 4-Video per Month): Stop releasing just one music video. You need four visual assets per song: One official video, two "behind-the-scenes" or motivational music pieces, and one "Interest Video" (politics, religion, or sports) to attract people to your personality. Step 2: High-Frequency Content: Take your long-form videos and clip them into high-frequency shorts. To automate this process, I highly recommend using Opus Pro to turn one video into dozens of viral clips. Get Started with Opus Pro: https://www.opus.pro/?via=18aa66 Step 3: Strategic Ads: You don't need $1,000 for a music video. You need a $20/week ad budget to put your best-performing content in front of new audiences. Key Takeaways for 2026 The 90-Day Rule: A successful music business in 2026 is built on the "90-day muscle." You must be finished with your mix, master, and video assets three months before the release date. Entertainment Over Graphics: The industry isn't failing you—your boring graphics are. In 2026, if a video isn't visually entertaining within the first few seconds, the algorithm will bury it. The Personality Pull: Using "Interest Content" like sports or hobbies isn't a distraction; it’s how you build a connection with fans before they even hear your music. Key Moments: 00:00:45 – Why 2026 "cheat codes" and magical shortcuts are complete bullst**. 00:01:04 – Welcome to the Music Makin Cents Podcast with your host, Harkos. 00:01:48 – The 3-Step blueprint for real artist success. 00:02:40 – Marketing Strategy Walk Thru: The 4-video monthly breakdown. 00:03:56 – Why you need to post about politics, religion, or sports to find your fans. 00:05:40 – Turning long-form "pillars" into high-frequency shorts with Opus. 00:07:33 – The fatal mistake: Promoting your music after it’s already out. 00:08:24 – Strategy issues resolved: How to run effective ads for just $20 a week. 00:09:47 – Building the 90-day planning muscle to stay ahead of the game. Ready to stop looking for shortcuts and start building a real career? Contact Harkos: mmcpod.com Brainstorm Your Strategy: Reach out via the website or email to brainstorm your unique 2026 strategy—no cost, no strings attached. Implementation Services: I offer low-cost, high-effective services to help you implement this strategy today. #MusicBusiness2026 #IndieArtist #MusicMarketingStrategy #MusicMakinCents #Harkos #DIYMusician #MusicGrowth #ShortFormContent #ArtistSuccess

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  Music Makin Cents Podcast

  The Importance of Human Support in Music Distribution (Stop Waiting 50 Days)

  Dec 3, 202519 min

  Have you ever had a crucial music release stalled because your distributor’s customer service was slow, unhelpful, or non-existent? As independent artists, a smooth music business is pivotal to real success, but technical issues and general questions require fast, proper handling. On this episode, host Harkos dives deep into the frustration of dealing with poor customer support from major DIY platforms, offering a full customer service breakdown. He shares the wild story of female punk artist Angelwreck, who waited 50 days for a response from DistroKid on a simple but complex internal copyright issue. DistroKid's eventual, ridiculous reply blamed YouTube, forcing Angelwreck to switch distributors. Harkos compares the customer service experience of DistroKid, TuneCore, and Landr, demonstrating how one platform centers its support on real people. Hear how Landr's human support solved Angelwreck's recurring copyright problem the very next day and proactively marked her account to prevent future issues. If you're tired of chatbots and boilerplate responses, this episode is a must-listen before your next release! The Problem with DIY Distributor Support: Many platforms, like DistroKid, rely heavily on FAQs and non-human chatbots, often making it impossible to immediately email a real person. This leads to artists feeling frustrated and unable to resolve specific song issues. The 50-Day Nightmare (Customer Service Breakdown): An artist working with Harkos waited 50 days for a reply from DistroKid on a song's internal copyright error. When they finally replied, the response was incorrect and completely unhelpful. Landr's Human-Centric Approach: Unlike competitors who prioritize articles and chatbots, Landr gives users the option to submit a request directly to an actual person from the start. Proactive, Great Service (Customer Service Issues Resolved): When Angelwreck switched to Landr, they replied the next day with a human who understood the complex copyright issue and proactively implemented an internal fix to prevent that specific problem from ever happening to her again. Response Times: TuneCore's response time varies based on the user's paid plan (1 to 3 business days), while Landr promises a response from a real person within 1 to 5 business days, regardless of plan. Ready to stop dealing with frustrating chatbots and get the great customer service you deserve? Get 20% off Landr: Click the link down below in the description to try Landr and move your music over. https://glnk.io/5wllp/music-makin-cents7eq Connect with The Music Makin Cents Podcast: My Link (for marketing strategy questions/email): musicmakincentspod@gmail.com Website: mmcpod.com Key Moments The start of the customer service nightmare story - 00:00:36 Introducing the host, Harkos, and the Music Makin Cents Podcast - 00:01:08 Introducing the artist Angelwreck and her DistroKid issue - 00:02:06 Angelwreck switches to Landr and finally gets a reply from DistroKid after 50 days - 00:04:47 Landr's human-based solution to the recurring copyright problem - 00:05:23 Harkos shares his own experience with Landr vs. Empire Distribution - 00:07:33 Customer Service Walk Thru: Visual breakdown of DistroKid’s FAQ/Chatbot-first support - 00:10:54 Which music distributors offer good support? Customer Service Walk Thru: Visual breakdown of TuneCore's tiered/FAQ-first support - 00:12:48 Customer Service Walk Thru: Visual breakdown of Landr's direct, human-first support - 00:14:43 Why Harkos moved all his music to Landr and stayed - 00:17:05

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  Music Makin Cents Podcast

  Collect ALL Your Royalties (Streaming, Mechanicals, and the "Black Box") with Dae Bogan of The MLC

  Oct 7, 202549 min

  It’s true that streaming alone doesn't pay much . But for an independent artist to build a real career, you have to exploit all the different ways to make money from your music. On this episode, I’m sitting down with Dae Bogan from the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) to break down the complex world of music business and royalties. Most artists only think about streaming and sales, but there is so much more money to collect on the back end, and it’s likely that some of it is already owed to you. We dive into why artists miss out on key income streams, the difference between the two major music copyrights (sound recording and musical work/publishing), how platforms like TikTok and Instagram pay out, and the difference between blanket and direct licensing . Dae also explains the MLC’s groundbreaking Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP) , which helps artists finally collect royalties sitting in the industry’s "black box". If you’re a serious artist ready to collect all the money your music is earning, this episode is a must-watch. It’s critical to understand that your music has two separate copyrights : the sound recording (the actual track/audio file) and the musical work (the composition/publishing). Sound Recording Royalties flow through your distributor and then to you (or your label). Musical Work/Publishing Royalties are split into two types: Performance Royalties (collected by PROs like ASCAP/BMI) and Mechanical Royalties (collected by the MLC and companies like Harry Fox Agency). If you do not have a record label, you are your own record label . If you do not have a publisher, you are your own publisher . To get paid fully, you must register your music with the right organizations. The MLC is free to join and takes no commission . They collect blanket mechanical royalties from interactive streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, and 100% of what they collect is paid out to you. You must also consider other organizations for specific royalty types: Performance Royalties : Register with a PRO (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR). Direct Mechanical Licenses : Register with Harry Fox Agency (HFA) and Music Reports Inc. (MRI) . This is for mechanical royalties from voluntary/direct licenses associated with services like TikTok, Facebook, and gaming apps . Digital Radio Royalties : Register with SoundExchange for digital performance royalties from non-interactive streams like Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Sirius XM. Whether you need to acquire a separate license for a cover song depends on the platform , not the song itself. If you are only distributing to major streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, etc.), you do not need a cover song license because they operate under the blanket license. If you are creating a music video (audio-visual content) or distributing to platforms that use direct licenses , you do need to get a license . Featured Guest Links: The MLC (The Mechanical Licensing Collective): themlc.com MLC DURP Partners (Find your distributor here): https://www.themlc.com/durp Dae Bogan’s Website (Free E-book: DIY Musician Starter Guide to Being Your Own Label and Publisher): daeboganmusic.com Connect with Music Makin Cents Podcast: Website: mmcpod.com Key Moments: Why artists only focus on streaming and sales - 1:01 The world beyond streaming, including social media royalties - 2:48 The difference between a distributor's "100% royalty" and your net profit - 5:35 The two copyrights (Sound Recording vs. Musical Work/Publishing) - 9:11 Why you need to register with the MLC and how their DURP program works - 12:56 Visual breakdown of the US Digital Music Royalty Landscape - 24:42 Blanket vs. Direct Licenses and why HFA/Music Reports are still needed - 27:56 The truth about Cover Song Licensing - 39:06 The fifth and sixth royalty streams (AFM & HFA/MRI) - 36:59 The MLC is free and takes no commission - 45:46

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