Welcome to Dear Songwriter, the podcast to help you confidently and consistently write and release your songs. In this episode, we're diving into something all too familiar for many songwriters: being stretched too thin. With the pressures of social media, content creation, and maintaining connections, it’s easy to lose focus on the main thing—writing your music.

Episode Highlights:

• Shiny Object Syndrome: We often feel pressured to follow every new trend, post daily on social media, or try new things in hopes of getting discovered. This can lead to burnout.
• My Solution: I introduce the MCC Prioritization Method, focusing on three areas: Music, Content, and Conversations. By honing in on these categories, you can focus your efforts and reduce overwhelm.

The MCC Prioritization Method:

1. Music:
   • My Struggle: I felt the need to constantly reinvent my sound, purchasing countless tools and feeling overwhelmed.
   • Solution: Stick to what works and improve. Build on the sound you're happy with, and focus on finishing your songs rather than chasing new ideas.
   • Next Steps:
     • Inventory your current skills and tools.
     • Create outcomes based on those tools.
     • Identify the next steps and new skills you'll need to grow.
2. Content:
   • My Struggle: I was posting across too many platforms and experimenting too much, which led to burnout.
   • Solution: Focus on content creation that feels natural to you, and choose one platform to start with.
   • Next Steps:
     • Pick a content type (writing, video, or audio).
     • Choose 1-2 platforms to focus on.
     • Determine a sustainable posting schedule.
3. Conversations:
   • My Struggle: I was engaging with too many people, from clients to collaborators, and it drained my energy.
   • Solution: Get clear on who you want to engage with and prioritize meaningful connections.
   • Next Steps:
     • Identify three groups of people you want to regularly engage with.
     • Set monthly conversation goals (e.g., reaching out to local artists).
     • Track your conversations to stay organized.

Call to Action:

• If you feel overwhelmed with your music journey, I’m here to help! Book a free Just Start Call to get clarity on your goals and create a personalized plan. Visit connorfrost.com/startcall to schedule a time.

Closing Thoughts:

When in doubt, refer to one of the MCC buckets—Music, Content, or Conversations. By focusing on these areas, you'll always have something to work on, and you'll never feel stuck. Take a step today and start building toward your songwriting goals.

Sincerely, Connor
Happy writing!

Episode Resources:

• Free Just Start Calls: connorfrost.com/startcall
• Join the Newsletter: connorfrost.com/vault

Be sure to follow the podcast for more songwriting tips and actionable advice!

Originally aired in 2022

Do you feel very “untrained” when it comes to your songwriting?

Do you feel like you just go based off of what’s in your head, but you’re not really sure what you’re doing?

I certainly felt that way when I got started.

A good way to learn is not only through listening to other artists’ songs, but through analysis.

But what does that even mean? And how would you go about doing that?

That’s exactly what I dive into, in this episode of “Dear Songwriter”.

Episode Title: Breaking Down the Costs of Producing Your Song

Episode Description: Dear songwriter, you've written a song and are ready to take it to the next stage—production and release. But when it comes to investing in your music, you're unsure where to start. What should you spend on? Who should you hire? How much is fair? These are common questions that every songwriter faces, including me.

In this episode, I share my recent experience producing a single, breaking down the exact costs involved. From hiring instrumentalists to mixing and mastering, I'll walk you through the investments I made to help you get a better sense of what to expect for your own projects. Whether you're thinking, "Wow, that's a lot," or "That’s not too bad," this episode will give you the clarity you need to make informed decisions about your music production budget.

Key Investments Discussed:

1. Hiring a Violin/Viola Player:
   • Investment: $255 (85/hr for 3 hours)
   • Why: I wanted a secondary voice in the production to complement the vocal melodies. Initially considering trumpet, I realized strings would better suit the song's overall vibe.
   • How: I worked with Godfrey, a past acquaintance, who provided remote live recordings.
2. Hiring a Cello Player:
   • Investment: $150 (flat rate)
   • Why: The song needed more "body" in the arrangement, particularly in the low/mid-range frequencies, which the cello provided.
   • How: Godfrey connected me with Tiger, a Brooklyn-based cellist who also recorded remotely.
3. Hiring a Drum Programmer:
   • Investment: $150 (flat rate)
   • Why: The song called for programmed electronic drums instead of acoustic ones. Despite attempting it myself, I recognized someone else could do it better.
   • How: I reached out to my friend Sam, who brought his expertise to the project.
4. Hiring a Mixing Engineer:
   • Investment: $350 (flat rate)
   • Why: Mixing is crucial to create the best blend of all recorded tracks. Given Sam's success with the drums, I entrusted him with the mixing as well.
   • How: We agreed on the rate, and I provided isolated tracks for each song element to begin the process.
5. Hiring a Mastering Engineer:
   • Investment: $150 (flat rate)
   • Why: Mastering is the final stage of production. I prefer to work with a separate engineer from the mixer to get a fresh perspective on the song.
   • How: I reconnected with Jason Livermore from The Blasting Room, whom I'd worked with before, and arranged for mastering.

Sneak Peek at Upcoming Investments: In the next episode, I'll detail the costs involved in promoting and releasing the single, including hiring a PR agency, creating album art, and running ads.

Conclusion: Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much you should invest in your music. I could have spent less or more, but I’m satisfied with the decisions I made and thrilled with how the song sounds. If you’re navigating these decisions and want to discuss your goals further, consider booking a free call with me to see if my mentorship could help you reach your goals.

How to Stay Connected:

• Free Call Booking: connorfrost.com/startcall
• Email: info@connorfrost.com
• Website: connorfrost.com

Closing: Thank you for tuning in! I hope this episode provided value and insight into the real costs of producing a song. Stay tuned for more in the next episode, and until then, happy writing!