The Brassy Broadcast with Jen Edds

I’m so excited to introduce you to Shawnee Kilgore in this episode!  She is an Austin, TX based singer-songwriter living a crowd-funding fairy tale.

In 2014, Shawnee launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund her fourth solo album, A Long and Precious Road. In her video message to potential backers, a tribute to Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues, she held up a card that said "I'm learning to ask for help." This vulnerable and honest phrase struck a chord for one particular music fan perusing Kickstarter projects on his rare off time  Joss Whedon. Whedon, one of Hollywood's most prominent directors (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, The Avengers) loved Shawnee's music and her voice, and backed the project, taking the first step towards what would become the unlikeliest of creative partnerships.

Insights and Takeaways

Good things happen when you just “DO THE THING”

Crowdfunding a project v. ongoing fan support from Patreon

Creating a sustainable income with Patreon

Flexing our songwriting muscles

Why house concerts rock

Working on an EP with Joss Whedon

Links and Resources

Shawnee Kilgore and Joss Whedon Back to Eden

Shawnee Kilgore

Shawnee Kilgore is creating a song a week! | Patreon

Shawnee Kilgore (@ShawneeKilgore) | Twitter

https://www.instagram.com/shawneekilgore/

Connect with Jen

Home Page - Brassy Broadcasting Company

YouTube Channel

Instagram

Twitter

Subscribe to the Podcast

Apple Podcasts

Android

Jen’s Podcasting Tutorials and Videos on YouTube

youtube.com/jeneddsbrassy,

Connect on Instagram and twitter

@brassybroadjen Instagram

@brassybroadjen Twitter

From Girls Rock Camp to the Senior LPGA Championship at The Pete Dye Course in French Lick, IN, it’s been an exciting week of adventure and female empowerment for all ages.

We break down our Championship experience in French Lick, and spill the beans on a new podcast coming soon from The Brassy Broadcasting Company. 

Links and Resources

Girls Rock Indy Camp Indianapolis 

Senior LPGA Championship | French Lick Resort

Trish Johnson Completes Wire-to-Wire Victory at Inaugural Senior LPGA Championship | LPGA | Ladies Professional Golf Association

Jetty Rae talks about recording her latest album Can't Curse the Free in Nashville, choosing her producer, crowdfunding lessons learned, social media, and the power of intention.

Links and Resources Mentioned

jettyrae.com

penpalsmusic.com

Jetty Rae - YouTube

Ben Franklin’s World Podcast - Paul Revere’s Ride Through History

Terrible, Thanks for Asking Podcast

Sherry-Lynn Lee is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the jazz-pop duo 23rd Hour. We talk about creating an identity, growing an audience on social media, as well as in your own back yard, creating strategic partnerships, and leveraging your success to build momentum. 

Creating community

• Experimenting to figure out what creates engagement
• Creating a twitter strategy for promotion around popular hashtags
• Pairing a wine with a song for #winewednesday
• Repurposing video to multiple social sites
• Knowing where your audience is hanging out on social media
• Tailoring your content to your audience
• Consistently showing up on social media

Creating Strategic Partnerships

• Partnering with a music education foundation to promote their CD release party
• Finding an organization that is in line with your values
• Creating strategic partnerships with organizations in your local community to help grow your audience
• Donating show proceeds to charity

iTunes Chart Success

• Leveraging iTunes chart position to gain momentum to move higher up the chart
• Creating a partnership with Hungry for Music
• Converting album sales to instruments so fans could see how there impacting the charity
• Rising to the Top 10 on the iTunes chart
• Leveraging their success for additional exposure and promotion
• The power of promoting something people already care about

Why has success as a musician been historically defined as not having a day job? Why must we choose?

• Being a full time musician doesn’t work for everyone
• Some people have multiple passions. Why do we have to pick just one?
• Having a day job helps her finance Sherry-Lynn’s music projects
• Creating software also fills her creative needs
• Balancing two careers

Creating an Experience for Everyone

• Transporting listeners to another time and place
• Playing to a listening audience
• Making color coded set-lists for the band
• Making it easy for the venue to help you have a successful performance

Links and Resources Mentioned

https://www.facebook.com/23rdHr

https://www.twitter.com/twentythirdhour

https://www.instagram.com/twentythirdhour

https://www.soundcloud.com/23rdHr

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgUjwMHideFEBo_hBqlu1Tg

https://medium.com/@twentythirdhour

Ariel Hyatt on Crowdfunding - Brassy Broadcasting Company

This is a companion episode to go along with episode 77.  It’s the producers cut. If you haven’t listened to that one, and you want to hear it now, without me piping in with a comment, click HERE, and you will magically be transported there through the inter webs. Don’t forget to come back when you’re done.

I recorded this story using an Audio Technica ATR2100, plugged into my iPhone 6s. There is a USB camera adapter you can use to make it work. I recorded it while sitting in my walk-in closet, the tiniest walk-in closet known to man.

I stripped it down was because I wanted to make a point that you didn’t need $300 microphones and a fancy recording studio to make your art or share your voice. 

Constraints breed creativity, and help us make better art. Use the tools that are currently available to you.

Stop using “lack of tools” as an excuse. I was listening to an episode of the Chase Jarvis podcast with Mark Ecko where they talk about this.

Use whatever hand me down phone, gear, laptop, or cassette tape recorder you can get your hands on. Stop making excuses and start recording!

Another constraint that I placed on myself was that I only used music that was available in the Apple Loops that come with Logic Pro X.

The Story Starting Point

I started with “Mom knows” because that seemed like the best place to set the hook in the listeners ears. I wanted to share a very specific moment in time. 

I wanted to drop my audience right in the middle of the problem at the beginning.  I didn’t feel the need to give a backstory because I knew there were opportunities to sprinkle bits of it in as the story progressed.

Notes on Music

You're just going to have to listen!

Links and Resources Mentioned

Audio Technica ATR2100 Microphone

Lightening to USB Camera Adapter

Chase Jarvis podcast with Mark Ecko

Pocket Casts for iPhone

Pocket Casts for Android

This episode is one of experimentation. Lately I’ve become more interested in narrative style podcasting. The creative soul in me wants more than just an interview show. My vision is to create a hybrid that weaves interviews, stories, and sound design together.

It all starts with the story. Today I’m sharing one of mine. This episode is the story only. There is a companion episode that will follow this one. It’s my podcasting nerd version of the director’s cut. I’ll break down the production and share how creative decisions were made. It will also serve as a record for me to consult when I listen back in a year and wonder “why in the heck did I do that there?”. This is a benchmark episode.

I’ve chosen to share this story now as we head into PRIDE month. It’s a time of celebration and reflection in the LGBT community. We’ve come a long way thanks to the tireless work of those within the community and our allies. There is still much work to be done, but it’s nice to take a minute to celebrate, and who doesn’t love a fabulous parade.

Unfortunately, I know people that still can’t openly celebrate because they are closeted, but it goes much deeper than not attending a parade. They can’t be the fullest most glorious versions of themselves because they have to hide the greatest gift we are given as humans, love. They can’t openly share their LOVE. If you haven’t lived it, it’s hard to imagine.

I’ve also come to realize over the years that being out isn’t just about me. It also directly impacts my family and how they navigate their relationship with friends and family.

Here’s my short story. I hope that it helps you in some way, or at least shines a little light.

Elle Roberts and I talk about community engagement, bridging the gap between thinking and doing, and how the insane ideas in the margin of your notebook become actual things.

The audio version of the blog post I mentioned in BB74.

Thanks for subscribing!

The Brassy Broad's Brass Tacks Pod-Class - The FREE DIY course to get you started on your podcasting journey.

Podcasting Tutorials Playlist - I'm creating a YouTube library of free podcasting tutorials to help you in your podcasting journey.

If you're looking for a podcast producer, have feedback on the episode,or a question about podcasting, email me [email protected]

Instagram is my jam. Connect with me there for behind the scenes adventures from a curious podcasting musician. I'm @brassybroadjen.

In This Episode

I discovered my COLOSSAL PODCAST FAIL when I went to put the show together this week. This is the 6 minute story of what happened and what I learned. 

This is my first time out creating an NPR inspired podcast with all the bells and whistles. It's my experiment in sound and storytelling.

Resources and Links Mentioned

Why You Should Start a S***** Podcast

Zoom H6 Recorder

e Story Structure podcast from How Sound

My Kingdom for Some Structure podcast from How Sound

Jenn Lisak, Founder of Sapphire Strategy, joins me for a conversation around leveraging language, networks, and content to grow your business.

The Power of Language

• Being intentional about the language you use to attract clients
• Avoiding apologetic language to justify your pricing
• Using numbers and data to support your proposals
• Creating conversion paths on your website

Creating the Right Content for Your Audience

• Marketing trends come and go
• Know your audience
• 65% of people are visual learners
• 30% are audio learners
• 5% are kinesthetic learners
• Your website creates people's perception of your business

Creating a Solid Network 

• The importance of building your referral networks
• Getting involved with NAWBO and Pass the Torch for Women
• Asking for advice from experienced members of your network
• Mentoring and paying it forward

Links and Resources 

Sapphire Strategy

NAWBO

Pass the Torch for Women