The Manager's Playbook

Victoria Monét didn’t just have a viral moment, she built one.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Austin Dunn breaks down how Victoria’s journey from songwriter to star was powered by smart storytelling, community-driven marketing, and a deep understanding of what fans actually connect with.

He shares how leveraging her work with Ariana Grande, using faceless pages, and focusing on low-cost but high-impact content helped build a movement around her music.

From the viral Sol Blume performance to the now-iconic “Sum Cut” Challenge, this is a masterclass in how to grow a fanbase through authenticity, strategy, and consistency.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/30xK6cQ7CM379uuTuvK6T8?si=WHE9_oBBTtqYM8R0hZZ3Jg

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

The way artists connect with fans is evolving, and Austin Dunn has been studying the shift in real time.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Austin breaks down the new rules of content in the music business: why vertical video wins, how authentic storytelling builds audience trust, and what it really means to stay “cool” online.

Using examples from artists like Jessie Reyez and Sasha Keable, he shares the creative and strategic playbook behind content that actually connects, not just performs.

For any artist or manager trying to stay relevant in 2025 and beyond, this conversation is a masterclass in how to make your message move.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/30xK6cQ7CM379uuTuvK6T8?si=WHE9_oBBTtqYM8R0hZZ3Jg

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

The rules of digital marketing in music have changed, and Austin Dunn has lived every version of them.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Austin breaks down how music marketing has evolved from the height of COVID to where it’s heading by 2026. From the rise and fall of influencer campaigns to the dominance of TikTok and user-generated content, this is a real look at how attention actually moves online.

He also gets into why authenticity still wins, why major label strategies are struggling, and how repetition, not virality, builds real momentum.

If you’re serious about understanding how to grow in today’s digital landscape, this episode is your blueprint.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/30xK6cQ7CM379uuTuvK6T8?si=WHE9_oBBTtqYM8R0hZZ3Jg

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Before algorithms ran the music business, Austin Dunn was already building his own.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Austin breaks down the SoundCloud era, from bot networks and repost hacks to turning underground records into viral movements.

He shares how those same tactics helped launch artists like 6ix9ine and Trippie Redd, and how a kid studying accounting turned his early experiments into a full-blown career in digital marketing.

If you’re an artist, manager, or strategist looking to understand how songs really break online, this conversation is your blueprint.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/30xK6cQ7CM379uuTuvK6T8?si=WHE9_oBBTtqYM8R0hZZ3Jg

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Most artists are chasing the algorithm.
Austin Dunn built systems that outsmart it.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast, I sit down with Austin Dunn, digital strategist, cultural curator, and founder of @rnbmusic, one of the most influential community pages in music.

Before most labels understood content seeding, Austin was already engineering digital ecosystems, helping artists like Victoria Monét, 6ix9ine, and Teddy Swims break through the noise by focusing on storytelling over virality.

We talk about the early SoundCloud era, the rise of meme pages, and how community-driven platforms quietly became the new gatekeepers of culture. Austin shares his journey from building @rnbmusic to running global digital campaigns, and why the future of artist growth depends on narrative, not algorithms.

This episode is for anyone working in the modern music business, artists, managers, marketers, or executives, who wants to understand how culture actually moves online.

Because the truth is:
You don’t need to go viral.
You need a story worth following.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET

What if the key to building a real music career wasn’t luck, playlists, or connections, but how you show up online?

In this clip, Nic D breaks down how he turned content into a career. No label. No team. No shortcuts. Just strategy, discipline, and storytelling.

From recording songs in a minivan during the pandemic to going viral on TikTok, Nic shares how creativity, consistency, and what he calls “delusional self-belief” built the foundation for 1.5 billion streams.

This conversation is for any artist trying to build an audience from scratch and every manager learning how to guide them.

Topics include:

• How to approach content as an artist

• Building momentum without industry connections

• Turning limitations into leverage

• Why consistency matters more than virality

• The power of mindset and self-belief

Whether you’re an independent artist, music exec, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights and frameworks for growth.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-g

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

What if walking away from touring wasn’t a step back, but the smartest move an artist could make?

In this conversation, Nic D opens up about why he turned down major touring opportunities to focus on family, balance, and ownership. Despite the potential for fame and fast money, he chose freedom over burnout, and built one of the most successful independent artist careers in the process.

We dive into the financial reality behind touring, the myth of “you have to be everywhere,” and how streaming revenue and smart systems gave him more control than any tour could. Nic also shares how private strategy sessions and creative consistency helped him build community without sacrificing his peace.

This isn’t about rejecting success. It’s about redefining it.

Topics include:

• Why Nic D chooses not to tour

• Balancing family, fulfillment, and music

• The mental and financial cost of touring

• How streaming and ownership changed the game

• The new definition of success for artists

For every artist, manager, or creative chasing longevity, this one’s a reminder that the real win is balance.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-g

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

What does financial independence really look like for an artist with no label, no manager, and no team?

In this clip, Nic D breaks down the real numbers behind being an independent artist, from how much he spends on production to how he tracks every dollar to stay profitable. He shares why keeping costs low, owning your masters, and thinking like a business are the keys to longevity in music.

We dig into how he uses simple systems (like Excel sheets and DistroKid) to run his operation, what artists get wrong about “investing in themselves,” and why self-management has given him more control, not more chaos.

It’s an honest look at money, mindset, and ownership, and why mastering all three matters more than any industry co-sign.

Topics include:

• How to build profit as an independent artist

• The importance of keeping expenses low

• Smart budgeting and royalty splits

• The mindset shift from “artist” to “entrepreneur”

• Why ownership and control create long-term success

Whether you’re an artist, manager, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation breaks down the real cost of building something sustainable in music.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-g

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

What if success in music had less to do with talent, and everything to do with mindset?

In this conversation, Nic D breaks down the discipline, self-awareness, and consistency that helped him build a thriving career with no label, no manager, and no shortcuts.

He shares what artists get wrong about deals and streaming, how to stay consistent when motivation fades, and why you can’t build momentum without mastering yourself first.

We also dive into the power of practicality, the importance of audience connection, and how redefining success on your own terms can be the difference between burnout and longevity.

Topics include:

• The mindset that drives sustainable success

• How to stay consistent in music and content creation

• The truth about record deals and streaming

• Building a loyal audience through value and repetition

• Redefining success and personal growth in music

For artists, managers, and creatives who care more about building careers than chasing moments, this one’s for you.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-g

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

What if you built a billion-stream music career, without a label, manager, or industry connections?

That’s exactly what Nic D did. From Culpeper, Virginia, he turned $250-per-song releases and short-form content into a thriving independent business, all while staying self-managed and completely in control.

In this episode, Nic breaks down his entire system, from how he budgets every release to how he uses content as his live show. He shares how discipline, data, and mindset turned his catalog into consistent streaming income and freedom on his own terms.

We talk about:
- Building a profitable indie music model from scratch
- How to release a song with $250 and break even from streams
- Turning short-form content into real audience growth
- Mindset, self-mastery, and creative consistency
- Building community instead of chasing playlists

Whether you’re an independent artist, music manager, or entrepreneur, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to win without the machine.

This isn’t luck. It’s leverage.
It’s the new blueprint for independence.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET