Going from small money to big money as an artist in 2025 — How to scale & optimize the way killer startups do without labels, crowdfunding, campaigns, or “selling your soul”.

This is not a guide for people who aren’t making any money on their art. I’m making assumptions with this post -

1: you already have a fanbase & understand basic virality principles.

2: You’re selling to this audience consistently on some level and are full time as a creator or close to it.

If this isn’t you that’s fine but this post probably doesn’t apply. I’m here to tell you how to get paid more. Not how to get a cut with Taylor Swift. Here’s what you need to know: Your job is to be the CEO of your career now. The first step to making more $$ is to begin altering your identity. This is hard transition. You’re going to have to go from “guy who plays music & makes videos” to “guy who leads system and process implementation.”

I know this isn’t sexy or particularly rock star, but it is necessary & sets you up for success in the long term. This is a job — it’s a fun job, and you get to be the boss — it’s still a job.

Identity is important because it’s the lens through which you look at yourself as the arbiter of your future, and it’s the primary energetic…