Chris Hocking is the CEO of Indiy.com
Indiy is an online marketplace for musicians.
Indiy connects musicians with music professionals and the services they need to get their music to market and see results.
It is born out of the need to make the music industry fairer and transparent, whilst keeping all parties safe by acting as a secure go between.
Chris is the Author of the free ebook “How to get started in the Music Industry” that can be downloaded here https://indiy.com/job/other-jobs/get-started-in-the-music-industry-free-ebook/
You can follow Indiy on social media here
https://www.instagram.com/beindiy/
https://www.facebook.com/BeIndiy/
https://twitter.com/BeIndiy
https://www.linkedin.com/company/indiy
1.) What made you say to yourself that you wanted to do help musicians for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
I have been involved in the music industry for some time now. I have had the opportunity to work with some really awesome artists in the UK and the USA. I have also put on shows for upcoming artists all over Europe.
I noticed that often unsigned independent musicians lack access to knowledge and the resources to reach their goals.
In order to succeed in the music business you need to see yourself as just that, a business!
Without a clear visual on the resources you need, the cost and quality level, you are really fighting a war blind!
One of my biggest influences has been Lil Fats of Coast2Coast mixtapes who told me straight – “Chris, no one here wants to hear more than 3 songs from you” – It was to the point, and he was right, he is about his business. Its hard to deal with for some, but it makes you better and you learn a lot from being around him!
My aim is to open up the music industry for anyone that wants to enter it. Anyone who is helping people do that without ripping people off in a shady way is my hero and role model!
2.) What separates you from other everyone else who does what you do?
I’m tenacious. I know I can not just help musicians with Indiy but change their lives, how they look at the music business and build something for their families. We have some really big plans!
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the work that you do? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming an entrepreneur?
Adversity breeds a desire to want better. I have been through a lot in my life and I use it to always push myself forward. It is perhaps too much for this question, but ultimately it has made me want to build a place in Indiy where anyone, from any background, dealt any cards can make a career for themselves and make money from making music!
4.) How do you prepare yourself to create? What is your process?
I found that it’s really hard to be at a top level creatively when you are stressed out about the business end, how you get people to listen, make money and survive.
I have made it my mission to solve this problem and help other musicians to be as creative as they can be!
5.) Unfortunately many industries are full of talented individuals who more or less become the “starving artist” and don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and reach these musicians?
It is such a shame, but hard work always beats talent!
Too often these musicians lack access to the resources and knowledge they need to really make music a career option.
If this happens these artists will be sure to leave music all together.
We are pushing forward, adding amazing professionals to our network.
We are a marketplace for musicians built by musicians. We understand the pain and can help on your journey, you just need to take the jump and give us a try!
6.) What is better, signing to a big corporation or staying independent? What makes one better than the other? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in the music industry?
Both have their place, it depends on where you want to be. If you want to be Coca Cola on a global scale you need the big corporation.
If you want to make a living and be an independent musician, that is an option too.
Nowadays record labels are not interested on taking a chance based on musical talent alone. You need some traction. So either way at Indiy we can help you achieve your goals.
It’s very important that you know those goals!
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the creative industry and how artists are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s economy if they’re not social media savvy?
I think it opens up the playing field. You can work smart, build your fanbase and market your music the way you want to!
If you are not social media savvy, that is ok, you are a SME (Small and medium-sized enterprises). What would a business do if they did not have the skills they needed?
They would hire those who have the skills!
Take steps to be a mogul, you just have to take the first step!
8.) Typically, entrepreneurs who try to create products and/or services for mass consumption for the general public and make more money are seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way?
Businesses give people what they want!
If you can sell to a demographic and still keep your integrity then why not. As a music entrepreneur you need to be about your business!
Do not worry about what others say, you can cry about it on the way to the bank!
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
We have some really big plans at Indiy.
To see what exactly you can signup for free at indiy.com, we will keep you up to date.
You can also download our apps on the Google play store and Apple App store anytime!
Thank you for having me it has been a pleasure to speak with you.