Hello, everyone, and thank you for tuning in to 'The Jim Kroft Podcast,' where we explore the exciting intersection of solopreneurship and creativity. I'm your host, Jim Kroft.
In these conversations, I engage with mavericks who chart their own courses in life, art, and business.
Today, we have a special guest, 'The Dark Tenor' (Billy Andrews), who epitomises these values. Since leaving Universal Music, he has forged a unique path in the music industry and pioneered a groundbreaking business model in the process.
Having directed Billy’s last 7 music videos, I’ve watched with curiosity and awe how he approaches the most challenging industry with a can-do attitude and astute business acumen.
I asked him to come to my Berlin studio, and today, for the first time, he breaks down in intimate detail how musicians can forge independent careers in the toughest of environments.
For Solopreneurs, Billy shares his strategies for launching new products, his approach to content creation, and leveraging marketing funnels effectively.
In this episode:
1️⃣ Navigating the music industry as your own manager
2️⃣ The continuing relevance of Facebook marketing
3️⃣ Harnessing AI for innovative marketing strategies
4️⃣ Building robust databases
5️⃣ Merging music industry insights with e-commerce tactics
6️⃣ Adopting big-brand strategies for an independent career
Finally, today is a little landmark for the podcast, as we’ve just reached our 10th episode!
Thank you all for the support so far; it really keeps me motivated to keep reaching out to great people, dig into their experiences, and share what I discover.
It means the world to have you along for the journey.
If you’re ready, then let’s dive in!
Jim
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What is The Creative Life — with Jim Kroft?
🎙️ The Creative Life — with Jim Kroft
This podcast is for creatives who’ve chosen the long road.
Each week, I take one aspect of the creative life — a breakthrough, a challenge, or a tool that’s helping me — and share what I’m learning from the inside.
I started the show because I couldn’t find what I needed: a companion for the real challenges of making art while building a life around it.
The podcast swings between the psychological traps we face and the practical tools that keep me going. It moves between mindset and method — but always comes back to how we keep showing up.
I’m Jim, your host. I’ve lived a long life in the arts — full of meteoric highs and humbling lows.
Here are a few stops from the journey:
🎸 Released 7 records — from major labels to van tours
🎥 Filmed 6 feature docs, screened at 200+ festivals
🧠 Built a creative business in Berlin since 2013
✍️ Top 1% on Substack for weekly consistency
📈 Raised nearly €100K for refugee & Ukraine war efforts
🎧 The Creative Life has hit the Apple Podcast charts
Thanks for being here,
Jim
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