In this short episode of For Artists Figuring It Out, Tom’s tackling one of the most damaging myths in the music industry, that you need to find your genre to stand out.

If you’ve ever panicked about not having a “clear sound” or not fitting into one genre, this one’s for you.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• Why genre doesn’t matter as much as personality
• What fans actually connect to
• Why forcing a genre might be holding you back
• A quick mindset shift to help you show up more authentically online
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Instead of asking “what genre am I?”, ask “how do I make people feel?” That’s your niche. Build your content, your visuals, and your community around that emotional story, not a box someone else created.

In this short episode of For Artists Figuring It Out, Tom breaks down one of the biggest reasons artists aren’t getting booked, and why it’s almost never about talent.

If you’ve been sitting around waiting to be discovered, thinking your music should speak for itself… this one’s for you.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• Why promoters aren’t “discovering” new acts
• The most common mistake artists make when trying to get gigs
• What actually makes a booker say yes
• A dead simple message you can send today
• One task to help you finally get the ball rolling

This isn’t about chasing virality or begging for slots. It’s about learning how the live side of the industry actually works, so you can start getting your foot in the door instead of waiting by it.

Don't forget you can join the Patreon for free, for daily deep dives into topics like this!

Today on For Artists Figuring It Out, Tom’s shining a light on the middle of the fanbase funnel, the part nobody talks about but nearly every artist is missing.

If you’re stuck in the loop of trying to go viral but not gaining fans, this episode is for you.

Here’s what we’re covering:

→ What Is a Funnel & Why It Matters

Most artists focus on the top (TikToks, playlisting, exposure) or the bottom (merch, ticket sales, streaming numbers). But the middle? That’s where the trust is built, and it’s what actually moves people through.

→ Why Socials Alone Won’t Save You

It’s tempting to chase views and follows, but that won’t build a sustainable fanbase. Middle funnel work is slow, unsexy, and real, and that’s why nobody sells it to you.

→ The Metrics That Actually Matter

A DM reply, a newsletter open, a voice note from a fan. These feel small, but they’re the seeds of loyalty. And they mean more than 1,000 passive views.

→ A Simple Funnel Example to Steal

Tom breaks down a basic but powerful example of a working artist funnel, from the first interaction to a paying fan and shows how middle funnel activity makes or breaks the process.

This episode is taken from a full-length video on the ⁠Patreon⁠. The free tier has full access to daily content like this, and the bonus tier gives you extra tools, templates and exercises to take it even further. If this episode hits home, come join the community.