In this insightful episode of Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast, host Bree Noble sits down with Andy Gesner, founder of Hip Video Promo, for a candid discussion on the realities of music marketing and the evolving landscape of music promotion.
Key Highlights:
The 80/20 Rule in Music Success: Andy shares his hard-earned wisdom that talent and music quality contribute only about 20% to an artist’s success, while a whopping 80% comes down to effective marketing. As he puts it, you can make the best music in the world, but if nobody hears it, your career can’t take off.
Andy’s Musical Roots and Journey: Andy reminisces about his personal path—from discovering music alongside his siblings in the 1960s, playing in bands through his youth, to joining the college radio station. Realizing he could no longer “do,” he decided to “teach” and promote, which led him to start Hip Video Promo around the dawn of widespread internet video.
Promoting Before YouTube: Bree and Andy dive into his early career in music video promotion—long before the days of YouTube. Andy describes literally lugging bags full of videotapes to TV programmers across the country and the importance of building strong human connections in the industry.
The Digital Shift: As watching music videos online became the norm, the game changed. Andy highlights the rise of music blogs and online PR, and how crucial it is for artists to build “online real estate” through consistent exposure on reputable sites, boosting both their audience and search engine rankings.
The Power of Consistency & Storytelling: One of Andy’s top marketing tips is to be consistent, both in releasing new content and in how you present yourself online. He advises pairing music posts with personality posts to strengthen fan connections, even for introverts who struggle with being camera-ready.
Modern Marketing Musts: Today, video content is more critical than ever. Andy stresses that people “listen with their eyes,” encouraging artists to embrace video as an essential marketing tool—on social platforms, YouTube, and beyond.
Building Sustainable Strategies: For musicians juggling full-time jobs, families, or hectic touring schedules, Andy suggests “banking content”—batch-creating posts like unboxings, behind-the-scenes stories, and Throwback Thursdays to keep online engagement steady, even when time is short.
Choosing the Right Marketing Partners: Andy is transparent about the importance of working with reputable professionals. He warns against scams and stresses the value of reading reviews and asking for references before investing in any marketing service.
First Impressions Matter: When it comes to music videos, Andy’s philosophy is simple—never release or promote something that isn’t your best work, as decision-makers rarely give second chances for lackluster first impressions.
Takeaway:
The episode is packed with real-life stories and actionable advice for artists at all stages. Andy and Bree both emphasize that while the music marketing landscape is constantly evolving, consistency, authenticity, and great storytelling remain at the heart of successful promotion. And if you’re overwhelmed by the marketing hustle? Don’t be afraid to reach out for help—just make sure you’re working with people who truly care about your music.
Find Andy Gesner:
– Hip Video Promo
– Hip Video Productions
– Social: @hipvideopromo
– YouTube: @HipVideo
– Podcast: Hip to the Scene
Final Thoughts:
Whether you’re a DIY musician or ready to partner with a promo team, there’s never been a better time to take charge of your marketing and let the world hear your music. Consistent creativity—and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone—will take you farther than talent alone.