On a recent episode of the Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast, host Bree Noble sat down with the multitalented Raven Rae—an artist, branding coach, and passionate advocate for musicians’ mental wellness. The conversation explored the realities of building a music career, setting boundaries, and cultivating self-value in an industry that too often undervalues independent creators.’
Listen to the episode here:
From Church Choir to Prolific Projects
Raven Rae’s journey began at age four in church choir, eventually leading her through music programs and formal education in the arts. By 19, she’d already released her first project centered around mental health, showcasing a deep sensitivity to the struggles artists often face. She didn’t stop there—subsequent albums delved into themes like love and self-discovery, with her latest project, “Discover Me,” dropping last November. “I just have a deep passion for music and storytelling,” Raven told Bree. She calls her multi-faceted brand the Professional Butterfly—a symbol of transformational growth that’s become the hallmark of her work.
Why Your Brand Matters (and How to Name It)
One of Raven’s essential pieces of advice? Develop a “two-name brand” that’s catchy and memorable. After hours in her own “YouTube University,” she coined “The Professional Butterfly,” tying her music and personal metamorphosis together under a unifying theme. “Everything circles around that transformation,” Raven explained, noting how meaningful branding helps artists connect their stories to audiences seeking solace or inspiration.
Rethinking ‘Fame’ as an Artist
Raven challenges the typical notion of fame, instead offering her own “FAME Framework”—Focus, Aspire, Mentally Prepare, Execute. Whether you crave pop superstardom or prefer producing music behind the scenes, zoning in on your real ambitions is crucial. “If you try to hit ten different targets with three arrows, you’re going to lose your arrows,” she laughs. Raven advocates for focusing on a couple of goals at a time, a perspective Bree echoes when talking about choosing income streams as a musician.
The Art of the Pitch: Systems & Boundaries
Pitching yourself is never easy, but it’s necessary for landing gigs, press, or radio. Raven’s approach is all about organization: spreadsheets, Google Docs, and dedicated time every week to focus on specific types of pitches. She keeps each message concise and to the point—bio, purpose, website link, demo video, and contact info—then sends it off and keeps moving. “Prospecting is something artists need to be doing regularly, weekly, if you want to play live shows,” she reminds listeners.
Volume matters, too: “Out of a thousand emails, I might get 20 replies and five bookings,” she says candidly. For artists feeling discouraged by low response rates, Raven’s message is clear: don’t take it personally, and don’t give up. Use software and purchased lists to make mass emailing easier, but always target venues and contacts that genuinely fit your genre and goals.
Setting Boundaries & Knowing Your Value
A critical milestone for every artist is learning when—and when not—to say yes. For Raven, long shows for little pay are a firm no, especially for seasoned musicians. “You’re giving away your sauce for pennies, and devaluing your art,” she warns. Playing consistently under your worth impacts your reputation and makes future negotiations tough.
She makes an exception for certain community gigs by maximizing tip jars, email sign-ups, and merch sales, making even free shows profitable in the long run. “If there’s not a budget, at least ask to collect emails or sell merch,” she suggests, describing her raffle-based approach to building her mailing list.
Multiple Streams, But Stay Focused
Raven’s “income pie” is diverse: book sales (with music-linked QR codes), streaming, live shows (her biggest chunk), coaching, and digital products. She also gets creative with merch, selling items like “musical candles”—handmade pieces with QR codes featuring her songs. “We have to look at this as a business,” Raven insists, emphasizing the importance of treating music as more than a hobby if you want long-term success.
Stoking the Fire: Belief in Your Own Art
Underlying all of Raven’s advice is unwavering self-belief. “You have to be your number one cheerleader,” she states. If you don’t trust in the value of your music—if your own songs don’t excite you—no audience or opportunity will, either. Raven writes with longevity in mind, crafting music she’ll still love to perform at 70. “Look at Diana Ross, look at Anita Baker—they’re still out there because they love what they do.”
Connect with Raven Rae
Want more inspiration? Find Raven Rae on Instagram (@ravenrayofficial), YouTube (RavenRaeSings), or at ravenrayofficial.com for free mindset and pitching resources, plus more about her upcoming projects.
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Ready to transform your music business? Take to heart Raven’s blend of artistry, organization, and self-worth—just as she shared on the Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast. Your next level is all about believing in your butterfly effect.