In the early months of January & February 2025, life forced me to slow down. Illness has a way of putting everything into perspective, such as making you reevaluate how you spend your time. As a workaholic, it was a tough adjustment. Sitting still felt unnatural, almost unbearable. So, I did what many Creatives would do in moments of forced pause: I scrolled social media.
But social media didn’t work. If anything, it amplified my restlessness. Scrolling endlessly, I found myself trapped in a cycle of repetitive recycled content, the same aesthetics, the same marketing strategies, the same uninspired noise. As someone whose business thrives on creativity, I honestly saw a mere 5% originality. And that was being very generous.
It brought me to a moment, that made me reflect on my own work. Now, I began to comprehend why my “Black Rose” album struggled, although a standout in some circles. The answer was clear: in an industry driven by trends and algorithms, originality often takes a backseat to familiarity. And if you refuse to follow the formula, breaking through can feel impossible.
But then, in my stillness, I revert to something else — writing. Not just casual scribbles, but a full immersion into blogs, books, poetry, songs, and even magazines. Of course, these literate fixtures aren’t new to me; par my ignorance “just google Dr. Empress Rose Green” and you’ll find my literate writings, plus more. These past few weeks, a focus on writing have became my refuge, my way of channeling creativity without the noise.
The truth is, I’ve made more money monetizing my other works of art from my Album project, than from the music itself. Selling books — a product that was initially secondary to my album has proven to be more lucrative. A realization that reshaped my perspective on my project’s success, since the release of my first Album. A successful extension of the Album’s project, highlighting the multidimensional experience of blending music and art. Let’s face it, there’s only so much information to convey in a three-minute track recording.
Blending music and art for monetary gain can be a smart move as long as there’s a clear strategy, a solid fanbase, and a willingness to diversify your approach. And of course, there are challenges in both music and art. These are highly competitive industries, so standing out requires originality, innovation and dedication. Combining the two can make your offerings more unique and open doors to multiple revenue streams.
So, what’s next? Educating others. I’ve channeled all of this into an eBook, one that will teach musicians how to think beyond just their primary art form. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that creativity isn’t just about making Art; it’s about monetizing smartly and getting your work in front of a buying audience. It’s about owning your art and on your own terms.
Stay tuned to the upcoming release of the New Music Biz — Steps to Monetize Your Art.
