Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kyle Mann. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kyle, appreciate you joining us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

I believe the greatest challenge to the profitability of the record industry is quite simply that recordings no longer generate income. Physical media is all but obsolete, and ten years on from their launch, major streaming providers are still operating at a loss, even though they pay so little per stream that it’s essentially impossible to earn a living unless you’re among the very biggest artists. This decreased income means that record labels are less willing to invest in artist development or large albums, opting instead to play it safe with legacy acts or records made on laptops. It sounds bleak, and in many ways is, but I also believe that art and music are integral to the human experience – it’s a fight worth fighting.

Kyle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My job is to facilitate the creation of art. Sometimes that means curating an environment that is inspiring for artists and getting out of the way. Other times, it means getting into granular details or filling in roles as needed – songwriter/producer/musician/vocalist/engineer/etc. I’m basically here to serve in whatever capacity the client needs.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

In this world, the only way to maintain a long-term career is word-of-mouth. Advertising can get you clients who don’t already have existing relationships, but most professionals ask people they trust for recommendations. So the best thing you can do is build and maintain those relationships, and consistently deliver the best work you can possibly do.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think it would surprise most non-creatives to know that the people who keep at it do so because in many cases they can’t do anything else. Success in the field isn’t necessarily lucrative, and even at the top of the field, it’s a non-stop grind. But I can say from first-hand experience that if you’re wired for it, there’s no better job.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kylemann.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/kylemannmix

Image Credits
Photos by Elif Karakoç