How To *Musician* EPISODE 6 : Freelance Finance

How To Musician with Cory Wong : Presented by Ernie Ball
an eight part series about being a musician in the 21st century
🔻CHECK OUT MY MUSIC🔻
fanlink.to/StripedAlbum
Produced by : Cory Wong
Sketches Written by : Will Gianetta and Cory Wong
Video : Michael Bowden, Brad Matala, Christian Cole

[@TomoFujitaMusic]

You're very talented so many ways!!

[@monocyte2210]

Sensei ! you are also here

[@MilanHunta]

Cory as a car sales man is something I can get behind

[@RyanRiggsMusic]

He’s got the inflatable wiggly people too!

[@adam-yk6yd]

The massive 80s suit and the sniffing got you the thumbs up before you even gave the advice

[@SamMerrell1]

The joy of music might not be about the money but the job of real estate is!

[@greekben1]

These are so incredibly helpful Cory. Thank you for doing this series. You have NO IDEA how many people you’re helping right now

[@redmetalpanda9051]

Well. Number of viewers is a start

[@LoopConnection]

Finally someone that say the truth about being a musician. You have to be an entrepenuer and a business owner. Budget, Plans and business mindset are the key to success "also" in music

[@jameshuerta8629]

Cory, your content cadence is inhuman. My wife is worried I'm obsessed with you but what she doesn't understand is that you have new, good things to watch every time I am on KZbin.

[@ChrisSkinner1]

My wife has the same worry. Lol.

[@jaxweby4343]

14:10 with an oversized *"IT'S OKAY TO HAVE ANOTHER JOB"* big words, big message no clue if that was intentional but it comes across well thank you for your wise words through this series, cory i hope they pay off well in the future (no pun intended)

[@McTube2010]

Every time I see one of your video I find myself asking: " how could be the next one better than this?!" and every time I have my answer, man! Really appreciate all your effort giving this advices. Bravo!!

[@XLBiker13]

As a former art major (and guitar fanatic) who has supported myself through thick and thin as an artist / designer / creative director I now have even more respect for Cory Wong. Every single thing he said is spot on. There's A LOT they don't teach you about being a successful artist in art school. It's a real business being a successful creative. But I never did this for the money and there was never a Plan B. As a result I get to do the job I always dreamt of doing and ended up achieving a level of success well beyond what I ever imagined.

[@lildrumski]

Most artists would never like to admit all of this insider information but you are a rare breed

[@qpoitras1]

May there forever be zero thumbs down. Thanks again Cory

[@funkyduck356]

Cory!!! These vids fill me with so much confidence that my passion for music is worth pursuing! I hope they do the same for everyone who is tuning in.

[@LowDarts]

Editing mistake at 14:10! Doesn't matter though, incredibly useful, high-quality vids

[@Rolotrealanis]

These videos are incredible.

[@KevinDr007]

this video makes me want to hug him. just hug. so open, humble. he finished playing life. he knows how the clock ticks. he knows

[@MixMuffin]

I LOVE this series SO much!!

[@ChrisSkinner1]

Man, this whole series is SOLID. Thanks so much for making these! Really well done!

[@xoTBLxo]

I just love these so much, and admire everything you do cory, so i'm just doing a little algorithm work right here

[@LowDarts]

I like Sgt. Pepper in the background Cory

[@kckudasai995]

This man is teaching me how to survive after I graduate more than school:O

[@guitarstrategies5557]

Dude, these videos are essential viewing. Seriously! Thank you

[@niletrain]

Awesome Cory! Thanks for this great advice! 👌🏼

[@NyneForte]

These are all absolutely amazing. This deserves the attention of everyone. There should be way more views on this. This has helped, and will help so many people. Thank you @CoryWong and @ErnieBall

[@Mormotic]

Great episode Cory. Thank you very much. I appreciate your knowledge.

[@ZainabSule]

Loving these.

[@benaaronmusic]

Very helpful and true with my experiences.

[@HomeGrownHead]

This series is really great! Thanks for all that you do

[@JoshOnGuitar]

The used car salesman suit absolutely killed me. Lmao

[@jlo2667]

Thanks Cory! Great content as always. Appreciate hearing this side of the coin

[@jansolo4853]

Love this series Cory!!

[@jdickey20]

Cory you're awesome! Thanks for the insight, I'm really enjoying this series!

[@mangroovya]

This is the "failure/real job" episode I wanted from the beginning 🤩🤩🤩 Cory you are really a wonderful human being, thanks for all your artistic emanations 💜

[@gabri43375]

I really admire you for this series of video really, you manage to touch deeeeep, thank you

[@GradySpencer]

So friggin good man. I quit my construction job just this January after 9 years of playing shows and this is so affirming and encouraging to hear you talk about the exact challenges I've come up against this year. Thank you so much for this series man 🔥🙌🏼🔥

[@yanuar1420]

Not a musician. But still inspiring & applicable nonetheless. Love your music, and thank you for this content Cory

[@jinfield]

Well done this crosses platforms for more then just music!

[@FatherFunk]

This was amazing ! Such a great series

[@PoJOs]

This show is like the best "music-lesson" content i've ever seen on youtube! Cory is the real MVP!

[@filippopuri]

Just kind of a relief listening at this to start the week! thanks for the fantastic advices and also helping get a laugh lol

[@julienDrcq]

Thanks for your good and realistic arguments

[@PedroSilvaMusic]

Great stuff. You are a wonderful speaker and thinker. Thank you for sharing so genuinely

[@bertiekirkwood1797]

This was actually so inspiring. Thanks Cory!

[@guitargeronimo7021]

Wow Cory, this helps so much. Thanks a lot!

[@juanduplays]

Great video, very inspirational!

[@Daan_P.]

This is amazing

[@stefanotornese237]

These videos are gold

[@erikznidarsic6754]

Man i love your videos💯

[@JakeBisognin]

Super encouraging!

[@jdimeleegoku2971]

Thank you so much for your knowledge

[@mattflowersmusic]

I’m enjoying this video series a lot! This is exactly the kind of video I have been hoping to see more of. I want to hear more about budgeting, choosing and organizing a business structure, managing taxes, choosing a health insurance plan, etc., from a professional’s perspective - I hope you go further with these types of topics. Thank you for your awesome work!

[@CoryWongMusic]

thanks for letting me know topics you want to hear about. Ernie Ball is feeling generous and going to send you a bunch of cool stuff. plz email [e-mail] and they'll get some stuff sent over to you! peace! cory.

[@Orrow]

This is really interesting content and really helped me to refocus on the right things ! Thanks Cory

[@bwgti]

This is some nice work. Any self employed person should watch this.

[@PIDtoolbox]

love these vids!

[@archnjin]

This is the best

[@-overdooo-]

Yes! Dude! You're crazy!! Haha! I love these!

[@orenpine]

This is the best video I've ever seen on this topic that specifically addresses the concerns of musicians. This all hits home having had to fail at a lot of this for the last couple years just starting out. Thanks for all the great information.

[@CoryWongMusic]

Failure is part of growth. keep at it! Ernie Ball is feeling generous and going to send you a bunch of cool stuff. plz email [e-mail] and they'll get some stuff sent over to you! peace! cory.

[@orenpine]

Oh wow, thanks! That's really nice of you to say.

[@scottyhorey9128]

Great video, and very clear and honest. Also, all true stuff in my experience! Bravo Corey!

[@oldethangoogleacc8484]

the best cory wong video

[@ZaxvidZ]

Thanks man, nothing like reaffirmation before the Christmas break. Time to woodshed!!!

[@achillesamusic]

Thank you for this Sir, much appreciated

[@jamesfallmusic]

these videos are so inspiring and helpful! what advice would you give a young musician trying to find their lane? someone trying to find what they're really called to do within the music industry?

[@PunyapatFungtammasarn]

Damn , this is one of the most realistic and useful information for musicians who's trying to make a living especially during these times.

[@Michael-Oh]

It's so useful to talk about money upfront and get it orginised first, you avoid so much awkwardness during and at the end of the gig.

[@TKiBoule]

My man have so many talents

[@AntonVittal]

Really spot on, thanks for this! And greetings from Shanghai, once a place where a working musician felt like living in a dream, lol

[@rafaelmendes2299]

Spot on Cory! I think the main lesson is to spend time knowing yourself, your motivations, things you are willing to do and things you aren't, to get to the place you want to be. When confronted with difficult decisions regarding my musical career, I usualy try to think how a certain path/decision is going to contribute to my experience as a professional. I find that this gives me motivation to commit to whatever I choose to do, thus contribuiting to my reputation as a stad up professional. For example, it may be easier to keep working with a side job if you know exacly why you're there and how it's helping you become a better musician (I believe we can learn a lot from every job experience). Here is my life's example: I am currently working as a project manager at an NGO, teaching entrepreneurship for small business owners in Brazil. It's something that I really enjoy doing, but I also have my musical career going on, and sometime in the future I'll have to fully embrace my musical career, but, for the time being, I chose to keep working at this job for this reasons: 1. It gives me a predictable income; 2. I learn a lot about project managment, which is something usefull to get my musical projects going and to manage them in a more proffesional way; 3. I learn a lot about basic managment for small business owners which, for a musician in the 21st century, is something really usefull. Like you mentioned in the video: "You are a business owner". That's my way of thinking, and it resonates with what you exposed. I hope I can help some other musicians with my examples and experience!

[@pitpride1220]

People would be amazed at how many known bands and musicians work other jobs. The bassist of Alter Bridge is a realtor. Lots of guys paint houses. The guys in Mastadon are on site landlords. Where they actually pick up the phone and fix problems in their rentals. A lot of musicians do lessons and Cameo. A lot create and sell plugins and different gear that they designed. A lot of bands make little to no money on their album sales and touring. All their money is made from name recognition and selling other products. Polyphia,Periphery and Tosin Abasi are great examples of this. They usually break even on tour, sometimes lose money. Make little to no money on streaming. But their products and businesses outside of the band are what have made them pretty successful. There are even more famous people who you'd be surprised about their financial status or where it comes from.

[@ArielBenichou]

Top notch content, as an hobbyist guitarist and professional filmmaker

[@tommydoggettsaxophone]

As always, great information, Cory! My college jazz prof, Chas Baker, gave me the same advice about taking a gig: good friends, good music, good money; if you have two, take the gig. I tested that advice once. I didn’t like the music or the musicians but it paid well. Lesson learned.

[@grantwardo]

As a freelance editor, I find that a lot of the same principles apply to me too. Thanks for the great tips!

[@FilippoMeloniguitar]

Interesting video. No matters where you live, a career as a musician is challenging everywhere but also very rewarding if you do "good business"

[@WalterLeeWalter]

So helpful! Would love to see an episode about time management

[@ryanbrayguitar2473]

350 bucks for a wedding gig?! Daaamnnn, big ballin' with my homies over here. If I get $200 for a casual I'm feeling good...I should've been a plumber.

[@notsmelliott]

God yes!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!

[@mironpetrikpopovic1621]

This is all very clear and helpful _life_ advice for everyone. Thanks Cory, you really seem like an incredible person! Keep up the good work man Edit: typo

[@antjesseharrismusic]

the nose wipe/sniff to set the scene just make sure you don't get boneitis

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

Awesome advice in owning your own store

[@Kagebenji]

Please make a playlist with this show

[@myat02]

Thanks man!

[@jonaswang3936]

you are the funniest musical educator

[@jonasaudioproject6330]

Now thats what I call "content"!🤌🏻

[@cosmic_drew]

Covid has really fucked my show opportunities but that just means it's time to buckle down make new music and help my fellow musician friends do their thing.

[@clayingold6193]

I wish I could’ve sent this video to my parents and in-laws before I quit my job, dropped out of school and started doing music full time.

[@peterheydenreich9434]

The Cory Wong College! I've been freelancing since 1982 - Kinda wish I had had your advice from the beginning ;-)

[@jegb]

big fan

[@jessebout9829]

The 2/3 money, hang, music rule is so simple but also mindblowing.

[@villagestone8946]

IS THAT JACK STRATTON'S DRONE HAHAHA

[@vince3804]

man - 14:10 brought a tear to my eye loooool

[@quentinpurviance1809]

The sniffs are key

[@feist3760]

This suit makes Cory look like Jeebs from Men in Black growing a new head.

[@KuuchWizard]

I’m using this and applying it to my everyday life, not musicianship

[@mateocalle__]

Wow, this is the most on point video about freelance finance that I ever watched. Unfortunately there is one guy that is not agree with this, I kind of wanna help him. lol. Thank you for all the advises Cory, you're awesome.

[@davidleitman]

the mazda miata folks

[@Fuzz567]

Lol. Loving coked up salesman Cory

[@damanisouza859]

cooked up business man cory seems like a good guy

[@crisdd0302]

First time seeing this video, all I can think is this is Jack Stratton's brain child.

[@VladRepede]

We need a platform where we can invest in the artists we love.

[@SteveBjorck]

It's called patreon

[@RandyLika]

Hey Mr. Wong! Send my regards to CW, Intern Cory and Custodian Cory! :))

[@blakejones6648]

Oh the sniffling