Dear friend,

Negative feedback hurts, but it’s better than being ignored altogether. 

As music producers, we pour heart, soul, and countless hours into our tracks. When no one responds, it can feel like failure. 

But does that mean the music is bad?

Take the story of Joshua Bell, one of the greatest violinists of our time. In a famous experiment, he played in a busy subway station, earning only $32 and barely being noticed, despite his worldwide fame and $3.5 million violin.

The lesson? Context matters.

In concert halls, people come for Bell. Their attention is already on him. In the subway, the environment is different: people don’t expect brilliance there, so they miss it. 

The same thing can happen to your music.

Social Media: The Digital Subway

Social media platforms are like the digital version of playing in the subway: there are tons of eyes, but they’re not always looking for you. It’s a low-trust environment where you must grab attention quickly or be ignored.

Unfortunately, high-quality work alone often isn’t enough, context is key.

I experience this all the time. 

Maybe my work isn’t “high-quality”, I’ll let people judge, but I consider it comparable to other works I hear around. Still, when I share my new EPs, sometimes they get little traction.

It’s tough, but I know it’s not just about the music.

Gatekeepers—big DJs, labels, blogs, and reposting pages—are the stages that give your music credibility and visibility. When a famous DJ plays your track, or a big label signs it, it shifts the perception of your music from “busker” to “artist.”

Building Your Own High-Trust Platform

In the long run, building your own high-trust environment (a loyal audience that trusts your music) takes time. I didn’t want my music’s success to depend on DJs, labels, or Instagram pages, so I built my own environment on YouTube and formed direct relationships with listeners, without relying on middlemen. 

Social proof and relationships matter and YouTube was my way of building them.

If you’re looking to create your own space and gain social proof, build relationships and use social networks wisely. Here are some ideas:

• Create reels where you jam—people love seeing the process (and they’ll get to hear your music).
• Master a piece of gear and share your jams and knowledge on YouTube.
• Challenge yourself and share it online (like “30 tracks in 30 days”). People love these challenges and you’ll gain credibility by showing your skills.
• On IG, engage with posts, DM people, and start conversations. Become someone’s biggest fan—they’ll remember you and will be more inclined to support your music.

Got more ideas? Let me know!

Conclusion:

Your success isn’t just about how good your music is. It’s about who listens, where, and why they trust you. Work hard, build relationships, and don’t get discouraged if your music is overlooked in the digital “subway.” Keep pushing, and eventually, you’ll find your stage.

Hugs,

Francesco