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Jeffrey Mundy went from a prolific internet music fan to a bonafide music industry professional in only a matter of years. His digital marketing acumen caught the eye of industry hitters, bringing Jeffrey to where he is now, as Digital Marketing Manager at The New 1017 Records. Jeffrey sat down with Xposure Music’s Sydney Hubbard to discuss his journey and his advice for anyone looking for a future in the music industry.
FROM FAN TO EXECUTIVE
Starting out as a music enthusiast, Jeffrey began sharing his love for music on blogs and social media platforms. His journey led him through DJing parties during his high school days to blogging in college, and then starting his own hip-hop blog named "mulatvhiphop". This platform rapidly gained popularity, while he also ran a massively successful Lil Baby fan page doing impressive numbers.
“Between 2018 and 2020, I grew the Lil Baby fan page on Instagram to 50,000 followers. And at the time the page was doing 750,000 to a million views every week.”
Jeffrey's success in building an engaged online community didn't go unnoticed. His skill set and the blog's success caught the attention of the management team at Capitol Records, which led to an invitation to join the music industry as a digital coordinator in 2020. This was the stepping stone that transitioned Jeffrey's passion for music into a full-fledged professional endeavor, leading him from Capitol Records, to Quality Control Music, Motown Records, and now The New 1017 (Gucci Mane's label distributed by Atlantic).
ADVICE FOR ARTISTS
As a digital marketing professional, Jeffrey has amassed a wealth of knowledge that he readily shares with aspiring artists. His advice stresses the importance of taking an active role in seeking information, connecting with like-minded individuals, and keeping abreast of trends in the music industry. He also emphasizes the need for consistent self-promotion and understanding the paths taken by successful individuals in the industry.
For keeping up with rapid changes in the digital space, Jeffrey advocates for the power of LinkedIn as an invaluable resource. Not only is it an excellent tool for networking, but it also offers a constant stream of relevant information for digital marketing strategies.
“Most of the time I'm on LinkedIn even more than I am on Instagram or Twitter, because on LinkedIn, there's so much more information that's constantly being shared that is actually relevant for you to take and then use on other platforms.”
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
When discussing misconceptions in the industry, Jeffrey clarified the role of a digital marketer. Many artists mistakenly believe that signing with a label will eliminate the need for them to actively engage in promoting their music. Jeffrey, however, points out that even with a team behind them, artists still have to participate significantly in executing marketing strategies.
Jeffrey says artists should be prepared to do the work of creating engaging content, recording answers to fan questions, making TikToks, and even scheduling full content production days. The artist's involvement in these tasks can make a huge difference in how successfully their digital marketing strategy is implemented.
“I could build an illustrious digital plan for you, but if you're not going to lean in creatively and know what your vision is and what you want to get across, it doesn’t work as well. You're going to have to put in the work”
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A DIGITAL TEAM MEMBER
Jeffrey shared that when artists are looking for someone to run their digital world, the artist should look out for three key qualities: being a self-starter, resourcefulness, and detail-orientation. In an industry where minor mistakes can lead to major consequences, these qualities are paramount. A digital leader with this triad of skills can not only anticipate and tackle challenges, but can also take advantage of opportunities that others might miss.
Jeffrey's journey in the music industry serves as a reminder that both music industry executives and talent alike come from various backgrounds, and that there is no replacement for the drive that a self-made expert possesses. Connect with Jeffrey on Xposure Music for insight and advice on your digital presence.
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