The Manager's Playbook

• The Manager’s Playbook 044: Austin Dunn – Storytelling, Digital Strategy, Content Seeding, Music Marketing, Faceless Pages, Artist Growth & The Future of Music Promotion

  Most artists are chasing the algorithm.Austin Dunn built systems that outsmart it.In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast, I sit down with Austin Dunn, digital strategist, cultural curator, and founder of @rnbmusic, one of the most influential community pages in music.Before most labels understood content seeding, Austin was already engineering digital ecosystems, helping artists like Victoria Monét, 6ix9ine, and Teddy Swims break through the noise by focusing on storytelling over virality.We talk about the early SoundCloud era, the rise of meme pages, and how community-driven platforms quietly became the new gatekeepers of culture. Austin shares his journey from building @rnbmusic to running global digital campaigns, and why the future of artist growth depends on narrative, not algorithms.This episode is for anyone working in the modern music business, artists, managers, marketers, or executives, who wants to understand how culture actually moves online.Because the truth is:You don’t need to go viral.You need a story worth following.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠New episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET

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• Inside the Playbook: Nic D on the Content Strategy That Actually Works for Artists

  What if the key to building a real music career wasn’t luck, playlists, or connections, but how you show up online?In this clip, Nic D breaks down how he turned content into a career. No label. No team. No shortcuts. Just strategy, discipline, and storytelling.From recording songs in a minivan during the pandemic to going viral on TikTok, Nic shares how creativity, consistency, and what he calls “delusional self-belief” built the foundation for 1.5 billion streams.This conversation is for any artist trying to build an audience from scratch and every manager learning how to guide them.Topics include:How to approach content as an artistBuilding momentum without industry connectionsTurning limitations into leverageWhy consistency matters more than viralityThe power of mindset and self-beliefWhether you’re an independent artist, music exec, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights and frameworks for growth.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-gWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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• Inside the Playbook: Nic D on The Lie About Touring Every Artist Believes

  What if walking away from touring wasn’t a step back, but the smartest move an artist could make?In this conversation, Nic D opens up about why he turned down major touring opportunities to focus on family, balance, and ownership. Despite the potential for fame and fast money, he chose freedom over burnout, and built one of the most successful independent artist careers in the process.We dive into the financial reality behind touring, the myth of “you have to be everywhere,” and how streaming revenue and smart systems gave him more control than any tour could. Nic also shares how private strategy sessions and creative consistency helped him build community without sacrificing his peace.This isn’t about rejecting success. It’s about redefining it.Topics include:Why Nic D chooses not to tourBalancing family, fulfillment, and musicThe mental and financial cost of touringHow streaming and ownership changed the gameThe new definition of success for artistsFor every artist, manager, or creative chasing longevity, this one’s a reminder that the real win is balance.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-gWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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• Inside the Playbook: Nic D on Building a Profitable Music Career Without a Manager

  What does financial independence really look like for an artist with no label, no manager, and no team?In this clip, Nic D breaks down the real numbers behind being an independent artist, from how much he spends on production to how he tracks every dollar to stay profitable. He shares why keeping costs low, owning your masters, and thinking like a business are the keys to longevity in music.We dig into how he uses simple systems (like Excel sheets and DistroKid) to run his operation, what artists get wrong about “investing in themselves,” and why self-management has given him more control, not more chaos.It’s an honest look at money, mindset, and ownership, and why mastering all three matters more than any industry co-sign. Topics include:How to build profit as an independent artistThe importance of keeping expenses lowSmart budgeting and royalty splitsThe mindset shift from “artist” to “entrepreneur”Why ownership and control create long-term successWhether you’re an artist, manager, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation breaks down the real cost of building something sustainable in music.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-gWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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• Inside the Playbook: Nic D on His Winning System - You Don’t Need a Record Label

  What if success in music had less to do with talent, and everything to do with mindset?In this conversation, Nic D breaks down the discipline, self-awareness, and consistency that helped him build a thriving career with no label, no manager, and no shortcuts.He shares what artists get wrong about deals and streaming, how to stay consistent when motivation fades, and why you can’t build momentum without mastering yourself first.We also dive into the power of practicality, the importance of audience connection, and how redefining success on your own terms can be the difference between burnout and longevity.Topics include:The mindset that drives sustainable successHow to stay consistent in music and content creationThe truth about record deals and streamingBuilding a loyal audience through value and repetitionRedefining success and personal growth in musicFor artists, managers, and creatives who care more about building careers than chasing moments, this one’s for you.Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.Listen to the full episode here -Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-gWatch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

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