Courses
Courses from Hitz Academy on the business side of a music career.
Coming Soon
The Musician’s MBA
I went to business school so you don’t have to. This course gives you the core business tools from a full MBA, translated for working musicians.
Join the Waitlist →Music school does a great job of training your craft. But most of us end up running a small business, whether we call it that or not: gigs, a private studio, an ensemble, maybe a product or two. Almost none of us were taught how to run it, so we figure it out alone and usually late.
I spent a year earning an MBA in Arts Innovation, learning alongside arts professionals from 28 countries from professors at Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, McGill and the London School of Economics, to name a few. This course takes the most useful tools from that program and turns them into short, practical lessons in plain English, with examples from real music careers.
Inside the Course
The Musician’s MBA is being built now. Here are the areas it will cover.
Module #1
Think Like an Economist
Opportunity cost, sunk cost and the other ideas economists use to make better decisions. Learn to see what every yes is really costing you.
Module #2
Who Is This For?
How to learn what people actually need instead of what they politely say they’d buy, and how to position yourself so the right people notice.
Module #3
Know Your Numbers
Break-even, contribution margin and the real cost of what you offer. Find out whether your next gig, class or course will make money before you commit to it.
Module #4
Run It Lean
Tools from operations management for spotting the time and energy you lose every day, and for fixing problems at the root instead of the surface.
Module #5
Systems and Workarounds
Map the system you work in, then find creative ways around obstacles when you don’t have a big budget or an institution behind you.
Module #6
Leadership and Ethics
How to lead a studio, ensemble or team without doing everything yourself, and how to keep your values intact when money is on the line.
Module #7
Impact and Evaluation
Define the difference you want your work to make, then find out whether it’s happening. This is especially useful if you teach, run a program or plan to apply for grants.
Coming Soon
Networking for Musicians
Being a great musician is the cost of entry. Building meaningful relationships with the right people is the hard part. This course gives you a system for it.
Join the Waitlist →It's not a hot take that networking is important in music. The problem is that almost none of us were ever taught a system for it, so we end up leaving it to chance.
This course gives you that system: a proactive approach so you're not waiting for opportunities to find you, the most common networking mistakes musicians make and how to avoid them, and how to build an online presence that makes a strong first impression before you ever meet.
Inside the Course
Module #1
The 8 Most Common Networking Mistakes Musicians Make
Most musicians make at least a few of these without realizing it, even successful ones. Stop making them and you'll immediately stand out from your peers.
Module #2
Getting Noticed Online
Before you reach out to anyone, get your website, newsletter, and social media working for you. 10 ways to stand out online, without chasing perfection.
Module #3
The Intentional Networking Blueprint
The MAP framework: Methodical, Assertive, and Persistent. A repeatable system for researching, reaching out, and following up so your relationships grow over time.
Module #4
Crafting the Perfect Pitch
A framework for knowing exactly what to say, with specific guidance for 10 real situations, from pitching a concert series to signing with a booking agent.
Module #5
6 Communication Tips That Changed My Life
Strategy gets you in the room. Connection is what happens once you're there. Six habits I still practice for showing up as your best self in the conversations that matter.
Want personalized help instead?
Get a clear roadmap for your career from someone with over 25 years in the music business.
Music Business Coaching →