Insights from Audiomack Co-Founder on Niche Fans, Release Timing, and Community via the One More Time Podcast

In a recent episode of the One More Time Podcast, Brian Zisook, Co-Founder and Senior Vice President (SVP) of Operations & Artist Services, delivered a masterclass on navigating the modern music industry. The conversation spanned everything from release strategies and audience engagement to broader industry trends and the evolution of music consumption. Whether you’re an independent artist or a curious fan, this episode offered invaluable insights.

Here’s a detailed recap of the most significant points from the discussion.

Releasing Music: Why Friday is the Worst Day

Zisook kicked off the conversation by doubling down on a bold statement he made over a year and a half ago on Twitter: artists should avoid releasing music on Fridays. This was not only a personal observation but one backed by the vast amounts of data Audiomack gathers as a major music streaming platform. Fridays, he explained, are overloaded with new releases, making it one of the most competitive days for artists, especially emerging ones, to gain visibility.

The original tweet, which gained traction at the time, suggested that dropping music earlier in the week—like on a Monday or Tuesday—gives artists a better shot at standing out. This idea has since proven true, with major artists like Tyler, the Creator and EarthGang successfully experimenting with off-cycle releases. By avoiding the Friday rush, these artists managed to dominate conversations throughout the week, benefiting from extended promotional windows.

Zisook elaborated on why earlier releases work better:

• Crowded Fridays: By the time new music drops on Friday, listeners often move on to weekend activities, losing the opportunity to integrate a new project into their weekday routines.

• Better Routines During the Week: Listeners are more likely to engage with new music on structured weekdays, where habits like commuting or studying allow for repeated plays.

• Unique Visibility: Releasing earlier in the week positions artists as trending topics with little competition, a tactic that worked wonders for Tyler, the Creator.

  
  

The shift away from Fridays isn’t just a theory—it’s a trend Zisook believes will continue as more artists recognize its advantages.

Targeting a Niche Audience Over Mass Appeal

A central theme in the conversation was the importance of focusing on a target audience. Zisook made it clear that the days of aiming for mass appeal are over. Instead, he argued, artists should identify and cater to a specific, well-defined group of listeners. This approach aligns with the fragmented nature of today’s media landscape, where niche communities thrive.

Zisook provided historical context to illustrate this point. In the past, record labels would pinpoint a target market for their artists, shaping everything from the sound of the music to its marketing strategy. This level of precision is even more critical today, as competition for attention is fiercer than ever.

He urged artists to “reverse engineer” their approach:

• Identify Your Audience: Start by figuring out who you want to reach, then tailor your music, messaging, and marketing to that audience.

• Stay Focused: While it’s tempting to create music for everyone, Zisook argued this rarely works. Instead, focusing on a niche ensures deeper connections and greater loyalty.

One of Zisook’s standout quotes encapsulated this idea: “To be successful, you don’t need everybody to like your stuff.” This statement serves as a rallying cry for artists to embrace their individuality and lean into their unique strengths.

Fans, Followers, and Listeners: Understanding the Difference

In one of the podcast’s most insightful moments, Zisook broke down the difference between fans, followers, and listeners—three terms that are often used interchangeably but represent varying levels of engagement.

1. Fans: The most valuable category, fans actively support an artist. They buy merchandise, attend live shows, and promote the artist to their networks.

2. Followers: These are casual supporters who may engage with an artist’s content but aren’t necessarily invested in their music or career.

3. Listeners: The broadest group, listeners are anyone who streams an artist’s music. They may come across a song via a playlist or algorithm but aren’t guaranteed to become long-term supporters.

   
   

Zisook emphasized the importance of transforming followers and listeners into fans. This transformation often hinges on meaningful interactions and consistent community engagement.

Building Community: The Holy Grail for Artists

Beyond acquiring fans, Zisook highlighted the concept of community as the ultimate goal for artists. A strong community goes beyond one-on-one interactions, creating a space where fans connect with each other over their shared love for an artist. This collective enthusiasm amplifies an artist’s reach and can turn casual listeners into die-hard supporters.

He also stressed the importance of artists being actively involved in their communities. Simple gestures, like responding to a fan’s comment or sending a thank-you message, can create lifelong loyalty. Zisook shared how he personally engages with Audiomack users who amplify the platform’s content, fostering goodwill and strengthening the brand’s presence.

For artists with small but dedicated communities, Zisook encouraged nurturing those relationships rather than fixating on growth metrics. “If it’s only five people engaging, that’s still five people,” he noted. This focused attention can transform a small community into a thriving one over time.

Reconsidering the Album Format

Zisook challenged another industry norm: the necessity of releasing albums. For emerging artists, he argued, albums are often a misplaced priority. Instead, singles or smaller bundles of songs may be more effective for engaging listeners and maintaining momentum.

Key reasons for rethinking albums include:

• Drop-off Rates: On streaming platforms, plays tend to decline significantly for tracks at the end of an album.

• Frequency Over Quantity: Releasing singles or EPs allows artists to stay in the conversation consistently, rather than disappearing for months to produce an album.

• Audience Demand: Albums should only be released when there’s clear demand from fans. Otherwise, the time, money, and effort required may not yield a meaningful return.

This pragmatic approach aligns with Zisook’s broader philosophy: artists should adapt to modern consumption habits rather than clinging to traditional models.

The Niche Era: Redefining Stardom

In today’s music landscape, the concept of superstardom is evolving. Zisook described this shift as the “niche era,” where artists can achieve significant success within smaller, dedicated communities.

He pointed out that many artists with millions of monthly Spotify listeners remain unknown to the general public. This fragmentation reflects the broader media environment, where attention is divided among countless platforms and interests.

For artists, this is a liberating development. Success no longer requires mass appeal; it’s now possible to build a sustainable career by serving a passionate niche audience.

Audiomack’s Role in the Modern Music Landscape

Zisook also highlighted what sets Audiomack apart in the competitive world of streaming platforms. Unlike Spotify or Apple Music, Audiomack positions itself as a discovery-first service, giving emerging artists the tools to upload music directly without needing distributors or labels.

With a younger, multicultural audience and a strong emphasis on underserved genres like African, Caribbean, and Latin music, Audiomack thrives on human curation and hyper-localized recommendations. These features ensure artists have a platform tailored to authentic discovery, making Audiomack a valuable ally for musicians at all stages of their careers.

As the conversation wrapped, Zisook left listeners with an underlying message that resonated throughout the episode: success in today’s music industry is about embracing change, understanding your audience, and building authentic relationships. Whether it’s releasing music on unconventional days, cultivating a niche audience, or experimenting with smaller projects, Zisook’s insights provide a practical blueprint for navigating an ever-evolving landscape. For artists willing to adapt and engage, the opportunities have never been more exciting.

Link To Full Episode Here