Stop Playing the Wrong Game: Why Most Musicians Are Chasing the Wrong Prize (And What to Do Instead)

I need to ask you something that might sting a little:

What game are you actually playing as a musician?

Because I've been watching talented artists for over 20 years now, and most of them are playing a game they can never win.

They're chasing Spotify streams. Hoping for viral TikTok moments. Praying the algorithm will notice them. Competing against millions of other tracks for a fraction of a penny per play.

But here's what Jeff Walker taught me that changed everything:

You get to choose which game you play.

The Spotify Game is Rigged (And You Know It)

Let's be honest about the streaming game for a second.
To make minimum wage from Spotify, you need about 3-4 million streams per year. That's roughly 10,000 streams every single day.
Even if you somehow hit those numbers, you're still making poverty wages while Spotify gets rich off your work.
Meanwhile, I know musicians who are making six figures with audiences smaller than most "successful" streamers.
The difference? They chose a different game entirely.

The Game I Wish More Musicians Would Play

"You don't have to be perfect, you just have to get started." - Jeff Walker

Here's the game that actually makes sense for working musicians:

Build a 500-person email list of superfans who buy everything you release.

Think about it. 500 people who genuinely love your music and will support you directly.
If just half of them buy a $20 album from you once a year, that's $5,000. Add in some merch, maybe a few higher-ticket items like exclusive experiences or lessons, and you're looking at real money.
Compare that to needing millions of streams just to pay rent.
But here's where most musicians get stuck...

The Perfectionism Trap That Kills Careers

I know musicians who've spent 3 years perfecting an album but never built an audience to sell it to.
Three years of writing, recording, mixing, remixing, tweaking, and polishing. And when they finally release it? Crickets.
Because they were playing the wrong game the entire time.
They were focused on making the perfect product instead of building relationships with people who would actually buy it.

Jeff Walker's quote hits different when you realize this: "You don't have to be perfect, you just have to get started."

Those three years could have been spent:

• Building an email list of 1,000+ fans
• Releasing rough demos and getting feedback
• Creating anticipation for the full album
• Pre-selling the album before it was even finished

Instead, they perfected something in isolation and then wondered why nobody cared.

What "Getting Started" Actually Looks Like

Here's the thing - you probably already have everything you need to start building that superfan list today.

You don't need:

• A perfect website
• Professional photos
• A completed album
• Thousands of social media followers

You just need to start connecting with people who genuinely love your music.

Maybe that's:

• Collecting email addresses at your next gig
• Starting a simple newsletter about your creative process
• Sharing behind-the-scenes content that makes people feel connected to your journey
• Offering something exclusive to people who want to support you directly

The key is choosing the right game and then taking imperfect action.

The Real Question Every Musician Should Ask

"Play the game you want to win." - Jeff Walker

So here's what I want you to think about:

What does winning actually look like for you?

Is it millions of Spotify streams that pay almost nothing?

Or is it having 500 people who genuinely care about your music and will support your career directly?

Is it chasing viral moments that disappear in 24 hours?

Or is it building lasting relationships with fans who will follow your entire journey?
The choice is yours. But choose consciously.

Because the musicians who are actually making it? They stopped playing the streaming game a long time ago.

They're playing a completely different game - one where they have control, where they build real relationships, and where their talent actually translates into sustainable income.

The question is: Are you ready to start playing that game too?

Want to learn more about building a sustainable music career outside the streaming hamster wheel? Join my email list and I'll share everything I'm learning about turning musical talent into real income.