Q&A with Christine Cochran, Co-Owner at HearYou Music

Kansas City-based Christine Cochran has an impressive list of achievements in the online and offline worlds, one of them being her founding of HearYou Music in 2015. By assisting artists with not only distribution, but marketing and promotion of their music, HearYou stands out in a crowded field that often leaves its artists in need of more. As an artist herself, Christine recognized a need in the marketplace and built a business around it.

Read on to learn more about Christine Cochran’s life and her work with HearYou Music.

Tell us a bit about HearYou Music.

HearYou Music is an independent music distribution service.  We also offer music publishing services through ASCAP and BMI as well as promotional assistance and other music-related services.  Our full list of services is posted on our website at http://hearyoumusic.com

What gave you the idea for your business and how did it start?

When our band decided to look for a distribution company, we had a difficult time finding one that didn’t charge an outrageous up-front cost or a large percentage of royalties.  Also, most of the distribution companies out there simply distribute your music and do nothing to assist you in increasing sales and streams of your music.  We decided to start out own business offering a full-service product to our artists.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I enjoy the interaction with other artists.  I also enjoy knowing that we are providing a quality service at a very reasonable price.

What are your keys to making yourself productive?

I get up in the morning and treat my office time as just that.  I don’t treat my job as if I were working from home.  Personal things get taken care of during my lunch hour or during breaks.  I keep normal business hours (8 – 5 CST) with some evening hours.  It is a matter of creating a mindset.  My job is my job.

Tell us one long-term goal in your career.

My main goal is to create a company where artists can feel a part of their distribution/publishing plans.  We are building a company where trust between HearYou and the artists is foremost.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?

There is a line between personal relationships and business relationships.  Although you want a good rapport with artists, the business relationship is tantamount.

What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?

Research.  This is an ever-changing area.  It is a constant learning process.  Be prepared to put in more than full-time hours to build your company.  Do NOT be afraid to use resources that are available to small businesses.

What are your favorite things to do outside of work?

I am a musician, a grandmother, a mother, and I love gardening.

Name a few influential books you’ve read and/or websites you keep up with that you’d recommend to readers.

Guerilla Music Marketing by Bob Baker