Adrienne Stortz (@xoxoadrienne) is the creator and host of xoxo cooks, an online cooking show featuring good food you can make at home. She also consults on digital marketing strategy for classical musicians, helping them craft messaging and promote events.
Our conversation discusses the balance between client work and a passion project, how she arrived in both the classical music and online video sectors, and how the premise of experimentation and continual improvement can be powerful for freelancers and businesses alike.
Catch up with Adrienne on her xoxo cooks YouTube Channel, or on her consulting website, AdrienneStortz.com
 

Show Notes & Links

Adrienne runs xoxo cooks, a weekly cooking show on YouTube, and works as a digital marketing strategy consultant for classical musicians
Adrienne studied classical piano and Music Merchandising rather than video production or cooking
Her previous employers include Carnegie Hall, where she learned to “sell tickets”
“Musicians are amazing at what they do, but that doesn’t always apply to writing a good email.”
Business card with a photo (like a real estate agent)
Adrienne is adept at working with “artists”, which includes musicians who don’t always make natural clients
Prima donna, a term adopted from Opera
Earn1K, a course from Ramit Sethi
Adrienne is working to serve up-and-coming musicians, essentially her peers
“Layer Cake” pricing vs. three wildly different offerings
“Adult Onset Awkwardness” as discussed on The Busy Creator Podcast, Episode 18 with guest Debbie Millman
xoxo cooks originated from a desire to master YouTube strategy first-hand
An early video from xoxo cooks, admittedly “a little rough” but “still interesting”


Ready, Fire, Aim by Michael Masterson On Amazon and On Audible


“It doesn’t matter what business you’re in, you’re actually in the sales business.” —Michael Masterson ← Click to Tweet


Adrienne films right in her own kitchen
That scene from ET where they tent the house


Adrienne doesn’t yet film in batches, largely due to space constraints
John Lee Dumas edits 8 podcast episodes in 90 minutes, according to his appearance The Busy Creator Podcast, Episode 50
Katie Q, fellow YouTube cooking show host
Katie Q’s production workflow


Prescott watches a ton of woodworking videos on YouTube (and isn’t sorry)


 Adrienne Stortz on Twitter
 Adrienne Stortz on Facebook
 Adrienne Stortz on Instagram
 xoxo cooks on YouTube

Tools

YouTube
Tripod
Phone-to-Tripod adapter
DSLR Camera: Canon T3i
VideoMic Pro Compact VMP Shotgun Microphone
iMovie
Final Cut Pro
Three-point lighting setup

Techniques

Collaborate with agents and managers, who are used to marketing language and operations
Get people on the phone, ask questions, and talk about their needs
Don’t start from scratch; borrow from your earlier proposals
Look for custom offerings with clients rather than fit them into packages
Use your network! Reach out to former clients and contacts.
If you’re interested in something, like a new social network, just start making something
Be mindful of your video’s sound — it’s just as important as the lighting or picture quality
Plan your content around the calendar (e.g. holidays, seasons)
Examine Google Trends to time your content and events 
Prepare your foods in advance to avoid cutting/chopping on the video

Habits

Continue to improve, embrace incremental improvement
Learn about sales and embrace selling in your own practice
Get comfortable with experimentation, being slightly sloppy while putting yourself out there
Wake up early and hydrate
Avoid caffeine if it makes you insane
Clean up the house as part of your wake-up or morning routine

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Visit BusyCreatorBook.com for your free trial
Get Ready, Fire, Aim by Michael Masterson as a free audiobook
Get The Episode


Download The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 52 (MP3, 37:27, 18.2 MB)
Download The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 52 (OGG, 37:27, 31.6 MB)


 
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