Enjoy The Perks of Your Backstage Pass!

Welcome to the May edition of The Music Media Maven!
Hey, I’m Melanie, your go-to guide for turning a love of EDM into a real, thriving career. I’ve worked with incredible brands and artists like The Festival Babes, DefineEverythingFuture, CHOZEN, Rave with Mi Gente… and many more. You could say I’ve earned the “maven” title - and now, I’m here to pass the knowledge on to you.

Here’s what you can expect every month:
One lesson, one actionable tip, and one industry spotlight to keep you inspired. We’ll go beyond the basics and explore both the strategy and psychology behind standing out in today’s digital space, because both are key to your breakthrough.

This newsletter is made for creators, artists, and brands ready to grow, or anyone dreaming of a job in this wild and wonderful industry. And if you ever need deeper guidance, I offer 1:1 coaching calls to help you level up with clarity and intention.

Whether you’re aiming to land brand deals, go viral, build a strategy that actually works, or finally break into the music industry, this space is built just for you.

Let’s get into it <3

BUT FIRST

I have discount codes for you! Hopefully these will help you save some $ on your festival necessities this year.

EARGASM EARPLUGS - Code MELANIE

RAVE WITH MI GENTE - Code MELANIE

SUSPEX - Code MELANIE10

LUNAUTICS - Code MELANIEKMONROE

Shop my Amazon Storefront for all of your festival camping needs (especially if you’re planning on car camping - I’m a pro at that!)

A Page Out of the Playbook 📝

This month: Industry secrets I wish more people talked about. Over the past few months, we’ve covered a lot…everything from social media strategy to building a long-term career in the music space. But this month, I want to reveal a few hard realities about the industry. So here’s a very real list of things you might never hear - unless you’re in the thick of it.

It’s Not as Lucrative as It Looks
From the outside, it’s easy to assume everyone in the EDM world is living large. We see DJs flying private, throwing/attending lavish parties, and really just living ~the life~. But the cold, hard truth? That lifestyle is reserved for a very select few. The average full-time role in this industry pays anywhere from $35k–$100k per year (and those full-time roles are few and far between). And many of us (especially early on) balance full-time jobs outside of the industry just to make it work - myself included! Following your passion often comes with a pay cut, which leads me to...

It’s All Gig Work at First
If you’re just starting out, be prepared to hustle. Expect to say yes to a wide range of gigs…social media, artist management, hospitality, you name it. It’s all part of figuring out what lights you up and what gets your foot in the door. Nights, weekends, 60+ hour weeks - it’s all part of the grind before any sort of “glamour” kicks in.

It’s a Constant Party (Until It’s Not)
Yes, it’s fun…Until it isn’t. When your job revolves around nightlife, afterparties, and high-energy experiences, it’s easy to lose your footing. Burnout, blurred boundaries, and unhealthy habits creep in fast if you don’t have discipline. Knowing how to stay grounded is non-negotiable in this world.

Still feel called to this industry…?
If you answered yes…good! So do I. I love it deeply, and I wouldn’t trade this path for anything. But if I’m going to encourage others to pursue it, I want to keep it honest. Because the dream is real, but so are the challenges.

Tips to Help You THRIVE in the EDM Industry 🚀

1. Build Relationships Before You Need Them
This industry runs on who knows you, not just what you can do. Go to events, support your local scene, and introduce yourself to people without asking for anything. Genuine relationships will open more doors than a cold DM ever will.

2. Diversify Your Skill Set
Most people in this space wear multiple hats. Learn the basics of social media, artist relations, marketing, hospitality, or even lighting and stage design. The more flexible and resourceful you are, the more indispensable you become.

3. Don’t Chase the Glamour! Chase the Work
It’s easy to get distracted by the aesthetic of it all. Focus instead on showing up, doing solid work, and being someone others can count on. The opportunities that look glamorous often come after months (or years) of work that didn’t make it to Instagram.

4. Protect Your Energy
You’ll be surrounded by late nights, loud environments, and temptations to overextend yourself. Build boundaries. Learn to say no. Your longevity in this field depends on how well you take care of your body, mind, and nervous system (I learned this one the hard way).

5. Be Patient, Be Consistent
Success in this industry doesn’t happen overnight. Keep showing up, even when it feels slow. Stay humble, stay hungry, and trust that your effort compounds, even when no one’s watching (yet).

Looking for EDM Industry Jobs?

If you’re looking to get your foot in the door, you are in the right place! Follow the hyperlinks below for some opportunities in the EDM space that may be your chance to start a career path in your dream industry.

Not seeing what you want? Still struggling to find the right path? Need to build your network? Book a 1:1 coaching call - I’m here to help!

I’ll be posting opportunities as I see them on my Instagram stories, so make sure you are following and have story notifications on to be in the know! You can also check my “EDM OPPS” highlight if you’re concerned that you missed something.

I had slim pickings this month, since festival season is in full swing most places have already completed their hiring for the year. But I’m still working to find as much as I can for you all!

Insomniac Events is ALWAYS hiring for tons of different roles all across the country. Check out the full list here, and see if anything fits you!

The Festival Babes are looking for blog writers and content creators! Apply to write for The Festival Blog. Apply to the following influencer programs:

Fam Fest - Harmony, ME, June 6-7

S2O Festival - New York City, NY, July 25-26

Deep Tropics - Nashville, TN, August 15-16

Wakaan Fest - Mulberry Mountain, AK, October 2-4

Sorry Papi Tour - Multiple Locations & Dates

My favorite music industry job board is ROSTR. This website has SO MANY JOBS. I recommend taking the time to look through them! Here are my top 5 entry-level standouts:

Because Music is looking for a Label Assistant.

SocialSoundSystem is looking for an Executive Assistant.

Outback Presents is looking for a Booking Assistant.

ROSTR is looking for Freelance News Writers.

Advanced Alternative Media Inc is looking for an Administrative Assistant.

I recommend following Shai on Instagram, where she is putting together a music industry job board to help people find roles in the industry.

More to come next month!

May Spotlight: Megan Fuhrman🔦

I know I’m a little biased here, since Megan is not only one of my closest friends, but also my work wife, but I’d be absolutely crazy not to give her the spotlight she deserves this month.

Beyond being the Vice President of The Festival Babes, Megan also serves as the Social Media Coordinator for Wakaan. She’s held more roles in this industry than I can count (seriously, queen of gig work!), contributing her magic to events like Okeechobee, Groove Cruise, and countless others. If it’s happening in the EDM world, there’s a solid chance Megan’s fingerprints are on it.

What truly sets her apart? Her unmatched work ethic and deep love for both the music and the community it creates. She doesn’t just talk the talk. She’s done the all-nighters, the unpaid gigs, the travel, the messy behind-the-scenes work that most people don’t see (and trust me - there’s a lot of it). And now? She’s seeing the payoff. Her dedication recently earned her a feature interview with Electric Hawk, highlighting her influence and contributions to the scene.

And while she has a strong social presence with over 15K on Instagram, that’s just the surface. Her real power is in what she’s built behind the scenes.

Megan is the kind of person this industry needs more of - and I’m lucky to witness her journey firsthand.

Ready to REALLY Level Up? 📈📈📈

My masterclass, How To Stand Out On Social, is just what you need to take the next step on your social media. We’re going to set you up with exactly what you need to shine and accomplish your goals! (And guess what - I dropped the price more than 50% just for you ;)) GET THE MASTERCLASS AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE HERE

Looking for a little more guidance? Book a 1:1 coaching call here! (Prices will increase after May 1st, so this is your last chance to get it at this price!)

Thanks for hanging, I’ll see you in June! But until then you can keep up with me on Instagram or TikTok. Happy Spring!