Getting Your Music Out There Today
Got some tunes you’re ready to share with the world? You’ve come to the right place. Promoting your music these days is way different than it used to be. Gone are the days of mailing out demo tapes and hoping for radio airplay (okay, those still happen but they’re not the only game in town anymore). The internet has cracked things wide open.
Social Media is Your Friend
First up, social media. If you’re not all over the socials, you gotta be. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok – post on ’em all. Share clips of your songs, behind-the-scenes pics and vids from the studio or on tour, and just connect with your fans. Reply to comments, do livestreams, run contests. Make ’em feel like they know you.
But don’t just blast “stream my new single!” posts 24/7. Mix it up with other stuff your fans will dig – memes, jokes, hot takes. Show your personality. That’s how you get people invested in you, not just your music.
Playlists are the New Radio
Next, playlisting. Getting your tracks on the right Spotify and Apple Music playlists can blow you up overnight.
How? First off, make sure your music is on all the streaming platforms (duh). Then submit it to the platforms’ playlist consideration forms. Hit up playlist curators too – bloggers, YouTubers, influencers with fire playlists. See if they vibe with your sound.
You can even make your own playlists. Round up artists in your genre or local scene, put together some sick playlists, and promote the heck out of ’em. Rising tides lift all boats, you feel me?
Video Killed the Radio Star
YouTube and music videos are still clutch. But you don’t need a big budget or label backing to make some slick visuals anymore. Even a DIY video shot on your phone can catch eyes if it’s creative enough.
Lyric videos, visualizers, and performance clips are easy options. Or go wild with skits, animation, or artsy stuff. Just make sure it grabs attention in the first few seconds – that’s all you get before people skip.
Collabs are Key
Your features are your billboards. Team up with artists in your lane and tap into each other’s fanbases. But don’t just jump on any old track – make sure your collab partner is someone you gel with creatively and vibe with personally. The best collabs feel organic, not forced.
Oh, and don’t sleep on producers and songwriters. Teaming with an up-and-coming beatmaker or topliner can open a lot of doors, fast.
Sync Up Those Licenses
Psst, you know what’s a low-key killer way to get your music in front of new ears? Sync licensing. That’s where you let your songs be used in movies, TV shows, commercials, video games, etc.
Folks pay big bucks for the right tune to set the mood. And if your track catches viewers’ ears, they’ll go hunting to find out who it’s by. Boom, new fan unlocked.
Landing syncs takes some hustling – you gotta pitch music supervisors and ad agencies, get your tracks on sync platforms, the whole deal. But when it pays off, it pays off big time.
Blog About It
Music blogs are still out here, believe it or not. Some of ’em have loyal followings of industry heads and serious music lovers. Pitch the ones that cover your genre, and if they bite, you could get a nice signal boost.
Beyond reviews and premieres, some blogs also do interviews, guest mixes, and other fun features. Anything to get your name and story out there to potential new fans.
Press that Flesh
For all this internet talk, don’t underestimate the power of good old-fashioned IRL schmoozing. Hit up industry events, go to conferences and workshops, work that networking game.
You never know who you might meet – your next collabrator, manager, or label rep could be just a handshake away. Don’t be thirsty, but don’t be shy either.
Street Teams, Assemble!
Got some ride-or-die homies who always show up for you? Put ’em to work on your street team. Have them pass out flyers, stickers, and download cards at shows, colleges, record stores, skate parks, wherever your potential fans hang.
You can even do street team takeovers in different cities if you’re traveling for gigs. It’s a scrappy way to get the word out that feels more personal than some promoted tweet.
Gimme Merch
Merch game gotta be on point. It’s not just a way to make dough (though it definitely is that too). It’s a way to turn casual fans into walking billboards.
Don’t just slap your logo on some janky t-shirt – get creative with it. Dream up designs your fans wouldn’t just cop, but proudly rock. Hoodies, hats, fanny packs, enamel pins, socks, water bottles – go wild. Just make sure it’s high-quality stuff your fans can actually use and wear.
