Building an effective music promotion plan on any budget is vital for promoting your music in 2023. In the past, music promotion was mainly the job of industry professionals, but now artists have more control over their strategies.
Next to the previous post, the right plan includes digital distribution, social media, and email, as well as traditional methods like live shows, press kits, and mailing lists.
Despite being hard work, incorporating music promotion into your marketing plan is worth the effort. Our part two simple music promotion guide will continue to guide you through the essential steps to help you create an effective plan. Here we go!
4. How to build a fanbase for your music
The ultimate goal is building a fanbase.
Connect with supporters by streaming, buying merch, and attending shows.
Building from scratch is difficult, use all tools at your disposal to get fans on board.
Use traditional methods
Promoting Music in 2023 involves using traditional methods like press kits, mailing lists, and tours.
These have been proven effective in building and growing your fanbase for years.
Enter the real world
Events, live music, and networking are essential for promoting your music in 2023. While online promotion is important, don’t forget about building your audience through real-life interactions.
Take control of your online space
Your band website is crucial for promoting your music online. It’s where you have complete control over your content and how your fans interact with it.
Don’t waste this opportunity – learn how to build an effective band website.
5. How to share new music: Release it right
Music sharing is fundamental in promoting your music in 2023. Besides traditional means, social media provides ample opportunities for music promotion.
Sharing your music may be challenging, but it’s vital to attract new followers and maintain interest in your music.
Getting ready to share
It’s never been easier to share music online. You might be closer to going live with your tracks than you think.
Learn how to confidently share—and why it’s worthwhile.
Don’t be misled by metrics
It’s easy to become too focused on a single number when determining the success of your tracks or posts.
However, social media statistics tell a complicated story that can be overlooked when only looking at likes.
Discover why you might be misinterpreting social media metrics.
6. Use social media to promote your music
Promoting Music in 2023 means creating engaging social media feeds that go beyond just releases.
To succeed in music promotion, you need to tell a story that goes beyond the music.
This includes videos, images, interviews, articles, playlists, sample packs, studio tours, and live shows.
Creating memes, TikToks, and witty tweets can help establish your brand and expand your fanbase.
It’s important to acknowledge that fans expect you to have a social media presence on various platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
As an artist, you have a voice that people listen to, giving you the opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas about the current cultural moment.
When planning your promotional strategy, consider how it reflects your music and use the question “what does this say about my music?” as a guide.
Be sure to prioritize your sound and vision when developing your social media content.
Keep in mind that each social media platform has its unique characteristics and etiquette, so it’s crucial to understand these when promoting your music on popular platforms.
How to Use TikTok to Promote Your Music
TikTok has emerged as a new social media platform that gained popularity among the Gen Z generation. It is now considered the hottest new social media trend.
Music was the core of TikTok’s original idea, with early TikToks featuring duets with music, either with other artists on the platform or top 40 pop tunes.
Additionally, TikTok gave creators the ability to caption their short 15-60 second videos with music from its extensive track library, changing the game in the process.
As a result, many viral TikTok songs have become incredibly popular, launching new pop-star careers and reviving classic 70s tunes.
TikTok is now one of the primary ways young people discover music, making it crucial for artists to have a presence on the platform and make their music available in its music library.
Many artists have built a considerable following on TikTok by regularly sharing content, such as documenting their studio workflow or creating funny memes.
However, creating daily videos can be a demanding task, and it requires a significant commitment to engage with the platform. Nonetheless, if artists find a niche and create content that resonates with their audience, the reward can be significant.
How to Use Youtube to Promote Your Music
To find a social media platform where music consumption is massive, look no further than YouTube.
Not only is it a streaming platform in its own right, competing with Spotify through its YouTube Music service, but the video platform also offers a vast array of music content, from playlists to videos and live performances.
To be a successful artist, you need to create a music video for each of your tracks and also have live performances and interviews on YouTube. This involves not only posting on your own channel but also seeking opportunities to perform on live channels such as KEXP and Tiny Desk, among others.
Moreover, you can monetize your music through YouTube Content ID, a Google invention that identifies and monetizes your music whenever someone else uses it on YouTube.
Creating videos is not an easy task, as it requires a large team and a considerable amount of time to produce quality content. However, the rewards can be significant, as demonstrated by artists like Vulf Peck, who have built their careers around showcasing music performance videos on YouTube.
How to Use Twitter to Promote Your Music
Twitter is an excellent platform for engaging with a community, especially if you enjoy sharing your thoughts, opinions, and humor in written form. The platform is well-suited for written content. But it also provides ample support for sharing music and links to your streaming platform.
Imagine Twitter as a large cocktail party, where you can easily find a group of like-minded people and start chatting with others in your niche. Start by commenting and sharing your opinions on various topics related to your life and career as an artist.
Twitter is an ideal space for networking and connecting with people who share your interests. But it’s important to be mindful of what you say online. Remember that Twitter is a public forum, and your words and actions can have consequences.
7. How to copyright your music
Determining music copyrights can be both simple and complicated. It’s often difficult to determine who owns what and how much of a song.
The good news is that your music is automatically copyrighted once it’s written. This includes any lyrics, melodies, or recordings you create.
You may want to register your music with the copyright office and keep up-to-date with music-specific copyright laws, especially after the music modernization act of 2020.
When working with a partner or group, the most complicated aspect is determining who owns the copyright. If unsure, consult a music or copyright lawyer to ensure proper credits are given.
8. How to Get Your Music Licensed
Music licensing is critical for monetizing and promoting your music, as a single deal can launch your career into stardom.
However, it takes years of hard work to land a significant licensing deal, including creating AAA music, building a following, and securing professional representation through management or a publisher.
Finding representation is essential for success in negotiating sync licensing deals between your publisher and the media company.
As a beginner, focus on creating your music rather than landing a major licensing deal.
If you’re ready to take the next step, start searching for a manager and publisher to represent you. As an independent artist, you can find representation by attending industry shows and networking. But you should be prepared to invest in hiring a publisher.
Remember, music licensing can be a game-changer, but it takes time, effort, and investment to make it happen.