Want to get your music heard? Music promotion is key. Here are the top tips for promoting your music in 2024 so it reaches the right people and helps your career.
Quick Hits
Social media is a must for music promotion; engaging content and talking to fans regularly will get you a loyal following.
Streaming platforms are where the audience is; optimise your profiles on Spotify and Apple Music and you’ll get more visibility.
Collaborate with other artists and network with industry people to get more reach and find new opportunities.
What is Music Promotion
Music promotion is the foundation of any music career. In today’s music industry it’s not enough to make great music; you need to get it in front of your target audience. Basic music promotion strategies range from free (social media and personal networks) to paid professional services from music promotion companies. Engagement is a key part of these music marketing strategies as it builds trust and a deeper connection with your fans and ultimately gets them to support your music.
There are many types of music promotion from free music promotion sites to professional music promotion services. Independent artists start with free resources and personal connections but as they progress in their career they may choose to invest in professional promotion packages that get them more coverage and reach.
Whatever route you choose the goal is the same: get your music played and heard by as many people as possible.
Social Media Fanbase
Social media has changed the way artists promote music. With 3.6 billion social media users worldwide these platforms offer a huge audience for artists to tap into. The key is to know which social media platform works best for your target audience and talk to your fans regularly.
Creating engaging content and running targeted promotion campaigns gets you new fans and a loyal following.
Content Strategies
Engaging content is key to getting and keeping audience attention on social media. Instagram Stories and Reels are great for sharing timely and engaging content to your followers. Get fans to create and share their own content using your music and you’ll get more engagement and visibility. Hosting giveaway competitions is another way to get fan engagement as it gets followers to interact with your posts.
Also collaborating with micro-influencers can be a budget friendly marketing strategy for independent artists and get you in front of a bigger audience without spending a fortune. High quality images and custom graphics will help your online presence and make your brand more recognisable.
Connecting with other relevant users like music artists, producers and critics will also help your social media presence and build valuable relationships. Responding to comments, sharing posts and using hashtags is a great way to stay engaged with your audience. Remember consistency is key to building anticipation and keeping your audience engaged.
Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories allow artists to talk to their audience in real time, share updates and content. Bright and emotive thumbnails get more eyes on your stories.
Stories and Reels on Instagram get you in front of a bigger audience and keep them up to date with your latest music releases and activity. This continuous engagement gets more audience engagement and promotes your music better.
TikTok Trends
TikTok is a music promotion game changer especially for Gen Z. The platform can set music trends and drive virality so it’s a must have tool for artists. Create content and participate in challenges and you’ll promote your music and engage with the TikTok community.
Knowing TikTok users and what they like gives you an edge over your competitors and learning from successful TikTok influencers will give you valuable insights for your promotion strategy.
Streaming Platforms
Streaming is the main way people consume music so it’s a must for music promotion. Music promotion packages that get you coverage on multiple streaming platforms will get you more visibility. Major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and Deezer each have their own tools and features to promote and engage with listeners.
Get your music on all platforms to reach more people.
Spotify Profile
An optimised Spotify profile is key to music promotion. First verify your profile and sign up for Spotify for Artists to unlock features and analytics. This will allow you to personalise your profile by adding images from tours and linking to ticket sales.
An optimised profile will get your brand more visibility and engagement with your fans and make it easier to promote your music and get on Spotify playlists.
Apple Music Visibility
Claim your artist profile on Apple Music and establish your brand on the platform. Use the analytics on Apple Music to track your streams and understand your audience’s preferences and guide your promotion. Connect with your fans through exclusive content and updates and build a loyal listener base.
Get spots on playlists as they are key to increasing your visibility and streams on Apple Music.
Getting on Playlists
Getting on playlists especially on Spotify is a great way to get in front of new audiences. Playlists get you more visibility and more people to find and love your music. Artists can get on a playlist either through DIY or by working with a music promotion company. A step in the DIY method is to find a playlist that fits your music genre.
Working with a music promotion service will get you access to a network of curators for playlist pitching and increase your chances of getting featured. These services have strong industry connections that can get you playlist placements and get you royalties from top Spotify playlists.
The Spotify playlist submission tool is also a great resource for artists to submit to editorial playlists and get more visibility.
Music Video Promotion
Music video promotion is part of your overall music marketing strategy. A good music video can grab attention and drive engagement so it’s a powerful promotional tool. Promote your music video through blogs, playlist curators and press outlets and get more visibility.
Find blogs and playlist curators that fit your music genre and style for effective promotion.
Good Music Videos
Good music videos are key to music marketing. Good visuals will get you more online presence and make your brand more recognisable. Build hype before a music video release by sharing teasers to get people excited.
After release, keep the momentum going by sharing more excerpts and behind the scenes footage. Include good visuals in your press kit and get more interest from radio stations and industry professionals.
YouTube
Promoting on YouTube
Upload high quality content and engage with your fans through comments and community posts to promote your music videos on YouTube. YouTube ads can get you in front of a bigger audience. Vevo is popular among musicians and pays for video views.
But don’t buy bot followers as it can get your account flagged and get your music taken down.
Social Media for Video Promotion
Choose the social media platforms where your target audience engage with video content for effective video promotion. Create eye catching thumbnails and hooks to grab attention. Use storytelling to keep viewers engaged and encourage shares.
Use Instagram Reels or TikTok short videos to tease your music video and get people interested.
Working with Other Artists
Working with other artists expands your network and gets you access to new fanbases and industry connections. These partnerships will teach you new skills, get you insights into different genres and get you more creative by combining different skills and experiences.
Working with other artists can also increase productivity by dividing tasks and overcome creative block.
Radio Airplay and Submissions
Radio airplay is still part of music promotion despite its decline in influence. The most common way for indie music promotion is through radio promotion which can be cost effective by sending well crafted emails to local radio promoters.
Research before emailing local radio promoters increases your chances of getting airplay.
Good Press Kit
A good press kit is key to promoting your music and getting in touch with radio stations. A music press kit should be no more than 3 pages long to keep it concise. Create the press kit in PDF or EPK format.
Must haves are music links, photos, bio, contact details, press coverage and concert dates.
Local Stations
Targeting local radio stations is a key strategy for indie artists to get exposure and reach local audience. Create customised pitches for local stations to increase your chances of getting airplay. A pitch that shows you understand the station’s audience will increase the chances of your music getting played.
Follow up with the stations to show you’re interested and keep the conversation going.
Radio Pluggers
Relationships with radio pluggers gets you more consistent airplay opportunities through established trust and understanding of music trends. Networking with radio pluggers is part of your music marketing strategy to get your music heard.
Music PR Companies
Using music PR companies can magnify your music marketing and increase your overall reach. Choosing a PR company with a good music industry background can mean successful promotions.
These agencies offer services like press releases, online marketing and building relationships with influencers. Working with a reputable music PR firm can get you album release events and media interviews.
Sync Licensing
Sync licensing is a money making opportunity for musicians. Understanding master and composition rights is key to earning from sync licensing. Music supervisors work with rights organisations to negotiate and clear music for projects.
Placements in big films, ads or video games can get you big sync royalties and massive exposure for your music.
Industry Networking
Industry networking is key to opening up new opportunities in the music industry. Confidence and genuine communication is key to building long term professional relationships. Setting specific networking goals like attending events regularly will expand your professional circle.
Follow up with new contacts after meeting them will keep the relationship alive and they will remember you.
DIY vs Professional Help
DIY vs professional help is a big decision in music promotion. Independent music promotion saves costs, time and effort are the only expenses. But it requires strong writing and IT skills and managing your own PR can be overwhelming especially when juggling music production and promotion.
Working with a music promotion company gives artists more time to make music and access to real promotion and engagement from real people. Hiring music promotion services has unlimited potential and satisfying rewards so it’s an option for those who can afford it.
In the end, artists should weigh their own needs, budget and goals when choosing between DIY promotion and professional services.
Conclusion
In summary promoting your music in 2024 means a multi faceted approach that includes understanding music promotion, building a fanbase on social media, using streaming platforms effectively and music video promotion. Working with other artists, targeting radio airplay and using music PR companies will get you further reach. Sync licensing and industry networking will give you more opportunities to grow. Whether you do it DIY or get professional help, the key is consistent effort and strategic planning. Remember your journey in the music industry is unique and the right promotion strategy will get you to your goals and to new heights.
FAQs
What are the best social media platforms to promote music?
Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are the top choices to promote your music because they have great engagement and huge audience. Use these platforms to get your sound out there!
How do I get my music on Spotify playlists?
Getting your music on Spotify playlists is all about optimising your profile, using the playlist submission tool and possibly working with music promotion services. Focus on these to increase your chances!
How do I promote my music video?
To promote your music video focus on creating great content and use social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok and YouTube ads. This will get you more reach and engagement!
Should I hire music PR company for my music promotion?
Hiring a music PR company is a good idea especially if you’re gearing up for a big tour or have an established fanbase. They offer services like press releases and media outreach that can really boost your music promotion.
What are sync licensing??
Sync licensing are getting your music in films, commercials or video games which can earn you big royalties and more visibility. It’s a great way to get your sound out there!
