Do you have a great recording but do not know how to reach your fans? You are not alone – many artists have a professional album or single, however, without the right push they may fall short of their target market and ultimately their full potential. The difference between being successful or not often comes down to music marketing.
Many believe that if their music is good, or if they are a great singer that their product will essentially sell itself. It is another misconception that in order for an artist to be a success they only need to market their music on iTunes. Because of this thinking, it may surprise some to learn that this is not the case for a majority of artists, and, in fact, it is quite the opposite.
Popular digital distributors like iTunes are oversaturated with millions of songs and to generate a random hit on iTunes can be likened to that of winning the lottery. Like the lottery, it may be possible to get lucky—however not for the majority, especially without proper marketing and promotion to back the artist. Marketing may be the most often overlooked aspect of an emerging artist’s career and also the most important, perhaps even more so than the music itself.
It is no secret that the music industry is experiencing a shift in the way they conduct business and work with artists. Marketing can mean the difference between a lame duck and a breakout success, and it is essential that your marketing is spot on, and at the relevant time.
Most musicians fail at marketing because they do not have the specific tools and resources to garner the exposure they need. Just as artists enlist the services of a professional studio to get the best recording possible, so too should these artists invest in proper marketing– an idea that is often overlooked by most and yet is critical to the artist’s success.
For those seeking a record deal, it is important to build your social networks and make sure they are up to snuff. Whether you like it or not, most industry professionals will be extensively examining your Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter artist pages to ensure an appropriate amount of support is backing the artist. Record labels hardly factor in artist development these days, and the sad fact of it is that if an artist wants to get noticed they have to first build themselves the proper fan base. Record label talent scouts will be searching for a set amount of support behind the artist before they even consider a record contract; therefore, it is imperative for an artist to be actively involved in locating and recruiting new fans daily.
In addition, having a professional electronic press kit (EPK) and one-sheet prepared for blog, magazine, or any other kind of media outreach is a must. When reaching out for review or feature consideration, it is of absolute importance that you conduct yourself in a professional and sincere manner, yet at the same time not appearing too desperate. Having a professional electronic press kit to include along with your pitch will place you a notch above the countless artists that are also looking for free publicity. Having a solid album helps as well and having it available for free download to these editors through online file hosting sites such as MediaFire can be a major bonus; and even better yet if you can send out a physical copy that can occupy space on their desk, ensuring you are not so easily forgotten.
Finally, proper follow-ups are paramount because without following-up your email will get lost in the mayhem most likely taking place in the editor’s inbox. Be courteous and professional, but at the same time be consistent and insistent. Make sure your previous emails are attached to your latest email so the editor can review your previous attempts at contacting them. Once they get the hint that you are unwilling to take no for an answer they will usually, at the very least, respond as to whether or not they are interested in checking out your material.
In closing, marketing can be a hefty task for any artists, especially if acting on their own behalf. Social networking can be a very time-consuming process and media outreach can seem daunting to any emerging artist. The C4n2 Agency is more than happy to assist any artist and provide free information so that you have the knowledge to build their own fan base, yet the bottom line is that without the manpower and resources behind a proper campaign, as well as the know-how behind your marketing you may never reach your true target market. Give us a call today to see what you can do to gain the maximum exposure for your music and what the C4n2 Agency can do to help!
In the music industry, it is often said that an artist is only as successful as their promotion. In other words, no matter how talented an artist may be, they will not be able to achieve success without a strong promotional campaign behind them. There are a number of different ways to promote a musician, from radio play to social media marketing. However, the most important thing is to make sure that the promotion is targeted at the right audience. An artist may have the most incredible music in the world, but if their target audience is unaware of their existence, they will never achieve the level of success that they deserve. As such, it is clear that for an artist, exposure to their music is only as successful as the promotion behind it.
There are a number of different channels that can be used to promote a musician. The most important thing is to make sure that the promotion is targeted at the right audience. Some common channels for promoting music include:
Radio Play: Radio play is one of the most effective ways to reach a wide audience. When a song is played on the radio, it exposes listeners to an artist that they may be unfamiliar with and builds an interest in their music.
Social Media Marketing: Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook provide musicians with an opportunity to connect with their fans and promote their music directly to their target audience. It is important to use social media effectively in order to reach the largest number of people possible. Some tips for using social media effectively include regular updates, staying active in fan conversations, and providing interesting content beyond just promoting your latest single or album.
Music Videos: A well-made music video can do wonders for an artist’s career. A good music video tells a story and creates an emotional connection with the viewer. A great music video has the potential to go viral and expose an artist to a whole new audience.
How to Promote Your Music the Right Way
- Research Your Target Audience
The first step in promoting your music the right way is to make sure you’re targeting the right audience. It’s important to take the time to research who your target audience is and what they’re looking for in a musician. Once you’ve done that, you can start tailoring your promotional campaign specifically to them.
- Utilize Different Forms of Marketing
There are a number of different ways to market your music, and it’s important to utilize as many as possible. Some forms of marketing include radio play, social media marketing, and online advertising. By using a variety of different methods, you’ll be able to reach a wider range of people and increase your chances of success.
- Make Sure Your Promotion is Well-Rounded
It’s not enough to just employ one form of marketing; your promotional campaign needs to be well-rounded in order to be effective. For example, if you’re only relying on social media marketing, you’re likely reaching only a small portion of your potential audience. However, if you use a variety of methods, such as radio play, online advertising, and print media, you’ll be able to reach a much larger group of people. By having a well-rounded promotional campaign, you’ll be more likely to achieve success.
When it comes to music promotion, exposure is only as successful as the promotion behind it. By taking the time to research your target audience and employing different forms of marketing, you can make sure that your promotional campaign is targeted at the right people and more likely to be successful. With these tips in mind, you can set yourself up for success and achieve the level of success you deserve.
No matter how talented an artist may be, they will not be able achieve success without strong promotional campaign behind them. The most important thing is to make sure that promotion is targeted at the right audience. By using some or all of the methods described above, you can successfully promote your music and reach a wider audience than you ever thought possible.
