If you’re promoting your music on your own, especially online, you’ll need to mix in smart branding, active social media use, streaming strategies, and connecting with others in the industry. The main thing you need to kick off any music promotion is to create music that really feels like you and speaks to your style.
To reach more listeners, you have to wear a few hats, know your way around social media, confidently connect with your audience, and create a lot of content. I won’t lie, it’s going to take serious work and dedication. But if you’re passionate about your music and ready to go all in, you can find your fans and build a career.
With so many ways to promote music online and limited time each day, how do you know where to focus? Trying to do everything on every platform will likely leave you exhausted without seeing much progress. Instead, choose a few places where your audience is most active. Focus on promoting where you enjoy being, and expand from there as you grow.
Here is how to promote your music online:
1. Get your music on Streaming services
Streaming platforms have completely changed how people listen to music and how artists get their music out there. That’s why SupaFuse is such a good option for artists today. Having a plan to promote new releases or existing music catalogs on streaming platforms is essential, no matter your level.
One reason is that streaming platforms offer ways for artists to earn from their music through streams, merch, and ticket sales. But they’re also popular spots where fans discover new music, whether through playlists, music reviews, or the platform’s own recommendations.
2. Create a strong online presence and brand
In today’s visual world, where social media and online presence are key, it’s important to think about how you’ll present yourself and your music. Put simply, you want your audience to recognize you right away when they see your content.
When your posts pop up on a fan’s feed, or a collaborator shares your story, a consistent look makes your music stick in people’s minds. Building this brand identity takes time and thought, as it will reflect everything about you as an artist.
Some main parts of your brand look are your artist name and logo, font choices, how you write on social media, your visuals, and the types of people you collaborate with.
Take a look at how artists who inspire you show up on social media. What fonts do they use? What’s in their visuals? Who are they interacting with? Keep your brand in mind all the time and focus your promotion on a consistent sound, message, look, and vibe.
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3. Be active on social media
Social media is really where the action happens for music promotion. Once you’ve taken care of the basics like publishing your music and uploading it to streaming platforms, most of your promotion will probably be on social media.
There’s a lot to say about promoting music on social platforms, especially since each one has its own style and features. A good tip is to keep the same handle across all platforms so fans can easily find you. Right now, vertical videos are some of the most popular types of content because they fit well on social media.
The only way to get your videos noticed is to post consistently, since that’s what some platforms look for before they start showing your content to more people. Besides regular posts, try sharing content about your life, music, and songwriting process on social media and also pay attention to what other artists in your genre are doing.
4. Build relationships with artists, influencers and bloggers in your niche
Building connections with other artists, influencers, bloggers, and producers in your genre is a great way to reach more people who enjoy your style of music. So, get out there and connect with anyone in your community who’s creating music that inspires you.
Share their music with your fans, leave comments on their posts, and interact with them as much as you can. Getting to know artists or influencers with a following whether online or locally can open doors for creative collaborations or chances to perform together live.
5. Make music videos and more
Music videos have long been a big part of releasing an album. Nowadays, making music videos for your singles is essential for any solid music promotion plan. But just doing one or two videos isn’t enough anymore. Artists are creating more types of video content beyond the usual music video.
Think about recording a live performance so fans can feel the energy of your live sound and get excited to see you perform in person. You could also try making vlog-style posts or short videos that fit TikTok’s format to help reach new audiences on social media.
Another simple option is adding a visualizer to any song or album you upload on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, giving fans something to watch while they listen. Making videos, especially music videos, takes time and effort, but the rewards can be big.
It helps you define your style, deliver your message, and leave a lasting impression on fans. So whether it’s a music video, live performance, or just a visualizer, think about adding more video content to your promotion plan.
6. Set up a website and build a mailing list
Your website is a great place to show off who you are. You have full control over the look and design of your site, so use it to display your music, brand, and style. How you set up your site is up to you, but it’s a good idea to feature your music and music videos front and center.
You could also add pages for press, upcoming shows, announcements, or other news. Think of your website as a storefront for your own mini-record label, where you can sell merch like records and t-shirts or offer digital downloads of your music.
For visitors who may not be ready to buy, encourage them to join a newsletter or mailing list so you can keep them updated on events and new merch. Don’t forget to add a contact section so anyone interested can easily reach you or your team.
7. Play live as much as you can
Don’t overlook the importance of being an active part of your local music scene; it can really help you grow your audience and build valuable connections in the industry. Many breakout stars owe their success to a mix of savvy social media skills and strong ties within their local music communities.
Consider putting together a live set and find a way to get your name on a show bill. Get to know the event bookers in your area and offer to help them organize a show. For instance, you could pitch the idea of hosting an event for your album or single release.
Artist debuts are a great way to generate buzz and excitement for a live performance. During your show, make sure to mention your social media handle and encourage the audience to follow you. Keep business cards handy and share them with any fans you connect with afterward.
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Start Promoting Your Music
Your musical journey is an exciting adventure, and promoting your music is a crucial part of that experience. Keep in mind that it’s not just about sharing your music, but also about connecting with fans, building a community, and sharing your unique sound and story.
Whether you’re growing your audience on, navigating the ever-changing world of social media, or making an impact in the music community, each step you take will help you find new listeners and fans. So go ahead, create your music promotion plan, and let the world hear what you have to offer.