How do you get discovered in the music industry when there are so many competitors out there? Music Industry How To notes that one of the keys is learning how to market yourself via the right channels; for instance, getting on Spotify can make a big difference, and some social media platforms are better than others for sharing music content and engaging with listeners. It’s also crucial to seek out representation from professionals who understand what your goals are and have your best interests in mind.
If you can think of your image and music as a business, it will be much easier to break into the industry. Start by creating a business plan that outlines your needs and goals, breaking it down into sections that include finances, marketing, and a structure. Today, Playlist Plugger shares some tips to get you started right.
Write a Stellar Business Plan
Thinking of your music in business terms will help immensely when it comes to navigating all the tasks that come with growing your career. That’s why a business plan is essential, as it helps you view your goals in more structured terms rather than a set of personal aspirations. Start by making some financial projections and laying out funding needs that include how much you’ll require for equipment, studio time, and transportation for gigs.
You’ll also need to think about a marketing plan. To start, identify your target market and decide which type of marketing strategies may be most effective for that audience. Consider which platforms are best for conveying your message and gathering customer feedback, as well as using analytics to measure the impact of each marketing strategy. From there, craft goals that you wish to reach throughout your campaign and financially account for them in the budget of your marketing plan.
You should also spend some time thinking about the structure of your business, since that will have a big impact on your business’s future. You’ll also need to think about marketing! Spreading the word via social media is a must, but you should also build your own website and make sure all the links and information are updated and functional.
Think About How You Present Yourself
While many musicians prefer to focus on their music, it’s important to consider the fact that you’re building a brand while you’re on the road to being discovered. This means carefully selecting the right images, videos, and content to share online, whether on social media or your own website, and it also means creating a brand identity that helps your audience easily identify you.
In addition to spreading the word via social media, putting out a newsletter is a good, old-fashioned way to generate interest, as well. If you aren’t sure where to begin, start in Word, add some high quality photos, then save your newsletter as a PDF and send it out via email (or make it downloadable on your website). If you want to make changes, you can always change it back in Word, make your edits, then save it as a PDF again; free tools like this could help you get done in seconds.
A key part of your brand is your sound, so it’s a good idea to invest in improving it where you can. Turning an unused room at home into a recording space can help. Investing in a good microphone, preamp, and some sound insulation can make a big difference when you’re starting out, and it gives you something to build from. Should you choose to do more extensive structural updates to your house, be sure to keep good records and receipts. Improvements can raise your home’s appraisal value.
Pursue All Your Options… Wisely
When it comes to connecting with your audience, it’s important to pursue all the options available to you. These days, that means utilising blogs, podcasts, music apps, YouTube, and local radio stations to spread the word about your music (in addition to Spotify, of course). However, it’s best not to try them all at once, and monitor your performance on each platform to ensure they’re working for you.
Start by setting up social media accounts that will allow you to connect with your audience and give them the power to share your videos and blog posts. Seek out music bloggers who would be willing to review your latest project. It can also be enormously helpful to set up a TikTok account and create a sound that can be shared, as this is a source that has proven successful for many up-and-coming musicians.
Play, Play, Play
Once you have multiple outlets online for your music to be shared, you can start playing as many gigs as possible and sharing those accounts with the audience so they can easily find you after the show. Look for other local musicians whose chosen genre aligns with yours; that way, you’ll have the opportunity to make their fans a sort of built-in audience.
Sharing your music with the world can be daunting at times, but it can also lead to major success when the right avenues are explored. Preparation is half the battle, so create a business and marketing plan that will help you soar toward your goals.
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