{"id":3030,"date":"2021-07-07T20:56:57","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T20:56:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/"},"modified":"2021-07-07T20:56:57","modified_gmt":"2021-07-07T20:56:57","slug":"the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/","title":{"rendered":"The Music Marketing Guide for Indie Musicians"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span>If you\u2019re like a lot of artists, <\/span><i><span>music<\/span><\/i> <i><span>marketing<\/span><\/i><span> is that scary thing you\u2019re supposed to do once you\u2019ve finished making the music.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>You\u2019ve written and recorded a song or album you\u2019re proud of. Now you need to get your existing fans excited, reach new listeners, and find more ways of earning money from your music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Yes, that\u2019s where this whole music marketing thing comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>If you\u2019re reading this, it\u2019s probably safe to assume you don\u2019t have a fancy management team or big label handling your marketing.\u00a0<\/span><span>That\u2019s okay. You can accomplish a lot with DIY music marketing tactics and a small budget. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>How? We\u2019ll get to that. <\/span><span>But first\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#What_is_music_marketing\" >What is music marketing?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Important_marketing_terms_you_should_know\" >Important marketing terms you should know<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#%E2%80%9CDirect_Response%E2%80%9D_versus_%E2%80%9CMadison_Avenue%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cDirect Response\u201d versus \u201cMadison Avenue\u201d<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#The_keys_to_a_successful_music_marketing_campaign\" >The keys to a successful music marketing campaign<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Set_the_right_budget_for_your_music_marketing_campaigns\" >Set the right budget for your music marketing campaign(s)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Your_marketing_should_set_your_music_and_story_apart_from_other_artists\" >Your marketing should set your music and story apart from other artists<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Your_music_marketing_should_capture_attention_immediately\" >Your music marketing should capture attention immediately<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Learn_who_your_audience_is\" >Learn who your audience is<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Use_a_clear_CTA\" >Use a clear CTA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Re-market_to_your_fans\" >Re-market to your fans<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Stick_to_The_Rule_of_Seven_Market_your_music_on_repeat\" >Stick to The Rule of Seven: Market your music on repeat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Identify_your_brand_as_a_musician\" >Identify your brand as a musician<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Dont_focus_too_much_on_short-term_gains\" >Don\u2019t focus too much on short-term gains<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Begin_with_your_marketing_goal_in_mind_obvs\" >Begin with your marketing goal in mind, obvs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Know_what_the_NEXT_step_will_be_in_the_journey\" >Know what the NEXT step will be in the journey<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Your_artist_website_is_essential_for_music_marketing\" >Your artist website is essential for music marketing<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Install_remargeting_code_on_your_website\" >Install remargeting code on your website<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Make_the_most_of_squeeze_pages\" >Make the most of squeeze pages<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Email_marketing_is_more_important_than_ever_for_musicians\" >Email marketing is more important than ever for musicians<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#But_how_do_you_actually_get_prospective_fans_email_addresses\" >But how do you actually get prospective fans\u2019 email addresses?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#What_should_I_write_in_my_marketing_emails\" >What should I write in my marketing emails?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Improve_your_music_marketing_with_automated_emails\" >Improve your music marketing with automated emails<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Market_with_SMS_text\" >Market with SMS text<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Some_general_guidelines_for_SMS_marketing\" >Some general guidelines for SMS marketing:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#What_platforms_are_available_for_SMS_marketing\" >What platforms are available for SMS marketing?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#How_do_I_market_my_music_on_streaming_platforms\" >How do I market my music on streaming platforms?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Verify_your_artist_profile_on_the_streaming_platforms\" >Verify your artist profile on the streaming platforms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Compel_your_audience_to_stream_and_save_your_song\" >Compel your audience to stream and save your song<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#The_truth_about_streaming_Quality_over_quantity\" >The truth about streaming: Quality over quantity.\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Harness_the_power_of_Spotify_playlists\" >Harness the power of Spotify playlists<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Submit_your_music_for_playlist_consideration\" >Submit your music for playlist consideration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Create_a_pre-savepre-add_for_your_music\" >Create a pre-save\/pre-add for your music<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Run_a_pre-save_campaign_on_Spotify\" >Run a pre-save campaign on Spotify<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Advertise_your_music_on_premium_music_websites\" >Advertise your music on premium music websites<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Marketing_music_on_social_media\" >Marketing music on social media<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#The_marketing_power_of_short-form_video\" >The marketing power of short-form video<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Market_your_music_with_a_social_media_influencer_campaign\" >Market your music with a social media influencer campaign<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#Create_an_electronic_press_kit\" >Create an electronic press kit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/07\/the-music-marketing-guide-for-indie-musicians\/#The_most_important_things_to_remember_when_marketing_your_music\" >The most important things to remember when marketing your music<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_music_marketing\"><\/span><span>What is music marketing?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>Music marketing is the process of satisfying your fans\u2019 needs for your music, merch, and concerts. It\u2019s also about, ya know, reaching the right people and turning them into fans in the first place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>A lot can fall under the marketing umbrella. From publicity, to promotion, to advertising, and more. Experts will debate the differences between those various pursuits. But to keep things moving, let\u2019s just say that marketing can either encompass or overlap with all those efforts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>When we say \u201cmusic marketing,\u201d we mean actively putting your music in front of your desired audience through a concerted effort called a campaign.\u00a0<\/span><span>Through a <\/span><b>campaign<\/b><span>, you persuade your audience to take a specific action.\u00a0<\/span><span>That action you\u2019re trying to get your audience to take might be something like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Listen to my song<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Watch my video<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Buy a ticket<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Enter this contest<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Subscribe to my SMS list<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Get the vinyl record<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Follow me on Spotify<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>You have something you want your audience to do. Marketing is an effort to lead your audience on a journey from awareness to conversion (and beyond). And s<\/span><span>peaking of \u201caudience\u201d and \u201cconversion,\u201d let\u2019s define some terms before we get into specific tactics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Important_marketing_terms_you_should_know\"><\/span><span>Important marketing terms you should know<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>Let\u2019s run through a quick glossary of marketing terminology:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Audience<\/b><span>: In a non-marketing sense, you could say your audience is your whole fan ecosystem. It\u2019s everyone who\u2019s enjoyed your music that you\u2019re able to reach back out to in some way. But in marketing, \u201caudience\u201d is more narrowly defined as the specific people you intend to motivate with a certain message, or to reach through a certain channel. It could also be a group of people who\u2019ve already taken a specific action.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Segment<\/b><span>: A part of your audience that shares similar characteristics, often determined by such demographics as age, gender, geographical location, or other easily marked delineations. Segments are important to your marketing efforts because they can tell you what kind of people listen to your music. They can also tell you who took certain actions, like who opened your recent emails or watched your latest video.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Targeting: <\/b><span>Actively focusing on a specific segment once you\u2019ve identified what your segments are. <\/span><em>Targeting<\/em><span> is the verb to <\/span><em>segment\u2019<\/em>s<span> noun. When you\u2019re aiming your marketing at a certain segment, you\u2019re <\/span>targeting<span> them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span>Here are some examples of audience segments you could target with your music marketing message:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Fans of Olivia Rodrigo in the United States who are older than 25<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>People on Instagram who\u2019ve engaged with one of your posts in the last 45 days<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Hip-Hop fans in the UK who\u2019ve never heard of you, but are likely to stream your song on Spotify<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Conversion<\/b><span>: When your <\/span>targeted<span> audience performs the action you\u2019re asking of them. This can be anything from buying your merch to streaming your song, or smaller desired actions like clicking a link in an email you sent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Impression<\/b><span>: The number of views something (usually an ad, but also something like an email) has received. Note that this is not the number of clicks on the ad or email itself, but rather how many people saw the ad. Since many ads are video ads, an impression isn\u2019t always a sign of engagement. If someone just sees the ad is there, that\u2019s an impression but it\u2019s not the same as them actually watching the entire thing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CTA: <\/b><span>\u201cCall to action.\u201d This is what you want your audience to do, the action you want them to take after their impression. It\u2019s also the language you use to get them to do this, such as \u201cHear my new song!\u201d or \u201cBuy tickets here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Open rate: <\/b><span>The amount of subscribers who open a message like an email or SMS text. This is measured in percentages, so if you sent an email to 100 people and 90 of them opened it, that\u2019s a 90% open rate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Click-through rate: <\/b><span>The amount of subscribers who click the link in a marketing message. In music marketing this link will be to your new song, a merch item, or a page to buy tickets for upcoming shows. Like open rates, click-through rates are also measured in percentages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CPM<\/b><span>: \u201cCost per 1,000 impressions\u201d (the \u201cM\u201d stands for mille, which is Latin for thousand). Impressions are typically measured in the thousands, since even 100 ad impressions is just 100 people seeing your ad online. In the case of paid advertisements, CPM is measured in the cost per 1,000 impressions on an ad. Ideally you\u2019d like your CMP to be as low as possible, but there are occasions where the cost per impression is high but the return is worth it. For example, if you ran an ad asking for someone to host a house concert, you might have thousands of people ignore your ad. But if just one or two people book you, it will have been worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>ROI: \u201c<\/b><span>Return on investment.\u201d How much your campaign contributes to your revenue growth, often in relation to how much the campaign costs. This is another measure of a campaign\u2019s success. Is your spending worth what you\u2019re seeing in return? Not all campaigns will see positive ROI. In fact, many will COST you more than you get back, but that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s not worth the investment. More on that in a sec.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CDirect_Response%E2%80%9D_versus_%E2%80%9CMadison_Avenue%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>\u201cDirect Response\u201d versus \u201cMadison Avenue\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b> <\/b><span>At a high-level, there are a couple modes of marketing. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The first mode is \u201cMadison Avenue.\u201d It\u2019s meant to create a lasting impression. It might even drive sales. But it doesn\u2019t necessarily compel immediate action. Think of a giant billboard in Times Square. A Super Bowl commercial. Or a full-page ad in a glossy magazine. A big, branded broadcast. Something that often feels one-to-many. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>And unless the ad features a QR code, dedicated URL, or something else that\u2019s trackable, there\u2019s no quick way of assessing engagement and attributing growth to the ad. <\/span><span>An uptick in sales would be a nice correlation of course, but connecting the dots still involves some assumptions. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cDirect Response,\u201d on the other hand, is a marketing tradition that often attempts to appeal to an individual. It feels one-to-one. <\/span><span>This style of marketing also asks that individual to DO something. Respond to this letter. Use this coupon. Claim this free knife set. Click this link. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The direct appeal, combined with the ability to KNOW and MEASURE what recipients of the message are doing in response, make this style of marketing the smart choice for businesses that can\u2019t just throw money around willy-nilly. And guess what? That\u2019s most musicians! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The way that giant ad platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram function is essentially the digital evolution of direct response marketing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_keys_to_a_successful_music_marketing_campaign\"><\/span><span>The keys to a successful music marketing campaign<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>Before we dive into different types of music marketing and the platforms you can use to market your music, here are a few general guidelines and tips from CD Baby\u2019s analytics strategist Dan Parscale.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Set_the_right_budget_for_your_music_marketing_campaigns\"><\/span>Set the right budget for your music marketing campaign(s)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>That old business adage \u201cyou have to spend money to make money\u201d applies here. Marketing your music is an investment\u2026 in you! And <\/span><i><span>you<\/span><\/i><span> are in charge of driving your music\u2019s success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Some music marketing campaigns might be more affordable than others, but they are rarely free. So make a budget and invest in your campaign. But don\u2019t break the bank. Parscale warns, \u201cIt can be easy to spend too much money on your campaign. Make sure you\u2019re getting a good ROI for your efforts.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>There can be exceptions to that rule, however. When you\u2019re first building your fanbase, you\u2019re building a business. Most businesses expect to lose money for a year or two before making a profit. These losses are often factored into business plans from the start, and can be considered customer acquisition costs, brand awareness costs, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>You\u2019ll also want to consider how quickly you spend your budget. <\/span><span>It\u2019s tempting to spread your budget out over a longer duration, and lots of music marketers talk about $1\/day campaigns. But if you\u2019re using an ad platform like Facebook or Instagram to reach new listeners, it takes a certain amount of interaction before the platform has gathered enough data to understand your ideal audience, optimize the ad delivery, and so forth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>So while something like $1\/day is attractive, you might be better off spending a decent amount upfront in the \u201ctesting\u201d phase. This helps you optimize your marketing more quickly. Once your campaign is out of the testing phase, you can determine whether you want to spend the rest of your budget quickly for a critical mass, or whether you want to allocate the rest of the budget over a longer period as a kind of maintenance spend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>There\u2019s no single correct way to use your marketing budget, but just make sure to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<ol>\n<li><span>Save up so you <\/span><b>have enough money to adequately test<\/b><span> your ad content and targeting.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>But don\u2019t <\/span><b>blow all the budget<\/b><span> too soon. Testing is just the first phase. Once your marketing is dialed in, put the rest of the money to work!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Match your campaign timeframe to the desired result<\/b><span>. Selling tickets for a show next week? Spend all the ad budget ASAP. Driving cold traffic to a Spotify playlist? Stretch out your budget over many weeks or months. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Monitor ad performance every day. <\/b><span>Optimize along the way, because every penny counts.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_marketing_should_set_your_music_and_story_apart_from_other_artists\"><\/span>Your marketing should set your music and story apart from other artists<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>Music marketing is <\/span><i><span>not<\/span><\/i><span> you shouting <\/span><span>\u201clisten to my music!\u201d in every communication you have with potential fans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>That\u2019s an easy way for your efforts to get lost in the noise of innumerable other campaigns targeting those same people. We live in an age where we are being marketed to every day, whether through social media, email, SMS text message, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Think of your marketing as a way to either tell the story of your music, or to confirm something about your audience that they feel is essential to their identity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>To do that successfully, you\u2019ll want to consider your marketing content from various angles. Test different approaches. And remember that we\u2019ve grown very suspicious of things that FEEL like cold, polished, corporate marketing. That\u2019s good news for you, because it means you can be more authentic, casual, and quirky.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_music_marketing_should_capture_attention_immediately\"><\/span>Your music marketing should capture attention immediately<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>\u201cDon\u2019t bore us. Get to the chorus.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>People\u2019s attention spans are short these days. For your first impression, get in, get your message across and get out. If you linger too long before getting to the point, your audience will just scroll on by without seeing your message.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>We\u2019re also going to scroll past anything that doesn\u2019t jump through the screen and interest our eyeballs in the first 3 seconds. So even if the call-to-action comes a little bit later, something compelling has got to happen right away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>So pay a lot of attention to the immediate impression you\u2019re creating. It has to be intriguing enough that we want do the next thing: unmute the sound, click the button, keep watching, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>With emails, make them personal, but try not to write a novel.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Learn_who_your_audience_is\"><\/span>Learn who your audience is<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>\u201cIt\u2019s a good idea to <\/span><span>focus on advertising to people who like artists you sound like or take influence from,\u201d says Parscale. \u201cSo if you notice people who like Queens of the Stone Age also enjoy your music, you\u2019ll want to target fans of that band since you know they might also enjoy your music.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>But don\u2019t necessarily limit your targeting to sounds-like artists. There could be other interests and topics that overlap with your music as well. Keep testing, keep learning!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Thankfully, you don\u2019t have to keep this all in your head, on a spreadsheet, or as a hunch. Platforms like Facebook continually learn about your audience as you run more campaigns. As your ad account becomes \u201cseasoned,\u201d Facebook delivers smarter (and often cheaper) results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_a_clear_CTA\"><\/span>Use a clear CTA<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>If you have a new single out and you want your audience to listen, \u201cHear the new single\u201d or \u201cNew song out now!\u201d works.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Want them to watch your livestream or buy tickets? \u201cSign up for the livestream\u201d gets the message across.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Spell it out for them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The exception to this is first-touch audiences (people who are totally new to your music) on a platform like social media. Make that first ad post just normal \u201ccontent\u201d without looking like an actual ad. No CTAs or links. Just good content delivered to the right people. That way they don\u2019t feel like they\u2019re being advertised to right out of the gate, making them more likely to engage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Once they DO engage, you can\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Re-market_to_your_fans\"><\/span>Re-market to your fans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>In marketing speak, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/remarketing-for-musicians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>remarketing<\/span><\/a> <span>is the process of putting the right sequential messages in front of a defined audience based on their previous actions. Put simply, you\u2019re trying to take fans on a journey from A to Z; and you treat each fan differently according to when, if, and how they take the next step along the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Eventually this journey leads your audience from introduction to lifelong fan, from cold to lukewarm to warm to hot. You don\u2019t start with the big upfront ask. You work your way slowly towards the vinyl offer, the t-shirt of the month club, the VIP tickets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Remarketing requires that you understand what steps your audience has and hasn\u2019t taken along the journey. One of the best ways to track that audience behavior is with the Facebook pixel. For steps on creating and installing a Facebook pixel on your website, see our <\/span><span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/facebook-instagram-ads-musicians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">musician\u2019s guide to Facebook and Instagram ads<\/a>.<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stick_to_The_Rule_of_Seven_Market_your_music_on_repeat\"><\/span>Stick to <em>The Rule of Seven<\/em>: Market your music on repeat<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>It\u2019s an axiom as old as marketing itself, but it still holds true in the modern age of digital marketing: your audience needs to see your message at least seven times before they convert. Really in the modern age the \u201cseven times\u201d is more of a shorthand for \u201clots and lots.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Basically your audience won\u2019t bite on your ad the first time around, and probably not for a few times after that. Stay in front of them!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Identify_your_brand_as_a_musician\"><\/span>Identify your brand as a musician<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>Just like major companies, you have a brand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Your brand is your story; it\u2019s who you are and what your music represents to people, and anything else that sets you apart from other artists and makes you <\/span><i><span>you<\/span><\/i><span>. Or that makes them <\/span><i><span>them<\/span><\/i><span> (speaking about your fans).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/podcast.cdbaby.com\/2016\/10\/175-authentic-artist-branding-bootcamp-diy-musician-podcast-live\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Check out our DIY Podcast episode about branding for musicians<\/span><\/a><span> to learn how to effectively identify and sell your brand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>You should also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cdbaby.com\/campaigns\/request-music-marketing-101.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>download our free <\/span><i><span>Music Marketing 101<\/span><\/i><span> guide<\/span><\/a><span> for some ideas on how to align your marketing efforts and your artist story.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_focus_too_much_on_short-term_gains\"><\/span>Don\u2019t focus too much on short-term gains<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s tempting to put all your marketing efforts into boosting something like Spotify streams or YouTube video views, because those stats are public. It feels like your ego is on the line.<\/p>\n<p>However, what you REALLY want your marketing to do is nurture a lifelong relationship with your fans. Passive streams will fall away, but a deep connection with your audience \u2014 even if it\u2019s a small audience \u2014 can lead to things like merch sales and concert attendance down the road.<\/p>\n<p>Which means\u2026<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Begin_with_your_marketing_goal_in_mind_obvs\"><\/span>Begin with your marketing goal in mind, obvs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Start with the end result, and then make sure everything works together toward that goal.<\/p>\n<p>Ask yourself:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What is the ultimate purpose of my marketing campaign?<\/li>\n<li>Am I targeting the right audience?<\/li>\n<li>Is the offer right for that audience?<\/li>\n<li>Will my audience find the incentive compelling enough?<\/li>\n<li>Do they know WHY this offer or content will benefit them?<\/li>\n<li>Does the ad creative and copy (images, video, text, etc.) convey the right vibe?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Know_what_the_NEXT_step_will_be_in_the_journey\"><\/span>Know what the NEXT step will be in the journey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Let\u2019s assume your marketing campaign is successful. That\u2019s great. But if you don\u2019t have a plan in place to follow-up, you might lose steam, your audiences could go dormant or expire (that\u2019s a thing in the world of digital advertising), and you could then have to spend more time and money reaching back out to some of those same people.<\/p>\n<p>So before you launch a music marketing campaign, have an idea of what the next step will be in the weeks or months that follow.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_artist_website_is_essential_for_music_marketing\"><\/span><span>Your artist website is essential for music marketing<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/music-websites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Yes, you still need a website in 2021.<\/span><\/a><span> Why?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Having an official artist website is an indispensable part of your marketing efforts for the following reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>You own it.<\/b><span> Your website is yours and no one else\u2019s, as opposed to social media profiles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>It makes you look professional. <\/b><span>A website shows you\u2019re serious about your music career.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>You control the experience. <\/b><i><span>You<\/span><\/i><span> get to decide every aspect of your page and customize how you see fit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Valuable data. <\/b><span>You can acquire essential data from your website that you might not be able to access elsewhere, like an email list.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Sell your music directly to fans. <\/b><span>Don\u2019t want anyone taking a cut of your record sales? You can sell music and merch directly on your website if you\u2019re inclined to ship it out yourself.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Install_remargeting_code_on_your_website\"><\/span>Install remargeting code on your website<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>But perhaps most crucial for your marketing efforts, you can put remarketing code such as the Facebook pixel on your site! This provides a great window into the effectiveness of your marketing efforts, and helps you build retargeting audiences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Oh, and last but NOT least\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_the_most_of_squeeze_pages\"><\/span>Make the most of squeeze pages<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>With your own website you can drive traffic to a squeeze page.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>So called because it \u201csqueezes\u201d information from visitors or squeezes them towards ONE action, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/instapage.com\/what-is-a-squeeze-page\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>squeeze page<\/span><\/a><span> is a page on a website that is specifically designed to acquire information (like an email address) for something in return, or to put the attention solely on one desired result.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>There\u2019s no distractions. You remove options, hide the top navigation, delete the footer, avoid other links. The visitor either takes the action you want, or they hit the back button. <\/span><span>You remove barriers by removing choices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>One common use for squeeze pages in the digital music space is to create a bridge between your chosen ad platform and Spotify. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Why wouldn\u2019t you just send traffic straight from Instagram to Spotify? Well, you could. But to limit bots and junk traffic, you would first send ad traffic to the squeeze page on your website. This page would have ONE option \u2014 to stream the music on Spotify.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Yes, that ultimately means less overall traffic to Spotify. But given the extra step, the action demonstrates greater intent. The button clicks on your squeeze page would be tracked as <em>conversions<\/em>, helping Facebook learn more about your true fans, and thus sharing your ad content with more and more qualified members of your target audience. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>In addition, a squeeze page is also tracking visits, so you\u2019re building a retargetable audience from those page views, which is something you cannot do on Spotify.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>More about squeeze pages in connection with email below.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Email_marketing_is_more_important_than_ever_for_musicians\"><\/span><span>Email marketing is more important than ever for musicians<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>Email is a major component of marketing. And some studies are showing that email marketing is more effective than ever. Just about everyone has an email address, far more than even people who have social media accounts. Plus, we all check our emails just about every day, and studies have shown consumers prefer to be marketed to through email than any other advertising avenues.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"But_how_do_you_actually_get_prospective_fans_email_addresses\"><\/span><span>But how do you actually get prospective fans\u2019 email addresses? <\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There are a few creative ways to do that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Collect email addresses at <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/6-ways-capture-email-addresses-next-show\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>live gigs<\/b><\/a><span> (they\u2019re coming back!) by soliciting them from attendees.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Give away your merch,<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/grow-your-email-list-and-make-a-profit-by-giving-away-your-albums-for-free\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>including your CD<\/span><\/a><span>. Yes, people still listen to CDs! You can add a ton of people to your email list by offering to send them a free CD if they just cover shipping and handling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Use a squeeze page.<\/b><span> You can add a squeeze page to your website soliciting subscriptions to your newsletter, which in turn adds the subscriber\u2019s email to your list. This is also where you can entice visitors with something free in exchange for their email address, like an unreleased song or exclusive video.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Just ask. <\/b><span>Put a CTA on your website that compels fans to subscribe to your mailing list. Make the incentive that they\u2019ll be the first to hear about any news going on, like new merch, show\/tour announcements and of course new music!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_I_write_in_my_marketing_emails\"><\/span><span>What should I write in my marketing emails?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>So you\u2019ve gathered a bunch of fan emails and have a pretty sizable audience with whom to communicate. What do you actually write?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>A few key emails every artist should know how to write:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Welcome email:<\/b><span> Just like it sounds, your welcome email is the first email you send to someone after they subscribe to your mailing list. You should set this to send automatically. A welcome email is one of your most highly opened emails, which means it\u2019s also one of the most important. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/how-to-write-a-perfect-welcome-email-and-why-it-matters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>We have a bunch of great tips for making sure your welcome email is dialed in.<\/span><\/a><b><\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Personal email: <\/b><span>Also called a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/6-ways-persuade-people-sign-bands-email-newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>newsletter<\/span><\/a><span>, a personal email is sort of a \u201cthis is what I\u2019m up to\u201d communication. It can be a studio update, tour journal from the road or just some insight into your personal life. This email allows your audience to know you as a person and not just as an artist.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Big announcement email: <\/b><span>You have a new single (or album) out! You made some new merch! A tour you just booked! That\u2019s big news, and definitely an email lots of fans are going to want to open. Get to the details of your announcement early (don\u2019t \u201cbury the lede\u201d as they say in journalism) and provide all relevant links where your audience can hear your song or buy your new shirts or get tickets to your shows.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>We asked CD Baby\u2019s own email marketing manager Luke Kashdan for his advice to artists looking to market their music through email. He says the first thing you want to do is increase open rates in your emails. \u201cTo do that you need to learn how to write subject lines,\u201d says Kashdan. \u201cLearn what works and gets the best results.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Next you need to know what the benefit is to the reader. \u201cThe benefit is usually what you\u2019re offering, so your new song or some new merch,\u201d says Kashdan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>In the actual email itself, Kashdan says using a button can be a great way to attract the reader\u2019s eye on the main focus of the email. If you\u2019re using an email system like Mailchimp, it\u2019s easy to add a button to any email. Couple your button with a compelling CTA to really increase clicks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improve_your_music_marketing_with_automated_emails\"><\/span><span>Improve your music marketing with automated emails<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/email-automation-the-basic-stuff-musicians-need-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Email automation<\/span><\/a><span> is the process of setting up your email system so that your email content takes your fans on a journey from a subscriber to a fan. It\u2019s a way to set up your emails so they send automatically, which is great for things like your welcome email or another series like your personal journey. <\/span><span>Automating your emails is a way to work smarter, not harder with your audience communication.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>For more, listen to our podcast episode about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/podcast.cdbaby.com\/2018\/04\/208-cheryl-engelhardt-30-emails-automate-fan-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>30 emails to automate your fan list<\/span><\/a><span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_with_SMS_text\"><\/span><span>Market with SMS text<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>SMS stands for \u201cshort message service.\u201d Put simply, SMS is text messaging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>If you\u2019ve ever received a text message from a business trying to sell you something, you\u2019ve been marketed to via text message.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>You also know text messaging and marketing via text is a delicate balancing act. Text messaging feels much more personal than email. Your phone is <\/span><i><span>yours<\/span><\/i><span>, a device you carry everywhere with you and check more often than email. So being marketed to via SMS can feel invasive if you\u2019re careful about how you do it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some_general_guidelines_for_SMS_marketing\"><\/span>Some general guidelines for SMS marketing:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Get permission from your audience to text them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Be brief in your texts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Engage with your audience when they text back.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Keep track of what works.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Make the opt-out process easy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_platforms_are_available_for_SMS_marketing\"><\/span><span>What platforms are available for SMS marketing?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>There are tons of apps to choose from when you\u2019re looking to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/sms-text-marketing-for-indie-musicians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>market your music with SMS<\/span><\/a><span>. Here\u2019s a sampling:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twilio.com\/go\/sms-marketing-sales-1?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_term=best%20sms%20marketing%20platform&amp;utm_campaign=G_S_NAMER_NB_Programmable_SMS&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw_JuGBhBkEiwA1xmbRUZZ_vyJ2haQ7eem1yck4Ms024AGXvQjI-2Bz7CLncSrOTeB9ZPvcxoC_NsQAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Twilio<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.slicktext.com\/?utm_term=sms%20platform&amp;utm_campaign=*DA+-+SMS+Business+%7C+All+Sign-Ups&amp;utm_source=adwords&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;hsa_acc=8409382812&amp;hsa_cam=10713210475&amp;hsa_grp=127869294371&amp;hsa_ad=523894193882&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-308584387&amp;hsa_kw=sms%20platform&amp;hsa_mt=p&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw_JuGBhBkEiwA1xmbRZsqj781jATPtI0RRHy5jvfGv2ZsNT-YA2XsaRCXMPEJ8dOTuRkYURoCK2YQAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>SlickText<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.textmagic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>TextMagic<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/simpletexting.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>SimpleTexting<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesmessage.com\/get-started-now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Salesmsg<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eztexting.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>EZ Texting<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_market_my_music_on_streaming_platforms\"><\/span><span>How do I market my music on streaming platforms?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>It might sound obvious, but the first step to promoting your song on the various streaming platforms is by actually distributing said song to those platforms. For that you\u2019ll need a music distributor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>CD Baby is the best in the biz at getting your music everywhere you need for maximum exposure. From <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/how-to-distribute-and-promote-your-music-on-spotify\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Spotify<\/span><\/a><span> to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/releasing-music\/the-indie-musicians-guide-to-apple-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Apple Music<\/span><\/a><span> to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/youtube-official-artist-channel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>YouTube<\/span><\/a><span>, CD Baby gets your song to every major streaming platform and dozens of others in specific territories.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"co-button\">Get Started<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span>And the really cool thing is that distributing music is in many ways its own form of promotion. That\u2019s because simply getting your music on, say, Spotify is already putting it in front of possible fans who use that platform through Spotify\u2019s automated playlists. We\u2019ll get to that soon, but the first big step is to\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Verify_your_artist_profile_on_the_streaming_platforms\"><\/span><span>Verify your artist profile on the streaming platforms<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>The first big step to promoting your music on streaming platforms is verifying your artist profile on the platforms that allow it. We\u2019ve said it before but it cannot be overstated: verifying your artist profile is one of the most important foundational things you can do for your music on streaming platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CD Baby artists can verify their profiles on most major streaming platforms:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/spotify-for-artists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Spotify for Artists<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/releasing-music\/claim-your-apple-music-for-artists-account\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Apple Music for Artists<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/youtube-official-artist-channel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>YouTube Official Artist Channel<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/releasing-music\/amazon-music-for-artists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Amazon Music for Artists<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/pandoras-new-promotion-tools-musicians-no-brainer-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Pandora AMP<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/support.cdbaby.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/360047834332-Deezer-for-Artist#:~:text=Deezer%20Backstage%20is%20a%20great,Deezer%20live%20in%20real-time!\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Deezer Backstage<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>Everything you do as an artist on the streaming platforms stems from verifying your profiles. The main advantage to verifying your artist profiles is that you can customize your branding and appearance. This is also its own kind of promotion because a personalized and professional-looking artist profile will attract more listeners.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>If you look at two artist profiles without ever having heard a song from either artist, and one has a fully verified profile with a professional artist photo and other features fleshed out on their profile, and the other one just has a generic picture of their latest release and no confirmed verification, whose music are you going to check out?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>How you present your music has an impact on how (and if) people hear your music.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Compel_your_audience_to_stream_and_save_your_song\"><\/span><span>Compel your audience to stream and save your song<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>Here\u2019s where clear CTAs come back into play. Explicitly spell out your messaging to your audience; tell them what they need to do when you release a new song. Not everyone knows all the inner-workings of streaming platforms. And not every fan understands the positive impact their actions can have on your music.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Make sure you tell your audience they should:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>add your song to their playlists<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>save your song to their queue<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>share and recommend your song on social media<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>follow your artist profile<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_truth_about_streaming_Quality_over_quantity\"><\/span><span>The truth about streaming: Quality over quantity.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>You want true fans, not passive listeners (or skippers). <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The streaming platforms value quality engagement. Essentially, as they monitor listener behavior, they want to know that people actually care about your music when they listen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>As such, your overall stream count is less important than the percentage of people who saved or playlisted your song, listened to the whole thing, listened again, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Whenever you look at your streaming stats, you should remember quality is more important than quantity. When listeners behave in a way that suggests they ENJOY your music, platforms such as Spotify and Pandora are more likely to recommend your music to new audiences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Harness_the_power_of_Spotify_playlists\"><\/span><span>Harness the power of Spotify playlists<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>Once you\u2019ve verified your artist profile, you\u2019re ready to use Spotify\u2019s playlists to expand your reach. Most of this basic promotional heavy lifting is done through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/6-primary-types-spotify-playlists-can-feature-song\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>algorithmic playlists<\/span><\/a><span>, of which there are two powerhouses:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Release Radar<\/b><span> \u2013 updated every Friday with up to two hours of new songs and relevant tracks from artists that you\u2019ve shown interest in as a listener on Spotify.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Discover Weekly<\/b><span> \u2013 updated with fresh music every Monday, with songs chosen according to your own listening history and that of other users that like similar music.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>The more followers you have on Spotify, the more times someone saves your song to their queue, library, or playlists, the better your song\u2019s chances of being added to either of these personalized playlists.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>This is why it\u2019s crucial to get your fans to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/why-a-follow-is-more-powerful-than-a-pre-save-on-spotify\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>follow you on Spotify<\/span><\/a><span>, since your releases can be automatically added to your followers\u2019 Discover Weekly and Release Radar playlists. The more followers you have, the more fans who\u2019ll never miss out on your new tunes. The more people who enjoy a new release early on, the more Spotify will serve that music up on more algorithmic playlists.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>You can build anticipation and encourage follows by creating a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.show.co\/campaigns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Social Unlock campaign with Show.co<\/span><\/a><span>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Social Unlocks incentivize your audience to follow, save, pre-save, or stream you on Spotify in exchange for special content like:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>an MP3 or FLAC download<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>a PDF<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>an unlisted video link on YouTube or Vimeo<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>a hidden URL<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>a special Spotify playlist<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>a coupon code<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>free merch<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>VIP access to a live stream<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>tickets to a concert or meet-and-greet<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Submit_your_music_for_playlist_consideration\"><\/span><span>Submit your music for playlist consideration<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>That\u2019s a good start for some passive promotion, but let\u2019s get a little more pointed, shall we?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>You can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/submit-a-song-directly-for-spotify-playlist-consideration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>submit your music directly to Spotify\u2019s editors<\/span><\/a><span> for consideration on their customized, curated playlists. And you can do it directly in your Spotify for Artists account once you\u2019re verified!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>These playlists are a pretty big deal because they\u2019re organized by genre and style and they have thousands of followers who refer to them for new songs catered to their tastes. So if you have a new metal, hip-hop, jazz, or whatever song due soon, getting it on a major playlist curated by experts of all things heavy, rhyming or outright cool is a great way to introduce your tune to a wider audience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Two added benefits of this Spotify pitching process:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span>Spotify asks you to supply a bunch of <strong>additional information<\/strong> about your music\u2019s sound, genre, and instrumentation, all of which can aid discoverability.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>You are <strong>guaranteed Release Radar placement<\/strong> for the suggested track<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>Guaranteeing that your new music appear in your followers\u2019 Release Radar playlists every time is huge, because your existing followers are the people most likely to enjoy your songs. That also means they\u2019re more likely to take actions showing quality engagement, which in turn sends signals to Spotify that your music is worth sharing beyond your existing fanbase.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Create_a_pre-savepre-add_for_your_music\"><\/span><span>Create a pre-save\/pre-add for your music<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>Spotify and Apple Music offer the ability for users to add songs or albums from an artist to their playlists ahead of the music\u2019s release. Spotify calls this feature a pre-save and Apple Music calls it a pre-add.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Both <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/music-presave-differences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Spotify pre-saves and Apple Music pre-adds<\/span><\/a><span> play a pivotal role in promotional efforts on Spotify and Apple Music, as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/building-spotify-audience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Anne Reburn demonstrated with her Show.co pre-save campaign on Spotify<\/span><\/a><span>. Which brings us to\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Run_a_pre-save_campaign_on_Spotify\"><\/span><span>Run a pre-save campaign on Spotify<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span>Pre-saves help ensure fans will hear your song on the day it\u2019s released.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>To help build traction on Spotify for your new music, you can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/boost-streams-pre-save-campaign-spotify\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>run a pre-save campaign<\/span><\/a><span>. This gives you a window of time where fans can actually DO something with the music you\u2019re promoting before its release \u2014 namely, save the song or album to their queue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>All CD Baby artists get free access to Show.co\u2019s promotional tools (including pre-saves), right within your CD Baby dashboard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>While a pre-save campaign is a great start, Show.co offers much more to those who want to really go the extra mile to bring in new listeners, including promotion on other websites. How do you do that? Glad you asked!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advertise_your_music_on_premium_music_websites\"><\/span><span>Advertise your music on premium music websites<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>Looking to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/advertising-for-musicians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>advertise your music<\/span><\/a><span> more directly to potential fans? Outside of their free pre-save options, Show.co also offers a paid feature called <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/news\/turn-your-spotify-track-or-youtube-video-into-an-interactive-ad-that-reaches-real-music-fans-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Interactive Ads<\/span><\/a><span>. Like the name suggests, Interactive Ads are advertisements that turn any Spotify track or YouTube video into an eye-catching ad that\u2019s playable right on popular websites like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>These ads will target music fans who visit websites related to your genre, so you know they\u2019re the right audience. They can play your song right on the ad, so they\u2019re browsing isn\u2019t interrupted to open a new program like Spotify.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span>But<\/span><\/i><span> if they want to see the song on that platform, they can click the ad to open the app. That\u2019s how you convert a listener to a fan\/follower, and you only had to spend a few bucks!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Marketing_music_on_social_media\"><\/span><span>Marketing music on social media<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>So we\u2019ve covered drawing attention to your music directly on streaming platforms and on websites, but how about social media? After all, social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/how-to-add-your-music-to-tiktok-videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>TikTok<\/span><\/a><span> are major tools for musicians to grow their audience and keep in touch with their fans. Or, as CD Baby\u2019s Social Media Strategist Cassia Saranovich puts it, \u201cSocial Media channels are the platforms that allow you to be your own biggest hype person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The most basic way to promote your music on social media is to post about your new release. Releasing new music is a major event for an artist, so you\u2019ll want to blast that announcement on all channels. Post streaming links to your song on Facebook, add those to your Instagram profile and create <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/how-to-get-your-music-on-instagram-stories\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>IG Stories<\/span><\/a><span> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/make-instagram-reel-with-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Reels<\/span><\/a><span> with your song to encourage others to do the same.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>But remember your content should be about much more than just \u201cnew music out now.\u201d Make your content matter. Show us different sides of your personality. Go deep into your interests outside of music.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_marketing_power_of_short-form_video\"><\/span>The marketing power of short-form video<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>When it comes to video, don\u2019t just think about long form videos on YouTube and Facebook. Get with the hottest short-form video platform and create a video with your song on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/10-ways-to-grow-your-audience-on-tiktok\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>TikTok<\/span><\/a><span>. \u201cInteracting with your audience on social media show\u2019s that you\u2019re engaged with your fans and appreciate them as listeners,\u201d says Saranovich. The great thing about TikTok is that you can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/how-to-add-your-music-to-tiktok-videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>make short videos<\/span><\/a><span> on your phone. No need to splurge on an expensive music video. It\u2019s all about short, cheap, memeable videos now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>And TikTok isn\u2019t just about challenges, duets, and dance videos anymore. People are getting really creative and diverse with their content. Get your songs in the mix and maybe one of them will start trending. The goal here is to encourage as many people as possible to use your song in fun ways, and since CD Baby <a href=\"https:\/\/cdbaby.com\/social-video-monetization.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">delivers music to social video platforms<\/a> like TikTok, Triller, and Instagram Reels, users can easily create content with your new music!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>But you can take social marketing to the next level with the help of some experts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_your_music_with_a_social_media_influencer_campaign\"><\/span><span>Market your music with a social media influencer campaign<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>A growing number of indie musicians are turning to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/influencer-marketing-for-indie-musicians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>social media influencers<\/span><\/a><span> to help with building their audience on social. That\u2019s because influencers are experienced social media experts with built-in fanbases they can help you convert into fans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Influencers can attract new listeners to your song by getting it trending on a social media platform like TikTok through placement in videos. Think of it as a magnified version of what you would do on your own, created by someone who knows the strategies needed to <\/span><i><span>really<\/span><\/i><span> take off on the platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>There are a few steps you can take to market your music on social media with an influencer:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Determine if the time is right.<\/b><span> This is mostly a subjective look at your music and if you have work someone would want to work with.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Find an influencer. <\/b><span>Do some research on social media to find a creator whose work you admire. If you remember a funny video you enjoyed, find out who made it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Vet your influencer. <\/b><span>Check out their profile, look at their online engagement and make sure their brand is in line with yours. Essentially, you want to see if they\u2019re someone you could actually work with and not just someone whose content you enjoy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Create your campaign. <\/b><span>Work with your influencer to make a campaign that will use your music in a way that will attract new listeners. The influencer is the expert but remember that it\u2019s <\/span><i><span>your<\/span><\/i><span> music, so provide input and give your vision on how your music is used.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Convert your viewers into listeners. <\/b><span>That\u2019s what this is all about. Use Show.co to place ads on Spotify and drive traffic to your song.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Create_an_electronic_press_kit\"><\/span><span>Create an electronic press kit<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>An electronic press kit (EPK for short), is an efficient way to combine all of your information into one document. It\u2019s really handy for would-be promoters, radio DJs and other personnel you\u2019re looking to work with to have one simple EPK to summarize what you\u2019re about.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>That all-encompassing nature can also make EPKs rather intimidating. What do you actually add to your EPK? Our friends at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bandzoogle.com\/blog\/the-8-things-that-should-be-in-every-band-s-digital-press-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Bandzoogle<\/span><\/a><span> compiled this handy list:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><b>A quote: <\/b><span>Something that describes your sound, or your draw \u2013 from the media, or a previous booker.<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><b>A bio: <\/b><span>Write a musician bio that includes a few sentences about yourself, a description of your music, and your current achievements.<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><b>Music:<\/b><span> Select your newest tracks, most popular tracks, or tracks from the album you\u2019re promoting.<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><b>Photos:<\/b><span> Add hi-resolution images. Be sure to offer a variety of options, from live shots to posed band pictures. Have a few different sizes as well (landscape, portrait, and square).<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><b>Video:<\/b><span> Choose your best video, keeping in mind it may be re-used online to show what your band looks and sounds like.<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><b>Contact:<\/b><span> Make it easy for a media person or booker to reach you.<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><b>Social media links:<\/b><span> Add your social media icons for the platforms you\u2019re most active on, limited to 3 or 4<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>Bandzoogle also offers a great, easy to use template for creating an EPK for your website. So once you have everything in order, just plug it all into that template and you\u2019ll have something ready to go for anyone looking to know more about you and your music.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_most_important_things_to_remember_when_marketing_your_music\"><\/span>The most important things to remember when marketing your music<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>This article is already a bazillion words long, and we\u2019re barely scratching the surface on all the things you can do to market your music, build your fanbase, and sell merch or tickets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Specific tools and tactics might change over the years, but there are some core marketing principles that are good to close with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span><strong>Put yourself in a stranger\u2019s shoes<\/strong>. Would YOU care? Keep adjusting your content and messaging until the answer is a solid yes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><strong>Don\u2019t go broke.<\/strong> Marketing, like music-making itself, is a long game. This should be reflected in your budgeting. Make sure the money you spend brings results, not stress or debt.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><strong>If it feels inauthentic, it\u2019s not good marketing<\/strong>. If marketing is an extension of your own artistry and storytelling, your marketing efforts should feel both true and sustainable, not smarmy and exhausting.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>It\u2019s a lot of work, so you might as well have fun.<\/strong> Marketing isn\u2019t some magic dust you sprinkle on top of good music to get famous overnight. It\u2019s a whole creative pursuit, just like your music. You won\u2019t get good at it unless you try. And as you do, be you!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stay inspired by stealing from the best. <\/strong>Like music, marketing is a field where you gain much by copying your influences at first. Keep your antennae attuned to what you see working out there in the world. What made you laugh, cry, or click? Stash those ideas away for your own music marketing down the road. As long as you filter that inspiration through your own voice and sensibilities, it\u2019s not really stealing at all.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>Lastly, since tools and tactics are constantly changing, remember that music marketing is a pursuit where you might always feel like a student to some degree. That\u2019s okay. What you want to do is master the fundamentals. Everything else is just a Google search away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>We\u2019d love to hear what you\u2019re doing to market your music. What\u2019s worked, and what hasn\u2019t? Holler below to share some marketing inspo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/music-marketing\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Music Marketing Guide for Indie Musicians<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">DIY Musician<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re like a lot of artists, music marketing is that scary thing you\u2019re supposed to do once you\u2019ve finished making the music.\u00a0 You\u2019ve written and recorded a song or album you\u2019re proud of. Now you need to get your existing fans excited, reach new listeners, and find more ways of earning money from your music. Yes, that\u2019s where this whole music marketing thing comes in. If you\u2019re reading this, it\u2019s probably safe to assume you don\u2019t have a fancy management team or big label handling [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"h5ap_radio_sources":[],"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-best-seo-blogs"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":false,"author_link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/author\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3030"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3030\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}