Promotion is like oxygen in the music industry. You cannot survive without it.
However, with so many ways to promote your music online, it can be overwhelming to decide where to channel your energy and budget. If you promote your music through every available channel, all at the same time, you’re going to overstretch yourself and eventually burn out.
Above that, you might end up frustrated that all of your efforts haven’t actually brought you the desired result.
So rather than go all out, focus your efforts on a few platforms where your current and potential fans spend most of their time online. Start by promoting yourself independently through the platforms that you enjoy using the most, and build from there. Check out why you should promote your songs.
Here are 12 of the best ways to promote your music online.
1. Blog
Having a blog is a great way to build a deeper relationship with your fans. With a blog, you can share regular updates to show that you’re active in the industry. A blog can also help you with your SEO. When people search for you, having a blog will make you easily discoverable.
Blogs are a good way to be less promotional, showcasing your creative process, journey so far or personal stories about your life as a musician. The interesting part of writing blogs is that you can repurpose the content for newsletters or social media updates as well.
If you don’t have the time to handle a blog, you can feature on music blogs to expand your music’s exposure. Music blogs can promote you with album reviews, interviews, and guest posts. You can reach out to a blog like 69 Entertainment to make the best use of the promotional platform.
2. Website
A website helps you ensure that you remain discoverable online. Your website will include your latest music, an EPK, your official artist bio, upcoming events, and more.
Your website provides a way to reach your fans directly without intermediary. And in cases where your social media account crashes or you get suspended, you can always reach your fans through your website.
3. Email list
An email list is the most overlooked yet most valuable music marketing tool an artist can have. Unlike social media platforms that put your content at the mercy of algorithms, your emails are guaranteed to land in your subscribers’ inboxes. With an email list, you have a community that’s feels connected and will be there to always receive your music.
Don’t overlook the effect of building your email list. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve become known, a regular monthly newsletter is an excellent way to keep your fans engaged and informed about all things going on with you.
4. Electronic Press Kit
Electronic Press Kit, or EPK, is an essential promotional tool. It is your resume and business card that makes it easy for music industry professionals such as promoters, booking agents, venues, managers, journalists, and more, to access and review your work. It includes links to your music, bio, album art, music videos, and social media.
You can use an EPK to create media assets that go with a new music release, or add an EPK tailored to help you book more shows and reach more fans.
5. Podcasts
In this part of the world, podcasts are the most overlooked promotional tool. However, getting your music featured or having an interview on a podcast is a great way to reach new music fans.
To promote your music online with a podcast, you could create your own channel and talk about your art and creative process with regular episodes. You can also contact an existing an interview, or pitch your songs to podcasts.
6. Facebook
As a social media platform used by billions, Facebook has is a must-have for promoting music online. Although it’s become difficult to reach fans organically on the platform, there are still massive results you can generate by using Facebook to promote your music.
Ads Manager allows you to create and measure Facebook ad campaigns. The key to using Facebook ads is to be consistent as the tool can be one of the most affordable ways to promote your music online.
7. Instagram
Instagram offers several options to build your visual brand as a musician with Stories, Instagram Live, and Reels.
Just like Facebook, you’re at the mercy of algorithms, but then, you can always try out different options to build organic Instagram traffic. You can share song snippets with Reels, or share behind the scenes Stories for your fans. If you have extra cash to put towards growing your presence, you can advertise and promote Instagram posts through Facebook Ads Manager in the same way that you’d promote a Facebook post.
8. Twitter
If you’re not already using Twitter for promoting your music online, then you’re snoozing. With quick updates and fast interactions, you can easily find people who are talking about your music (or similar artists), and strike up conversations with them.
To promote your music on Twitter, work on fan engagement by sharing your process, thoughts on relevant trending topics, Q&A sessions, show updates and pre-show selfies, and more.
9. Snapchat
Snapchat is a fun way to connect and build an engaging a fanbase and selling music too, especially if your target audience demographics is younger.
Snapchat feels more personal than other social media apps, and can offer unique marketing opportunities that won’t necessarily feel like “marketing.” So remember that if you decide to promote your music through Snapchat.
10. Tik Tok
TikTok has quickly become a popular way to promote music online; trending on TikTok can do wonderful things for your music career. The video-sharing app is especially popular among Gen Z, but older demographics have also joined the TikTok wagon. Check out this article for everything you need to know about TikTok music promotion.
You can create your own short videos, but be sure to also release your music to the platform as well so it can be used as audio snippets. The fine-tuned algorithm and addictive format give you a good chance of organically reaching a new audience with TikTok in comparison to other social media platforms.
11. YouTube
YouTube is an enormous driver of music discovery. To use YouTube to promote your music online, upload and share videos regularly. To make your videos more discoverable, make sure that every upload has a clear and catchy title. Add a detailed description with keywords and relevant tags. You’ll also want to organize similar types of videos into playlists to build watch time.
Embeddable YouTube videos can also be added to your own website, a website promoting your music (think online press outlets, blogs, or venue websites), or linked and shared on other platforms.
12. Streaming Services
(Spotify, Apple, playlists)
Most fans use streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Audiomack to listen to their favorite artists and discover new music, so you’ll want to make sure your new releases are available on all of them.
Getting even your songs featured on playlists can work wonders for your career. There are millions of playlists out there for every subgenre, mood, and activity imaginable – which translates into a goldmine to reach the right audience at the right time.
Conclusion
All of these options to reach new listeners make promoting your music online worthwhile for any independent artist. When using the platform, remember, it is about the music. There are so many things going on social media, you don’t want to get lost in the moment.
Choose the platforms you’re comfortable with, or where you can grow a following quickly because your music suits the service. Then, focus on the promotional tools available to build lasting relationships with your fans. You can always try new options once you get into a routine of promoting your music online in an authentic way.
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