A musical artist's creative process typically begins with composition , rehearsal with band members, studio recording , and live performances . However, if your ambition is to have your music heard and appreciated by a wider audience , you will need to enter the field of music business . 
Why do you need a good music marketing plan that works to succeed in the music industry?
The music industry is extremely competitive these days. More and more musicians and artists are attempting to share their work with the world as social media platforms and other opportunities to attract attention grow.
It can be very discouraging for musicians to discover that they do n't have many listeners after digitally distributing their music on all major platforms .
A music marketing strategy can give you specific steps you can take to advance your career. It can also give you an overview of what you want to achieve as an artist.
The basics of marketing planning
It can be very discouraging for musicians to discover that they do n't have many listeners after digitally distributing their music on all major platforms .
A music marketing strategy can give you specific steps you can take to advance your career. It can also give you an overview of what you want to achieve as an artist.
The basics of marketing planning
A marketing plan takes into account a company's value proposition as well as the advertising strategies it will use to attract customers.
The broad promise of value that will be delivered to the customer is known as the value proposition . It should describe the benefits of a product or brand , how it solves the customer's problems , and why they should buy from that company over another. This value proposition forms the foundation of marketing planning .
Let's make this personal:
You are the business , your music is the product and your customers are the music fans. To be able to reach your target audience , you must first have something unique to offer them! This is where your fantastic music comes in. However, finding a beautiful pearl in the vast ocean is difficult.
You need to follow several intelligently chosen steps to reach people who will enjoy and be attracted to your music. And guess what? These innovative steps lead you to the development of your marketing plans .
5 questions about your marketing plan
You need to follow several intelligently chosen steps to reach people who will enjoy and be attracted to your music. And guess what? These innovative steps lead you to the development of your marketing plans .
5 questions about your marketing plan
There are 5 basic questions you should ask yourself before you start developing your music marketing plan. These are:
- What?
- For what?
- Who?
- How?
- Or?
First, you need to determine what you plan to market . As a musician, you must be able to understand and define the value of the music you offer to the world.
Next, try setting specific goals to help you understand why you're developing a marketing plan . As for who , try to identify your potential audience and balance what you offer with their needs . Next, you need to determine how to use specific marketing approaches and tactics and where to look for your primary marketing channels .
Next, try setting specific goals to help you understand why you're developing a marketing plan . As for who , try to identify your potential audience and balance what you offer with their needs . Next, you need to determine how to use specific marketing approaches and tactics and where to look for your primary marketing channels .
What should your music marketing plan include?
When answering these 5 questions that were asked previously, your fundamental music marketing plan should incorporate the following elements:
- Make a mark
- A list of goals
- SWOT analysis
- Target audience
- A budget
- Promotional tools
- Main marketing channels
Establish Your Personal Brand First
Take a look at famous brands and try to define their most distinctive features . In other words, what is the first thing you associate with your chosen brand? Is it a message they carry or an interesting visual presentation that is so memorable? Sometimes they have a unique quality that is difficult to describe in words . To summarize this complex and extended story, branding refers to all the elements that help consumers recognize and value your unique brand .
The first step in creating a music marketing plan is undertaking the difficult task of understanding and defining your brand .
You need to dig deeper to discover your core values . You need to determine your brand goals and balance them with audience expectations .
The first step in creating a music marketing plan is undertaking the difficult task of understanding and defining your brand .
You need to dig deeper to discover your core values . You need to determine your brand goals and balance them with audience expectations .
Although it may seem a bit existentialist, you should ask yourself what big goal you hope to achieve and what you want to be known for. You already embody the purpose, it is something you represent and cherish. It will be much easier for you to decide what to do next once you can answer these questions.
Learn from your favorite artists and those who are successful at what they do. Make a list of your main musical influences . Next, list the adjectives you would use to describe them, such as young , mature , confident , laid back , fun , etc.
Learn from your favorite artists and those who are successful at what they do. Make a list of your main musical influences . Next, list the adjectives you would use to describe them, such as young , mature , confident , laid back , fun , etc.
You will discover that their music embodies their overall philosophy , their sense of self, their personality , their beliefs, their values and their style. This is exactly what you should discover in yourself! When your brand is in alignment with your identity , maintaining it is much simpler .
Because we live in a visual world, the visual aspect of your work will help you be more recognizable no matter what you do. Establish a visual identity : Create a collection of images you want people to associate with your brand and design your logo , profile picture , album art , or specific music video aesthetic that will stick with you every time that you will present your music to others.
Identify your strengths , weaknesses , opportunities and advantages
You may have heard of SWOT analysis, which is commonly used by businesses to analyze the market . However, as a musician, you should use it to assess your own abilities or lack thereof.
Be aware of your strengths ! Are you good at social media or video editing ? Ask yourself what skills you can use to promote your music. These benefits will allow you to prioritize your marketing efforts.
Because we live in a visual world, the visual aspect of your work will help you be more recognizable no matter what you do. Establish a visual identity : Create a collection of images you want people to associate with your brand and design your logo , profile picture , album art , or specific music video aesthetic that will stick with you every time that you will present your music to others.
Identify your strengths , weaknesses , opportunities and advantages
You may have heard of SWOT analysis, which is commonly used by businesses to analyze the market . However, as a musician, you should use it to assess your own abilities or lack thereof.
Be aware of your strengths ! Are you good at social media or video editing ? Ask yourself what skills you can use to promote your music. These benefits will allow you to prioritize your marketing efforts.
Likewise, determine your weaknesses so you can find people or services to cover them.
Take advantage of any opportunity to be seen or heard by others. Maybe you have a friend you can collaborate with who will bring you more exposure , or there's an exciting music competition going on. Always keep them in mind and use them at the right time.
Take advantage of any opportunity to be seen or heard by others. Maybe you have a friend you can collaborate with who will bring you more exposure , or there's an exciting music competition going on. Always keep them in mind and use them at the right time.
List anything that could threaten to affect your music in the short and long term. Maybe you're relying too much on an untrustworthy freelancer for social media marketing. Or maybe you sell your CDs through an unstable website. Find the safest solutions for anything that might hinder your growth and don't hesitate to make adjustments as you deem necessary .
Many musicians skip this step, but it is essential for creating music marketing plans . Otherwise, you risk taking on tasks that you are not particularly good at. It may be helpful to know some of the industry facts about how to get onto a Spotify playlist and the commonalities of the songs selected for placement.
Manage your goals carefully
Manage your goals carefully
Approaching marketing without a clear goal in mind is one of the biggest mistakes musicians make. Without a target , marketing is often reactive and aimless. Because there are no metrics to compare , you can never tell if your strategies are effective . Your next step should be to identify your goals . There are four types of objectives:
- Subjective
- Objective
- Short term
- Long term
Subjective goals define the achievements or artistic achievements you want to achieve .
These goals include things like “ collaborate with a certain number of musicians,” etc. Once you have completed them, you will be able to measure your progress . Objective goals define specific numbers you want to achieve . For example, you may want to increase a certain number of your subscribers and streams on platforms like YouTube , Spotify , etc., within a certain time frame. You can set a specific number and track its progress over time .
For example, “get more streams” is not an effective goal, but “get 10,000 streams in 2 months” is. This type of objective must be relevant , specific and time - limited . It is essential to understand the distinction between long-term and short-term goals before developing your goals. Short-term goals are generally considered achievements that can be achieved in a few months or a year . Usually, it takes several years or more to achieve long-term goals .
A long-term goal is usually achieved in several steps . Your short-term goals can be achieved much faster when you focus on them.
These goals include things like “ collaborate with a certain number of musicians,” etc. Once you have completed them, you will be able to measure your progress . Objective goals define specific numbers you want to achieve . For example, you may want to increase a certain number of your subscribers and streams on platforms like YouTube , Spotify , etc., within a certain time frame. You can set a specific number and track its progress over time .
For example, “get more streams” is not an effective goal, but “get 10,000 streams in 2 months” is. This type of objective must be relevant , specific and time - limited . It is essential to understand the distinction between long-term and short-term goals before developing your goals. Short-term goals are generally considered achievements that can be achieved in a few months or a year . Usually, it takes several years or more to achieve long-term goals .
A long-term goal is usually achieved in several steps . Your short-term goals can be achieved much faster when you focus on them.
Divide your goals into: What can I do myself and when? You can choose, for example, how often and when to post on social media. Results are better when your goal is more specific . Why do I need help from others? Some goals can only be achieved by collaborating with others.
For example, this applies when you need to be interviewed, guest on a certain podcast , or ask your followers to share, comment, and like your YouTube or TikTok videos.
Find out who can become your target audience
Your audience has one of the most important effects on your music marketing strategy . Your audience will determine where you market yourself, the types of marketing tools you use, and even the tone of your brand . Your marketing strategy will be very different if you want to attract fans aged 18 to 30, as opposed to country music fans aged 40 to 50. Finding your new audiences will be easier the more specific you are. You need to find their interests , their favorite hangouts , their demographic information , their favorite online social platforms and much more.
Before defining your audience , you need to determine the following: There is a “ built-in ” audience for each music genre and subgenre.
You will be able to understand your listeners better if you can define your genre. Find genre-specific writing about music. Search blogs , journals , websites , newsletters , and even social media.
To extract the necessary demographic and psychographic data, you can use a variety of free and inexpensive online tools . For example, to find your favorite music genre on Facebook, use the tool called Audience Insights . Additionally, you can set up Google Analytics tracking on your website to monitor demographic information about your visitors (such as their age, gender, and location) as well as their interests . Take inspiration from your audience. Examine the preferences of your target audience. What kinds of music, movies, clothing and art do your future fans like? Are there any elements you could use in your branding?
Create a budget that will cover your expenses
Before defining your audience , you need to determine the following: There is a “ built-in ” audience for each music genre and subgenre.
You will be able to understand your listeners better if you can define your genre. Find genre-specific writing about music. Search blogs , journals , websites , newsletters , and even social media.
To extract the necessary demographic and psychographic data, you can use a variety of free and inexpensive online tools . For example, to find your favorite music genre on Facebook, use the tool called Audience Insights . Additionally, you can set up Google Analytics tracking on your website to monitor demographic information about your visitors (such as their age, gender, and location) as well as their interests . Take inspiration from your audience. Examine the preferences of your target audience. What kinds of music, movies, clothing and art do your future fans like? Are there any elements you could use in your branding?
Create a budget that will cover your expenses
Many small expenses can add up over time, such as creating a professional website for your music, distributing your tracks, or purchasing guitar strings. You might even want to use advertising to achieve your goal. In this case, you need to establish a budget and make a detailed plan . Manage your budget according to your needs and know your main priorities .
For example, if you plan to book and perform 10 shows , your main expenses will likely be gas , props , equipment rental , and advertising if you plan to promote the shows more widely. It's always a good idea to calculate costs in advance. Hopefully these costs will be covered by ticket sales , merchandise , etc., but it's always good to be prepared for any outcome.
Where and how to promote your music
For example, if you plan to book and perform 10 shows , your main expenses will likely be gas , props , equipment rental , and advertising if you plan to promote the shows more widely. It's always a good idea to calculate costs in advance. Hopefully these costs will be covered by ticket sales , merchandise , etc., but it's always good to be prepared for any outcome.
Where and how to promote your music
Finding the right marketing channels that will make your marketing strategy shine is never easy. Before you decide which DIY music marketing plan to create, you need to consider everything you've read. In the following text, discover these 9 key marketing channels that will help you promote your music and get the exposure you need.
Use platforms to distribute your music
The development of digital technologies has made it easier to connect with your target audience , and good examples are music streaming services. I'm sure you've heard of Spotify , Apple Music , Amazon Music, Tidal , Deezer , SoundCloud , YouTube Music and many others. Review the features and capabilities of each platform, compare them, and if you are satisfied with the service provided, use them to share your music.
These platforms make it simple to share songs, download albums, and interact with music fans. Always keep your target market in mind. You need to know which digital streaming platform your potential fans are using .
Keep in mind that you will receive more exposure the more active you are on multiple platforms . For electronic music and remixes , for example, Soundcloud is fantastic. So make sure you're on Soundcloud if you create this kind of music.
These platforms make it simple to share songs, download albums, and interact with music fans. Always keep your target market in mind. You need to know which digital streaming platform your potential fans are using .
Keep in mind that you will receive more exposure the more active you are on multiple platforms . For electronic music and remixes , for example, Soundcloud is fantastic. So make sure you're on Soundcloud if you create this kind of music.
Using social media for music promotion
It seems unnecessary to mention that social media is one of the most well-known music marketing strategies , considering that 58.4% of the world's population uses social media.
Social media platforms can help build a strong fan base for music. Create your social media accounts, post original content, and communicate frequently with your audience.
They particularly like video content , which is beneficial for you. An engaging video featuring your song has the power to grab viewers' attention . Learn more about Instagram video marketing , TikTok promotion and Facebook video marketing . You will eventually notice your community growing if you use the most effective social media marketing strategies to promote your music and use the same platforms as your target audience .
Discover musicians to work with
Social media platforms can help build a strong fan base for music. Create your social media accounts, post original content, and communicate frequently with your audience.
They particularly like video content , which is beneficial for you. An engaging video featuring your song has the power to grab viewers' attention . Learn more about Instagram video marketing , TikTok promotion and Facebook video marketing . You will eventually notice your community growing if you use the most effective social media marketing strategies to promote your music and use the same platforms as your target audience .
Discover musicians to work with
If you want to increase your fan base, try connecting with other musicians. You can work with bands and artists who are currently at your level . It would be easier to communicate on an equal footing with producers , especially when you are still growing your audience. However, reaching out to more well-known artists will significantly advance your career.
Working with DJs is an additional choice. They are able to remix your music and play it for their audience . It's a proven tactic that has allowed many musicians to stand out .
Working with DJs is an additional choice. They are able to remix your music and play it for their audience . It's a proven tactic that has allowed many musicians to stand out .
Contact social media influencers
Who are the influencers? A person who has a large following on multiple social media sites is an influencer. These could be well-known YouTubers , public figures, bloggers or vloggers.
Find relevant influencers in your niche and connect with them to work together. They can start a new dance challenge with your music and give you credit , or they can use your song as the soundtrack for their videos. This will be very useful to you, especially if you are just starting to expand your audience. Having access to their audience will allow you to market your music more effectively.
Find relevant influencers in your niche and connect with them to work together. They can start a new dance challenge with your music and give you credit , or they can use your song as the soundtrack for their videos. This will be very useful to you, especially if you are just starting to expand your audience. Having access to their audience will allow you to market your music more effectively.
Contact music bloggers
You can spread the word about the release of your new song or album by contacting music bloggers . Many people use various music blogs to find new music. In order to reach this audience, contact bloggers you would like to collaborate with and try to be featured in their blog posts .
Try to link up with all the relevant bloggers you find, and you should create a great pitch for your music. If you have a music video available, send it with some basic information about your work, the genre and what makes it special. To highlight your distinctiveness, offer music bloggers your music , your story and your branding .
Create music-related video tutorials
Try to link up with all the relevant bloggers you find, and you should create a great pitch for your music. If you have a music video available, send it with some basic information about your work, the genre and what makes it special. To highlight your distinctiveness, offer music bloggers your music , your story and your branding .
Create music-related video tutorials
Making video tutorials as a professional musician can make you an invaluable resource for aspiring musicians. This could be a great start if you want to advance your career. Your audience will be more willing to support your music if you provide them with more value and information .
Including your tutorials on your website is one of the best ways to spread the word about them. Sharing these videos on YouTube is a fantastic additional option. Create playlists for your tutorials as soon as you start uploading them to YouTube. Playlists are a great way to keep viewers engaged .
Including your tutorials on your website is one of the best ways to spread the word about them. Sharing these videos on YouTube is a fantastic additional option. Create playlists for your tutorials as soon as you start uploading them to YouTube. Playlists are a great way to keep viewers engaged .
Conclusion
Take marketing seriously and keep everything you've just read in mind. Subsequently, you will have a great knowledge of your brand , your capabilities , your audience and your promotional tools. With all this information in hand, you can put it together to create your marketing strategy .
Creating music marketing plans can seem like a lot. However, once you get your marketing campaign underway, you will notice that your marketing mix becomes much more organized and you will have less difficulty establishing yourself in the music industry . Through these marketing efforts, you will also gain a better understanding of your own brand and your target audience .
Creating music marketing plans can seem like a lot. However, once you get your marketing campaign underway, you will notice that your marketing mix becomes much more organized and you will have less difficulty establishing yourself in the music industry . Through these marketing efforts, you will also gain a better understanding of your own brand and your target audience .