Posted on May 24, 2023

The Ultimate Guide For Marketing New Music 2023 Part 3: Strategic Planning

By Shawn Spence

Introduction

Welcome to the third part of our comprehensive guide on marketing new music! In this installment, we will dive into the crucial aspect of strategic planning. As an aspiring musician or a seasoned artist looking to expand your reach, having a well-thought-out marketing strategy is paramount to your success. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to create an effective strategic plan that will elevate your music career to new heights.

The Ultimate Guide For Marketing New Music Part 3: Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is the cornerstone of any successful marketing campaign. It involves setting clear goals, identifying target audiences, and developing a roadmap to achieve desired outcomes. In the context of music marketing, strategic planning entails outlining your brand identity, defining your unique selling points, and formulating strategies to promote your music to the right audience at the right time. Let’s explore the key steps involved in creating a robust strategic plan for marketing your new music.

Step 1: Define Your Objectives

The first step in strategic planning for your music marketing campaign is to define your objectives. This crucial step sets the foundation for your entire strategy. Take a moment to reflect on what you want to achieve with your music. Are you aiming for increased streaming numbers, a larger fan base, or securing live performance opportunities? Clearly defining your goals will provide a sense of direction and focus as you proceed with your strategic planning.

When setting your objectives, it’s important to make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Instead of a vague goal like “I want more fans,” consider a specific objective such as “I want to increase my monthly Spotify listeners by 20% within the next six months.” This way, you have a clear target to work towards and can track your progress along the way.

Defining your objectives also involves understanding your priorities. You may have multiple goals, but it’s crucial to identify the most important ones that align with your long-term vision. For example, if your primary objective is to build a dedicated fan base, you may prioritize strategies that focus on fan engagement, community-building, and social media presence.

By establishing clear objectives, you give yourself something concrete to strive for and measure your success against. It will guide your decision-making process throughout your music marketing campaign and help you stay on track. Keep in mind that objectives can evolve over time, so it’s essential to regularly evaluate and adjust them as needed.

Want information about how big labels conduct strategic planning for their music campaigns ? Read here!

Step 2: Identify Your Target Audience

To effectively market your music, you need to identify and understand your target audience. Who are the people most likely to appreciate and connect with your music? Conduct thorough research to uncover demographic information, musical preferences, and online behaviors of your potential listeners. This knowledge will enable you to tailor your marketing efforts to resonate with your target audience.

Start by analyzing your existing fan base and identifying common characteristics among your most engaged and supportive fans. Look for patterns in demographics such as age, gender, location, and cultural background. Additionally, explore their musical preferences and the genres they enjoy. This information will help you craft marketing messages and content that specifically appeal to this audience.

Utilize online tools and platforms to gather data about your audience. Social media insights, website analytics, and streaming platforms provide valuable information about your listeners’ behaviors, engagement levels, and geographical distribution. This data will help you make informed decisions about the channels and strategies you should prioritize in your marketing efforts.

Furthermore, consider conducting surveys or engaging in direct conversations with your fans. This can provide valuable qualitative insights into their motivations, interests, and what they value most about your music. Use this information to refine your understanding of your target audience and adjust your marketing tactics accordingly.

Remember that your target audience might evolve over time. Stay proactive and regularly revisit your research to ensure your strategies stay aligned with the changing needs and preferences of your audience. The better you understand your target audience, the more effectively you can connect with them and build a loyal fan base.

Step 3: Craft Your Brand Identity

In the highly competitive music industry, having a strong brand identity is essential for standing out from the crowd. Take the time to define and craft your unique brand image, which encompasses your artist persona, visual aesthetics, and overall style. A well-developed brand identity creates a cohesive and memorable experience for your audience, making it easier for them to connect with you and differentiate you from other musicians.

Start by understanding your own values, vision, and musical identity. Consider what sets you apart from other artists and how you want to be perceived by your audience. This self-reflection will help you identify key elements that will form the foundation of your brand identity.

Develop a cohesive visual identity that aligns with your music and resonates with your target audience. This includes your logo, color palette, typography, and overall design aesthetic. Consistency in your visual branding across various platforms and channels helps create recognition and reinforces your brand image in the minds of your audience.

In addition to visuals, your brand identity should extend to your artist persona and the way you communicate with your audience. Define the tone and voice that best represents you and your music. Whether it’s friendly and approachable or edgy and rebellious, ensure that your communication style aligns with your brand identity.

Consistency is key when it comes to brand identity. Apply your brand elements consistently across all your marketing materials, including your website, social media profiles, album artwork, merchandise, and press releases. This consistent presentation will help create a strong and memorable impression on your audience.

Crafting a unique and authentic brand identity takes time and effort, but it’s a crucial investment in your long-term success as a musician. By establishing a strong brand presence, you make it easier for your target audience to identify and connect with you, building trust and loyalty in the process.

For more information about how to optimize brand identity take a look at our blog !

Step 4: Develop a Content Strategy

In today’s digital landscape, content is king. Developing a comprehensive content strategy is essential for capturing and maintaining your audience’s attention. By determining the types of content that align with your brand and resonate with your target audience, you can create a consistent and engaging experience that keeps your fans coming back for more.

Begin by identifying the types of content that best showcase your music and align with your brand identity. This can include music videos, behind-the-scenes footage, live performances, interviews, lyric videos, and creative visual content. Consider the preferences of your target audience and what they would find most appealing and engaging.

Create a content calendar to plan and organize your content release schedule. This will ensure a consistent flow of material and help you stay organized in your marketing efforts. The calendar should include important dates such as album releases, single drops, music video premieres, and upcoming shows or tours. Strategically plan your content releases to build anticipation and maintain a steady presence in the minds of your fans.

When developing your content, aim for high-quality and professional production. Invest in the necessary resources to ensure that your visuals, audio, and overall presentation are of the highest standard. Remember that your content reflects your brand, so it’s important to deliver a polished and captivating experience to your audience.

Engage with your fans through your content by encouraging interaction and conversation. Respond to comments and messages, ask for feedback, and involve your audience in your creative process. This fosters a sense of community and connection, making your fans feel valued and involved in your journey as an artist.

Don’t limit yourself to just one platform. Utilize various channels and mediums to reach a wider audience. Besides social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, consider exploring podcast appearances, collaborations with popular influencers, and guest blogging opportunities. Each platform offers unique opportunities to connect with different segments of your audience.

Step 5: Leverage Social Media

In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become invaluable tools for musicians to promote their music and connect directly with fans. It’s essential to identify the platforms where your target audience is most active and establish a strong presence there. Here’s how you can leverage social media to maximize your music marketing efforts:

1. Choose the right platforms: Research and identify the social media platforms where your target audience is most likely to engage with music content. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube are popular among music enthusiasts. Focus your efforts on the platforms that align with your audience demographics and preferences.
2. Build a strong profile: Create an attractive and professional profile on each platform you choose. Use high-quality visuals, such as professional photos and album artwork, that reflect your brand identity. Craft a compelling bio that succinctly describes your music and showcases your unique selling points.
3. Engage with your followers: Social media is all about building relationships and engaging with your fans. Respond to comments, messages, and mentions promptly. Show genuine interest in your audience by liking and commenting on their posts. Encourage conversation and create a sense of community around your music.
4. Share updates and behind-the-scenes content: Regularly update your social media profiles with engaging content. Share snippets of new music, behind-the-scenes footage from recording sessions or rehearsals, and sneak peeks of upcoming projects. This not only keeps your fans excited but also gives them a sense of being part of your journey.
5. Use relevant hashtags: Hashtags are powerful tools to expand your reach on social media. Research and use popular and relevant hashtags in your posts to increase discoverability. Hashtags specific to your genre, location, or popular music trends can help you reach a broader audience.
6. Collaborate with influencers: Identify influencers or content creators who align with your music style and target audience. Collaborate with them by featuring your music in their content or creating joint projects. Influencer collaborations can expose your music to new audiences and give you credibility within the industry.

Remember, social media success doesn’t happen overnight. Consistency, authenticity, and genuine interaction are key to building a loyal following and expanding your reach.

Step 6: Collaborate and Network

Collaborating with other musicians, industry professionals, and influencers is a powerful strategy to amplify your reach and introduce your music to new audiences. Networking within the music industry can open doors and create valuable connections that propel your music career forward. Here’s how you can effectively collaborate and network:

1. Seek collaboration opportunities: Actively seek opportunities to collaborate with other musicians, both within and outside your genre. Collaborative projects can take the form of joint tracks, remixes, or even live performances. By joining forces, you can tap into each other’s fan bases and expose your music to a wider audience.
2. Perform at events: Seek opportunities to perform at live events, music festivals, or showcases. Sharing the stage with other talented artists not only expands your exposure but also allows you to connect with industry professionals and potential collaborators.
3. Feature on podcasts and blogs: Reach out to podcast hosts and music bloggers who cover your genre. Offer to be a guest on their shows or contribute guest articles. These platforms provide a dedicated audience interested in music and can help you gain visibility and credibility in the industry.
4. Attend industry events: Actively participate in industry events, conferences, and workshops. These gatherings offer opportunities to connect with industry professionals, record label representatives, and other musicians. Be prepared to network, exchange contact information, and showcase your music and brand to influential individuals.
5. Join online communities: Engage in online communities and forums dedicated to music and
6. musicians. Participate in discussions, share your knowledge, and offer support to fellow artists. Online communities provide a platform for networking, collaboration opportunities, and sharing valuable insights with like-minded individuals.
7. Build relationships: Networking is about building genuine relationships with others in the music industry. Take the time to connect with industry professionals, musicians, producers, and influencers on social media platforms. Engage with their content, offer support, and show interest in their work. Building strong relationships can lead to future collaborations, recommendations, and valuable guidance.
8. Attend music conferences and workshops: Music conferences and workshops provide excellent networking opportunities. Attend industry events where you can meet professionals from record labels, talent agencies, and other sectors of the music industry. Be proactive in introducing yourself, exchanging business cards, and following up with potential contacts after the event.
9. Stay active in online music communities: Join online music platforms, forums, and groups where musicians and industry professionals gather. Contribute valuable insights, share your music, and participate in discussions. Engaging in these communities can help you establish your presence, gain feedback on your work, and connect with potential collaborators.

Remember, networking is not just about what others can do for you, but also what you can offer in return. Be supportive, genuine, and approachable in your interactions. Building a strong network takes time and effort, but it can be incredibly rewarding for your music career.

FAQs About Marketing New Music

1. How can I promote my music on a limited budget?

Promoting your music on a limited budget is challenging but not impossible. Leverage the power of social media platforms, engage with your audience, and share your music in relevant online communities. Collaborate with other artists and explore low-cost marketing strategies such as targeted email campaigns or grassroots promotion.

2. How important is it to have a website as a musicians?

Having a website as a musician is highly important. It serves as your centralized online hub where fans can learn more about you, access your music, and stay updated on your latest releases and performances. A website also provides a professional image and establishes credibility in the industry. Utilize your website to showcase your music, share your story, and provide a platform for fans to engage with you directly.

3. Is it necessary to hire a music marketing agency?

Hiring a music marketing agency can be beneficial, especially if you have limited knowledge or resources in the field. A professional agency can provide expertise, industry connections, and targeted strategies to maximize your music’s exposure. However, if you have the time, dedication, and willingness to learn, you can also tackle music marketing independently by following comprehensive guides like this one.

4. How can I leverage music streaming platforms for promotion?

Music streaming platforms have revolutionized the way we consume music. To leverage these platforms for promotion, focus on optimizing your profiles on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud. Utilize playlists, engage with your listeners, and encourage them to follow and share your music. Collaborate with curators and seek placement on popular playlists to expand your reach and gain new fans.

5. What role does email marketing play in music promotion?

Email marketing remains a powerful tool in the music industry. Building an email list allows you to directly communicate with your most dedicated fans. Send regular newsletters with updates on new releases, upcoming shows, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes insights. Personalize your emails to make your subscribers feel valued and create a sense of exclusivity.

6. How can I measure the success of my music marketing efforts?

Measuring the success of your music marketing efforts is essential to refine your strategies and ensure you’re on the right track. Monitor key metrics such as streaming numbers, social media engagement, website traffic, and ticket sales for live performances. Use analytics tools provided by various platforms to gain insights into your audience demographics, geographical reach, and engagement levels.

Conclusion

Strategic planning is a fundamental aspect of effectively marketing new music. By following the steps outlined in this ultimate guide, you can create a robust strategic plan to promote your music to the right audience and achieve your goals. Remember to define your objectives, identify your target audience, craft your brand identity, develop a content strategy, leverage social media, and collaborate with others in the industry. With dedication, perseverance, and a solid strategic plan, you can make significant strides in your music career.

Posted on May 23, 2023

The Ultimate Guide For Marketing New Music 2023 Edition Part 2: Timeline

By Barbara Drews

Outline

1. Introduction
   • Briefly introduce the concept of marketing new music.
   • Pre-release Phase
     • Building anticipation
     • Social media promotion
     • Collaborations and features
       • Teasers and sneak peeks
2. Release Phase
   • Choosing the right release date
   • Distributing the music
   • Creating engaging visuals
   • Implementing an effective marketing campaign
3. Post-release Phase
   • Leveraging streaming platforms
   • Engaging with fans and followers
   • Planning live performances and tours
   • Analyzing and adjusting marketing strategies
4. Conclusion
5. FAQs

The Ultimate Guide for Marketing New Music 2023 Part 2: Timeline

Note: Before we dive into the timeline, make sure you’ve read Part 1 of “The Ultimate Guide for Marketing New Music,” where we discussed the foundational steps of creating a solid marketing plan for your music.

Introduction

In today’s competitive music industry, it’s crucial for artists to have a well-planned marketing strategy to ensure their new music reaches a wider audience. This guide will walk you through a timeline to effectively market your new music, divided into three key phases: pre-release, release, and post-release.

Pre-release Phase

Building anticipation

Building anticipation is essential for a successful music release. Start by teasing your fans with sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes content on your social media platforms. Create intriguing visuals and engage with your audience to generate excitement.

Social media promotion

Utilize the power of social media platforms to create buzz around your upcoming release. Develop a content calendar that includes engaging posts, such as lyric snippets, album artwork reveals, and exclusive announcements. Collaborate with influencers and fellow artists to expand your reach.

Collaborations and features

Consider collaborating with other artists or featuring guest vocalists on your tracks. This can attract new listeners and help you tap into their existing fan bases, exposing your music to a wider audience. Collaborations also provide opportunities for cross-promotion and increased visibility.

Teasers and sneak peeks

Teasers and sneak peeks are effective marketing tools to generate excitement among your fans. Release short snippets of your upcoming songs, music videos, or interviews to build anticipation. Tease them with intriguing visuals and compelling captions to keep them hooked.

To learn more about the pre-release campaign on YouTube and how to optimize this process, check it out!

Release Phase

Choosing the right release date

Selecting the right release date is crucial for maximizing your music’s impact. Consider factors such as holidays, major events, and the release schedules of other artists. Aim for a date that allows you to stand out and grab your audience’s attention without getting lost in the noise.

Distributing the music

Choose a reliable music distribution service to ensure your music is available on all major streaming platforms. Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music are essential for reaching a global audience. Make sure your release is properly formatted, tagged, and optimized for searchability.

Creating engaging visuals

Visual content is a powerful tool for capturing your audience’s attention. Invest in high-quality music videos, lyric videos, or album cover art that resonates with your brand and complements your music. Engaging visuals can help your music stand out and leave a lasting impression.

Implementing an effective marketing campaign

Craft a comprehensive marketing campaign that includes online and offline promotion. Leverage social media ads, email newsletters, press releases, and targeted influencer partnerships to amplify your reach. Engage with your fans through contests, giveaways, and exclusive content to keep them engaged.

Post-release Phase

Leveraging streaming platforms

Streaming platforms play a crucial role in promoting and monetizing your music. Utilize playlists, pitch your music to curators, and encourage your fans to add your tracks to their own playlists. Collaborate

The best ways to promote and manage your music, you can check them out via the link ahead, one you can start right after this one is a guide on brand messaging.

Top 25 content types for marketing your music campaign

During the timeline of marketing new music, you will need various marketing materials to effectively promote and engage with your audience. Here is a list of 25 key marketing materials that are essential for a successful music marketing campaign:

Promotion Ideas When You Are About To Market Your New Music

Not everything on this list will be possible to accomplish for all artists. So sit down with your team, inspire yourself from our blogs and get creative on delivery, and customization, and build something that fits with your brand!

During the timeline of marketing new music, you will need various marketing materials to effectively promote and engage with your audience. Here is a list of 25 key marketing materials that are essential for a successful music marketing campaign:

1. Social media posts
2. Album cover art
3. Music video
4. Teaser trailers
5. Lyric videos
6. Behind-the-scenes footage
7. Press release
8. Artist bio
9. Email newsletters
10. Promotional posters
11. Online banners and ads
12. Website or landing page
13. Merchandise (t-shirts, hats, etc.)
14. Album or single artwork for streaming platforms
15. Exclusive content for fans (such as bonus tracks or remixes)
16. Digital press kit
17. Online music streaming profiles (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
18. Collaboration announcements and visuals
19. Fan contests and giveaways
20. Targeted influencer partnerships
21. Radio and podcast interviews
22. Music reviews and testimonials
23. Live performance footage – Tour posters and flyers
24. Analytics and data reports to measure the success of your marketing efforts

These marketing materials will help you create a cohesive and engaging campaign, allowing you to connect with your audience and build anticipation for your new music release.

MPT Agency, is your partner in strategic releases

Any way you want to look at it, the most significant element of your plan will be how it is timed in the overall market it is performing. MPT Agency has the experience and network to make any campaign mobilize in full force. Knowing the whole picture and planning with every element at your disposal isn’t easy when you’re banging out 20 hours a week of studio time. Our experts can help you plan proper release times and make sure your content is being distributed from the right angle without resources going to waste.

Let’s take your career to the next level!

Take a look at our music promo services that combines all of these elements !

Posted on October 12, 2022

The Ultimate Guide For Marketing New Music Part 2: Timeline

By Shawn Spence

Have you ever asked yourself how to market your new music? In this segment of the ultimate guide for music marketing, we will review the timeline for releasing a song as well as share some practical tips on content.

Once an artist has wrapped up the production phase of their new release, the first important decision at stake is to set a release date. This decision should take into account all delays and unforeseen situations often arising during production stages. By not risking any rushed date and having a comfortable timeline, the artist will be in a position where they will not fumble the release. 

According to the stats at MPT Agency, Friday is the ideal day of the week to release music. Choosing Friday for release day will significantly increase an artist’s chance to place their new music on top playlists. The weekend is about to hit, DJs are lining up their gigs, and new music has a higher value when people are about to party.

Unless an artist chooses another day of the week for force majeure, be it an event anniversary, a partnership, or a marketing-driven purpose, releasing music on Friday is a no-brainer. 

Once the date is set, artists have to plan their strategy 4 to 6 weeks ahead of the release date in order to implement all the steps that will contribute to deploying an impactful marketing strategy. A lot of the waiting game is based on the delivery funnel: distributors approving releases, giving DSPs time to receive requests. Even playlist editors need to have enough time to receive pitches and decide on playlist placement, this time frame is crucial for the full implementation of a professional marketing campaign. 

Marketing Your New Music: Timeline

Now that your track is mastered, mixed, and ready for some fresh ears, the game comes down to content release and the mix of events that will make the track a success.

6 weeks before the release date

• Find and secure a venue for a listening event or release show and promote the heck out of it
• Have your social media marketing strategy ready or enlist the help of a music promotion company like MPT Agency to make the magic happen.

4 weeks before the release date

• Make sure that all of your social media matches the visuals of your release, (share the pre-save / pre-sale link in bios, posts, and CRM).
• Pitch the release on Spotify For Artists for better playlist results

3 weeks before the release date

• Find a media partner (press/radio/YouTube) that will premiere your new song/album
• Involve influencers, fans, friends, family, and colleagues to share 
• Add any new ‘spotlights’ that you have to your marketing driver form

2 weeks before the release date

• Begin your pre-save / pre-sale campaign. 
• Keep sharing and posting (enlist the help of friends, fans, and of course paid influencers)

Market your new music as it progress’s step by step through each week, Rome was not built in a day! Each one of these content types can be found as individual blogs in our catalog, with more on the way every week.

Week of release

• Premiere the release (with the help of a media partner)
• Throw a listening party/release show with the same crowd of peeps and now their friends

Release date 

• Share across ALL your social media pages, and make sure to always have a “call to action” for fans to stream/download.
• Always share any kind of support you receive, tagging and thanking anyone who has supported/featured the release.
• Re-post fan shares to maximize the impact, and to create a closer bond between you and the fans.

Post-release strategy about how to market your new music

• Run your call to action and user-generated content campaigns with an incentive for fans who opt-in
• Continue posting, and sharing, and always include a call to action, tag those who support/feature your work for that extra props to the people.

The timeline for a release is quite straightforward. Your release and public relations need to be in line with how the market conducts itself in order for the scenario to be ideal. Once you have your hours and dates prepared the rest becomes a question of creative content creation. The timing is important because the industry works like clockwork, and you need to fit into others’ schedules to advance.

When working with MPT Agency, your release is done with this type of timeline in mind. As your song progresses it gathers more and more traction from fans with its press cycle. The press cycle in turn pushes fan engagements, and finally, your track grows from views to the charts. Since our team takes care of the full 360, your content is optimized too.

There are quite a few blogs on our site that talk about the best ways to promote and manage your music, you can check them out via the link ahead, one you can start right after this one is a guide on brand messaging.

Some bonus content about content, inspire yourself, and climb that ladder!

Key Content Types For Fresh Releases

Marketing Drivers On How To Market Your New Music

In order to stand out from the crowd and get featured, you should emphasize the quality of the content in your release. Here’s a spotlight on some of the key marketing materials to use:

• Music clips
• Radio campaigns 
• Social media followers and engagement count
• Third-party Spotify playlists
• Media and brand partnerships
• Premieres and other credible press
• Tour dates, festival appearances, notable opening acts and “shared stage with”, etc.
• Charts (including iTunes, Billboard, and others)
• Planned advertising for the new release
• Booking agent, TV/film appearances, artist management, etc.

Promotion Ideas When You Are About To Market Your New Music

Not everything on this list will be possible to accomplish for all artists. So sit down with your team, inspire yourself from our blogs and get creative on delivery, and customization, and build something that fits with your brand!

• Pre-save/Pre-sale campaign
• Countdown to release on social media
• CTA (pre-save, download, view) to fans 
• Set up targeted digital advertising campaigns on social platforms
• Boost posts that include the pre-save/stream link
• Incentives like merchandise, autographed items, exclusive tracks, VIP meet, and greets
• Partner with distributors
• Create artist playlists on Spotify and other streaming platforms
• Place the new releases at the very top 
• Invite other artists, friends, and influencers to share the release on their socials (do the same for them)
• Be sure all DSP and social profiles are up-to-date, verified when possible, and consistent.
• Keep all tour dates fresh and allow direct messaging on Bandsintown

MPT Agency, is your partner in strategic timing.

Any way you want to look at it, the most significant element of your plan will be how it is timed in the overall market it is performing. MPT Agency has the experience and network to make any campaign mobilize in full force. Knowing the whole picture and planning with every element at your disposal isn’t easy when you’re banging out 20 hours a week of studio time. Our experts can help you plan proper release times and make sure your content is being distributed from the right angle without resources going to waste. Let’s take your career to the next level!

Posted on September 23, 2022

The Ultimate Guide For Marketing New Music Part 3: Strategic Planning

By Yvonne Martin

Have you ever asked yourself how to plan your music career? What are the steps that go into the magic of becoming an artist?

A Musician in today’s industry must use a patient mind, goal-setting perspectives, action-planning, and a deep self-awareness to successfully navigate and manage their career. Believe it or not, this wonderful set of emotionally intelligent aptitudes culminate in a single tangible, well, digital, document.

Inside a musician’s toolkit must always be a strategic plan. It’s much like a business plan but without an investor angle. Strategic plans outline a career’s key components and by tracing connections between your environment and your objectives, allow you to evaluate, target, and follow through with both macro and micro plans.

Throughout our experiences, MPT has seen many different career types and musical successes. The strategic plan is unique to each artist but starts with a single set of questions and considerations. In this article, we will discuss how to put together a strategic plan for your musical career.

Reasons To Treat Your Music Like A Real Business

Right about now, you might be wondering, “Is strategic planning really that important, how should I plan my music career, inst everything is random?”

To start with, no, nothing is random, everything in the industry is a story inside of someone else’s story. So start first by evaluating where you fit in as a musician in your genre’s market. Take a time to think back on the past year. 

• Did you get that album or single released?
• If so, did it get released on schedule? 
• Did you accomplish more than half of what you wished to do? 
• Have you achieved any of the significant milestones available in your market?

We frequently make decisions based on our feelings. After all, why not, songs are created out of the passion that seeps through to a creative medium. However, if you always wait for those ideal circumstances, you may anticipate away your potential as a musician. Even though we don’t often associate money with music, you do need to be able to support yourself by doing what you do best, and income generation is formulaic rather than creative.

Staying focused on those particular goals will be made easier by taking the time to plan strategically.

Strategic Planning

Focus & Direction

Structure, aim, and follow-through on the part of musicians are more crucial than ever in 2022. Having a career plan can help you through the many setbacks and uncertainties the music industry is guaranteed to throw your way while also demonstrating your commitment to others. Picking an industry direction like recording artist rather than orchestra member, for example, is a macro decision you need to make early. Once chosen, focus your energy on those operations and nothing else.

Focusing on a formula, regime, or schedule is key no matter the direction you choose to take as each of them gives you reliability in the habit. From there you can build each individual component of your business, from marketing, finance, sales, and of course studio time.

Short-Term & Long-Term Goals

Planning will always save you time and stress in the music industry, whether it’s for a specific project like an album or a broad objective involving your entire career. Without time-based goals that have a start, due, and end date, you’ll have to spend a lot of time and money putting out fires, making last-minute modifications, and managing the paperwork.

Short-term goals are achievable on a 90-day stretch. They need to be quickly actionable, not be resource exhaustive and are either a singular instance with high value or a segment of a long-term sequence. this can be anything from a production cycle, to a song release or launch campaign.

Long-term goals are essentially anything that will span over a 12-month period. Strategic outlooks for 12 months, should be divided into segments and include, you guessed it, short-term goals. Year-long goal setting can have high-tension times as well as “detente” where an artist can comfortable and creative. Think of an album creation or concert tour.

The three words to remember when building these goals are: Concise, Realistic, Achievable

Building Raw Excitement For Your Fan Base

Finding out exactly who your fans are and what drives them is made easier by target profiling in music. Although you may have a core audience of devoted listeners your fan base must grow at a steady pace. The super fans need to be energized so they can help you expand your reach to new listeners.

With excitement, enthusiasm, and energy, your fan base needs more than a monthly drop to keep them attached to the brand. Your personality, content & personal interaction have to keep people hooked, and planning this out with a creative twist is a very significant step.

To excite your audience always imagine that they are looking to you for trustworthy entertainment. Every fan may serve as the cornerstone of something substantial and significant in the long term.

Organize and Normalize Routine

You’re going to need a plan to “make it” happen whether your goal is to sign a deal with the label of your dreams or to make a livelihood from music placement. You will be confronted with your own limitations, and even though the MPT Agency attitude is all about going above and beyond, you need to organize yourself around tasks you can complete. Don’t overburden yourself or you can face deadlock in your tracks.

It is always better to progress one step at a time than to leap into a pit.

Planning makes you confront difficult questions about your work goals, both major and minor and helps you establish useful habits that become like clockwork. Things like checking emails, consistently posting, and having strict studio times are all about normalizing successful habits. The smallest things, when combined can amount to great things.

Advantage In The Industry

Strategic planning distinguishes devoted artists from amateurs. Excluding music quality, the difference in success between artists is often limited to their ability to follow a plan. If the musician is working in a jumble of chaos, they won’t be able to manifest the type of performances they need to stand out.

Your chances of identifying actual momentum in the industry will increase with the quality and specificity of your career strategy. The overall flow of markets, fans, trends, and sounds is a segment that you cannot control as an artist. Therefore, you’re objectives revolve around working with and through these elements to get to the next level.

MPT Agency, Your Strategic Partner in Music Marketing

Though many musicians have ambitious goals for their work, in theory, those who actually put in the effort to prepare well stand the best chance of succeeding professionally. At MPT Agency, there is a rich culture of nurturing this habit in our artist roster and guiding them through the pitfalls and difficulties of their promotional outlet. Strategic planning is a long process and is not something that is built overnight. Your promo campaign will require you to answer a long list of questions that will help you every step of the way.

MPT Agency will help you to prepare well and stand the best chance of succeeding professionally in today’s music biz. To find out what other services can enhance your musical career, make sure you check our blog regularly and follow us on Instagram for more music marketing-related updates.

Posted on September 20, 2022

The Ultimate Guide For Marketing New Music Part 1: Press Kit

By Shawn Spence

EPK: Electronic Press Kit

The music industry is saturated with artist competition. If you don’t go about it the right way, getting the interest of record companies, agencies, promoters, venues, and other media sources may be next to impossible. What you need is an electronic press kit, and this press kit guide to help you get there.

This guide presents expert tips on how to put together a compelling electronic press kit also known as an ‘EPK’.

What Is An EPK and Why Follow A Press Kit Guide?

An EPK, or an Electronic Press Kit, serves as a professional music CV. It is your online media and music marketing portfolio, with easy access to your most important data.

An EPK functions as a one-stop shop where potential employers can get all the information they want without having to search or inquire. It should include specialized details and materials for event planners, promoters, journalists, bloggers, and other business professionals—materials that you would not want the general public to view or have access to. 

Why Do You Need An EPK?

You’ll place yourself in the best possible position to pitch your tracks, gain press attention, secure gigs, and perhaps even draw the attention of a manager or label executive with a solid EPK.

9 Important Things To Include In Your EPK According To The Press Kit Guide

Your artistic identity should be reflected in your music EPK’s style and the content you select. Keep in mind that people who visit the page for your press kit are frequently managers, venues, music critics, or promoters. 

You’ll want to say as much essential information as you can in a clear, coherent manner.

Biography

When composing a musician bio for this part of your press kit, remember your objective. Talk about your music particularly rather than the highlights of your live performances.

• The first paragraph should include a quick overview of your professional background.
• The second paragraph should focus on any new music. Discuss your style and the sources of inspiration for the piece while including any other information you feel is important. Awards for songwriting, prior success, or a strong Spotify stream count might all be used.

Links To Your Best Music

To enable rapid and simple listening to your music without the need to first download it, it is recommended to include links from streaming services in the form of a music player in today’s streaming environment.

Make sure the first few tracks in your music EPK are among your finest when deciding which songs to add.

High-Quality Music Videos

Pick one or two videos that are essential to your new music (the official video for your single, a live version, or a music video containing scenes from the recording of your album) and add them to your page. You don’t want to overcrowd the page with videos.

Social Media Links

It’s a wise idea to connect to your website and social media accounts since it will provide the media access to more details and give them a sense of your online impact and audience. Your chances of getting a booking might increase if you have a large social media following and active followers.

High-Quality Images

Utilize images from a reputable photoshoot. Consider booking a photoshoot if you haven’t already. It will benefit your brand awareness. 

Additionally, a few pictures from your gigs would be fantastic. More so if they accurately reflect the “mood” of your music and performing style.

We advise having both horizontal and vertical images. Giving your promoters alternatives will be helpful if they require a picture to suit a particularly specific arrangement on their poster, article, or website.

Include your album cover art and logo as well, if available.

Reviews, Interviews, And Press Features

These are things that you want to highlight to let the people know that your music has already been covered and praised in the media.

Performance Calendar

Make sure you’re presenting an updated calendar with essential show details. They’ll aid the promotion in understanding your work hours. Booking agents can more easily work with your existing schedule by knowing about upcoming concerts, tours, or performances.

You never know who could attend your upcoming performance and alter your musical career!

Notable Highlights, Awards, Plaques & Achievements

Identify your musical high points and make sure they are all included in your electronic press kit. A wonderful technique to give additional context regarding the buzz surrounding you as an artist is to include some of your noteworthy career milestones in music.

• Have you ever toured with any well-known artists?
• Any live performances at any renowned locations or festivals?
• Received any honorable awards?
• Have your Spotify streaming stats reached any milestones?
• Featured on any significant radio stations?

Contact Info

Allow them a simple way to get in touch with you, such as an email address or a contact form. Provide your own email address if you are self-managed or your team member’s job titles and contact details if applicable.

Keep all of your contact details in one place in your EPK, and let visitors know about any special choices available. For instance, tell them who to contact if they want a full copy of your record.

Best Practices While Creating An EPK

Each day, talent buyers and promoters evaluate hundreds of potential acts. Presenting yourself clearly and professionally is crucial. Think about the following best practices while preparing your press kit:

• Keep your EPK concise and easy to understand.
• Include your most outstanding work and valuable info.
• Update your EPK frequently.
• Ensure your EPK appropriately portrays your brand.
• Make a unique EPK stand out from the crowd.
• When attaching files to emails, be cautious to take into account their size.
• Avoid sending .zip files and other compressed file attachments with emails.
• Bring a printed copy of your EPK to events.

How To Create An EPK? 

After gathering all of your resources, you should concentrate on layout and design. The design will play just as much of a role in your EPK’s ability to convey a clear and concise narrative regarding who you are as an artist as will each piece of material.

Try to give the website a uniform appearance by using a simple font and leaving adequate space between each piece. Make sure the information and graphics are organized so they are simple to scan.

There are several services available that will host your EPK, but bear in mind that you’ll be constrained by the templates they offer. We advise creating an EPK page directly on your website to give you the greatest control over how you come across.

Final Thoughts

Your EPK can indeed be your sole chance to make a good first impression, depending on the circumstances. Because of this, it’s worthwhile to invest the time upfront to create something you’ll be glad to share that portrays you in the best light possible. 

You may make a strong impression as a professional musician who takes pride in work by having an up-to-date, high-quality EPK.

It is worthwhile to invest the time upfront to create something you’ll be glad to share that portrays you in the best light possible. MPT Agency will guide you to the creation of your EPK which will make a good first impression in the music industry. To find out what other services can enhance your musical career, make sure you check our blog regularly and follow us on Instagram for more music marketing-related updates.

Posted on September 7, 2022

Everything You Need To Know About Music Licensing

By Shawn Spence

Music licensing is one of the main sources of income for musicians. The process of licensing music may be challenging and ambiguous, and most musicians struggle to succeed in this sector of the music business without some assistance. 

Lucky for you, we’re here to address any misunderstandings you might have regarding the entire procedure. Let’s get going!

People no longer purchase albums. As previously mentioned, the income of artists has changed as a result of digital music distribution. And being successful in the music industry requires more than just clever distribution, gigging, and promotion.

The most advantageous income streams for musicians wanting to make a living off of their music are no longer the traditional ones from the past (such as physical album sales).

But the music business continues to be worth billions of dollars. What is the source of all those earnings?

In such cases, you should infuse two short phrases into your memory forever if you’re asking the same question.

• Music Publishing
• Music Licensing

Seems simple right? Hang on.

The licensing and publishing processes are intricate and have many turns, bends, and dips. 

Music Licensing

Through a contract known as a music license, copyrighted music can be used for commercial purposes. Copyright owners of songs are promised compensation through music licensing agreements when their music is used in things like:

• Films & Movies
• TV shows
• Video games
• Advertisements

These licenses can occasionally be granted for a certain time, such as a few months around the holidays, while other times they can be purchased altogether from the copyright owner or issued perpetually.

Why Do Licenses Matter?

From a broad perspective, all kinds of music licenses signify authorized usage of a song for a certain undertaking. 

The buyer may use the music exactly as specified in the documentation with the right license. The user is unlawfully using an original work by an artist if they use it without permission or the proper authorization, and they risk legal action or lawsuit. 

Understanding music licensing is crucial for both the artist’s and the user’s protection.

What’s The Difference Between A Music License And A Copyright?

A music license is a “lending license” that allows other people to use your track for a specific amount of time in exchange for a charge. Contrarily, copyrights apply to the song’s actual lyrics and recording. 

So, even if you can “lend” the music through licensing, the copyright owner retains ownership of the song’s intellectual property.

What About Music Publishing?

The administration of copyrighted music that is utilized commercially is known as music publishing. A publisher is in charge of identifying licensing possibilities, collecting royalties, and allowing the public to listen to music created by the artists they represent.

Some artists handle their own publishing. It is possible in some situations, but to make it truly function, it is essentially a full-time job. The benefit of representing your own music for publishing is that you keep all of the royalties, placements, and sync fees that your song earns.

Types Of Music Licensing

In general, there are six types of licenses that someone can use for various purposes.

Synchronization License (or Sync License)

This is tailored for usage with visual media, such as TV shows, movies, advertisements, news segments, video games, and more, and is sometimes referred to as a sync license. How a song will be utilized, where it will be played, how much publicity it will receive, its experience and any additional royalty rates can all affect the licensing charge. 

Mechanical License

This type of license is used to create tangible copies of songs, most frequently on CDs or soundtracks. Usually only applicable to the music itself, not to any accompanying visuals.

Public Performance License

This kind of license is quite broad and covers radio, websites, shops, dining establishments, concert halls, nightclubs, and other public areas. 

Master Recording License

The receiver of a master recording license, also known as a master usage license or master license, is permitted to utilize all or some portions of the original sound recording for their purposes. 

Print License

Mostly applied to the reproduction of sheet music or lyrics for karaoke, merchandising, marketing materials, and many more.

Blanket License

This license enables customers to access a selection of songs or the whole collection for a set annual charge, which might be useful for locations that only need background music, such as a cafe or a shopping mall.

Do You “Lose” the Rights to Your Music After It’s Licensed?

NO! If you’re an independent artist, you retain ownership of your original music’s property rights. 

Think of licensed music as “lending” your original song to the public for a set period of time or particular media use, but you never actually sign over your songwriting credit. That is a topic to be covered in contracts with labels, which is the subject of a future blog article in its own right.

More advice on preventing the loss of your music’s rights can be found in the video below.

The Best Music Licensing Companies Of 2022

TAXI

TAXI is the best in many areas, no wonder they’re on top of the game.

They will assist you in getting your music into the hands of both big and independent record companies, TV and film producers, production music libraries, publishers, advertisements, and many other places.

Marmoset

A fantastic website with well-known clientele like Adidas, Adobe, and Microsoft. They have a collection of tunes from rigorously independent bands, artists, and record companies. They don’t want anyone to submit songs to their site, though. Their expectations are high. But this also implies that there is a strong probability you will be able to benefit from your presence if your music is selected. So if you can get on Marmoset, it is worth it.

Jingle Punks

Artists can sign exclusive contracts with Jingle Punks. They demand that every piece of music be entirely created, mixed, and mastered. Cover songs, demos, and unfinished compositions are not accepted. In addition, you are only able to share links to your tunes that are hosted on your website, SoundCloud, or Bandcamp. If you have the chance to deal with Jingle Punks, it is worth it because they have a large clientele, much like many other licensing companies on this list.

Audio Network

Audio Network has a catalog of over 100,000 carefully curated tracks, representing over 750 artists, producers, and composers. 

Your strategy needs to adapt as the music biz does. The traditional methods of being compensated for your music are no longer as common as in the old days.

The future is friendly. But only if you’re smart with your music.

MPT Agency’s Final Thoughts About Music Licensing

The traditional methods of being compensated for your music are no longer as common as in the old days MPT Agency will work with you closely to enhance your strategies and adapt them as the music biz does. To find out what other services can strengthen your musical career, make sure you check our blog regularly and follow us on Instagram for more music marketing-related updates.

Posted on August 25, 2022

The First Chart-Eligible NFT Album in the World is Being Released by Muse

By Shawn Spence

Napster and Limewire weren’t the first, as it turned out. In the last 20 years, the music business has experienced enormous change, yet it still exists today as a mostly digital one. Since Warner Records U.K. and the music NFT marketplace, Serenade have joined, it is possible that this trend will spread. 

They have together introduced a brand-new music format called Digital Pressing. 

This will be the first of its kind – chart-eligible music NFT specifically targeted the most devoted of fans.

The goal of the new chart-eligible music format known as “Digital Pressing” is to provide typical digital download convenience with all the benefits of a physical release to music enthusiasts worldwide. 

And it follows Billboard’s process for building music rankings that faithfully reflect the mood, which included incorporating digital downloads and streaming.

A new format for music

According to a press statement by Serenade founder Max Shand, this new music style may have an influence that “Digital Pressings will be a game changer on the global stage,” expressing that this new format allows artists to “offer their international audiences something truly unique and engaging,” Shand said.

1/ Today we announced Serenade’s newest offering, the Digital Pressing. I thought I’d share what a Digital Pressing is, and our vision for its future 🧵

— Max Shand 🌳,🌴 (@max_shand) August 1, 2022

In a Twitter thread, Shand elaborated on his goals for the Digital Pressing format and described it as a way to further decentralize the idea of the album release cycle for musicians all across the world. 

Digital Pressings are promoted as giving musicians the chance to package their work in a way that is comparable to how they would do it through a traditional vinyl release but without any of the drawbacks.

In addition to boasting a two-week lead time rather than the six to nine months needed for a vinyl release, Digital Pressings may also be far more ecologically friendly. “one average 12[-inch] vinyl has the equivalent carbon footprint of 197,100 Digital Pressings.”

The English rock band Muse is leading the way in the introduction of this format and is slated to do so on August 26 with the release of their ninth studio album, Will of the People. 

For lifelong Muse fans, this decision may draw an interesting comparison to Radiohead, a fellow English rock band that famously defied tradition by releasing the eagerly anticipated 2007 album In Rainbows as a “pay what you want” digital download.

For the purposes of the charts, each digital pressing of Will of the People and any following albums issued in this format will be equivalent to one physical album sale. Sales information for this trial launch will appear on music charts in the Australian and United Kingdom music marketplaces.

Make sure you check our blog regularly and follow us on Instagram for more NFT and music marketing-related updates.

Posted on August 23, 2022

5 NFT Record Labels That Are Redefining The Music Industry

By Yvonne Martin

A web3 music business that is healthier and more artist-friendly is emerging as more artists use NFT technology to reconquer. Emerging and mid-tier musicians are supporting themselves, creating communities, and escaping a traditional music industry that benefits a few through music NFTs and NFT record labels. 

Additionally, NFTs are repeatedly demonstrated as the best option for unsigned artists to generate money. 

What is an NFT record label?

It’s critical to define record labels in order to comprehend what an NFT record label is. A record label is a business that discovers new artists, nurtures them, and organizes the recording, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of records. 

In the past, record companies were the exclusive source of music releases and career development for artists.

Even while record companies still have a lot of power in the music business, many musicians are choosing to go independent. Record companies may have the right to permanently own an artist’s music, depending on the terms of the deal. 

High-profile incidents have further illuminated how certain established companies might take advantage of emerging artists, such as the Taylor Swift masters controversy.

An NFT record label, on the other hand, ensures that the artist has complete ownership of their song. An NFT record label makes sure that their connection with the artist is mutually beneficial by giving them a certificate of ownership.

NFTs, which are kept on the blockchain, are the primary music format for NFT record labels. NFT record labels also assist musicians in creating fan bases and promoting music using web3 tools like NFT markets.

How do NFT record labels operate?

The NFT record label business is continually developing. Therefore, the specifics of an NFT record label rely greatly on the people who are creating them. NFTs are a format for music that is available alongside more conventional forms like vinyl, CDs, MP3s, and so on. 

Music enthusiasts may anticipate various digital assets, such as digital goods and artwork to accompany the launches, as well as metaverse events and music videos, in addition to music NFTs.

NFT record labels can act as DAOs or collectives where the fan community is prioritized and the artist-fan interaction is more highly appreciated. This might imply that album songs and single artwork are chosen by fans through voting.

However, the establishment of NFT record labels is not free. Founders must take into account operational expenses, the price of developing and promoting NFTs, and gas expenditures. 

Additionally, it is necessary to factor in the expenses associated with registering transactions on the blockchain.

Now let’s get to it.

What are the top 5 NFT record labels changing the future of music?

Death Row Records

Earlier this year, Snoop Dogg acquired the storied Death Row Records. He declared that Death Row Records will be an NFT label after the purchase. Death Row will be an NFT label, he revealed during a discussion on Clubhouse:

“Death Row will be an NFT label. We will be putting our artists through the metaverse and through a whole other chain of music. Just like how we broke the industry when we was the first independent [label] to be major.”

The fact that a musician like Snoop Dogg oversees and supports an NFT music label only serves to emphasize the sector’s expanding significance.

MoonwalkerFM

One of the early NFT record labels was Moonwalker FM. On streaming services, a lo-fi song is matched with each NFT minted. As a result, NFT owners are eligible to receive different prizes equal to about 30% of the streaming revenues.

Additionally, MoonwalkerFM developed an industry-first DApp that allows NFT holders to see the songs that are associated with their NFTs. Events, special contests, products, space docking, early access to drops, and other things are also planned.

Hume

Hume is a group of hybrid virtual-physical performers on the NFT record label. The creation of metastars with a background is the core objective, around which the digital label and entertainment studio are built. The NFT record label debuted Angelbaby as its first metastar in November 2021. They released their debut single, “NFT,” and gave a performance at FLUF House at Art Basel Miami.

World Has You Records

Web3 is a tool that World Has You Records utilizes to bring people together via their shared love of music. World Has You Records, founded by AlmaD and Kristen, intends to release “high-quality exclusive music and art for the community” and “create memorable experiences” while “discovering and developing new talents.”

Space Yacht

In Los Angeles, a group of underground partygoers founded the NFT record label Space Yacht. Henry Lu and Rami Perlman, the company’s co-founders, have organized over 100 events in several nations and are currently attempting to break into the web3 market. Space Yacht distributes music NFTs as a label in stages that build upon one another. Iconography Volume 1, 2, and 3 from their NFT collections provide music listeners a preview of what to anticipate from Space Yacht as it expands.

How NFTs are shaking up the music industry

We can safely claim that web3 and NFTs are upending the music business as we know it. In the second wave of the internet, musicians relied on labels, streaming platforms, and touring to make money. They also had to deal with several intermediaries that take a sizable chunk of the royalties that musicians receive.

Artists may generate money with NFTs by selling their music directly to fans without the aid of middlemen like streaming services, labels, and distributors. Furthermore, anybody may release music and earn money as an unsigned musician because of the web3 music industry’s low entrance barrier.

Since most NFTs cost more than one Spotify stream, which costs between $0.003 and $0.005, artists may make a respectable living without having millions of streams. Because it all depends on having a tiny group that supports what they do, they don’t need to sell or commercialize their music.

It’s also crucial to note that the smart contracts underlying music NFTs prevent artists from being defrauded of their earnings. Smart contracts provide musicians the ability to keep track of who is holding their music NFTs, keep tabs on secondary market transactions, and be paid a portion of the royalties each time the holder resells the NFT.

Final Thoughts

Without a doubt, NFTs are laying the foundation for a music business that is more democratic and equitable. NFT record labels are among the key figures driving this transformation. Traditional labels will probably not go out of business, but they will need to adapt by embracing web3 ideals and finally placing artists in the spotlight.

Make sure you check our blog regularly and follow us on Instagram for more NFT and music marketing-related updates.

Posted on June 6, 2022

Making Your Video Content The Best It Can Be

By Barbara Drews

Establishing a consistent video approach before and after a release will allow you to reach more followers and optimize the potential for those people to perform your marketing for you.

If you haven’t started yet, establish your accounts before you begin promoting.

1. Decide on what accounts and formats you can manage: Create profiles that you can update frequently and that you are comfortable with. 
2. Make your profile complete: Upload a profile photo, write a compelling bio, and get a bio link so that your followers can stream your music. 
3. Watch some content: Become acquainted with the platform’s unstated do’s and don’ts. Browse around, view some popular videos, and get a sense of the community.
4. Post some videos: Make a few videos once you’ve figured out how people are utilizing the site. Be yourself and have fun with it. 

If you’re a long-form expert, become an expert in short-form

1. Find the right length for your platform of choice: For example, the ideal TikTok length is 9-15 seconds, while around 30 seconds is optimal for Instagram.
2. Don’t reuse too much content: Your followers want a unique experience on different platforms. They don’t have as much motivation to interact if they’re getting the same stuff.
3. Get the vibe right: The essence of short-form is authenticity and interaction. Participating in challenges (or even creating your own) is a terrific way to introduce yourself to your audience.
4. Film in portrait: Short-form is all about portrait mode. When in doubt, make it vertical.

If you’ve got it all on lock, it’s time to maximize

1. Promote your video: 30 seconds or fewer is the ideal length of time to pique someone’s curiosity without overwhelming them.
2. Make it quality: There are a couple of types of “quality” to evaluate when promoting a video. One is the quality of your video and the other is the quality of the view. 
3. Use videos in campaigns: Extra video material is usually an excellent motivator for a campaign! Simply include a link to a private video as your campaign’s destination URL! Your fans will be linked to your video once they complete the action.

Whatever you decide to create, having the support of your audience is always vital. All you have to do is strive on producing high-quality material and remember to seek guidance and suggestions whenever you get stuck.

Posted on June 1, 2022

Why Getting On RapCaviar Matters in 2022

By Shawn Spence

Streaming music services have revolutionized the way people listen to music. Listeners now spend over half of their time on Spotify listening to playlists created by themselves or curated by Spotify’s editors. As a result, every artist aspires to be featured on popular playlists such as Rap Caviar. 

Spotify’s RapCaviar is the current gold standard in playlists. It has over 10.5 million followers and combines Spotify’s basic audio playing with a selection of hand-picked visuals. With RapCaviar, Spotify has created an economic moat. The size of the playlist is a benefit that indicates power since it leads to more features, larger artists highlighted, and more data. 

Why Is It Essential For An Artist To Get On RapCaviar? 

#1 Peak Playlists

RapCaviar is the pinnacle of what a playlist can be, having grown from a small curated list to a huge internet presence.

#2 Massive Exposure

By hopping on the RapCaviar playlist, you’ll gain hundreds of thousands of new listeners, and hopefully, potential fans.

#3 Streaming Payments

Streaming payments can be small for each stream, but when you begin to add those zeros, things can change real fast.

How To Get Recognized? 

If you want to get recognized, make sure you capture Spotify’s marketing team’s attention. Shoutouts to Spotify on the regular. Make it interesting by tweeting them. Tag them in your stories, and make sure your tweets and comments are original and varied. Spotify is a big fan of creativity and originality.

Want To Know A Secret Weapon?

While getting on RapCaviar is difficult nowadays unless you’re a mainstream hip hop or rap artist, there’s something you can do to enhance your chances. 

Get on user-created playlists!

It may be simple, but it can lead to genuine fans listening to your music. You should start small and work your way up. 

Putting It All Together

There is no such thing as an instant hit on the Billboard charts.  Strive for greatness, dream big, and intelligently invest your time and effort. If you keep this approach for the long haul, you’ll have a bright future.

Posted on May 30, 2022

10 Things You Should Do As Soon As You Sign Up for Music Distribution

By Yvonne Martin

You don’t want your new single to only be available on Spotify and Apple Music when you release it. You want people to care. Every new release should be a stepping stone in your career, allowing you to reach more audiences and earn more royalties. 

It’s time to advertise and market your new tunes!

1. Claim Your Artist Profile On Streaming Platforms

You’ll want to claim and personalize your accounts to create the greatest first impression possible. 

2. Get Your Spotify Release Radar Placement

This will allow you to add extra music information like genre, mood, and “sounds-like” artists, increasing the likelihood of your music being suggested to the proper listeners.

3. Upload A Spotify Canvas Before The Release

Canvases have been shown to enhance all types of streaming engagement metrics since we’re driven to graphics.

4. Market Your Music With Show.co

This will result in growing your Spotify following, drive streams and saves on Spotify, grow your email list, boost YouTube video views, run fan contests, and much more.

5. Enter Your Lyrics With MusixMatch

Make sure you’re authenticated on MusixMatch, then post your lyrics and sync your words with the audio when your music is ready.

6. Professionalize Your Music Publishing Rights

You hold the music publishing rights to your songs if you compose original music. A publishing administrator will assist you to put those rights to work.

7. Monetize Your Music Across Social Media Platforms

By doing so, you’ll get paid for the use of your song in videos on those sites, even if they were made or posted by others.

8. Register With SoundExchange

If your music is played on the internet or satellite radio, you are due extra digital performance royalties. SoundExchange will collect the funds and distribute them to musicians and performers. 

9. Refresh Your Web Presence

Update your online presence with new music announcements, new photos, videos, updated bios, and many more. 

10. Plan To Promote

Prepare as much as you can, as early as you can. 

There’s a lot to accomplish in order to get the most out of your upcoming release. However, if your music hours are limited, these items should offer you a clearer notion of what to focus on.

Posted on May 2, 2022

Why Is Twitter Important for Musicians

By Barbara Drews

Social media has had a significant influence on how we promote and market music, and it is not going away anytime soon. None of us can accommodate not being more acquainted with Twitter. As a result, there’s no harm in going over some fundamentals…

Brand Your Profile: Google Crawls it.

Social media allows musicians to market themselves and their music through a variety of internet touchpoints. It’s a wise decision to keep your social profiles consistent in terms of style and layout. The message should differ but try to tie them all together with a similar style or theme. Your bio, your tweets are all crawled by Google, make sure they represent you properly and speak about you highly.

Build Your Network

After you’ve built your Twitter profile, it’s time to locate your target audience. Begin by following friends, then expand to potential fans and relevant artists or profiles to broaden up your network. Following musicians that your followers are also listening to is a wise choice; it’s a basic method to initiate conversations. Follow a variety of music business professionals and outlets that you admire, and pay close attention to how they utilize their Twitter presence. Don’t be shy to retweet or like their tweets, appreciate them.

Engage With Your Followers

It’s vital to respond besides retweeting your followers and liking their tweets. To have your tweet interaction going, sponsor a contest, discuss issues, or strike up a conversation about a recent social event. Your followers are interested in you, and it is crucial that you show them that you are passionate about them as well. Jump into existing conversations that you can browse through trending and regular hashtags through via the Twitter search engine. There’s a lot going on, start engaging and networking and watch your profile reach and impressions spike!

Pre-Release Strategies

Twitter’s peak activity times are often in the afternoons, nights, and weekends, but don’t spam your followers with tweets and then disappear. You want to have a consistent tweeting pace and avoid spending too much time resting. Using hashtags on a regular basis can also help to brand your tweets and boost their ‘tweet reach’ aka visibility. Fans want new music all the time, try to hype new release, go on Twitter space, start a discussion, post a teaser, a banner, a short clip, host a Twitter event to announce the title, make a big deal of every step of your pre-release campaign!

Final Thoughts

As an artist, keeping your digital presence and social media identity is as important as maintaining your stage persona. It may take a lot of time and effort to establish oneself on social media, but don’t be upset if things don’t take off right away.

Maintain consistency in your efforts, and it will all be worth it.

Social media is a lengthy game and your daily dedication eventually transforms to virality!

Start telling your story to the world, enjoy tweeting and typing!