8 ways to market your music

Music marketing is way different than it used to be.

Luckily for you, I’m here and I’m going to share some knowledge with you.

The following article is completely copied and pasted from my free eBook “48 ways to market your music (even if you’re homeless)”

EDIT: That ebook is long gone — sorry, college-aged Alienware laptop that exploded sadly in 2018. =(

Nowadays I’m not just marketing bands, but helping everyone with online marketing, and doing a lil’ web design with it.

You can check out the new site and learn how to design and market for your band, blog, social media account, online business, or website, or dogstagram, or whatever you want.

Alright, here are the 8 ways to market your music. (This was in 2014, btw, but most of the information still stands. I’d check out the new site if you want some better tips.)

Write a bio for your band

I seriously hate popping on to Facebook to check out a band and I see either a) no bio at all or b) “hai were *insert band name here* n were soooooo metal\m/ n we plai blast beets n all gud metal dude we r so metal”. I love metal, so definitely not bashing or saying that’s how metal bands act.

Nothing sucks more than having such a terrible bio. Take the 20 minutes or whatever amount of time it takes to write out a bio and make sure you use correct spelling and grammar.

Then in the future you can expand on this one bio instead of writing an entire autobiography in one night.

Build an email list

With Facebook reach dropping every time we turn around, it’s essential that you start building an email list as soon as possible. You’ve got to able to email your fans when something new comes out. This isn’t like social networking though. Do not email them about personal stuff. This should be strictly business (blog posts, music releases, upcoming tours, etc…), but not too spammy. Find a happy medium and you should be good.

I use MailChimp for my email list and it works perfectly. Get it here. And find out how to set the thing up with this sweet series I wrote conveniently titled “Build an Email List”.

Give free downloads

I really find it annoying when artists that nobody knows with 500 “likes” on Facebook insist you buy their music. Oh, and look! They’ve got it on iTunes for your convenience.

Do not do this unless you’ve got a name for yourself. Instead…

…give your music away for free. How else do you expect people to learn the words to your songs and sing with you at the next show? Your number one goal right now as a new artist is to get your music heard as much as possible. And if that means letting fans download your first EP for free then so be it. I’m definitely more inclined to listen to someone whose music I have in my iTunes than someone’s who I have to buy before starting to like them. And I think that goes for the majority of people.

And damn, if you are stingy about giving your music out for free at least let people stream it for free.

Get your music on Pandora or Spotify

Getting your music on Pandora and Spotify is so easy I don’t know why everyone doesn’t do it.

Seriously, all you have to do is fill out a simple submission form with the follow information: Pandora listener account, contact information, artist/band name, name and type of release, link to at least 1 of your tracks on iTunes (US only), Amazon.com/MP3, CD Baby or Bandcamp.

And since I told you to get a Bandcamp account, any artist should have no problem doing this.

Google alerts

This is a really cool web app that I learned about literally a month ago. Basically, you plug a keyword in and it’ll show you all the different places that keyword is being talked about.

What should your keyword be? Your band name, of course. A different variations of it, such as: *band name* music, buy *band name* music, *song titles*, buy *song title*, etc…

This way you’ll never miss when you’re being talked about.

Always network

Networking offline is just as huge as it is online, except this time it’s more personal. Nothing beats face to face.

An awesome idea I’ve learned is to hand out business cards with your band name and some sort of way for people to find you. I’ve learned of some pretty sweet bands this way and it’s convenient for the fans. Instead of completely forgetting who you are in 10 minutes, they’ll find you in the pocket of their dirty jeans 3 days later. That’s when the tiny light bulb appears above their head.

Make sure you give them to members of other bands too. You never know what can come from it in the future.

Play in other cities

You have to get your name out there in other places than just your home city. If you live close to another major city, or any city that plays shows, you should definitely look into playing there.

I live in Buffalo. I have Rochester just down the road from here. Toronto and St. Catherines to the north. Erie just south. And if I really want to make a drive I can hit up Syracuse or Cleveland.

If your band calls Buffalo home, that’s another 6 cities that you have the option to be playing in.

I know money can be tight with starting bands, or any band for that matter, but it definitely pays to expand your fan base further than your hometown. If you aren’t big enough the city’s scene might not know your songs, so if you do perform somewhere else make sure you kick that show’s ass and give them something to remember.

Always sell merch

No matter how small of a show you’re playing, always bring some merch to sell to fans after and before you play. You never know who’ll want to pick up some of your stuff.

And why stop at t-shirts?

Depending on your budget you could have crewnecks, hoodies, pullovers, tank-tops, tote bags, posters, CDs, pins, guitar picks, wristbands, iPhone cases, etc…

Anything with your name on it will do. Of course, a brand new band might have to just start with one or two t-shirt designs. Eventually you’ll want to diversify.

And don’t forget the stickers.

What to do now?

Here’s another chance to get this eBook for free. If you got this far chances are you’ll like the whole thing.

Share this article with bandmates, discuss these ideas with them, buy dynamite, and blow your band up.

Comment if you like or think I’m out of my mind. I reply to everyone.

YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!