How To Promote Music Artists
Music artists do not become successful based on how talented they are. Instead, they become well known due to effective promoting. Therefore, anyone working in the music industry should know how to promote music artists. Most promotion can be done online and with a little bit of footwork thrown in for good measure, your artist will be in business!
Things you will need:
- Computer with Internet connection
- Access to recording equipment to create a demo CD
Steps:
- Create promotional materials. This should include a demo CD and mp3 recordings of songs as well as photos of the artist.
- Upload the recordings to a website such as Bandcamp.com or Soundcloud.com. You can refer people to these websites and people can also stumble upon the recordings on their own.
- Create a website for the artist. Post relevant information about the music artist such as the artists biography, availability for gigs, upcoming shows, video clips from past shows and some recordings or links to recordings.
- Make a blog focusing on the music artist. You should link the blog to the website and use it to post updates about the artist such as upcoming shows or CD releases. Update the blog at least once a week with relevant information.
- Get a Facebook fan page. Most people are on Facebook today so take advantage of this free way to promote your music artist. You can add links to the webpage and blog on Facebook as well. Instead of waiting for people to "like" your page, use your personal Facebook page to suggest the fan page to your social network.
- Go to bars and clubs that have live music and speak to the booking manger. Tell the manager a little bit about your artist and give them the artists demo CD. Follow up in person or by phone about booking a show.
- Promote booked shows by handing out fliers. Usually the venue will provide fliers, but you should take some responsibility for handing them out. Hand them out at bars and other shows put on by artists with a similar style to the artist you are promoting.
- Promote at shows. This includes selling CDs and informing fans about your website, blog, and Facebook page.