Strategies for Selling and Promoting Your Music
As a musician, launching a successful career requires not only talent but also strategic planning. This article outlines comprehensive steps to help you sell your music and gain exposure, including practical advice on recording and distributing your work, as well as effective promotional strategies.
Recording and Distributing Your Music
1. Record a Few Songs
Once you have perfected a couple of songs, it is time to lay down the tracks. Thanks to advancing technology, most towns now have their own recording studios. These studios offer relatively low prices for recording sessions, whether you record a few tracks or an entire album. You can search online by simply typing “recording studios” and the name of your city, which will list nearby studios.
2. Have Your Music Available in Multiple Formats
Music is sold through different avenues, each requiring a different format. You can sell physical copies of your music on CDs or vinyl at concerts, and digital versions if you want to sell your music online and through electronic stores. When recording, get your tracks pressed onto CDs and vinyl if possible, and keep digital versions as well to avoid compatibility issues.
3. Sell Your Music Through Digital Apps and Music Stores
There are a multitude of digital music stores out there, such as iTunes, Google Play, Bandcamp, and Amazon Music. As an artist, you can sell your music directly through these media. Some digital stores make it difficult for individuals to sell their music and prefer that musicians use third-party networks. For example, to sell music through iTunes, you need an Apple ID, a Universal Product Code, an International Standard Recording Code, and a U.S. tax ID.
4. Join a Digital Distribution Network
Digital distribution networks specialize in partnering with digital music stores and streaming services. When you sell your music to these affiliates, you pay for them to get your music sold through the most popular digital avenues. These sites will also deal with the red tape involved in selling your music digitally and will format your music to the various specifications of different stores. Some popular digital distribution networks include RouteNote, Songcast, TuneCore, Awal, and DistroKid.
5. Sell Beats and Instrumental Music Online
Just as digital music stores are places where you can sell your own music to people around the world, there are also digital stores dedicated to selling beats, samples, and instrumental music. Like the digital stores and distribution networks, some of these sites work on a subscription basis while others are pay-per-tune. The most popular music production sales sites include Soundgine, My Flash Store, Traktrain, Beat Stars, and Muzicity.
6. Sell Physical Copies of Your Music Online
Platforms such as Bandcamp, Amazon Music, and other online retailers allow you to sell physical copies of your music. You can also take advantage of digital distribution networks that offer this option, saving you the trouble of managing physical sales yourself.
7. Sell Your Music in Person
There are many venues where independent artists can sell their music, such as local shows and concerts, coffee shops, art galleries, and markets. Some places like coffee shops may ask for a small fee for managing your display, while farmers' markets might require you to pay for a booth. Explore other venues in the local arts and music scene, such as craft fairs and open mic nights, and ask around to find businesses that are open to helping out local artists.
Promoting Your Music
1. Promote Your Music Through Social Media
With the prevalence of social media, promoting your music has never been easier. Regularly updating your social media accounts and sharing your songs, performances, and videos can help you reach new fans. Popular social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Myspace. When sharing your music, consider targeting specific individuals based on their music tastes and preferences.
2. Perform at Every Opportunity
Performances are crucial for building a strong fan base and gaining exposure. In addition to traditional concerts, consider performing at weddings, parties, charity events, and other venues. The more audiences you perform in front of, the more exposure you will receive, and the more fans you will attract. Think outside the box and get creative when looking for gigs.
3. Send Your Music to Radio Stations
Sending your music to radio stations can be an effective way to gain exposure, especially for local radio stations. Additionally, you can reach out to college and university stations, web radio stations, satellite radio stations, and music bloggers. Be sure to target DJs who play music in your genre to increase your chances of getting airplay.
4. Get an Agent
Agents can help you build your career by negotiating gigs, booking performances, and arranging show details. They can also help get your music into the industry by making introductions to producers and music industry professionals. Many larger labels do not accept unsolicited demos, so an agent can get your foot in the door.
5. Send Your Music to a Few Record Labels
Sending your music to record labels can be a good option if you want to sign a record deal. However, it is not necessary to do so, as there are many independent and digital record labels, such as 8Bitpeoples and Monstercat. Before sending your music, send samples to producers and utives at the labels you want to work with.