You've Created the Best Song Ever Made . . . Now What?
Creating great music is only half the battle these days. With shrinking attention spans, artists’ must also find a way to grab the attention of people, create branding and invest in social media. Yes, the quality of music is highly important but if you have great music and no plan to get the right ears listening then you will, more than likely, be unsuccessful. Music is being released every day by people all around the world. Make sure yours doesn’t get lost in the crowd by following these easy steps.
Quick Summary
Creating great music requires not only talent but also effective promotion. To ensure your music stands out, utilize streaming services like Spotify for broader reach, design attention-grabbing artwork, and actively engage your audience on social media. Employing specific hashtags can boost your visibility. Additionally, consistently release new music to maintain audience interest and consider collaborations to diversify your sound—keeping your fans satisfied is crucial for your long-term succes
Music Distribution
Your song is complete… now what? It’s important to get your music heard by an audience. The best way to do that is to utilize streaming services. While CDs are still a relevant technology in some genres, streaming services like Spotify allow your music the potential to be seen by millions from the comfort of their handheld device. You can use services like CD Baby and Tune Core to get your music on all major music streaming services.
Eye-Catching Artwork
They say never judge a book by its cover but we all know eye-catching artwork is one of the first things that draws us to any work of art. Hire a professional photographer or graphic designer to help with this task. It’s an important step that should not be skipped. If you are low on budget, you can use free services like Canva or Adobe Spark to create your own artwork.
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Promote on Social Media
This goes without saying, it’s key to reach your target audience when promoting your music. There’s no better way to reach your audience than catering to your current following. Let them know that you have new music and where they can find it and add a link to the music in your bio. Find creative ways to announce and promote upcoming projects. Using methods such as giveaways will help give people engage with the new material.
Use the Right Hashtags
Hashtags are a great tool to take advantage of social networking sites. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are cluttered with tags that will do absolutely nothing for you. But if you use the art of hashtags correctly, new people will be able to find your music and it will increase your engagement. For example, using “#music” is not likely to garner any new attention because it has 258 million posts. You want to use hashtags like “#newhiphopartist” that have less than 25k posts as it will have much more visibility. Get specific with the hashtags you use. The more specific you get, the more likely your target audience will be able to find you.
Don’t Stop Making Music
So you’ve made the best song ever. What’s next? Even if this is your best work to date, you can’t stop creating. The music industry is fast moving and fans are always waiting for the next release. Keep your music library updated with new tracks on a consistent basis. You can also try collaborating with other artists to help diversify your catalog. Your fans are the bread and butter for your music career. Make sure to keep them happy with new music for them to enjoy.
Building Strategic Relationships in the Music Industry
Success in the music industry rarely happens in isolation. Building meaningful relationships with key industry professionals can exponentially increase your song's reach and impact. Start by identifying music bloggers, playlist curators, radio DJs, and influencers within your genre. Research their submission guidelines and preferences, then craft personalized pitches that demonstrate you've taken time to understand their brand and audience. Many playlist curators receive hundreds of submissions daily, so standing out requires genuine connection and professionalism.
Consider attending industry events, both virtual and in-person, such as music conferences, showcases, and networking mixers. ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC regularly host events for songwriters and artists. Local music venues often have industry nights where you can meet promoters, booking agents, and fellow musicians. Remember that relationship building is a long-term investment – focus on providing value to others rather than immediately asking for favors. Offer to share other artists' work, provide feedback, or collaborate on projects.
Don't overlook the power of connecting with other independent artists at your level. Cross-promotion with peers can be incredibly effective, as you likely share similar audiences who are actively discovering new music. Create artist collectives, participate in compilation albums, or organize joint live streaming events. These horizontal relationships often prove more valuable than trying to connect with established industry gatekeepers who may be less accessible.
Creating Compelling Content Around Your Music
Modern audiences crave behind-the-scenes content and authentic storytelling that goes beyond just the finished song. Document your creative process through videos, photos, and written content that gives fans insight into how your masterpiece came together. Share studio sessions, songwriting moments, equipment demonstrations, or the story behind your lyrics. This content serves multiple purposes: it extends the lifespan of your single release, provides material for social media posts, and helps fans develop a deeper emotional connection to your music.
Consider creating different types of content for various platforms and audiences. YouTube viewers might enjoy longer-form content like studio vlogs or gear reviews, while TikTok and Instagram users prefer bite-sized, visually engaging clips. Behind-the-scenes content, lyric videos, acoustic versions, and reaction videos all help maintain momentum around your release. Live streaming platforms like Twitch, Instagram Live, or YouTube Live offer opportunities for real-time fan interaction and can help you build a more intimate relationship with your audience.
Educational content can also position you as an authority in your field while attracting new followers. Share songwriting tips, production techniques, or industry insights based on your experience. This approach works particularly well for singer-songwriters and producers who can demonstrate their craft. Remember to maintain consistency in your content creation – it's better to post quality content regularly than to create sporadic bursts of activity followed by long periods of silence.
Measuring Success and Planning Your Next Move
Data analytics are crucial for understanding how your music is performing and making informed decisions about future releases. Most streaming platforms provide artist dashboards with detailed metrics including play counts, listener demographics, geographic data, and playlist placements. Study these metrics to identify which promotional strategies worked best, what times your audience is most active, and which demographics are most engaged with your music. Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and YouTube Analytics offer comprehensive insights that can guide your marketing strategy.
Set specific, measurable goals for your music beyond just 'getting more plays.' Consider metrics like monthly listeners growth, playlist additions, social media engagement rates, email list subscribers, or merchandise sales. Track your progress using tools like Google Analytics for your website, social media insights, and email marketing platforms. This data helps you understand your return on investment for different promotional activities and allows you to allocate resources more effectively for future releases.
Use your success metrics to plan your long-term career strategy. If certain geographic regions show high engagement, consider targeting those areas for live performances or focused marketing campaigns. If specific playlists drive significant traffic, research similar playlists for future submissions. Pay attention to which songs in your catalog continue to gain traction over time, as this can inform your songwriting and production choices moving forward. Remember that building a sustainable music career requires consistent analysis and adaptation based on real-world performance data.
Finally, don't let metrics completely drive your creative decisions. While data provides valuable insights, maintaining your artistic integrity and vision is equally important. Use analytics to optimize how you present and promote your music, but continue creating authentic content that resonates with your personal artistic goals. The most successful artists find ways to balance commercial awareness with creative authenticity, using data as a tool to amplify their unique voice rather than homogenize it.
Written by Kendra Blalock
Kendra Blalock is a content writer at AMW®, covering topics in marketing, entertainment, and brand strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I distribute my music to streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
Use digital distribution services like CD Baby, TuneCore, or DistroKid to upload your music to all major streaming platforms. These services charge a small fee but distribute your songs to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and dozens of other platforms simultaneously. The process typically takes 1-2 weeks, and you'll retain ownership of your music while earning royalties from streams.
What makes effective album artwork that attracts listeners?
Eye-catching album artwork should be high-resolution (at least 3000x3000 pixels), visually striking at thumbnail size, and reflect your music's genre and mood. Use contrasting colors, readable fonts, and avoid cluttered designs. Professional photographers or graphic designers provide the best results, but budget-friendly options include Canva, Adobe Spark, or Photoshop templates specifically designed for album covers.
Which social media hashtags should I use to promote my new song?
Use specific, niche hashtags with 10,000-25,000 posts rather than oversaturated ones like #music. Combine genre-specific tags (#indierock, #newcountry), location tags (#nashvillemusic), and descriptive hashtags (#acousticguitar, #newsingersongwriter). Research hashtags your target audience follows and use 5-10 relevant tags per post to maximize discoverability without appearing spammy.
How often should I release new music to maintain fan engagement?
Release new content consistently every 4-8 weeks to maintain momentum and fan interest. This doesn't always mean full songs – consider releasing acoustic versions, remixes, behind-the-scenes content, or collaborations. Consistent release schedules help streaming algorithms favor your music and keep your audience engaged. Plan releases around holidays, events, or trending topics when possible.
What's the best way to promote my music on social media platforms?
Create engaging content beyond just posting your song link. Share behind-the-scenes footage, acoustic snippets, lyric videos, and personal stories about your music creation process. Use platform-specific features like Instagram Stories, TikTok challenges, or Twitter Spaces. Run contests, collaborate with other artists, and consistently engage with your followers' comments to build genuine relationships and increase organic reach.
How much does it cost to professionally distribute and promote a new song?
Basic distribution through services like DistroKid costs $20-50 annually for unlimited releases. Professional artwork ranges from $50-300, while social media promotion can be free with organic posting or $100-500 for paid advertising campaigns. Music videos cost $500-5,000+ depending on production quality. Budget at least $200-500 for a basic professional release campaign.
Should I collaborate with other artists to promote my music?
Yes, collaborations expose your music to new audiences and create cross-promotional opportunities. Partner with artists in similar genres or complementary styles who have engaged followings. Collaborations can include featured vocals, remixes, acoustic versions, or joint social media campaigns. Choose artists whose values and audience align with yours, and establish clear agreements about promotion responsibilities and revenue sharing upfront.
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