Music Marketing Budget Calculator
Estimate how much to budget for music marketing based on release type, artist tier, and campaign channels.
4 weeks pre-release + 4 weeks post-release
Budget Breakdown by Channel
Recommended Total Budget
~$438/week over 8 weeks
88K
Est. Streams
$0.040
Cost/Stream
25
Streams/$
Industry Benchmarks
- • Playlist pitching: $0.03-$0.10 per stream
- • Social ads: $0.02-$0.05 per stream
- • PR campaigns: 10-50 media placements typical
- • Break-even on Spotify: ~$0.003-$0.005/stream royalty
Results vary significantly based on music quality, existing fanbase, timing, and market conditions. These estimates are based on industry averages and should be used as a starting point.
How to Use This Calculator
Select your release type - single, EP, or full album. Larger releases require proportionally larger marketing investments.
Choose your artist tier based on current following. This adjusts both budget recommendations and ROI expectations.
Select your marketing channels - playlist pitching, PR, social ads, influencer marketing, radio, and/or sync licensing.
Set your campaign timeline and geographic focus to fine-tune the budget calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to promote a song?
Single promotion costs range from $500-$2,000 for DIY/emerging artists (playlist pitching, basic social ads) to $5,000-$15,000 for developing artists (PR + playlist + social) to $20,000-$100,000+ for established artists (full campaigns with radio, influencers, and major PR push).
What is the best way to spend music marketing budget?
For emerging artists: focus 60-70% on playlist pitching and social ads (highest ROI), 20-30% on content creation. For developing artists: add PR (30%) and reduce playlist spend (40%). For established artists: balanced approach with PR, radio, influencers, and advertising.
How much do playlist pitching services cost?
Legitimate playlist pitching services cost $200-$2,000 per campaign. This includes editorial playlist submission, indie playlist outreach, and reporting. Beware of services promising guaranteed placements - these often use fake playlists. Budget $500-$1,500 for a solid single campaign.
What ROI should I expect from music marketing?
Typical benchmarks: playlist pitching generates 10-50 streams per dollar, social ads generate 5-20 streams per dollar, PR provides harder-to-quantify credibility and placement value. Emerging artists may see 10-20 streams per dollar overall, while established artists with engaged fanbases see 40-100+.
How much does music PR cost?
Music PR campaigns typically cost $2,000-$5,000 for indie/DIY coverage, $5,000-$15,000 for mid-level blog/press coverage, and $15,000-$50,000+ for major publications and extensive campaigns. PR builds credibility and can unlock playlist editorial consideration.
When should I start marketing a music release?
Start marketing 4-8 weeks before release for singles, 8-12 weeks for EPs/albums. Timeline: submit to editorial playlists 4 weeks out, begin PR pitching 3-4 weeks out, launch ads 1-2 weeks pre-release, and sustain promotion 4-8 weeks post-release for algorithmic boost.
Is TikTok marketing worth it for musicians?
TikTok can provide massive exposure but is unpredictable. Budget $1,000-$5,000 for influencer marketing, focusing on micro-creators in your genre. Organic TikTok success is valuable but can't be bought directly. Use it as part of a diversified strategy, not your only channel.
Why Use This Calculator
- Get channel-by-channel budget breakdown
- Scale estimates based on artist tier
- Compare single vs EP vs album marketing costs
- See expected ROI benchmarks per dollar spent
- Plan pre-release and post-release spending
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"The royalty calculator helped me understand what I actually take home from streaming. Eye-opening for negotiating my next deal."
Independent Artist, Music Production