Welcome to AMW® Order Services ⚡️ Apply to Work With Us in 2 Minutes See Our Work Read our Blog Welcome to AMW® Order Services ⚡️ Apply to Work With Us in 2 Minutes See Our Work Read our Blog Welcome to AMW® Order Services ⚡️ Apply to Work With Us in 2 Minutes See Our Work Read our Blog
Live concert performance with dramatic stage lighting and crowd
2026 Pricing Guide

How Much Does Music Promotion Cost?

From Spotify playlist pitching to full PR campaigns, understand what music promotion services cost and how to invest wisely in your release.

View Pricing Tiers Get a Custom Quote
$500 - $1M+
Campaign Budget Range
3-6+ months
Typical Campaign Length
3-6 months
PR Lead Time
50+
Platforms & Outlets

Music promotion costs have evolved dramatically with the rise of streaming platforms, social media, and independent distribution. Whether you're an independent artist releasing your first single or a label planning an album campaign, understanding promotion pricing helps you allocate budget effectively and avoid services that overpromise and underdeliver.

Modern music promotion encompasses playlist pitching, social media advertising, PR and press outreach, radio promotion, influencer campaigns, and music video promotion. The most effective campaigns combine multiple channels, but budget constraints often require prioritizing the approaches most relevant to your genre, audience, and career stage.

The music industry's promotional landscape continues to shift rapidly. Playlist placement has become increasingly competitive as algorithms favor engagement metrics over pure placement. TikTok has emerged as a critical discovery platform that can break songs overnight but requires authentic content strategies. Traditional PR has adapted to digital-first media while maintaining its value for credibility building.

This comprehensive guide breaks down music promotion costs across different service types and campaign scales. You'll learn what to expect at various price points, which services offer legitimate value versus those to avoid, and how to evaluate whether promotion investment makes sense for your specific release and career goals.

Understanding these dynamics helps you make smarter investment decisions and set realistic expectations for campaign outcomes. The right promotional mix depends on your genre, existing fanbase, release timeline, and long-term career objectives—there's no one-size-fits-all approach to music marketing success.

Typical Entertainment Agency Pricing

Below are some pricing tier examples

Single Release Campaign

$500 - $5,000

Best for: Independent artists, first releases, limited budgets

Entry-level promotion for independent artists focusing on playlist pitching, basic PR outreach, and social media support for single releases.

  • Playlist pitching and outreach
  • Basic press release distribution
  • Social media content templates
  • Spotify for Artists optimization
  • Release strategy consultation
  • Campaign performance report
Get a Quote

EP/Album Campaign

$10,000 - $50,000

Best for: Established independents, small labels, EP/album releases

Comprehensive promotion for significant releases including PR, playlist campaigns, social advertising, and influencer outreach across multiple singles.

  • Full music PR campaign
  • Premium playlist pitching
  • Social media advertising management
  • Influencer/creator outreach
  • Music blog and publication coverage
  • Radio promotion (college/non-comm)
  • Content creation support
  • Multi-single rollout strategy
  • Detailed analytics and reporting
Get a Quote

Major Label Campaign

$100,000 - $1M+

Best for: Signed artists, major label releases, breakthrough campaigns

Full-scale promotion campaigns with national PR, commercial radio, major playlist campaigns, video promotion, TV appearances, and integrated global marketing.

  • National/international PR campaign
  • Commercial radio promotion
  • Major playlist and DSP partnerships
  • Music video production and promotion
  • TikTok and viral campaign strategy
  • TV and late night appearances
  • Sync licensing and brand partnerships
  • Tour promotion integration
  • Billboard and trade advertising
  • Dedicated campaign management team
Get a Quote

Factors That Affect Music Promotion Costs

Release Type and Scale
Single releases require less investment than EPs or albums. However, album campaigns can amortize costs across multiple singles, potentially offering better per-track value. Major label releases with existing artist recognition command different strategies than debut independent releases.
Genre and Target Audience
Some genres (pop, hip-hop) have more competitive promotion landscapes, while niche genres may require specialized services. Audience demographics affect platform focus—TikTok campaigns differ from Spotify playlist strategies. Genre-specific publicists and playlist curators often command premium rates.
Timeline and Lead Time
PR campaigns need 6-12 weeks lead time for long-lead publications; playlist pitching works best 4-6 weeks before release. Rush campaigns cost more and typically deliver fewer results. Well-planned campaigns with adequate lead time get better rates and outcomes.
Existing Artist Profile
Artists with existing streaming numbers, social following, and press history are easier to promote and may get better rates. Building from zero requires more investment in foundational visibility. Previous press coverage and playlist placements make new campaigns more effective.
Service Mix
Playlist promotion alone costs less than full campaigns including PR, radio, social ads, and video promotion. Most effective campaigns combine multiple services, but budget constraints may require prioritizing. Bundled services typically offer better value than à la carte pricing.
Geographic Focus
Domestic promotion costs less than international campaigns requiring multi-territory coordination. Some services specialize in specific markets (US, UK, Europe). Global campaigns require larger budgets but can establish international fan bases.

What's Included at Each Level

Feature Single Release CampaignEP/Album CampaignMajor Label Campaign
Playlist Pitching 50-100 curators 200-500 curators 1000+ & DSP direct
PR/Press Outreach Basic Full campaign National/Global
Radio Promotion College/Non-comm Commercial
Social Advertising Included Full campaign
Influencer Outreach Limited Comprehensive
Video Promotion Basic Full campaign
Sync Pitching Included
Campaign Duration 4 weeks 8-12 weeks 16+ weeks
Reporting Summary Detailed Comprehensive
Strategy Calls 1 Bi-weekly Weekly
"Our album campaign exceeded expectations—we landed editorial playlist placements, features in major music publications, and built a foundation for our first headline tour. The investment paid for itself in streaming revenue within 6 months."
Independent Artist , Indie Rock Band

How AMW Compares to Your Alternatives

A balanced look at your options to help you make the right choice

AMW vs DIY

AMW Advantage

Decades of music industry experience, established network of media contacts, publicists, and industry decision-makers

DIY Advantage

Authentic artist voice, zero cost, complete creative control

Best For

DIY: Emerging artists building grassroots following | AMW: Artists ready for professional industry push

AMW vs Freelancer

AMW Advantage

Full team with proven track record of what works, multi-channel campaigns, and backup for release deadlines

Freelancer Advantage

Specialized genre expertise, lower monthly cost, personal attention

Best For

Freelancer: Single release campaigns | AMW: Album cycles and sustained career building

AMW vs In-House

AMW Advantage

Fresh perspective, additional bandwidth during release windows, deep expertise in what actually moves the needle

In-House Advantage

Deep artist knowledge, aligned label incentives, always available

Best For

In-House: Major label priority artists | AMW: Independent artists and developing acts

Related Resources

Calculators

Streaming Revenue Calculator Tour Budget Calculator Music Royalty Calculator

Related Services

Music Promotion

Related Pricing Guides

How Much Does Social Media Management Cost? 2026 Pricing Guide marketing

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Spotify playlist promotion cost?
Legitimate playlist promotion services typically charge $300-2,000 for single campaigns, with costs varying based on curator network size and placement guarantees. Be wary of services promising guaranteed placements on major playlists for low fees—these often use bot streams that can get your music removed. Organic playlist pitching through established networks offers better long-term value.
Is paying for music promotion worth it?
Music promotion can be worthwhile when you have quality music ready to scale, realistic expectations, and budget for proper campaigns. It's rarely worth it for artists without established foundations (good recordings, some existing audience, professional presentation). The most successful promotions amplify existing momentum rather than creating it from scratch.
How much do music PR agencies charge?
Music PR agencies typically charge $1,500-5,000/month for emerging artists, $5,000-15,000/month for established independents, and $15,000-50,000+ for major label campaigns. Campaign-based pricing for album releases ranges from $3,000 to $100,000+ depending on scope. Most require 3-month minimum commitments.
How much does radio promotion cost for independent artists?
College and non-commercial radio promotion costs $1,500-5,000 per campaign. Commercial radio promotion is significantly more expensive—$10,000-100,000+ for national campaigns—and typically only viable for artists with label support or substantial budgets. Digital radio (Pandora, iHeart) offers middle-ground options at $2,000-10,000.
What's the best way to promote music with a small budget?
With limited budget ($500-1,500), focus on playlist pitching through legitimate services, Spotify for Artists tools, and organic social media content. Build genuine fan engagement before investing in paid promotion. Submit to SubmitHub and similar platforms. Create compelling visual content for TikTok and Instagram. Paid promotion works best once you have proof of concept through organic growth.
How much does TikTok music promotion cost?
TikTok promotion campaigns range from $500-5,000 for micro-influencer seeding to $10,000-50,000+ for coordinated campaigns with larger creators. Paid TikTok advertising typically requires $1,000-5,000+ monthly ad spend plus management fees. Organic TikTok strategies (creating your own content) cost nothing but require significant time investment.
How far in advance should I start promoting a music release?
Begin PR outreach 8-12 weeks before release for long-lead press coverage. Start playlist pitching 4-6 weeks out through distributors. Launch pre-save campaigns 4 weeks before release. Social media teasing should begin 6-8 weeks out. Major campaigns may start planning 6 months ahead. Rush timelines reduce placement opportunities.
What's the difference between music PR and music marketing?
Music PR focuses on earned media—press coverage, reviews, interviews, and editorial playlist consideration. Music marketing encompasses paid advertising, social media campaigns, content creation, and direct fan engagement. PR builds credibility and discovery; marketing drives immediate streaming and engagement. Effective campaigns combine both approaches.
How do I avoid music promotion scams?
Red flags include guaranteed playlist placements for low fees, promises of specific stream numbers, bot-driven services, and companies requesting login credentials. Legitimate services explain their process, have verifiable track records, don't guarantee specific outcomes, and focus on organic growth. Research companies through artist forums and check for real client testimonials.
Should I hire a music publicist or do PR myself?
DIY PR can work for local press and niche blogs but rarely succeeds for major publications. Publicists have established relationships and know how to pitch effectively. Consider DIY for early releases while building foundation, then invest in professional PR for significant releases when you have budget and genuine news angles to pitch.
What is the typical timeline for a music promotion campaign?
Effective music campaigns typically run 3-6 months for singles and 6-12 months for albums. Pre-release promotion should begin 8-12 weeks before release for PR, 4-6 weeks for playlist pitching. Post-release momentum building continues for 2-3 months. Rushing timelines significantly reduces placement opportunities and overall effectiveness.
How do I know if a music promotion service is legitimate?
Legitimate services explain their methodology, have verifiable client testimonials, don't guarantee specific stream counts or playlist placements, and focus on organic growth. Red flags include guaranteed results, suspiciously low prices, requests for login credentials, and vague descriptions of their process. Research companies through artist forums and industry communities before paying.
Should I invest in music promotion before building a fanbase?
Building a foundational fanbase first typically yields better promotion ROI. Start with organic growth—consistent releases, genuine social media engagement, live performances, and fan relationship building. Once you have proof of concept (engaged followers, streaming traction), paid promotion amplifies existing momentum rather than trying to create it from scratch.
What metrics should I track during a music promotion campaign?
Key metrics include streaming numbers (daily and total), playlist adds and follower conversion, Spotify for Artists data (saves, shares, listener demographics), social media engagement and follower growth, press coverage and media mentions, and website traffic from promotional sources. Track cost-per-stream and cost-per-follower to evaluate efficiency.
How do major label promotion budgets compare to independent artist budgets?
Major labels typically spend $50,000 to $500,000+ on single releases and $200,000 to $2 million+ on album campaigns, covering PR, radio, playlisting, video promotion, and advertising. Independent artists can achieve meaningful results with $5,000-$25,000 by focusing on targeted channels. The key difference is scale and access to top-tier radio and media relationships.
Is it better to hire multiple specialists or one full-service music promotion company?
Full-service companies offer coordinated campaigns and simplified management but may lack depth in specific areas. Specialist teams (separate PR, playlist, social) often deliver better results in their domains but require more coordination. For budgets under $10,000, full-service is usually more efficient. Larger campaigns benefit from specialized expertise in each channel.

Ready to Get Started?

Get a custom quote tailored to your specific needs. Free consultation, no obligation.

Get a Free Quote View All Services
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
❅
Chat with AMW Online
Click to start talking