Branding 101 : 5 ways to create more visibility as a music artist

If you’re a serious music artist trying to cultivate your way into the music industry, you should know about the benefits of the internet and be using it.

Today, we are living in an era where artists are rarely discovered by A&R’s at showcases, but now through the ever emerging internet.

As the Editor-in-Chief of a website with a heavy music section, I can tell you the countless mistakes I see artists make as they try to develop their career.

Therefore, I decided to share 5 simple ways to get your music noticed and create more visibility for yourself.

We all know this industry is hard in itself to break in. Many good artists are overlooked, and many non-talented overnight successes are brewing.

Nonetheless, I still believe hard work pays off and these steps along with determination well start you on a path of aiming for a successful music career.

1. Upload Your Music To Audio/Music Websites

Audio websites have been an extremely helpful creation to the internet for music artists to get their music heard.

When I consult with artists, I tell them if you’re serious about getting your music to the masses then you should be utilizing every major audio website.

Having your music on Reverbnation is great but if you’re not on these other sites I’m about to mention, you are making a branding mistake already. You should be signed up on sites like Soundcloud, Audiomack, Hotnewhiphop, Bandcamp, Datpiff and even Myspace.

I absolutely love Soundcloud because I’ve always considered the site a “fan-friendly site”.

Meaning, there are lots of music fans on there looking for great music to discover. Soundcloud’s tag system allows individuals to discover new music.

I cannot tell you the amount of new artists I’ve discovered just by streaming Soundcloud. Bandcamp is also a great tool to promote your music and sell your music at your own price.

I will also tell you blog owners love these websites because the music is easy to embed on their site.  It is also effective for you as well, because every time someone embeds your song and it plays on their website, your overall plays go up. So essentially it is creating visibility for yourself.

2. Youtube is a Music Artist Friend

As an artist you should have a YouTube account. This account can be used to upload your music videos and updates. I’ve even consulted artists on creating video blogs showing little clips here and there of their progress whether if working on a project or you want fans to witness the personal side of you. Youtube is also a great source of income for artists as well.

3. Build A Website As A Music Artist

Unfortunately, and I really don’t know why, but I’ve come across a lot of music artists who do not have a website.  If you don’t have one, in my opinion you are making the biggest branding mistake besides not being on social media. Websites give a snapshot of who you are and what you’re doing. If you don’t have a website, first asked yourself what the heck are you doing. Second, get moving! If you need a website, I customize music artist websites. Feel free to contact me to get started.

4. Social Media

The second biggest branding mistake is not being on social media. This includes but not limited to having a Facebook page, twitter, and instagram.  What I like about social media is that it’s your promotional tool and it can show you as a personable person besides the “artist”. It also gives someone like me, an owner of a music website, to connect with you.

5. Get your music on the blogs

Blogs are the best way to get your music heard. Honestly, if you’re not being placed on blogs, then you need to step your visibility game up as soon as possible.

And if you are contacting them and you’re not being placed, expect my follow up article on how to get noticed by music blog writers.

I can tell you from experience other blogs and websites piggy back off each other when music is posted.

I often discover new music when I’m on other sites, and vice versa.

Become your own publicist

Sometimes instead of waiting for the music blogs writers to notice your music, you have to go to them.

Usually publicists or managers will handle this aspect. But if you don’t have one, guess what? If you want to get your music more noticed, you have to be your own publicist and manager.

I would start on the smaller blogs and then work your way up to bigger music sites like DJBooth.net, AllHipHop, Okayplayer, etc.

Gather a list of music blogs that you think your music would be a perfect fit for, get together a press/media kit, and begin contacting them.

Sites like a brief description of your music, an embedded link of the audio or video, a biography, and photo to go along with the potential article.

Every time you release music, have a listening event, and even a performance, these announcements should be going to the blogs.

Be consistent

It is essentially about being consistent. You can’t expect to do it one time and get noticed overnight. It just won’t happen.

I hope these five tips were helpful in helping with your music career. I’m available for management and/or consulting. If interested, please contact me at [email protected]