11 answers
Evan
Student
North Adams, Massachusetts
1
Question
Updated
502 views
When it comes to releasing music, what is the best way to gain an audience ?
I have recently released my first album through DistroKid after two years of learning and making music. Though I believe I had done my best in sharing it around on social media, I had only gained 3 listeners on the first track of the album.
My goal of going into music as a career path is to have something I enjoy doing and also share my ideas with others, but I just feel that I'm not doing something right here.
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11 answers
Dallas Gaines
Owner
6
Answers
Orange, California
Updated
Dallas’s Answer
I didn’t notice these in any of the other posts, hopefully you find these helpful on your path (and it is a path):
Record a cover song. It doesn’t even have to be a song you like, it doesn’t have to be your style of music and you don’t have to play it exactly as it is. Maybe you sound like Taylor Swift it might get people's attention to cover a Slayer song in your style or vice versa, maybe you change the tempo. Make it sound like you wrote it. Or take a big sounding song like something from George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and make the recording more minimal- maybe just vocals and an electric guitar or a synthesizer.
This might be the best way for you to catch people’s interest. It’s like using someone else to make a big sign for your own recordings.
If your instrument is somewhat portable or you can translate your songs with a Melodica, harmonica or acoustic guitar- find a street corner or stand in front of Fenway park with a hat for tips and all the necessaries to access your tunes.
One last thing to consider, and I had to learn this myself, you may need to understand the importance of the principles of mixing and mastering. When I first started recording, I recorded more than 20 songs in 7 months an accomplishment I’m extremely proud of myself for. And then I learned about things like compression, subharmonics, etc. I have known about compression for about as long as I’ve been playing music (as opposed to recording it myself) but didn’t understand it’s principles until I got REALLY into recording, sound frequencies, audio production and audio engineering and realized that all those songs would one day deserve their due diligence. The same may be true for your songs. So if you haven’t added compression or made sure that there’s a unity in sound levels throughout a song- and the entire album for that matter- that is a really important part of music production.
Record a cover song. It doesn’t even have to be a song you like, it doesn’t have to be your style of music and you don’t have to play it exactly as it is. Maybe you sound like Taylor Swift it might get people's attention to cover a Slayer song in your style or vice versa, maybe you change the tempo. Make it sound like you wrote it. Or take a big sounding song like something from George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and make the recording more minimal- maybe just vocals and an electric guitar or a synthesizer.
This might be the best way for you to catch people’s interest. It’s like using someone else to make a big sign for your own recordings.
If your instrument is somewhat portable or you can translate your songs with a Melodica, harmonica or acoustic guitar- find a street corner or stand in front of Fenway park with a hat for tips and all the necessaries to access your tunes.
One last thing to consider, and I had to learn this myself, you may need to understand the importance of the principles of mixing and mastering. When I first started recording, I recorded more than 20 songs in 7 months an accomplishment I’m extremely proud of myself for. And then I learned about things like compression, subharmonics, etc. I have known about compression for about as long as I’ve been playing music (as opposed to recording it myself) but didn’t understand it’s principles until I got REALLY into recording, sound frequencies, audio production and audio engineering and realized that all those songs would one day deserve their due diligence. The same may be true for your songs. So if you haven’t added compression or made sure that there’s a unity in sound levels throughout a song- and the entire album for that matter- that is a really important part of music production.
Umut Uslusoy
Audio / Video Editor, Music Producer, Content Creator, Voice Over Artist
2
Answers
Bursa, Turkey
Updated
Umut’s Answer
Hey Evan!
That's a great question and even big artists, producers find themselves asking that time to time :-)
First thing first is a great music. Music that you pour into your soul. Music that you've proud yourself. You should make music that you love and not following the trends.
Social media! Believe it or not but it's impossible to think a career in music business without using social media. It would be a rock band without electric guitar :-)
People are want to know you before dive into your music. It's like a meeting new person which is natural in human behaviour. Once you were breaking ice with that new person you start to know about his/her personality and find common interests. You should put your persona first on the audiance.
Patient, Patient, Patient... It will take time so no rush.
That's a great question and even big artists, producers find themselves asking that time to time :-)
First thing first is a great music. Music that you pour into your soul. Music that you've proud yourself. You should make music that you love and not following the trends.
Social media! Believe it or not but it's impossible to think a career in music business without using social media. It would be a rock band without electric guitar :-)
People are want to know you before dive into your music. It's like a meeting new person which is natural in human behaviour. Once you were breaking ice with that new person you start to know about his/her personality and find common interests. You should put your persona first on the audiance.
Patient, Patient, Patient... It will take time so no rush.
Matty Parry
Executive Trainer
2
Answers
Southfield, Michigan
Updated
Matty’s Answer
Congratulations on your release! Now the biggest and most important step is to be both patient and consistent. It takes time to build an audience/following and requires deliberate focus on connection. Find creative ways to share your music such as creating content around the writing/recording process, discussing your influences and artists who inspire you, and giving people insight into who you are as a person and as an artist. It's also important to connect with other artists as a way to build community and additional support to help promote your music.
William Herring II
7
Answers
Updated
William’s Answer
To attract an audience, share your music on all free streaming platforms. You can also consider paid advertising and ad boosts. Encourage your friends to like, comment on, and share your music. Consistently produce high-quality music and release new songs regularly. This will help listeners find their favorite songs and include you in their new artist playlists.
Jeffrey Banks-Morgan
Customer Service
1
Answer
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Jeffrey’s Answer
Make sure you try different things on your platform and expand to other medias. Social media is a great way to promote, but having you and your personality with you music in different places with consistency will help a lot. Use streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube to get your music to more people and promote that through your distrokid. Connecting with your fans and Building a strong bond with them is key for long-lasting success. Reply to their comments, host lives in person and on social media where you show sneak peeks of your work. This personal touch can help you build a loyal fan base.
Emily Arnold
Advertising
8
Answers
Lincoln, Nebraska
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hi Evan!
Never underestimate platforms like TikTok when it comes to releasing music! I have seen many artists blow up on the app and create blossoming careers. If you're looking for a younger audience, I would focus on TikTok when marketing your music.
Never underestimate platforms like TikTok when it comes to releasing music! I have seen many artists blow up on the app and create blossoming careers. If you're looking for a younger audience, I would focus on TikTok when marketing your music.
Juan Diego Munoz
Consultant
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Juan Diego’s Answer
Have you thought about launching your song on SoundCloud too? To really catch the attention of listeners, it's key to let your creativity shine. While social media can be a powerful tool, your social media account might not be the most effective for music promotion. If you're truly passionate about your music, you might want to think about collaborating with social media influencers - start with those who have less than 10k followers. They could help promote your music or even choreograph a dance to your song and feature it on Tik Tok. Moreover, don't hesitate to ask your friends and family to tune in and share your music. Strive to make your music available on as many platforms as possible. Keep going, your music has the potential to reach the stars!
Krishna Patel
Consulting
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Krishna’s Answer
It's great seeing folks exploring making a career in music. Though I don't work in the space, I've collaborated with a friend who is really passionate about this.
I think you already know what you need to do: social media. Marketing your music is INCREDIBLY important for you to gain listeners and play count. It's not a perfect science, but regularly posting on social media (as close to as daily as possible) is how you'll gain traction there that will then translate into fans of your music. You can share clips of the tracks. You can share clips of you performing the music live. You can share tid bits about what inspired you to make a certain track or a certain line.
Be sure to engage with any comments that you get in a kind and respectful way. Ask for feedback from your friends and family.
I think you already know what you need to do: social media. Marketing your music is INCREDIBLY important for you to gain listeners and play count. It's not a perfect science, but regularly posting on social media (as close to as daily as possible) is how you'll gain traction there that will then translate into fans of your music. You can share clips of the tracks. You can share clips of you performing the music live. You can share tid bits about what inspired you to make a certain track or a certain line.
Be sure to engage with any comments that you get in a kind and respectful way. Ask for feedback from your friends and family.
Arun Karunamurthi
consultant
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Arun’s Answer
I recommend trying out music analytics services like Chartmetric. They even have free versions for budding artists like you! This tool can help you find out where your music genre is getting a lot of love and also peek into the success stories of other new artists - where they're gaining popularity.
Plus, it's a great idea to mingle with the folks working at Spotify, TikTok, and the like. They can provide valuable insights into music marketing from their unique perspective.
Remember, it's all about the ride, not just the final stop. Enjoy the process! :)
Plus, it's a great idea to mingle with the folks working at Spotify, TikTok, and the like. They can provide valuable insights into music marketing from their unique perspective.
Remember, it's all about the ride, not just the final stop. Enjoy the process! :)
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3817
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey Evan!
Launching your tunes and building a fan base can be quite the adventure, especially with today's bustling music scene. It's fantastic that you've already released your debut album via DistroKid and have been spreading the word on social media. However, there's a whole host of other tactics you can use to grow your audience and get your music into more ears.
1. Know Your Fans: It's super important to know who your music is for when you're promoting it. Think about the age, hobbies, and tastes of the people who are most likely to groove to your tunes. This knowledge will help you target your promotion to those most likely to become your biggest fans.
2. Try Different Platforms: Social media is a great way to promote, but don't forget about other platforms. Consider using streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube to get your music to more people. Also, sending your music to online radio stations, music blogs, and playlists can make it even more visible.
3. Connect with Your Fans: Building a strong bond with your fans is key for long-lasting success. Chat with your listeners by replying to their comments, hosting live chats, and sharing sneak peeks of your work. This personal touch can help you build a dedicated fan base.
4. Team Up with Other Artists: Working with other musicians can introduce your music to their fans and vice versa. Think about reaching out to artists with a similar vibe for potential team-ups or joint promotions.
5. Live Gigs and Events: Live shows are a powerful way to connect with potential fans. Look for chances to play at local spots, open mic nights, or music festivals. You could also think about hosting your own events or concerts to show off your music.
6. Listen and Learn: Don't be shy about asking for feedback from those who've listened to your music. Constructive comments can help you fine-tune your sound and approach. Use this feedback to tweak and improve future releases.
Remember, building a fan base takes time and patience. Keep focusing on making great music and consistently connecting with potential fans across different platforms.
Top 3 Trusted Music Publications:
Billboard
Rolling Stone
Music Business Worldwide
Take care and keep rocking,
James.
Launching your tunes and building a fan base can be quite the adventure, especially with today's bustling music scene. It's fantastic that you've already released your debut album via DistroKid and have been spreading the word on social media. However, there's a whole host of other tactics you can use to grow your audience and get your music into more ears.
1. Know Your Fans: It's super important to know who your music is for when you're promoting it. Think about the age, hobbies, and tastes of the people who are most likely to groove to your tunes. This knowledge will help you target your promotion to those most likely to become your biggest fans.
2. Try Different Platforms: Social media is a great way to promote, but don't forget about other platforms. Consider using streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube to get your music to more people. Also, sending your music to online radio stations, music blogs, and playlists can make it even more visible.
3. Connect with Your Fans: Building a strong bond with your fans is key for long-lasting success. Chat with your listeners by replying to their comments, hosting live chats, and sharing sneak peeks of your work. This personal touch can help you build a dedicated fan base.
4. Team Up with Other Artists: Working with other musicians can introduce your music to their fans and vice versa. Think about reaching out to artists with a similar vibe for potential team-ups or joint promotions.
5. Live Gigs and Events: Live shows are a powerful way to connect with potential fans. Look for chances to play at local spots, open mic nights, or music festivals. You could also think about hosting your own events or concerts to show off your music.
6. Listen and Learn: Don't be shy about asking for feedback from those who've listened to your music. Constructive comments can help you fine-tune your sound and approach. Use this feedback to tweak and improve future releases.
Remember, building a fan base takes time and patience. Keep focusing on making great music and consistently connecting with potential fans across different platforms.
Top 3 Trusted Music Publications:
Billboard
Rolling Stone
Music Business Worldwide
Take care and keep rocking,
James.
Jessica Han
Consulting
6
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Good for you on writing and producing your own music. That in and of itself is something to be proud of.
To drive traction, make sure you leverage the hashtags and potentially partner with other social media users who already have followers (e.g., ask an influencer to use your music in their video and ask they promote your work.
You can also collaborate with other musicians to expand your listener base to create something new as well as expand your professional network and audience base.
Most important thing to do is keep writing and listening with a critical ear and mind to continue growing. And chase your dream. Not everyone has one. Don't let it go. :)
To drive traction, make sure you leverage the hashtags and potentially partner with other social media users who already have followers (e.g., ask an influencer to use your music in their video and ask they promote your work.
You can also collaborate with other musicians to expand your listener base to create something new as well as expand your professional network and audience base.
Most important thing to do is keep writing and listening with a critical ear and mind to continue growing. And chase your dream. Not everyone has one. Don't let it go. :)