How to Promote Your Music Online

Releasing music online can be a nerve wracking task for some. While it has become very easy with little cost to upload music, this has led to a surge of new uploads - most of which lack any artistry or real effort. Once upon a time pre 2014 if you had a good song you could distribute it and gain some type of organic traffic from different services. Somewhere in 2015 those organic chances and algorithmic love all but ended with "free" distribution. The gatekeepers that used to exist are all but gone - its the artists themselves that are doing the gatekeeping. Artists today have to compete to be heard amongst never-ending noise.

Luckily with change comes innovation and there are more avenues for artists to reach their niche target audience online. For those of you putting in real work to make great music, here's a few key tips on how to promote your music to give you the best chance at success and help you on your journey.

Research is Key

Some artists are great planners but most are not. It takes experience and starting out it can be a steep learning curve when you promote your music. You might find yourself behind the 8 ball after releasing your song and going after any service that you see an ad for online. It's extremely beneficial to do research and find a service that is going to deliver more than just numbers next to your song ...you want real music promotion. What you want is a chance to build an audience that has a possibility to turn into fans.

1. Use google to find a service that works for your music. 
2. Make sure that company has a proven record of promoting music online.
3. Reach out to the company and make sure there are real humans working there.
4. Ask for case studies of them successfully promoting songs online.
5. Ask for discounts for first time customers. Almost all services will give first timers a discount. 
6. Use a service that is fast and doesn’t drag you along. 

Are You Ready to Promote Your Music? 

Make sure you check some boxes so that if your song does take off you are in a good position to take advantage of the exposure. Especially when it comes to promoting your music on Spotify. Once you sign up for a distribution company you will get access to Spotify for Artists. Once you have access you can add profile photos, a bio and links to social channels like instagram. Having a complete profile gives you a better chance when you promote your music. 

How to Promote My Music?

Spotify is the standout when it comes to promoting your music. Their built in discovery makes it easy to build listeners and get picked up by their algorithm. Using a service like Playlist Push is a sure way to promote your music and do it in targeted and speedy way. Our network of curators have been thoroughly vetted and every playlist in the vast network can gain streams and contribute to your reach. TikTok is also a great way to reach an audience since discovery is the main catalyst and function of the platform. Our service is used by major labels and some of your favorite independent artists for these reasons. 

Be wary of cheap playlist promotion and scams. There are very specific rules that you have to abide by, and breaking them by buying plays or buying positions on playlists will have dire consequences for you as an artist.

Singles, Albums or EPs?

Singles, albums or EPS ... What is best starting out? Well I will start with that's the worst. Releasing an entire album is a huge waste of energy for new artists. Albums are meant to feed an existing fanbase who really love your music. Most music marketing is single focused so promoting an entire album can be time consuming and expensive for most indie artists. Singles are by far the best way to gain momentum, each single is an opportunity to trigger the algorithm on Spotify. Spotify discovery really feeds off of new so the more new singles you release the better chance you have to micro market each release and gain streams. Singles are cost effective and the best way to promote music.

Social Presence

It can be daunting creating social posts around your music. Only stick to social channels that fit your personality and don't take up precious time and creative energy. You don't need to have an account on twitter, facebook, TikTok etc. if you cannot feed those channels. Focus on one platform like instagram to showcase your work and feed your followers. Be sure to link your instagram on your Spotify so fans on connect with you directly. 

Budgeting and Time Management

Finding a real music promotion service can be hard and take quite a bit of research. There are numerous submission platforms that seem cheap and time consuming. As the saying goes “you pay peanuts, you get monkeys” At Playlist Push we work with indie artist and some of the most serious record labels in the world. Our platform is known for quality curators with active listeners but also speed and efficiency. We use AI to help find the exact sound of your music so we know which precise curators to send your song to. We relay placement information in real time and allow you to track the entire process with key data points. If you are a serious artist Playlist Push is a great way to promote your music and grow your career as a whole. 

How to Promote Your Music Independently

Being an indie when it comes to promoting your music can be hard. There are plenty of scams our there to promise you the world and under deliver. Spotify is the easiest platform to teach artists how to promote music. As an artist, getting your music heard by the right audience is crucial. With the digital age transforming the music industry, Spotify has emerged as a leading platform for music discovery. But how do you cut through the noise and get your tracks in front of potential fans? Enter Playlist Push, your secret weapon for Spotify promotion. Here’s why using Playlist Push to promote your music on Spotify is a game-changer. There are hundreds of ways out there to promote indie music, Playlist Push is one of the most well known in the industry. There is a reason Wired.com had Playlist Push mentioned as one of the best ways to promote your music online.

Reach Your Ideal Audience

Here are some of the main reasons why:

Unlock the Power of Curated Playlists

Imagine your track being featured in some of the most popular and influential playlists on Spotify. Playlist Push connects you with a network of expert curators who manage these playlists. These tastemakers are always on the lookout for fresh sounds to share with their followers, giving your music the chance to reach thousands, if not millions, of eager listeners. Read more about Spotify Promotion.

Targeting is everything. With Playlist Push, you can ensure your music reaches listeners who are already fans of your genre. This precision targeting means your music lands in the ears of those who are most likely to appreciate and engage with it, turning casual listeners into loyal fans.

Boost Your Algorithmic Presence

Spotify’s algorithms are key to music discovery. When your song gets added to several playlists and garners engagement (likes, saves, shares), it signals to Spotify’s algorithm that your track is a hit. This can lead to placements in coveted algorithmically-generated playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar, exponentially increasing your exposure.

Cost-Effective Promotion

Budget matters, especially for independent artists. Playlist Push offers a direct, effective way to get your music heard without the hefty price tag of traditional marketing methods. For a fraction of the cost, you can achieve significant results and maximize your return on investment. Apply for a Spotify Playlist Promotion Campaign today.

Gain Credibility and Validation

Being featured in respected playlists acts as a powerful endorsement. Listeners trust playlist curators’ tastes, so when your track is included, it gains instant credibility. This endorsement can lead to more organic growth as listeners start sharing and recommending your music to others.

Access Valuable Data and Insights

Knowledge is power. Playlist Push provides detailed insights and analytics on how your tracks are performing. You’ll receive data on streams, listener demographics, and playlist performance, helping you refine your strategy and understand your audience better.

Increase Your Revenue Streams

More streams mean more revenue. Spotify pays per stream, so the more your music is played, the more you earn. Beyond streaming revenue, greater visibility can open doors to live performances, merchandise sales, and even sync opportunities.

Build a Dedicated Fanbase

Consistency is key. Regular playlist features help you build a loyal following. As listeners discover and enjoy your music, they’re more likely to follow you on Spotify and other platforms, creating a dedicated fanbase that supports your career long-term.

Focus on What You Love

Let’s face it, as an artist, your main passion is creating music. Playlist Push takes care of the outreach and submission process, allowing you to focus on what you do best. We handle the heavy lifting so you can keep making great music.

Best Ways to Promote Music

When it comes to the best ways to promote your music two platfroms standout, Spotify and TikTok. Both platforms have a large discovery element baked into the platform and both thrive on new music. Spotify has their playlist pitching tool that any artist can use via Spotify for Artists. TikTok is basically an online talent show where the best music will rise to the top and be distributed to a massive audience. If you are looking for how to promote a song, both platforms are the easy to navigate. Music promotion is how to advertise your music in a way that doesn't rub people the wrong way. This is why serious artists know where to promote music.

TikTok Music Promotion Services

1. Massive Reach and Engagement

TikTok boasts over a billion active users worldwide, offering artists an extensive and diverse audience. The platform is particularly popular among younger demographics who are highly engaged with music content, making it an ideal venue for artists looking to expand their fan base.

2. Viral Potential

TikTok's algorithm is designed to surface content that has the potential to go viral, regardless of the creator's follower count. A single video using an artist's track can reach millions of users, significantly boosting the song's visibility and popularity.

3. Music Discovery

TikTok is a major hub for music discovery, with many users turning to the app to find new songs and artists. Playlists and trending challenges often feature new tracks, providing a platform for artists to showcase their music to new listeners.

4. Engaging Content Format

TikTok's short-form video format encourages creative expression, allowing users to create various types of content—such as dance challenges, lip-syncs, and storytelling—using an artist's music. This interactive engagement helps deepen the connection between the artist and the audience.

5. Influencer and Community Collaboration

Playlist Push helps connect artists with influential TikTok creators who can use their music in videos, leveraging their large followings to amplify the reach of the song. Collaborating with influencers can lead to the creation of popular trends and challenges centered around the artist's music.

6. Data and Insights

Playlist Push provides valuable analytics and insights into how the music is performing on TikTok. This data helps artists understand their audience better, refine their promotional strategies, and track the effectiveness of their campaigns.

7. Monetization Opportunities

Increased visibility on TikTok can lead to more streaming on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, as users often seek out the full versions of songs they discover on TikTok. This cross-platform traffic can result in higher streaming revenues and more opportunities for monetization.

8. Cost-Effective Marketing

Compared to traditional marketing methods, promoting music on TikTok can be more cost-effective. The viral nature of the platform means that even with a smaller budget, artists can achieve substantial reach and engagement.

Marketing vs. Promotion

Marketing your music and promoting your music are two different things. Your marketing are static things like track artwork, your music and your brand as a whole. Promotion is the moving part you must invest in to reach more people. Your music is your marketing and promotion is the people knocking on doors for you to find or convert fans.

There you have it, your complete guide to promoting your music online. Be sure to focus on what matters first and that is YOUR MUSIC! If your music isn't great, massive promotion can do very little to move the needle.