Key concepts:
Online presence’s importance
Online promotion tips
Most likely in the “physical” offline world you have already started with some actions so people can get to know you locally. You play at friends' events of friends, local events, bars, on the street, with whatever occasion you may have and that is great.
For getting widely known, even in your local area, you should think about getting visible online. If music is the career you are seeking for, yet you don’t want to depend on a label, the online environment is what can help you get viralised.
Your presence online starts with your brand, your visual identity. Once you have that cleared out this is what you will start promoting and make yourself known through.
Where exactly should you be present?
On those platforms that suit you the most. It is quite tempting in the beginning to want to be everywhere because who knows who may see you, yet you should focus your efforts on those platforms that really can bring you results. Wanting to be everywhere makes you visible nowhere. It takes time, energy and in the end you give a bit of something to 10 places than everything to 1.
What are the biggest music platforms?
This is where you should be, based on the genre you approach, soloist, instrument player or band, etc. Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, BandCamp, Deezer, MixCloud and many others are platforms that allow you to upload your musical content and be seen by people that have no idea (yet) who you are.
Use the social media networks such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok (others are helpful too, don’t limit just to these) where you can easily become viralised or noticed by someone “big.
What should you post?
If you don’t have many productions yet, you can start trying to do covers from extensively known singers. Record yourself even with a phone, and post the video on social networks. Many current artists have been discovered by accident by producers like this, and truth to be told, many producers are searching for new singers like this.
How should you act online?
Try to create a certain pattern of consistency of who you are, what you post and what you produce musically. People tend to have expectations in terms of frequency of posts, types of contents etc. based on what you start providing them. If you can’t post often, do it 1-2 times per week, but do this weekly. You can even think of recording or preparing materials in advance as many platforms allow you to schedule posts.
Very important to mention is also that you should reply to comments, interact with your viewers, create a closeness, comfy atmosphere. If you awaken emotions in them (regardless of what type) people will start talking about you.
How to keep track of your evolution?
Besides the frequent posts on various social networks, a blog can support you in documenting your progress. This is also a way to communicate important updates from your life with your audience, provide information, interact with them, obtain more followers, promote concerts etc.
How to become more visible?
Collaborate with other artists, regardless if they are beginners and “no-names” like you. They have fans, you have fans and so maybe you can increase each others’ databases. Of course, the bigger names you can get to collaborate with the higher visibility you get.
And yet, other ways to increase visibility is to be present and engaged also in the offline world. Look for events or donation campaigns where you can be present and sing (for free) and so people can get to know you and support you in building on your reputation.
Create contents that can easily get viralised. The easiest way and highly recommended for music, is through videos. The recordings should be impactful, different than whatever else is on the market, or that bring upfront totally new concepts
Different is what attracts people and encourages them to try to be different!