How to Promote Your Music: Building a Fanbase

For any individual choosing to become involved in the music industry, it is of the utmost importance that he/she establish a strong network of fans and develop deep relationships with them to ensure long-lasting success as a musician.
Often times when aspiring artists ask for advice on promoting their music, they get very general instructions on how to gain exposure in the music industry. The following will seek to provide you with the opposite. Here are some direct, working, and effective methods to promote your music.
1. Start Performing Shows
Assuming that your music quality is already up to industry standard, the first step an artist should take to begin gaining a following is performing shows. If you don't have a lot of resources, start by performing at small venues in your local area. Gradually build your fanbase. You may need to perform multiple shows at the same venue in order to begin building deep connections with the "regulars" at the venues, but it will be well worth your time. Word of mouth marketing is the best form of marketing.
As you continue to build your local following, branch out to surroundings cities and perform at their venues. Work on building your name and brand within your city, region, and then nationally.
2. Give Out Free Samples
Giving out free downloads or free sampler CDs of your music is a great way for fans to get familiar with your work. When you give out a sample of your work, DO NOT JUST GIVE IT TO PEOPLE AND LEAVE. Whether you're handing your music out online or offline, you want to try to establish some sort of connection with your fans. Fans want to feel like they can relate to you.
3. Create A Blog Or Website
Creating a blog or website around your music is an excellent way to build your brand and fanbase online. Be sure to post a biography, discography (if available), links to your music & social networks, relevant videos, and ways to contact you. If you can write about music related articles, reviews, or your opinions, that will also be helpful to you.
 4. Get Social On Social Networks
Whether you are utilizing social bookmarking websites or just have a simple Facebook profile, get actively involved in your social networks. If you are performing at a show be sure to tell your audience to add you to their social networks. Be open to conversation. Try to build strong relationships online. When you add friends to your network be sure to target people who may take an interest in you and your music. Also look for professionals within your genre of music to see if you can get advice or network with them.
5. Hire A Publicist
If the resources are available to you, hiring a publicist is a great way for you gain further exposure for yourself and music. A publicist can help generate press coverage on your behalf as well as serve as a liason between you and the media/public.
6. Start An E-mailing List
Having an e-mailing list to update fans and subscribers about your music is a very powerful tool! Be sure to establish one to keep your fans informed about upcoming shows, new album releases, media publicity, and more. Do Not Spam!
7. Survey The Public
This could be called a musician's "secret weapon". Feedback is an often overlooked aspect of music promotion. Utilize surveys and polls to get an idea of how the public likes your music and whether or not your current promotion methods are effective. Perform surveys and polls offline and online. Also, try surveys in areas where you've performed out of town.
Hopefully these tips will help you begin gaining more exposure for your music and brand!

Isaac Hughley seeks to provide helpful tips to producers and artists as they try to make a living in the music industry.

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