How Do I Get My Music Heard!

Today, allot of artist make great music.  Due to technology and the cost of studio equipment musicians can easily create a demo at home. However the question that keeps upcoming artist up at night is, how do we go about getting our music heard? I had an opportunity to ask rapper “Rev Run” from “Run DMC” this question while attending a meet and greet at Clarion University.  His advice was that an upcoming artist does not need a major record label deal today to get their music heard; the Internet is their deal.  Nevertheless every musician has posted a song online   with hopes that it would get heard.  Yet it ends up making its way to the online graveyard without even being heard. So, the question arises how can a musician get his or her music heard.

 A strategy needs to be developed where the artist is consistently working to build brand awareness and get publicized. In the music industry visibility is a key success factor. For hip-hop artist, a very effective way to build brand awareness is to reach out to blogs. Between blogs and mix tape djs, each tier provides an opportunity for artist to reach their target market.  At the same time blogs and mixtape dj already have their own audience. Therefore   this is an opportunity for the artists to get their music played, and   gains and retain fans.  In most cases mix tape djs   work hand in hand in with blogs.  For example if the dj host the artist mix tape or offer the artist a slot on a mix tape, there is a high chance that this mix tape (EP) will be distributed through different blogs and websites.  If   an artist is interested in taking this approach they should consider checking out XXL Top 100 Blog List. This list contains 100 of the top music blogs online.  However before sending your music to any of these blogs make sure that the blogs you submit to matches your style of music, and follow the blogs requirements.

Aside from blogs and dj's a very effective way for an artist to get their music heard is through online streaming.  Online music distribution company  “Cd Baby”, stated “ for independent artist getting music on Pandora can be a great way to build an audience without spending thousands on promotion and advertising.”   In other words, Pandora and other streaming sites offers independent artist an opportunity to get their music played.  The great thing about these streaming sites is, they can help their listeners discover new music. For example, if a rapper shares similarities to “Snoop Dog” and a subscriber listens to “Snoop Dog” allot the streaming site will   suggest the subscriber to listen to the independent rapper or even just play the independent artist music.  In short streaming sites are a very effective way for an artist to get their music heard and receive a royalty for each play.  In order land on different streaming sites I would consider an artist go through www.tunecore.com or visit the Pandora page.

Above all, the format that the music comes in can play a big factor in if a listener is going to listen to it or not. The best format to use today is a visual video. R&B singer Beyonce released her last album as a visual album with 17 visuals to it.  Although Beyonce is a major artist this shows how important videos have become today. Try to release a song with no visuals to it, then follow up and release the same song with a video to it. There is a drastic difference in consumer engagement. Today’s consumer’s attention span is less than the equivalence of a gold fish.  In other words people need an experience not just a song.  Therefore that visual interaction captures listener’s attention. However, whenever an artist post his or her video they should remember that tags and keywords are crucial.   At same time it is still crucial to build brand awareness and promote their music videos.

In conclusion whenever an artist is trying to get their music heard they should focus on getting their music exposure through different channels of distribution. At the same time they should place their music where people want their music.  Spamming listeners is not the best way to go about getting listeners to hear your music. And finally find creative ways to release your music and build brand awareness.