A quick internet search will give you a myriad of ways to promote your music and cultivate your identity as an artist. There’s no getting around the fact that putting thought into the way you present and market yourself as an artist gives you the best chance at getting your music heard in this brutally competitive music climate. But artists get it wrong when they put image and promotion over everything else when it comes to their work.
Music has changed in some remarkable ways over the past couple of years. Playlists are giving massive amounts of exposure to previously unknown artists of every age and experience level and analytic information provided by streaming platforms can now tell musicians detailed information about just who is listening to their music and how they discovered it.
But the biggest change in music we’re seeing is the breakdown of the album format. In 2016, researchers found that listeners were beginning to listen to music more on playlists than they were through traditional albums. This represents an Earth-shattering change for the music industry, and we’re nowhere near the point of being able to comprehend what it all means. But something that’s easy to see in the short term is that press and radio outlets appear to be slow to adjust to music’s new reality.
First impressions really do matter.
When it comes to cementing that favorable first impression, you probably think about a well crafted bio, a tight live show, or an engaging social presence—and you’d be right! All of those things are paramount in creating not only a great first impression, but a favorable connection long term. But there’s one area that artists tend to overlook—promo photos.
Whether you’re about to embark on a PR campaign or just outfitting your social media, press photos are going to play an important role. So how do you create photos that can wow press, while pulling in new fans? Read on.
While playlists and music streaming habits are transforming the music industry in some massive ways, releasing music through albums is still the best way to get attention from traditional radio, blog, and press outlets. Unfortunately, this doesn’t change the fact that the attention span of listeners has been dramatically shortened over the past couple of years by things like convenience borne through streaming platforms, music’s newfound affordability, and the jaw-dropping amount of new music that’s now being put out into the world every day.
When it comes to carving out an identity and generating momentum, albums are your best bet, but taking the time to write, produce, record, and promote them doesn’t bode well for audiences who now expect new music more often from their favorite artists. Here are three ways to creatively spread out the release of your album.
Frosty, Heidi, and Frank have solidified their position as pioneers of the broadcast radio world. From their early talk radio success in Colorado to their current lights-out success of their KLOS 95.5 Los Angeles radio show, Frosty, Heidi, and Frank have been changing the game at every turn.
Most notably, the Frosty, Heidi, and Frank show has exploded in popularity with their “Stay or Go” segment, where independent artists hold the spotlight, play their song on air, and let listeners vote on whether the artist gets another song played, or if they only get that one song. The segment gives independent artists a chance to earn countless new fans, while challenging them to present their best work to the show’s listeners. They’re currently looking to feature up to twelve ReverbNation artists through our opportunity here.
Guarantees are few and hard to come by for those working professionally as music-makers. For most of us, uncertainty is an unavoidable part of writing songs, booking shows, and trying to make a living through music. Through a combination of talent, hard work, and creating the right music at the right time, some musicians find the kind of success in their work that changes the rest of their lives. But for others––the vast majority of musicians––life-altering success in music never quite materializes. The sad truth is that you could do everything right and never find success in music. Here are three reasons why:
When you’re building your team as an artist, or exploring the world of industry career options, you want to make sure you know who is who in this industry. For instance, as a publicist I’m often confused as having the same duties as someone in marketing. A booking agent and promoter are often used interchangeably when in reality, their jobs are very different.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most well-known careers in the industry and a brief run-down of what each entails. The industry and its career options are always growing, so if you don’t see a role that seems like a fit for you just yet, don’t give up. There’s plenty of us in this industry who have created a non-defined role all our own—in the meantime, check out our list.
I’m well aware that the title of this article looks like something out of a self-help book for musicians, but I’m ok with it because it’s true. Neglect your career, stop writing songs and putting energy into music, and your musical identity evaporates. But spend all your time touring and holed up in your music studio and things like the state of your close relationships and bank account are sure to suffer. Balance is vital for musicians because it creates a big, dynamic space for their everyday lives to exist in. It makes room for an ambitious, fulfilling career along with vital non-musical aspects of a musician’s life. Can you always have it all when it comes to balancing a music career with a marriage, mortgage payment, or dayjob? No! Of course not. That’s why balance is so important.
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