But if you know how to leverage the internet to improve yourself and how to connect with others, you can make the world listen to your work like a professional. Want to know how to promote your work? Keep reading!

Method 1

3 of Method 1:

Prepare to promote your music

Step 1 Make sure you are ready to present your music to the public.

This is the most important point. If you upload a bad record or song, it is very difficult to take it back. So the best approach is to only share those absolutely excellent songs, rather than those that you might regret later. The following websites have some tips to help you know when your work is ready to be made public.

• If possible, first seek the opinions of masters in the music field. Build good relationships with producers and understand what kind of music they like. Once 60% of the producers think the song is worth releasing, that’s a good start, because producers always have much higher standards than fans. Remember: you must first take the time to build the necessary relationships.
• Look for websites like Soundout that can help you share your music with enthusiasts, using them to understand how your music is perceived by music lovers. If your relationship with professionals is not that familiar, or if you value your potential fans more than producers, this can be an extremely important resource!

Step 2 Build your own "brand."

Promoting your music is indeed important, but you must realize that this is also about promoting yourself. You must recognize that you are not just a musician or a band member; you are a work of art yourself. The work needs to be as appealing as possible, so you should also strive to make yourself unique and amazing, so that your fans will "go crazy" for you and become fascinated with your music.

• Think of yourself as Jessica Ann Simpson and Kim Kardashian. These women treat themselves as brands, and their names are the products. They know that even shoes and body wash can sell well just because they use them.

Step 3 Understand your target audience.

If you find the wrong audience, even the best music will receive the worst response. If you like techno music, you need to show the differences between it and soul vocals, electronic music, and slow rock. Figure out what kind of music you want to create and who it appeals to the most. This will help you attract fans, gain a platform, and help your records chart and sell well.

3 of Method 2:

Promote your music online

Image 4

Step 1 Promote your music on Twitter.

Twitter is a great platform to connect with your fans and increase your popularity. To make good use of Twitter, you need to learn more about record releases and online promotion. The following will tell you some things you can try while using Twitter.

• Learn to use live-tweeting. When you have a unique perspective on something (whether it's about your concert or the Grammy Awards), consider putting it on live-tweet to let your fans join the discussion!
• Provide links to your videos or music.
• Shares and recommendations from masters can earn you more attention.
• Take some attractive photos to catch your fans' attention and make them look forward to more such photos.
• Be willing to spend time responding to your fans. Respond publicly to your fans so everyone knows how much you care about them. Make your fans feel special—you can send them more content-rich emails.

Step 2 Promote your music on Renren.

To do this, the best way is to create a public page. This will give you a place to communicate with your fans while ensuring a separation between your private and professional life. Use this page to share some basic information and additional content with your fans, telling them what albums you will release and when you will have concerts—those things they want to know. Here are some things to keep in mind when promoting your music on Renren.

• Interact with your fans. Frequently ask for their opinions and take the time to respond to their comments. This will make them feel more connected to you and your work.
• Connect with other artists using Renren. If you know an artist whose music is similar to yours but has more fans, try asking them if they can help promote your work on their page, which can boost your popularity.
• Create some buzz. Invite fans to discuss your recent concert on Renren. Even if there are similar topics, doing so can attract more attention to you.

Step 3 Use Instagram to promote your music creations.

You can use this app to attract more fans. You should sync it with Renren to gain more attention from more people; you can also post more statuses to increase your visibility. Post more photos of you and other band members during rehearsals, even candid moments when you mess up, to show everyone that you are just an ordinary person.

• Spend time interacting with fans. If they upload a photo taken at your concert, remember to like it.
• Try to update your status on weekday afternoons to attract more readers.
• Like fans' photos on Instagram and add comments to win attention for yourself.

Step 4 Promote your music through a website.

Although traditional social media is a great platform for promoting your music, it is still necessary to have your own website. This can guide your fans in the right direction in the most professional way possible. This website dedicated to you should publish information about your concerts, music works, growth stories, and any knowledge that can make your fans more fascinated with you.

• Use traditional social media to promote your website, including the URL in any materials you post on social media.
• If you want to stand out, invest in creating a website named after yourself, rather than relying on those websites that promote many bands at once.

Step 5 Promote your music online.

Make your music available on Spotify, RadioAirplay, Deezer, Singrush, and iTunes. The next time a venue manager or fan asks where they can find your music, this will make you look more professional.

• When promoting and publicizing your music, remember to use the album name. This will inform listeners where they can find your music on the album.
• Create profiles on SoundCloud, ReverbNation, and BandCamp. Making an appearance on some major music websites helps you attract followers and fans. Use content-sharing sites like CoPromote to get more people to share your music.

Expert Tip
Timothy LinetskyTIMOTHY LINETSKY
Music Producer and Mentor
Try different strategies until you find the one that works for you. Musician Timmy Linetsky, who has a popular channel on YouTube, said: “I think a lot of it is luck, but you also have to give yourself the opportunity to try as much as possible. The more times you roll the dice, the better, and see what happens.”

3 of Method 3:

Physically promote your records

Step 1 Build the right relationships.

Whenever you go out, remember that it represents a good opportunity to build relationships with people in the music industry. You can start little by little, first by following producers and artists online, then finding ways to meet them at concerts, small parties, or other social events (of course, those you are invited to). Don’t force it; wait patiently, and once the opportunity is right, seize it and promote yourself to the music industry as much as possible.

• Always be polite and approachable, because you never know who might help you in the future.
• Also focus on building good relationships with your fans. If your fans want to interview you privately, even if it’s an online interview, try to give them that opportunity. Even if it’s just for a small group of people, it’s still raising your profile.

Step 2 Prepare an ultimate promotional materials bag.

This materials bag should include habits and information that shape you as an artist and music industry person. It includes your band biography, detailed introduction, promotional brochures, promotional photos, or any successful interview materials you have accepted, a few sample tracks, and of course, contact information. The following websites will tell you some things to keep in mind when designing your promotional bag.

• Don’t include an unlimited number of links and information. Don’t drain your fans' curiosity.
• When introducing yourself or anything else, be concise. Provide the most critical information: hometown, band members and their main instruments, record release status, tour arrangements, recording studio, producer, and your manager's contact information.
• Your samples must be high quality and produced professionally—don’t just burn them casually at home. Always remember: you have less than thirty seconds to capture the listener's heart, so make good use of it!
• Prepare a promotional sheet that records both past and present. This will show that you are a growing potential.
• Prepare some professionally shot 8*10 size photos. Remember: these photos must showcase your uniqueness well.

Step 3 Find a manager.

A manager is responsible for providing comprehensive advice for you and your band. You need to find a manager who has successfully promoted other artists before; they must be well-connected and reputable in the music industry. Try to find suitable managers through music industry entry manuals, and if they can provide advice, try to have them help you build connections.

• Do not proactively offer your promotional materials. First, ask your manager if you can do this. If not, you still have ways to continue.

Step 4 Hold as many concerts as possible.

Concerts can effectively promote your work and connect you with your fans. Whether it’s for a green food day or performing on a small stage at a local bar, sing your heart out and make your name known. Make good use of the time after the concert to communicate with your fans.

• Fans love free stuff. Use your concert to give fans some free T-shirts, small merchandise, golf balls, or anything that can help promote you.
• If there are other bands at the concert, chat with them and get to know them. Compliment their music, and if you hit it off, you can invite them to support you.

Tip
The biggest mistake you might make is to showcase immature work. Make sure that any work you are ready to release is truly polished!