How To ACTUALLY Get Your Music Heard | BBNo$

Summary

In this insightful conversation, an independent musician shares their dynamic approach to creating, promoting, and performing music. Discussing their sporadic studio work, the importance of marketing, and the challenges of modern ticket sales, they highlight the strategic use of social media and platforms like TikTok to grow their fanbase. The artist also reflects on lessons learned from past mistakes and offers advice for aspiring musicians looking to break through. Balancing creativity with business, they emphasize how staying proactive and genuine can lead to success in today’s ever-changing music landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 Studio time is sporadic and occurs in bursts. The artist might create a large number of songs in a few months, selecting only a few for major releases.
• 😀 Marketing has become a more structured part of the artist's career, with a focus on preparing new tracks for upcoming shows and engaging the audience with fresh content.
• 😀 The artist's typical day includes gym time, figuring out whether there’s a music session or business task, and collaborating with their team on content strategy.
• 😀 Traveling for one-off shows, festivals, and college events is common. These gigs are often worthwhile but come with the risk of poorly attended events.
• 😀 Marketing budgets for music often include investments in third-party teams, social media influencers, and platforms like Instagram and TikTok to maximize visibility.
• 😀 The artist's previous mistake was not spending money on marketing for one of their albums, missing an opportunity to expand its reach even further.
• 😀 Despite the rise of social media, the artist enjoys engaging with fans directly, appearing on podcasts and collaborating with YouTubers to maintain visibility.
• 😀 While some major artists prefer a reclusive, low-profile approach, the artist embraces a more public, “low-effort” brand, feeling it works well for their career.
• 😀 The success of modern music often relies on viral moments, such as TikTok trends. However, a well-made song can still find its audience, even without viral success.
• 😀 The artist acknowledges the unpredictability of the industry, citing examples of young artists who made music on minimal equipment and went viral, dramatically changing their careers.
• 😀 The musician has diversified their income by starting a coffee business, showing the value of branching out beyond music and using platforms like Shopify for e-commerce success.

Q & A

How often does the musician work in the studio each month?

The musician works in the studio sporadically, typically making music in bursts of two to three months at a time. During these periods, they focus on creating a large volume of tracks, sometimes up to 100 songs, from which they select a few to promote.

What is the process for selecting which songs to promote?

After creating a large number of songs, the musician curates the best tracks, usually selecting around 7 out of 100, which they believe have the potential for success. These chosen songs are then marketed, and music videos are shot to support them.

How does the musician prepare for a tour?

Before a tour, the musician prepares new music to ensure they have fresh content to perform. This preparation is crucial to give fans new songs to enjoy during shows, keeping the performance engaging and relevant.

Are one-off shows and smaller gigs financially worthwhile for musicians?

One-off shows, such as festivals or college events, can be financially worthwhile because they help build the audience and generate exposure. However, ticket sales can be unpredictable, and sometimes these shows do not sell well, leaving the artist with limited financial return.

Why have ticket sales been low recently in the music industry?

Ticket sales have been declining for various reasons, with one major factor being the changing behavior of audiences, especially younger generations who prefer instant gratification through social media rather than committing time and money to live events. TikTok and other platforms have contributed to the shift in how people consume music and entertainment.

How important is social media in an artist's career today?

Social media is extremely important for modern artists. It’s used for self-promotion, connecting with fans, and building a personal brand. The musician mentions how being active on platforms like TikTok and Instagram has been key to their success, despite challenges like burnout from constant exposure.

What marketing strategies does the musician recommend for promoting an album?

The musician suggests spending money on third-party marketing teams to get editorial coverage from blogs and magazines. They also recommend running ads on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and using social media to create buzz. Investing in high-quality music videos and radio play is also essential for bigger releases.

What mistake did the musician admit to regarding album promotion?

The musician admits to not spending any money on marketing their album, which they now see as a major mistake. They believe the album could have been far more successful with a budget for promotion, including social media campaigns and radio play.

How can aspiring musicians get started in the industry?

Aspiring musicians should focus on creating good music and share it on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and social media. They don’t need expensive equipment—many successful artists have started with just an iPhone or simple setups. Consistency and authenticity in content creation are key.

How does the musician handle the balance between content creation and personal life?

The musician balances content creation by being opportunistic and strategic. While some big artists choose to remain reclusive and only release music occasionally, this artist embraces a more active online presence. However, they also manage burnout by consciously limiting their social media usage to maintain mental health.