Music Business · 03

How to Market Your Music

Build attention before, during and after your release.

Marketing is not a launch-day event. It is a window that opens weeks before a record comes out and stays open long after.

Before release

Define who this specific song is for — not everyone, a real audience
Write a one-page release strategy: goal, audience, dates, assets, outreach list
Choose a release date with enough lead time for the work below
Set up a pre-save or pre-add where your distributor supports it
Cut teasers from the strongest eight seconds of the record
Film behind-the-scenes content while you are still recording
Plan an artwork reveal as its own moment
Prepare several short-form video ideas, not one
Send clean files to DJs early with title, BPM and contact
Pitch media and local press with a short, specific note
Submit to playlists through legitimate channels only
Write a plain press release: who, what, when, why it matters, links

“The record does not fail on release day. It fails in week three, when everybody stops posting.”

Release week

Post daily with varied content, not the same link repeatedly
Use video clips: performance, studio, reaction, lyric moments
Go live to talk through the record with your audience
Email and text your list first — they are your warmest audience
Publish performance content, even a single verse filmed well
Do interviews with local shows, podcasts and station DJs
Ask every collaborator to post on an agreed day
Reply to comments and messages; engagement is part of the work

After release

Most artists stop on day two. The records that grow are the ones still being promoted in week six.

Rotate in alternate video clips you held back
Film new live performances of the song
Release a remix, acoustic or live version where it suits the record
Publish behind-the-song storytelling: how it was written, what it cost
Reshare fan-created content with permission
Read analytics: which cities, which clips, which platforms
Put more effort behind content that already performed
Pitch local media again with a fresh angle, such as a show or milestone

Honest expectations

No plan guarantees playlist placement, streams, press coverage or virality. What a plan guarantees is that you gave the record a fair chance and learned something usable for the next one.

Sample 30-day music marketing plan

Days 1–5: finalize assets — artwork, clips, photos, press kit, links
Days 6–10: announce the date, open pre-save, reveal artwork
Days 11–15: DJ, radio and media outreach; behind-the-scenes content
Days 16–19: teaser clips and countdown; email and text the list
Day 20: release day — post, go live, thank collaborators, send the list
Days 21–24: performance clips, interviews, collaborator posts
Days 25–27: behind-the-song content and fan reposts
Days 28–29: review analytics; boost what already worked
Day 30: plan the follow-up — alternate version, video or next single