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How to Get Your Music Heard by More People

Promoting your music can be nearly as important as actually creating it. Unless you can get people to hear your music, your masterpiece will languish on your hard drive or bookshelf. If you're signed to a record label, the label will handle all of the promotion. If you're self-releasing an album or single, however, you'll need to promote your music to listeners yourself. Use a combination of several promotion strategies to ensure that your music reaches the widest possible audience.

Instructions

    • 1

      Create an Internet presence for your music. Set up a music page on an audio-hosting site that's designed for musicians like SoundCloud, ReverbNation or Bandcamp. These websites host your music, allowing listeners to stream or download it to their computers. Make separate Facebook and MySpace profiles for your artist or band name, then embed an audio player into the page or add links to your music streaming Web page. Use Twitter or a blog to spread the news when you release a new song.

    • 2

      Send your music to local radio stations. Commercial radio stations usually adhere to strictly defined playlists, and are therefore unlikely to play listener-submitted music. Focus instead on college and community stations, which have much more latitude in their playlists. Submit your music to Internet streaming radio stations that play your genre of music. Search for podcasts that might play your music, then email an MP3 of your demo track to their producers.

    • 3

      Play live shows whenever possible. Live performances allow you to reach an audience that would be otherwise unaware of your music, and are crucial for word-of-mouth promotion. Sign up for open mic nights at local bars and cafés. Student societies and community organizations are also often willing to provide time slots for independent musicians at their events.

Music Basics

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