Being a music producer comes with a lot of perks. Most notably, spending time around amazing artists.
Music producers wear many hats. Some write songs, some focus on making sure the music sounds amazing before it’s released.
But if you’re looking to be the next Barry Gordy or Sir George Martin, you need to learn how to promote yourself to recording artists. It’s not enough to say you’re a producer, you have to brand and market yourself as one.
Keep reading to learn 10 great branding and marketing tips to help music producers build their musical careers.
1. If You’re a Music Producer, You Need a Website
Every business needs a website to highlight their skills and talents. Music producers and artists are no different.
You don’t need to spend a ton of money on a huge website. But you do need to include things like your contact information, some clips of recordings you’ve produced, and some basic business information.
Get a paid site and choose a URL that’s catchy but easy to spell. Keep your site simple and easy to navigate.
Avoid having too much information. Clutter doesn’t look professional. You don’t need to include everything on your site. Just enough information to let people see how talented you are along with an easy way to get in touch with you.
2. Learn How to Network
There are several ways to network in the music production business. You can start by becoming a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers). Or if you’re in the UK, Association of Independent Music (AIM).
Your next step is to get out into your neighborhood and begin meeting people. Your goal is to become a fixture in your local scene. Make friends at local venues and begin meeting the engineers, producers, and session musicians nearby.
Check out Billboard and other reports that share the latest trends in your marketing demographic. There are also forums like Tape Op, Mix Magazine, Sound On Sound, and Gear Slutz where you can meet others in your profession.
They can help support you and answer any questions you have. It’s also a good place to make contacts with people who aren’t in your direct neighborhood so you can expand your network.
3. Define Your Brand
There are plenty of music producers out there. You need to figure out what makes you special and different from everyone else. You need to brand yourself.
As a record producer, you’ll need a catchy name that sets you apart and gets people to sit up and take notice.
Develop a logo or other visual concept that people begin associating with you. Lastly, identify your style so that people know you’re the “go to” person for their project.
4. Get on Social Media Platforms
If you’re not on social media platforms, you’re missing out on huge opportunities to network, grow connections and build a base of followers. Start by determining which sites are best to share your content.
Take a look at Instagram – it’s a great platform for sharing your musical journey, album artwork and general promotion. There’s also TikTok if you want to connect with your audience in a candid video style – you never know, the video may go viral too!
Build your profile and then start searching for and following other record producers and engineers whom you admire.
Don’t just haphazardly share your music. Create a schedule and let people know when new music is dropping so they have something to look forward to and a reason to visit your page.
Share and document your journey. Get creative and make videos for your clips.
And talk to your followers and develop relationships with them.
5. Create a Sampling of Your Music to Share
Music production is an art form. Art is meant to be shared with the world.
Create a sampling of your music to share with people. You can share it on your website, social media, and also create a CD to give to others.
It will help show your contacts and clients what projects you’re capable of.
You can also put a few songs on Soundcloud and YouTube. Make them royalty free and then offer them to vloggers, video makers, and streamers.
Just ask them to leave a tag in the description in exchange for free access to your music. You can also greet new people to your website or social media sites with access to your free music.
6. Have Business Cards Made Up
Business cards may seem old school but they still work. Make sure you add all the necessary information on your business cards.
Add your name, phone number, email address, and your website. Choose a font that’s easy to read.
Find a way to make your business card a part of your brand. Make it memorable and don’t forget to include your logo.
7. Be Consistent
Adding new content to your website and social media is a good thing. You can’t just create profiles and think you’re done.
Create a marketing plan of how and when you’re going to share new, relevant content. Then follow that plan.
Consistency is key when you’re trying to build up a new business. Don’t go crazy and spend all your time sharing information.
But do post at least a few times a week.
8. Take Professional Headshots
If you want to be taken seriously as a producer, you need to hire a professional photographer. Get some headshots taken that you can put on your website and social media.
Work with a photographer who understands your business. You want a great looking photo that makes people take notice.
But, you don’t want to end up looking like you should be working on Wall Street. Great photography is like a great song, it should speak to you without needing an explanation.
9. Be Patient
The world of music production is large. There is tons of competition. And most music producers don’t become rich and famous overnight.
Instead, focus on taking small, but actionable steps each day. And be patient.
It takes time to start up a business and to build up your brand. Keep making contacts and focus on your successes.
Learn from your failures and then let them go. And appreciate the journey as you go.
10. Start an Email Marketing Campaign
The ROI (return on investment) for email marketing campaigns is 122%. It’s also cost-effective.
Start collecting email addresses from the contacts you make. And send out email marketing campaigns on a regular basis that highlights your work and shares information about you.
Don’t forget to add a CTA (call-to-action) at the end.
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