Let’s get things clear. If you’re an artist or musician looking for the easy way into developing a strong fanbase and getting a ton of streams with little effort then this is NOT the read for you.
WARNING: The Bots
As many artists have come to find out, there are plenty of services that offer STREAMS at a low cost using a BOT technology that automates streams from specific locations around the world. Now, in the beginning this might seem useful to inflate your numbers. Also, it may feel good to see some added coins in your account once the streams have been tallied up. The problem is, you put your hard work and music at risk because the music streaming companies are HIP to this kind of thing and your account can be disabled and your music taken down. Now, do you really want to take that chance. Probably not!
10,000,000 STREAMS: Made simple
1) Be your biggest fan: Get accounts to all the primary music platforms (APPLE, TIDAL, SPOTIFY, YOUTUBE) and STREAM YOUR OWN MUSIC 24/7… Sounds silly right but at the end of the day, you have to love what your create FIRST and show it by playing it as often as possible. You might be surprised who is listening.
2) Enlist your community: The grassroots approach will always be a winner when looking to build a fanbase and get your streams rolling. Text, Snap, Tweet & Instapost your direct artist link or music link to EVERYONE you know (except coworkers because the people at your job might get a little jealous). Your music is to be shared everyday all day to those closest to you and encourage them to share it as well.
3) Advertise on Social Media: My philosophy is $1 dollar a day for a year will build your following and create a consistent flow of streams. Its no longer about the BIG budget advertising. Instead its about consistent advertising. I find it interesting, that people I know will NOT click my advertised post until they have seen it about 3 to 5 times. Oddly enough its a known rule in advertising that people have to see things over and over and over again before their interest has peaked just enough to WANT whatever is being advertised. BE CONSISTENT.
4) Build Your Website: Yes, we are in the era of Instagram and Youtube being the primary source of many artist’s rise to fame but one thing that keeps music executives rich is they drive traffic to their own site (FYI, most music industry executives OWN or have OWNERSHIP in all the music streaming platforms). PLUS, when you have your own website you not only control the content, an artist can MERCHANDISE which creates an additional revenue stream for the artist. Okay, so lets stick to the script. Websites allow you to control your content and with SEO (search keywords), artist are able to pull in views from search engine results.
5) Content Content Content: Create as much music as possible and release it. Do as many videos as possible and release. If your serious about taking your career to the next level, never stop creating. Also, never limit yourself to one Genre. Create all kinds of music. Create music that could fill stadiums or pack elevators. Many years ago sticking to one specific genre was just the THING to do but in 2020 versatility is your friend and will get your streams to new heights.
6) Playlists Are Your Friends: Create your own playlists with your music but also include the music of other talented artists you know. Share your playlists with those artist and encourage them to do the same. Create your own network of playlists. Become the curator of your sound or genre. Don’t let the music industry control who becomes the next big thing. Take control.
7) Wear Your Brand: As an artist, you must be a walking billboard for your music. Put your logo, artist name, website name, album artwork or something related to your brand on a T-shirt, hat, jacket, socks or whatever you can find. These days, people will google or search your name before you can utter a word.
I wish I had more to tell but that’s it. As I get hip to new and innovative ways to build the best artist journey, The Asmbly will share because leveling the playing fields is all about building a better artist community first.