As an aspiring musician, promoting your music can be daunting, especially if you lack industry connections or have a limited budget. However, there are numerous apps available that can help you find new fans and grow your audience. We’ve handpicked seven of these apps based on their user-friendliness and affordability to kickstart your music promotion journey:
TikTok
TikTok is a social media platform that allows users, including musicians and label managers, to create and share short 15-second videos set to music. It’s accessible on smartphones via the App Store and Google Play Store in 154 countries. TikTok’s immense popularity makes it an excellent platform for promoting your music. Get creative, share music-related videos, and watch your promotion efforts take off.
Songkick
While Songkick is primarily a ticket-purchasing app, it also promotes artists to its user base. The app serves ads to users based on their location and musical preferences, making it a valuable tool for musicians on a budget. Songkick aggregates data from platforms like Google Play Music and Spotify, increasing the likelihood of your music being promoted.
Last.fm
Last.fm is a music recommendation app that tailors its suggestions to users’ preferences. It ensures that your music reaches listeners with similar tastes, providing a more targeted promotion. As one of the largest online radio services, Last.fm offers various promotional tools, including previews, downloads, promotional campaigns, and personal pages to attract new fans.
Soundcloud
Despite recent business challenges, SoundCloud remains a powerful platform for promoting music. It seamlessly integrates with your social media profiles, simplifying music sharing on platforms like Facebook. Soundcloud also offers features like track giveaways and allows listeners to post comments, providing valuable feedback.
Reverbnation
For a small fee, Reverbnation helps musicians integrate their social media profiles and music with millions of potential fans. The app offers an ad builder to create professional videos targeting specific cities and countries. Additionally, it remembers past visitors and places ads for your music to listeners with similar tastes, expanding your audience.
Bandsintown
Bandsintown enables users to receive notifications about tours and concerts by their favourite artists in their area. As a musician, you can use this platform to manage your events and promote your music through live shows. Bandsintown is available on Facebook, iOS devices, and Android, making it a valuable tool for engaging with your fanbase.
Social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube are essential for free music promotion. Each platform serves a unique purpose and boasts millions of users. Download and create profiles on these platforms, and keep them updated regularly. Leveraging social media for word-of-mouth promotion is cost-effective and simple. Post audio samples, photos, and stories to connect with fans personally. Instagram, in particular, excels at building a close connection between artists and their audiences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, numerous apps can help you promote your music effectively, even on a limited budget or for free. However, technology alone won’t guarantee success. The key to successful music promotion lies in consistent updates and maintaining authenticity. We live in an era where artists can build a fanbase directly with their audience, bypassing the need for record labels. Seize and maximise this opportunity by staying active and genuine in your promotional efforts.