Marketing your music can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if it’s your first time. You’re putting your new music in the spotlight, and it’s going to get a reaction. Music marketing can be stressful — even when you’re successful. So we thought we’d help you mentally prepare. Here are nine things to brace for as …
Want your music to reach Spotify listeners through playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar? Then there’s something very important you should know about Spotify’s algorithm: Chasing vanity metrics can hurt you! There are plenty of resources that explain Spotify’s recommendation engine in detail. We’re not going to get into the weeds here because the …
The Spotify Algorithm: What Musicians Need to Know Read More »
If the recent drama between Halsey and Capitol Records hints at anything, it’s that artists are sick of certain content and social media expectations. Here’s the gossip in a nutshell: Halsey claimed that Capitol wouldn’t release a new track until the artist generated sufficient engagement on TikTok. @halsey I’m tired ♬ original sound – Halsey …
The Musician’s Latest Hamster Wheel (Is This What We Signed Up For?) Read More »
Like countless other people, I ordered a Peloton during the first full winter of the pandemic. Snow was piled five feet high. It was negative something degrees outside. We were going insane. Then the bike arrived. [ Sound of heavenly choir. ] As soon as it was connected to WiFi I hopped on to ride. The …
Get a free music video with all CD Baby distribution through June 8th. Details below! When you hear the term “music video,” do you think of a band playing along to a pre-recorded track? Or maybe an artist flanked by a dozen dancers? Or some complicated computer imagery that took months to create? Are you …
The rise of TikTok and Reels coincided with the demise of long-form music videos. And yet many artists still think they have to shoot professional full-length videos. I usually advise against it. Why? Most traditional music videos are: Too long. So only your most diehard fans watch till the end. Too scripted. So they don’t …
$5? $10? $12.99? $15.72? Let me say upfront that there’s no clear answer to this question. Your CD’s selling price will be determined by a number of factors. And it’s more complicated than simply adding up your various costs and then charging above that sum. Ten things to consider when setting your CD price: 1. …
Sometimes I look around at the music landscape and think I’m the only geek on the planet who still listens to full albums anymore. Then I remember that most serious musicians still release full albums, even if (or especially if) they’ve already released a series of singles. Yes, even mega-selling pop titans like Billie Eilish …
How to Release an Album So People Actually Want to Buy It Read More »
These are a few of the common objections I hear when it comes to cover songs: “I’m not a serious artist if I do covers.” “The world has enough cover songs already.” “There are only so many hours in the day; why would I waste time on someone else’s song?” Alright genius, you can …
