If you’re a musician, you need a marketing plan. It’s a simple as that. Finding a customized, successful plan takes a little knowledge and requires some effort, but it’s well worth the results.
Here are seven steps that will help you create a music marketing plan that will rock your world…and your music career:
1. Define. The definition of define is to establish the character of something and to draw the boundary around it. That is what you will want to do with every aspect of your music such as setting a perimeter of the genre or genres you play and identifying the target audience of those who will listen to your tunes. As you define your music and your audience, you’ll also be taking bold steps to define yourself and what you stand for. Finding your niche and searching for your specific audience and identity can be uncomfortable at times because you may be tempted to think it will narrow down your playing field. To the contrary, as you define your ground, you will become more respected and…more listened to.
2. Analyze. To make informed decisions regarding your music marketing, you’ll need to run the numbers. What is the age, gender, and personality of your target audience? If your music spans across several audiences, analyze each of them. What turns them on…and off? What are their habits? When and where do they listen to music the most? In addition to analyzing your audience, analyze the market. What’s happening in the industry on a national level and globally too? Set up a website to serve as a homebase for your music and merchandising endeavors. Check out platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Facebook and consider the possibilities. The more you discover about your audience, the better you’ll be able to plan your agenda so you can reach out to them in the places they frequent.
3. Establish Goals. Goal setting is imperative when creating a marketing plan. Make a list of short-, medium-, and long-term goals you wish to accomplish as a musician. Be sure each goal is measurable, actionable, and realistic. Hold your goals and objectives in mind as you move forward. Determine where you are currently and where you want to be in a week from now, a month from now, and next year. Set specific goals and reward yourself for reaching them and as you mark one off, set a new one in its place. You will find that goals are your best friend – always pushing your forward.
4. Increase. As you turn your goals into a workable plan of action, keep in mind that the object is to increase your audience. By defining your genre, your target audience, and your identity, the focus is to attain more listeners. Public relations, content creation, promotional tours, networking, advertising, and being active on social media are all great steps towards expanding your audience. Create incentives that encourage your listeners to refer you to their friends. Make your posts, tweets, and other social statements interesting, entertaining, and shareable. Don’t lose sight that you are constantly working towards growing your business.
5. Budget. It requires a lot of money to pursue a career in the music industry. It is possible, however, to succeed without spending a fortune if you budget your time and money wisely. That is not to say you should skimp on marketing management. To the contrary, it may mean investing in a professional music marketing manager is your best approach because by generating fans, revenue is also increased. Hiring an expert in the music industry to tend to your music marketing may not cost as much as you think so it’s a good move to at least look into it. You may find that you need to do a special fund raiser or project in order to make the money to hire a pro in order to go the extra mile in marketing but it is something you will never regret.
6. Spread Your Message. A plan is nothing without action. With your plan intact, you can now put the effort behind it to bring it into reality. Present your music in a way where your listeners will be able to sense who you are and what you represent. Speak your message loud and clear. Your reputation will become rock solid as you build on a firm foundation. As your music career grows, you will grow as an individual as well. In time, your music will be respected for being consistent and creative and that is when you will know that you have arrived.
7. Enjoy! It’s ultra-important to embrace all the good that comes about through your marketing plan. Celebrate the milestones. As your music is introduced on a new platform, bask in the moment. When you take the stage at a concert, soak it all in. As your fan base grows, remember to enjoy of the success you created through all your hard work and a great marketing plan. Most importantly, never forget where you came from and… where you are going.
Planning Your Journey
No matter how short or long your music marketing plan is, it’s important to have one and to stick with it. Always be true to yourself and loyal to those who help you. Creating and implementing a plan will help you see your situation more clearly so you can take the appropriate steps that will further your career. Furthermore, it is necessary to have a marketing plan if you are applying for a loan at a lending institution or are interested in having an investor.
Without a plan, people fail. It’s been proven time and time again. But with a plan, people tend to succeed. Once you see how well mapping out a plan works, you are likely to be inspired to create a new plan for each leg of your music journey. Step by step, goal by goal, you’ll make your way to the top. And that…is what it’s all about.