How to really ‘sell’ your next release
Want to know how to make your next release stand out? Keep reading for some tips and tricks on how to put together your artist “story”.
A guest post by Randi Zimmerman of Symphonic Blog.
When it comes to making your mark in this industry, it’s important to set yourself apart in any way you can. The story behind you as an artist and the songs you release is the most important part of your job. Making sure these are clear and well-executed will propel you forward as an artist and help you excel among thousands of indies looking to make their mark. Here’s how to do it.
Here’s the rundown…
Before we dive in, let’s clear some things up. When we talk about your “story”, this isn’t the same as your biography. What we’re referring to is what specifically makes your fans emotionally attached to you as an artist. What parts of you and your history as an artist do people connect to? Think about what it took to get to where you are now, your struggles as an artist, what inspires you to create, what makes you relatable, etc. These are all a part of your story.
When it comes to your latest release, this needs to have a story of its own too. You can build this narrative with a couple of introspective steps.
Take Note
To start this process, you’ll need to sit down and take note (yes, physical notes) of a couple things about your release. What is it about? What emotion does it bring out of you? What specific event or feeling inspired you to create it? How does it relate to your personal journey?
These all play a part in setting the tone of your release’s overall storyline, and this is what really helps your fans form a real, lasting attachment to it.
Think About What Makes This Release Unique To You
What makes your release unique can range from the style of music it is, the lyrics, the instruments used, or even the feeling in the studio while you wrote it. All these things make your song uniquely yours. Use this to your advantage! This is what sets you apart.
Each song you release adds to your overall story as an artist. They may all be different and each encompass different parts of you, but they all play a part in supporting who you are and how you want to be perceived.
Be Authentic
You can’t force authenticity. People can tell whether or not you’re writing from a place of experience or just faking a vibe for the sake of views. A compelling story that actually means something to you should come naturally. It should stem from a place of vulnerability. And yes, it may be difficult and we don’t expect you to force out your deepest traumas here, but be as honest as you feel comfortable being, and people will appreciate and admire you for it.
A big part of being an artist is the ability to form a connection with people all over the world through your music. Through letting some walls down, you open the door for fans to truly connect with you as a person, not just as their favorite artist. And just like in any good relationship, honesty is the foundation of trust.
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What’s next?
Once you’ve got these figured out, it’s time to share your efforts with the world through press, social media, advertising, and however else you usually present your work to the public. Keep your story in mind as you navigate through this step. This is what will help your audience truly understand what you’re bringing to the table.
Now, it’s not just a new song. It’s a part of your story. A part that will help define your place in the industry for years to come.
Next Step: Marketing Drivers
A level beyond your story lies the equally as important marketing drivers. These are the underlying forces that compel consumers to buy or pay for certain products and services. As an artist, these are the key details you want to be shared with DSP’s like Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, YouTube, Soundcloud, Pandora, etc. to help you stand out.
With these unique details, our team can help your music catch the attention of the tastemakers in the industry on a technical level. The more details that you can provide, the better chance you’ve got for catching the eyes and ears of the people who can get you playlisted, featured, and more.
Some examples of marketing drivers are things like:
- Music videos you’ve done
- Social media followers and engagement
- Third-party Spotify playlists
- Previous DSP playlist placements and features
- Press pick-ups
- Radio campaigns or plays from direct DJ relationships and other DJ support
- Tour dates
- … and so much more.
That being said, you’d submit all these through Symphonic whenever you submit a release with us. As a Symphonic client, all you need to do is fill out our Marketing Drivers Submissions form.
Before you do that, however, we encourage you to check out our “What Are Marketing Drivers And Why Do I Need Them?” post. It has everything you need to know from other kinds of marketing drivers you may need, to how to fill out the form, and more.
In Conclusion…
The story your music tells the world not only connects your fans to your music, but you to your fans on a deeper level. This connection is what sells tickets, fuels engagement with your content, sells merch, and supports everything you need to keep creating and sharing your story for years to come. Even further, mastering your marketing drivers is what will ensure the tastemakers of this business have the proper information to help guide your music through the right channels of the industry where they can do the best. With these in mind, you’re on the right track.
Good luck!
