In the vast landscape of YouTube music marketing advice, artists often find themselves drowning in a sea of misleading information. Many musicians unknowingly internalize these misconceptions, shaping their marketing strategies around outdated or ineffective methods. Today, we're pulling back the curtain to reveal the truth about music marketing, debunking common myths that could be holding you back from reaching your first 1,000 genuine fans.
Starting on Social media first is the only way!
What if I told you that the easiest way to start and grow your fanbase wasn't on social media? Would you believe me or trust your perception? The truth is, you might be blinded by your assumptions. While most artists start on social media and fight the algorithm, smart artists begin in concentrated interest groups—both in the physical streets and online. They utilize tastemakers and influencers to pull their initial audience from these influencers' existing fan bases. This strategy allows you to bypass the algorithm so you won't be robbed of your time, money, and energy. It will be best to work on these alternative paths.
You need to copy what the A-List artists are doing to get on!
The Truth about hit artists is they can’t do what indie artists can do. They can’t serve their fans directly like you can as an indie artist constantly. It would be a madhouse. They can’t do shows in smaller venues to get up close and personal with their fans all the time. You can. You’ll want to take a look at how A-List artists are underserving their fans and taking advantage of those methods while you’re getting on. Once you find this missed opportunity by the A-Listers you fill that gap filling the desire of the music lovers and boom you in the game!
Email Marketing does not work!
Did you know that email marketing is the #1 overlooked marketing amongst artists? The biggest myth artists believe about email is they think fans won’t give them an email for something free (a $20 value) or just straight up give it to them after a small performance. Even though it may seem cringe to you to ask for it, real fans want to give it up anyway. They want a connection with you. They are just waiting on the offer from you! Missing out on email is the greatest gold mine you can have especially if you nurture your fanbase constantly!
But Everybody Starts on Social media so why shouldn't I?
You can start on social media but use it to your advantage and don't become a slave to the algorithm. Don't just use social media to post—use it to get in front of your targeted audience on the platform. If you don't approach it this way, you'll have a hard time getting off the ground.
Whatever the A-list artists did it worked, so why not me?
You don’t want to neglect the desires of the undeserved fans because you don’t see your favorite artist doing it. Just because they are big doesn’t mean they have everything figured out. Also, just because they don’t do it doesn’t mean you should avoid it. You are not them and they are not you. I promise you if you do this the retention of your fans will increase exponentially.
Email is old! I don’t have time for that! It’s also cringe!
In the last 12 months, how many times have you given up your email? Most of you got this video today from an email from me. Email is the easiest way to nurture your fans before starting a community and it's the easiest way to make money. If your followers have not given you their email there is an 80% chance they will not buy from you. So, just because it’s old tech doesn't make it a good reason not to use it. Think of it as low-tech that pulls a hell of a lot of weight!
CTA - Here’s what you can do to shift your marketing.
Identify online and physical groups and forums that you can be a part of that consist of the type of music listeners and fans you need for your style. Get them to follow you and get the email addresses. Finally, nurture them you will soon be able to call those people to action very quickly almost immediately.
Here’s the Payoff!
If you get this right your fanbase will grow so you can gain more revenue, which means more notoriety, and more fuel in the tank to go the distance.
What’s it going to cost in failure
If you continue to put all of your effort into fighting the algorithm you will become exhausted, and eventually start suffering from burnout, leading you to choose between quitting or switching your profession within the industry. So, it is best to get things going faster than taking the long road.
Your Transformation
If you were struggling with building a fanbase, serving the underserved fans, and Building an email list, you now have the means to become the next up-and-coming artist that appeared out of nowhere.
Comments