Music Promotion and Marketing tips for Indie Musicians
Relationships are the driving force behind a successful music career. Think of a photographer who captures your essence, a marketing expert who promotes your music, and a meticulous mentor who helps you find order in…
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Running ads for your music isn’t easy, no matter what the experts tell you. But it CAN be one of the best ways to reach new listeners and build a lasting audience of fans and…
After 18 years as a band AND business, Bombadil is still going strong. In this “Artist Spotlight” episode, Cristina and Chris interview James Phillips of the independent indie-folk band about their long journey as a…
Threads is one of the fastest growing apps in history. Can musicians benefit from adopting this “carbon copy of Twitter,” or is it all hype? In this episode, we ask CD Baby’s Social Media expert…
Are you struggling to find the time to make and promote your music? Are you wasting some of the time you DO have? In this episode, Chris & Cristina discuss ways to carve out MORE…
As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Sadly, music is such a public-facing endeavor that an artist’s ego can feel like it’s always on high-alert, which…
IF you do it right, advertising on social is one of the best ways to build an audience for your music. But so many musicians are held back by bad attitudes and misconceptions about advertising….
There’s no doubt, great social content can unlock so many doors in your music career. But “social” can also feel tired and impersonal, like you’re shouting into the void. In this episode, Chris & Cristina…
Are there common struggles most young musicians face? Can they be avoided? Whether you’re a new musician just starting out, or you’re an experienced artist looking for a reminder on healthier ways to maintain your…
After 15 years of hosting this podcast, Kevin Breuner has moved on to the next adventure in his music career — but the DIY Musician Podcast will continue! What’s going to change? What’s going to…
After 17 years at CD Baby and 15 years hosting this DIY Musician Podcast, Kevin Breuner has a big announcement: He’s saying farewell to both and looking forward to a new adventure in his music…
Artists who want to promote their music online know they have to be active on social to build an audience and engage fans, but some days you just don’t know what to post! If you’re…
Pursuing a music career can be incredibly challenging. As an independent musician, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated. The journey is full of ups and downs, and the road ahead looks like endless work….
Spotify has some amazing new features to promote your music and create a better listening experience for users. In this episode, we’ll discuss each of them, as well as five creativity, marketing, and productivity hacks!…
Whether you love it or hate it, social media is one of your best options when it comes to finding an audience for your songs and building a lasting fanbase. In this episode, we talk…
Email is still the most effective online communications channel you have to market your music, drive sales, and deepen your connection with fans. If that’s statistically true (and it is), then why do so many…
Are you holding your own music back? Whenever we hear an artist rationalize why they haven’t achieved a certain level of success, it often seems like they’re getting in their own way due to some…
There’s too much music out there now for an average listener to care about YOUR SONGS just because they’re available on streaming platforms. That’s why you need to create anticipation BEFORE your new music launches….
Would you rather earn a living from your music or gain massive reach on social and streaming? Of course those two things don’t HAVE to be at odds, but when you’re towards the beginning of…
Everyone is talking about A.I. — or “artificial intelligence” — and the impact it will have on musicians and artists. Will advanced machine-learning and information synthesis help usher in a new era of creativity, or…
For independent artists, the most reliable way to earn a living from music isn’t streaming, social monetization, or even lucrative opportunities in sync licensing. It’s merch sales! In this episode, Dave Cool of Bandzoogle talks…
Want to bring your listeners on a journey? To send them on an adventure that goes deeper than bonus “behind the music” content? How about a multi-player RPG your fans can play together on Discord!?…
If you’re releasing new music in 2023, of course you want it to “succeed” and reach as many listeners as possible! But you’ll need much more than checklists and rote release strategies; making your music…
In some ways, 2022 felt like another year on pause. In other ways, the past 12 months passed in the blink of an eye. How did music trends (and the music industry) change this year?…
TikTok is a powerful platform for music discovery; your songs and videos can reach the right new fans because of TikTok’s algorithm. But did you know it’s also one of the best places to find…
How does niche music reach millions on TikTok? In this discussion from 2022’s DIY Musician Conference, CD Baby’s Chris Robley spoke with Jeremy Carter-Gordon of the vocal group Windborne. Not only have Windborne’s videos gone…