Every artist seeks more visibility in their careers, and constant opportunity can be hard to come by. Partnerships with brands, companies, and business can help fill the gaps in a number of ways, and benefit both parties. How nice would it be to hear your music in a store, restaurant, gym, or sporting event?!

| Click here to watch a tutorial on how to do an outreach campaign on Groover!

1. Why businesses partner with artists

In every business, marketers work to develop the brand’s “personality”, and the details chosen to portray this personality to the public will be meticulously thought out. One of the ways they do this is through music.

Companies seek to associate themselves with music or artists they think fit their own persona, creating a closer relationship with customers who gravitate towards similar things. This is a psychological strategy that aims to create a feeling of unconscious identification with the brand or business – the closer you feel, the more you’ll come.

For both ambient and vocal musicians, associating with a brand could be a great opportunity that could result in getting played in stores, restaurants, gyms, sporting events, or bars, or could lead to partnerships and deals with sponsors.

| Read also: 10 tips to increase the engagement of your artist profile on Instagram

2. What do artists have to gain?

The answer is simple: listeners and profitability. Here’s what we mean:

Being Played In-Store

Getting your music played in public places is great for exposure. Shazam exists for a reason – millions of people want to know what they’re listening to when they’re out and about and hear something they like.

These plays also generate performance royalties, which means money in your pocket. As long as you’ve registered your music with a collection agency (ex. SoundExchange), you’ll be benefitting financially as well as promotionally!

Partnerships

Partnerships are direct collaborations between artists and who they’re working with, as opposed to a subtle nod like a playlist add. Partnerships can vary tremendously – some are a one-time photoshoot, some are a long-term commercial contract, some are a design collaboration, it all depends on the brand and artist. It goes without saying that regardless of the terms, it’s an extra source of income for artists.

Partnerships also allow for sponsorship opportunities. These can help support an artist’s growth and expand their network in both the music and corporate worlds, leading to more collaborations down the line.

| Check also: How to get in touch with professionals in the music market?

3. How to make it happen

If you’re not signed to a label, you’ll have to do the legwork yourself. Luckily, it’s not too hard if you’re willing to send a couple emails.

Find small brands you like online and contact them about an exchange. They’ll be happy to shout you out if they get one in return. Remember to only partner with brands you think make sense for you and your artistic identity. 

For bigger deals, send an email to the marketing team introducing yourself and why you think you align with their brand. Give them as little to think about as possible by including descriptive words about your own style of music and aesthetic, pictures that represent you well, and any potential ideas you have for what type of collaboration you could do together.

For an in-person approach, go to stores that you think would play your music and become friendly with the staff. Ask them who’s in charge of the playlist. A lot of the time, it’ll be one of the people there! Introduce yourself and give them your streaming information. If they like your song, you’re in!

Be friendly and outgoing, and you’re bound to at least make a good contact!

| Also see: Step by step: how to get into Spotify’s editorial playlists

4. Conclusion

A key tip for artists: put in the work on your image, visual identity and promotion. Having your music playing in places is often a consequence of good numbers on streaming platforms or general buzz about one of your songs. So keep focusing on your musical and visual craft!

Submit your music to the music branding curators available at Groover!

L’article Why You Should Work with Brand as an Artist est apparu en premier sur Groover Blog.

Do you see where I’m going with this? To promote the release of your musical project (EP, album, mixtape) in an efficient way, you absolutely have to organize an event! Psychologically, it’s important for you, but moreover, it’s an opportunity to gather people around your music and to create excitement among them. This way, you ensure a success in terms of your reputation: word of mouth, meeting professionals, visibility…

I’m Theodore, editor in chief of NewTone media, I accompany artists in their development and you can also use Groover to contact me. Based on personal experiences and examples I have lived, I will give you 3 techniques to celebrate and promote the release of your musical project.

1. The release party

Celebrating the release of a mainstream or pop musical project: a big feature

The release party to celebrate the release of a musical project is the most obvious. Some artists, like SCH for his album Rooftop or Jok’Air for Jok’Travolta, even go as far as to mediatize their release party. Events, VIP guests, 3 star catering, butlers, decoration… When the label has the means, it can go very far.  So far that it may seem inaccessible to you, as an independent artist. However, if you think about it, this staging fulfills very basic objectives. It’s about inviting media and industry professionals to join, support and promote the release of your musical project. They will leave with memories that they will recount, privately in their lives or publicly in their media’s forums, that will make the image of the celebrated artist.

Celebrating the release of an indie music project: what a bonus!

Adapted to your scale, the objective is to reinforce the link with your community and to encourage the media to promote the release of your musical project. And this is within your reach! For an artist who would have 1000 followers on Instagram, there are 30 to 50 who will be ready to come to your release party. That alone, is 30 to 50 stories in which you will be mentioned during the evening, creating visibility on your Instagram account. Even better: the next day, at work, in class or at the local bar, these people will tell others about the evening they shared with you. Their friends’ first instinct? Subscribe to you on Instagram or Spotify. Digital communication techniques are effective when they are mastered, but nothing replaces spoken word, the face-to-face communication, the spontaneity and effectively of word-of-mouth.

At this release party, it’s important that you invite a few pros. With a bit of luck, you have journalists in your network, or people who work in recording studios, concert halls, bars, for festivals, etc. So use your contacts to get them to come! Who knows, maybe this is a chance for them to really discover your music and offer you an opportunity? If you think you know anyone who is involved in music, then find people who are approachable and might be interested in this type of event and music! Journalists and founders of niche media, emerging beatmakers or engineers, young managers or music industry students… After an evening of listening to your musical project and witnessing the excitement of your community, chances are they will want to work with you! And then, you’ll make those months spent in the studio worthwhile.

💡 Contact the best pros in the music industry on Groover and invite them to your release party!

Groover is a platform that allows you to contact playlists, media, radios, labels and professionals of the music industry, listening and feedback guaranteed

Celebrating the release of an independent musical project: how do you do it?

You’re probably wondering how you’re going to organize this? It’s simple, and not necessarily expensive. Go to your favorite bar, or one that you think is suitable. Often, you can privatize the room for a fee. This is an option if you have a little budget and it will be more profitable than Google Ads. But be smart: choose a weekday and find a bar that doesn’t have too much traffic… That way, you’ll be in a good position to negotiate: you’ll bring in 30 to 40 people who will consume on a night where the bar would have few customers! All you need to ask of them is to choose the music that plays that night and the right to make a speech thanking everyone and presenting your musical project. Besides, why privatize? Let the by-standers be attracted by the crowd and come to discover your music by chance!

I’ve accidentally been to many parties like these and almost all the time, they convinced me to talk about the artist and their musical release on NewTone media, which I manage.

Does this seem attainable to you now? I hope so, but if this type of event isn’t for you, don’t worry! There are other techniques.

2. Listening party in the studio with industry pros

Have people discover your music in the best way possible

The best way to discover an album is to listen to it in the studio. Quality speakers, a very musical atmosphere, a tension in the room with each sound. And above all, the best conditions to listen to an album: from the first to the last track, without interruption, without doing the dishes, without the smell of the subway, without reading your emails at the same time.

The objective is similar to the one sought with the release party: invite professionals and members of your community to provoke a strong connection to your project. Obviously, a studio is smaller: you will have to make a precise selection of guests. For the pros, be relevant in your invitations: propose the listening session to media and labels that work on music really similar to yours. For your community you can, for example, make a contest to win 2 tickets. Trust me, your listeners will thank you.

In terms of organization, nothing could be easier. Either you already have your habits in a studio which can be appropriate for a listening party or you are in a home studio and you will have to rent a studio. For a 2 hour session, it will cost you between 50 and 150 euros depending on the studio you choose. Plan some drinks and snacks to make your guests feel good! Once the studio is booked, see how to host a listening party step by step, from setting the mood to capturing content for your promo.

Personally, I tend to prefer this setup than the release party. It is more intimate and you are closer to the music. You can really discuss with the artist, in depth about their musical project, ask them specific questions and get answers. It’s useful to organize a media relay afterwards. On the other hand, you can bring fewer people… It’s up to you if you want to create deep links or if you want to celebrate!

Some artists even go as far as doing their listening session live on networks like Instagram, YouTube or Twitch. This is what Damso had done by inviting Konbini to relay the event. This interesting and efficient device brings me to the 3rd technique!

3. A first listen with influencers

 Use an influencer to promote the release of your musical project

This technique is to make an event on social networks to communicate on the release of your musical project in collaboration with an influencer. Attention: when I say “influencer”, I’m really talking about anyone who has a little more influence than you. This person can very well be an artist featured on your musical project, and whose community is slightly more developed than yours. Whatever the scale, the idea is to be visible by your guest’s community, in order to convince them to listen to your musical project and to follow you on social media.

The advantage of this technique is that you can do it without leaving your home! You can even combine it with one of the previous techniques. For example, you can invite an influencer to your release party and ask them to do a live recording on their Instagram account at the time of the listening! With the internet, the possibilities are endless.

Choose the right influencer to promote the release of your musical project

So don’t close any doors. Scour YouTube and Instagram for influencers who talk about rap if you rap, rock if you rock. Invite someone whose community is really likely to like your work! Obviously, on a small scale, don’t aim at Squeezie, Gota or Inox… Start slowly and tell yourself that an influencer with 5K or 10K is already excellent if you have 10 times less! Also, don’t make the mistake of thinking that it’s unattainable. Influencers are entertainers: it’s not uncommon for them to love the music business. Maybe they will be delighted by your invitation and you will start a long-lasting relationship! Finally, don’t forget that their influence is also their work tool: there is nothing shocking to pay for their performance or attendance. Just be careful to work with someone serious who hasn’t bought their subscribers and who will bring a real added value to your event.

A live : how do you manage it?

What to do when you are going live ? It’s simple: each person has their role! You are the artist: you play each track and you can introduce them to explain how you created them, talk about your inspirations or give the theme of the text. They are the entertainer: they will have to react to each sound, make jokes, ask questions, give an opinion… Believe me, you will quickly reach one hour of live performance, even for a 25 minutes EP!

Recently, I saw an artist going live on Twitch where they were listening to their project and commenting on it, while playing their favorite video game. This platform is perfectly suited to promote the release of your music project! Moreover, it arouses curiosity and brings back the gaming community who is passionate about this game: all good things!

Honestly, it’s not my favorite method because I’m more into physical meetings and in-person interaction. That said, the social impact of this kind of event is much more important and allows you to get closer to your community. If you’re good at streaming, don’t hesitate for a second!

Conclusion

The main lesson is that every musical project is a milestone in your career. It should be celebrated, but also used as an opportunity to meet people and strengthen the bonds with your audience. It would be a shame to miss this opportunity to connect with people, beyond Instagram posts announcing the release of your project. By implementing one of these three techniques at a lower cost, you ensure the evolution of your career and the profitability of your music project! Moreover, it’s the best way to understand how your music makes people feel and which songs are the most effective. Indeed, they are in front of you and you can see their reactions live!

So for your next project, I’m waiting for your invitation!

To go further:

– Translated by Betty Gonzalez Gray – 

Contact the best pros in the music industry on Groover and invite them to your release party!

L’article 3 techniques to celebrate and promote the release of your musical project est apparu en premier sur Groover Blog.

What’s the point of finding contacts from professionals in the music industry?

As in any environment, as an artist, it is important to develop your network and to have a maximum of useful professional contacts. Having contacts in the music industry can facilitate a lot of things like, for example, the media coverage of your next release, the creation of your video or the organization of your next tour … If you are preparing for your next release, here is an article to keep in mind: 7 things to avoid in order to succeed in music

A diversified book of contacts is a very good asset in the music business, which works hand in hand with a professional network.

How not to feel alone with your music?

When you’re an independent artist, you can feel a bit alone with your art. It’s important that you find ways to share your music with others, whether it’s with your friends, other artists or professionals in the music industry.

We advise you to talk about your musical project with the people around you to build a loyal support. Your entourage supports you in your projects, shares your news, talks about it to their acquaintances, etc … It is a support system not to be neglected and constitutes a first fan base around your music.

It’s also a very good idea to exchange with other artists at different points of their career as soon as you have the opportunity. Don’t hesitate to join Facebook groups dedicated to artists, to participate in music workshops or trainings, … to meet a maximum of artists. These people can understand your situation, be interested in your releases and possibly, give you advice. It’s also an opportunity to find potential collaborators.

You may also feel the need to surround yourself professionally at some point in your career. At this point you can approach managers and labels when you feel you have enough experience to show them your potential. This can, for example, be characterized by a substantial press kit with references, press articles and stage experience.

| Check out : How to find a booker?

How do I find professional contacts in the music industry?

On social networks: you can always try to send messages to pros through social media or via email and develop relationships with them! Many music industry pros are online and you can learn a little bit about them, understand their expectations, and better approach them when the time is right. LinkedIn works well for this, and our guide explains how to use LinkedIn as a musician to follow and contact pros before you pitch anything.

Concerts are also great places to network, whether at your own concerts or at other peoples’ events! Don’t hesitate to talk about your music to as many artists and professionals in the music industry as possible.

By uploading your music to Groover you will receive feedback within 7 days and you can start building professional relationships with the contacts who appreciate your music the most!

On Groover, artists and managers have the possibility to contact all kinds of music industry professionals, with a guaranteed response within 7 days (labels, raiods, media, playlists, etc.)

Who can give constructive feedback on my music?

It’s not only music industry professionals who can give you feedback. We advise you to build a panel of people around you who can give you feedback on your next release. You should ask as many people as possible who appreciate the music genre you are in and who are aware of the trends within the genre. You should also remind them to give constructive feedback by pointing out the positive points and the aspects to improve upon. 

You can also ask for feedback from your subscribers by asking them to be as objective as possible. This feedback should be taken with a grain of salt because some of it can be either too brutal or too nice. However, you can potentially receive a significant amount of feedback. Plus, your fans will always be happy to be involved in your music making process. You can, for example, post a sample on Instagram and offer them to respond with constructive comments!

 | Check out : Instagram for Musicians: How to gain new followers in 2021

But the best way is to professionals in the music industry directly. You can do this through Groover, where you’ll find all the contacts you need at every stage of your career. Each one can give you different feedback and opportunities:

• Mentors are very useful to guide you and give you constructive feedback on your music but also to give you advice on your career. It is very useful to contact them if you are just starting out in music, if you are searching for your musical identity or if you are at a turning point in your career!
• The media allow you to increase your visibility and your audience through different channels (radios, blogs, influencers on social networks, journalists for magazines, …). Their feedbacks are oriented towards the quality of your music, its potential, the adequacy with the media in question. This can help you to constantly improve your approach and target your interlocutors more precisely. Their feedback also gives you an insight into their point of view as a medium. Keep this in mind when soliciting media and promoting your music project on social networks.
• Playlists are an essential asset to develop your presence on streaming platforms, which are becoming more and more important in the music landscape in recent years! Playlisters certainly have a different approach than traditional media and you’ll be able to see this with their feedback. The songs you send to media won’t necessarily be the same ones that will work best in a playlist.
• The pros allow you to develop your entourage (labels, managers, editors, sync pros, …). Building your team is a step that can become essential for some artists at different levels of their musical career. These professionals usually appreciate receiving unreleased tracks and being able to bring their expertise to the table.

How to build your network and your entourage in music with Groover?

Groover allows you to get in touch with professionals and media. For 2€ per contact, you can send your track to the  1000+ professionals available on the platform. You are guaranteed to get written feedback on your track within a week and your tracks may potentially be shared, labels may want to meet with you, your track may enter rotation on a radio station, etc. With Groover, you get the email addresses of the pros who enjoyed your music and you can continue to interact with them and build those relationships. This way, you can develop your network as your campaigns progress and fill your professional book of contacts.

– Translated by Betty Gonzalez Gray – 

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L’article How to contact professionals in the music industry? est apparu en premier sur Groover Blog.