If you are a new synthwave music producer looking for ways to promote your synthwave music, you’ve come to the right post. I will share ten things that I do to promote my music.
So, you’ve spent the past few months writing and recording some songs for a new album or EP. After many hours of prepping, laying down the tracks, mixing, and mastering, you’re finally happy with the result.
You have your wav files ready to upload and share with the world at large, but where do you even start?
First of all, let me start by saying that there are no special ways to promote synthwave music. You can use these tactics to promote any kind of music.
Right then, so there are many effective ways to promote your synthwave music and reach a wider audience, but we’ll focus on just ten of the best tactics to get you started.
1. Create a professional online presence
You may have already started doing this with social media sites, perhaps your own website, etc. If not, don’t worry. It’s never too late to start. I would highly recommend building a website to start with. Your website will be the headquarters for your music, merch, news, and everything else related. If you don’t know where to start with creating a website, I recommend checking out my online course here. I use WordPress for the Megaglitch website, and my course will teach you how to build one just like it, with almost no coding.
2. Utilize social media
As well as a website, hopefully, you have some social media presence for your music. If not then get started right away! Regularly post content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to engage with your followers, and share music snippets, behind-the-scenes footage, and updates about upcoming releases, events merch, and more. Out of all the platforms, I’ve found TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to be the best platforms to promote my synthwave music.
3. Collaborate with influencers and other artists
Collaborating with influencers or artists who have a similar target audience can help expose your music to a new fan base. Consider reaching out to them for potential collaborations or features on their platforms.
4. Submit your music to online platforms and playlists
Submit your EP or tracks to popular music streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud. Additionally, research and submit your music to relevant playlists that match your genre and style. For example, there may be groups on Facebook promoting synthwave music and you may wish to request one of your tracks added to a popular playlist. In addition, if you use Spotify, I recommend creating your own playlists and promoting them online.
5. Release your music on Bandcamp
There is no better way to earn revenue from your music than to release it on Bandcamp. Bandcamp has been supporting artists since 2007. You can release music, build a community, promote merchandise, and more, all through Bandcamp.
6. Engage with your fans
Coming back to social media, it’s always a good idea to respond to your fans’ comments, messages, and feedback. Building a strong connection with your audience can help create loyal fans who will support and share your music for a long time.
7. Live performances and gigs
If you are able to, organize live performances at local venues, bars, or clubs. But considering synthwave music is a very unique genre, you don’t always have to be live in front of an actual audience. You can use the Live tools and features within social platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Live performances, whether in the flesh or online allow you to showcase your talent, build a fan base, and network with other musicians and industry professionals.
8. Music videos and visual content
Create high-quality music videos to accompany your songs and release them on platforms like YouTube or Vimeo. Visual content can help enhance the impact of your music and attract new listeners.
9. Press releases and media outreach
Write and distribute press releases to music blogs, online magazines, and local newspapers. Develop relationships with music journalists and bloggers interested in featuring your work. There are some websites that offer paid promotions such as interviews and music reviews.
10. Build an email list
Perhaps this should be at the very top of the list. Building an email audience is without a doubt the most powerful way in which you can promote your synthwave music. So, encourage your fans to subscribe to your email newsletter through your website or social media profiles. This allows you to directly communicate with your fans and keep them updated on new releases, shows, and merchandise.
11. Use music and social media analytical tools
Tools such as SoundChart and ChartMetrics are great tools to help you track the growth of your music. Spotify for Artists also has tools that you can use to assess your growth and popularity. Some tools can be quite expensive but when you are just starting out, you only need some basic tools to get you started.
Final words of wisdom…
Remember, consistent promotion and persistence are key here. It’s important to adapt your strategies based on your target audience, genre (synthwave), and available resources. Building a strong and dedicated fan base takes time and effort, so stay focused and continue refining your craft while promoting your synthwave music the best you can.