Independent music artists have never had it so good. With online tools and services like Bandcamp and Spotify, it's easier than ever to make your music available to the world. But getting people to hear your music is only half the battle; you also need to find ways to market yourself as an artist. You see, with the right approach, marketing yourself as an independent music artist doesn't have to be a big-budget affair. In fact, there are a number of low-cost or even no-cost marketing strategies that can help you get your music out there and build a following. Here are ten proven ways you can start marketing yourself today!

• Use Social Media to Your Advantage. 

As an independent music artist, one of the best ways to get your name out there is through social media. By creating a strong online presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you can reach a wide audience and build a loyal fan base. These are some key tips to remember when marketing yourself as an independent music artist on social media:

1. Start by creating a professional-looking website and social media accounts. Make sure to include links to your music and contact information.

2. Use hashtags and keywords to help people find your music. For example, if you make electronic dance music, use hashtags like #EDM or #dancemusic.

3. Engage with your fans regularly. Reply to comments and messages, and post interesting content that will keep people coming back for more.

4. Run competitions and giveaways on your social media accounts. This is a great way to get people talking about your music and to build up excitement for new releases.

5. Collaborate with other independent artists. This can help you reach a new audience and create long-lasting relationships with other musicians.

By following these tips, you can give yourself a competitive edge in the music industry and start building a successful following on social media.

• Create A Webpage or Blog

One way to make sure that your music is seen by potential fans is to create a website or blog. Music blogs have a global audience, much like social media, and may spread your music far and wide. To find an audience that will enjoy your music, you should start with blogs closely related to your genre or area.

Blogs and Websites will give you a platform to share your work and connect with people who are interested in your music. You can use social media to drive traffic to your website or blog, and you can also use search engine optimization (SEO) tactics to ensure that your site comes up when people are searching for new music. If you put in the effort, you can make sure that your site is seen by the people who are most likely to appreciate your work and become raving fans.

• Build an Email List.

If you're an independent music artist, marketing yourself online can be a challenge. But one proven and effective way to reach your fans is through email marketing. By including a mailing list sign-up form on your website, you can stay connected with people who are interested in your music. When you have news to share, like a new album or upcoming tour, they'll be the first to know. And because they've already shown an interest in you, they're more likely to listen to your music and come to your shows. So, if you're looking for a way to reach more people with your music, start building an email list today.

• Play at Live Shows

Live shows are a great opportunity to connect with fans, build buzz around your music, and sell merchandise. But before you book your first gig, there are a few things you should keep in mind;

• First, choose a venue that's a good fit for your style of music. 

If you're a folk singer, for example, you might want to play at a coffee shop or wine bar. If you're a hard rock band, on the other hand, you'll probably have more luck at a club or concert hall. 

• Second, make sure to promote your show in advance. 

Create flyers and post them around town, and send out email blasts to your mailing list. You can also promote your show on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. 

• Finally, don't forget to bring along merch to sell at the gig. 

T-shirts, CDs, and other items can help you earn some extra income and get your name out there.

So, one obvious and effective way to market yourself as an independent music artist, is to play at live shows!

5. Create A Strong Team Around You

When you're an independent music artist, it's important to have a good team behind you. This team can help you with things like marketing, publicity, and booking gigs. They can also provide useful connections and advice. If you don't have a team yet, start by finding a few music-loving people who share your vision. They don't need to be experts in the industry, but they should be willing to help out and promote your music. Once you have a good group of supporters, you can start looking into hiring experts like publicists or radio pluggers. These professionals can give you a big boost in the music industry. And finally, consider finding a good manager. A good manager should be passionate about your music and believe in your potential as an artist. With a strong team behind you, you'll be well on your way to success as an independent music artist.

6. Know Your Audience & Focus on Your Niche

As an independent music artist, knowing your audience and focusing on your niche is very important. Thriving music subcultures exist in many corners of the world, and by capitalizing on your musical specialty, you can attract devoted fans. For example, if you're a metal band, play at metal music venues and join the metal community. As a rapper, seek out rap communities and visit rap venues. People are usually rooting for local musicians and artists, so leverage this mindset to build your fan following locally before going national or worldwide. By knowing your audience and focusing on your niche, you can successfully market yourself as an independent music artist.

7. People You Know Well and Love can be of Help.

Many independent musicians think that the only way to gain new fans is through marketing themselves to strangers. However, this isn't always the most effective strategy for beginners. A great way to start building a dedicated fanbase is by reaching out to the people you know well and love. These people are more likely to be supportive and will help spread the word about your music. In addition, they can provide valuable feedback that can help you improve your craft. So don't be afraid to ask your loved ones to join your fanbase. With their support, you'll be one step closer to success.

• Join Playlists

Getting your music onto popular playlists is a simple and effective way to get your music out there and win over new listeners. People are always on the lookout for new tunes, and one of the ways they discover new music is by browsing curated playlists on streaming services like Spotify and Soundcloud. If you're not already signed up for Spotify for Artists, it's a great place to start exploring playlists. As one of its many useful features, Spotify for Artists lets you immediately submit your music for consideration in Spotify's playlists. If you can get your music onto some of these popular playlists, you'll be exposing it to a whole new audience. And what better way to win over a new listener than to provide them with entertainment for their workout or commute home? So why not give it a try and see if you can get your music onto some of the world's most popular playlists?

• Link with Content Creators

YouTubers, streamers, and Tik-Tok creators all need music to accompany their videos, but they may not have the time or resources to create their own. As an independent music artist, you can offer your services in exchange for a backlink to your site. This will help you gain exposure and grow your fan base. You can either compose bespoke tracks for content creators or simply allow them to use your existing songs. Either way, you'll be giving people the opportunity to discover your work through the content they already enjoy. And who knows? Maybe you'll even end up with a few new fans in the process.

• Release Royalty-Free Tracks. 

Royalty-free music is music that can be used without having to pay royalties. This means that you can release your tracks on platforms like YouTube and Soundcloud without having to worry about copyright infringement. In addition, releasing royalty-free music can help you to build a following among other independent artists. By making your tracks available for free, you provide others with the opportunity to use your music in their own projects. This can help to raise awareness of your work and generate interest in your music. If you're looking for a way to market yourself as an independent artist, releasing royalty-free tracks is a great option.

Final Take Away

So, there you have it! Ten easy ways for independent music artists to market themselves on a small budget. Of course, this is just the beginning – as your career progresses, you will want to continue exploring new and innovative ways to reach your fans. But these ten tips should give you a good starting point and help you get your music out there. 

 Also, practice the success ingredients of consistency and self-belief, and you will make it. And don't forget -for any help along the way, don't hesitate to contact us – we love working with talented musicians, and we would be happy to assist you in any way possible!