When you’re just starting out in the music industry, it can feel impossible to get noticed. After all, with the prevalence of Soundcloud, YouTube, and Bandcamp, it’s never been easier for aspiring musicians to get their sound out there. Unfortunately, this is a double-edged sword. While it has led to some fantastic talent from independent creators that might not have otherwise been given the recognition they deserve, it has also created a dense market that is more competitive than ever before.
One thing that can really help you overcome this sea of competition is a unique and eye-catching aesthetic. By creating a personal brand, you can not only sell your music but sell an experience- something that’s much more likely to stay in the minds of listeners long after your songs have elapsed their run time.
Getting started
When you’re just getting started, it’s worth doing a little bit of brainstorming. Who do you want to be as an artist? What is your identity? The answer to these questions should be authentic to you and the sound you want to produce. From here, you can start to think about colour schemes, aesthetics, genre, and more.
At this stage, it’s probably worth getting in touch with a visual artist or graphic designer to talk about some of your ideas. Alternatively, if you’re feeling creative, give graphic design a go yourself! Look for inspiration in artists you look up to and get to work. There are plenty of free and powerful software to consider, such as Canva, which can transform your vision into reality.
Make sure your product is as good as it can be
While it might feel weird to refer to your music as a ‘product,’ that’s what it is at the end of the day. And a product’s marketability is only as good as the product itself. Spend as much time as possible truly refining your piece. Is the sound quality of a high standard? Are the DJ drops the hardest they could be? Is there any way to improve this song?
These are all questions you should ask yourself every step of the way. It might sound a small bit harsh, but you need to be your own harshest critic when you’re an artist!
Getting your name out there
Once you’ve got a good idea of what you’re selling and who you are, it’s time to show your art and your graphics to the world. The fastest and most effective way of doing this is through social media- once you successfully establish an audience on TikTok or Twitter, you’ve officially made it.
Of course, there are also a few things to avoid doing when you’re advertising your music. However, as long as you stay true to your sound and yourself, you’re likely going to find success. Audiences love authenticity! Not only will staying authentic draw listeners to you, but it will help you avoid getting burnt out or miserable. Making art is supposed to be fun- don’t make it hard for no reason!
