Like Artists
Like Artists
Like Artists – A.K.A. Similar Artists – No, not your faves (Though, someday, please email those to me. I’d love to nerd out). It’s just the terminology used. Consider ‘Like Artists’ as similar artists to yourself. Whether they resemble you in sound, or in branding, there’s something there. And it’s not you or your fans listening habits to thank entirely for the comparison (FYI, Namely, I’m referring to Spotify when I reference algorithms going forward).
What’s funny is that Like Artists was a feature readily available to compare yourself against artists similar to you signed by Majors. Was. Until just recently, that is. Now, you see something more like this –
Which is great! These are all artist friends of mine (that you should be sure to check out!). While I’m humbled by the comparison (truly, they’re all amazing and to be aligned with them is mind-blowing), it’s not what I need from this section. The problem is we already share fans. I’m not looking to target the SAME people. What a waste of time!
I Thought I Had To Have Been Making an Error When Initially Looking For Related Artists
Dropped Spotify a line, figuring CEO and Owner, Daniel Ek too busy to speak with me. I cannot say I expected much in the way of an answer. Received this as a reply.
It’s Not “Manually Curated”?
Err.. Okay, it was a feature which once existed. That being the case … It can exist again, no? I’m not asking you, Cyrus, to manually comb Spotify’s database for my like artists . . .
Anyway – Whatever – This Is A Music Business Tutorial, Not A Whining Session
One day I was messing around my Distributor’s site for something else. Unfortunately, what I’ve discovered will only work for those presently using Distrokid, but it’s better than nothing. Long story short, there’s a really roundabout way you can kind of, sort of obtain this information. It’s not as robust. Again, It’s something!!!
Above is your Distrokid Dashboard. From there, you’d go to ‘More’ in the Header Menu. It’s furthest right. Once Under ‘More,’ select ‘Hyperfollow’.
It’s that fifth option down. Once there, scroll down and select any release you’ve set a pre-save for in the past.
Now, scroll down about a page and a half to find …. This!!
And Boom Goes The Dynamite!
Not everyone is signed to a major, but again, it’s a start. Enjoy my friends!
Contact Chuck at [email protected] if you have any questions about how to earn listens, or marketing your music!
ID3 Tags
ID3 Tags
ID3 Tags – Ever wonder why your track will reflect “Unknown Artist” (see above) occasionally? It’s because you forgot to add the stinking ID3 Tags ! A relic of the .mp3 and iPod generation (
my generation), these Tags hold all your tracks metadata. Someone along the way was smart enough to show the details on-screen. They may be old but ID3 Tags are plenty relevant.
ID3 Tags Are Important Because
They clear away the error of ‘Unknown Artist’. In addition, there’s an unintended benefit. The ability for the creator to establish ownership immediately. The latter being much more advantageous.
The Hardest Part Of These Tags
Is remembering to apply them! I sound overly-protective in regards to rights over your musical material. It’s because I am. And you one-hundred percent should be. But this one is a scam waiting to happen! It would be much easier for someone to claim ownership over your hard work from a lack of tags than anything else. You might as well have provided your signature, while you were at it. Before sending a song off ever – LABEL IT!!!
How??
I can only speak for Logic, unfortunately (unless one of you nice folks can help me out.. please? Pretty please :)). But, let’s do what we can there!
Okay, please follow along –
You’ve finished a song. You’re bouncing the final mix (CMD + B in Logic). This screen shows.
- Be sure to select MP3 to the top-left of the window first.
- Turn on the check box to the right-hand side that says ‘Write Id3 Tags’.
- Click ‘ID3 Settings’.
Fill in all the details you possibly can and hit OK.
It’s that easy!
You’re good to go!
There’s not much more to it! For the piece of mind this provides it is worth it. Do it every time, no exception! When it comes to proving ownership over your own material you don’t want silly mistakes. Especially ones with solutions as simple as this. I hope this helps and let me know if there are any questions!
Contact Chuck at [email protected] if you have any questions about how to earn listens, or marketing your music!
Top Tips On What Not To Forget
Top Tips On What Not To Forget
Top Tips On What Not To Forget –
What not to forget to do, because you will. Forget to do things, that is. So, what’s it you forgot again? Crap.
Regardless your level of expertise there’s a checklist one follows when en route to their goal. For what it may be worth, I’d like to give you my two cents on things to consider at any stage of your career.
For explanatory purposes, we’ll tier the information contained in this article within one of three categories. There are top music marketing tips for the ‘novice’. There are top music marketing tips for the ‘serious’. Last, we’ll discuss top music marketing tips for those who have already achieved fiscal sustainability with only music for income. Let’s just title them ‘Professional’.
Top Music Marketing Tips On What Not To Forget As A ‘Novice’
First, let’s start simple. From the moment you export that track make sure everything is in order. By that, I mean your ID3 tags. What’s an ID3 tag?
Ever wonder why this shows up for your tracks time to time?
It’s because it is lacking ‘ID3 Tags.’ These saw their heyday in the days of the .mp3. Don’t let it’s age fool you. It’s as relevant as ever.
Let’s get nerdy for a moment. This information, like, Artist Name, Song Title, Album Name, Etc. is what is called metadata. A fun thing about metadata and mp3’s was the ability to easily join the two. All that is required of you is to remember!
It’s an easy one to forget. I still do! When you bounce your track, be sure to label it as yours! Learn more about ID3 tags here.
Have. A. Website!
I swear to God – Just DO IT! Do it already, stop putting it off and get that page up! Reasons are ten-fold for having one but let’s bullet a few.
- Your OWN store front = less fees for intermediary services paid
- Show off your music!
- Have all your contact information alongside your press information!
Don’t Look At Your Stats!
You’re just getting going! Of course, if you are fact checking a friend informing you of a million listens received on your latest single overnight, snag a look. Outside awesome news like this, they’re just numbers.. don’t lose any sleep over them.
Be observant. View anything you do in the name of your project from a thorough 360 degree perspective before implementing. Be your own largest critic. It’s better its you than an actual critic.
Have a linktr.ee to contain all your details in one spot. More effort you put in to making audience experience easier will payback when they can find your store in less clicks !!
Top Music Marketing Tips For ‘The Serious’
Know your niche. This is important! It seems daunting at first glance. Don’t worry! It will still be daunting at 4, 8th, and 612 glance as well! The reason is niche is fluid. It’s ever changing. So how does one keep a finger on the pulse? Well. Not by ignoring the body, first. That’s for sure!
Have. A. Website. I know. I said it before. I’m going to make it the header across every page soon! Don’t like it? Well, get a website of your own!
Make sure to PREP for each release.
I’ve linked to musician and youtuber Damien Keyes. He has some real useful stuff to say in regards to a ’20 day release plan.’ This video was fantastic for getting the wheels turning! Damien reminds of important points like updating your social banners, website and readying everything for your release. Highly recommend!
Always make sure to have a solid static EPK ready to go as well!
Advertise intelligently! Paying for ads isn’t all about exposure. It’s about rooting out your core audience. Who they are, what makes them tick, what they like, etc. With this info in hand you can really find those who will appreciate you most. As opposed to whipping some cash into a campaign and leaving with no new insights after. If this is the case for you, you’re doing it WRONG!
Tighten up your bio. You have one, now make it a beastly one! You have much more experience than when you first drafted your story. Give that another look. You’ll be embarrassed in the best of ways. Embarrassed because your writing was so previously under developed. Your project is now inevitably more defined and thus, easier to speak to.
Top Tips On What Not To Forget For ‘The Professional’
Do take the time to manually comb through and submit to blogs/playlists/etc. Until you make enough from your music to scoot this responsibility over to someone else, it’s best you continue this chore as a best practice. Also, it keeps you humble. Don’t start getting a big head about things. There’s not much all else less interesting to watch on-stage than someone full of themselves.
Market That Back Catalog!
This is discussed in much more depth within the premium section for After Release and Beyond!
To sum up a large portion, you never stop marketing a release. You need to unroot new avenues to explore how you can promote releases you’ve already put out there. They are far from burdensome. If used right, they are your cash cow!
Take an objective look at your entire brand. Honestly, ask yourself, what am I just not good at? Maybe it’s a cost in the form of time completing these tasks that an expert knows like the back of their hand. Know when to outsource the simple shit.
Cmon! Do you really still not have A WEBSITE!!???
Lest We Forget A Moment –
We are Indie. Budgeting is always something of a concern for us. Cut costs when you can. Now is a good time to evaluate your email marketing provider. Lots of games in town. Many very cheap and VAST. make sure you’re getting most bang for buck.
Regardless Of Your Present Level Of Expertise.
It never hurts to brush up every now and again. Solo artists in particular will benefit most from implementing as many of these tips as possible. We tend to forget we’re driving the entire operation. Rarely do we stop to take the time to perform maintenance work on it. This is why getting a second opinion is great! Don’t be shy and don’t be offended! Hope these tips helped you !
Contact Chuck at [email protected] if you have any questions about how to earn listens, or marketing your music!