The Struggles of Releasing Music: Overcoming Obstacles and Promoting Your Work
As someone grappling with the challenges of long COVID, I’ve experienced a slowdown in producing new tracks. However, despite this setback, I managed to complete around 10 tracks last year, with approximately 6 of them ready for release. With this in mind, I devised a plan: it’s time to share my music with the world.
The First Hurdle: Building an Online Presence
To kickstart this journey, I realized the importance of having an actual website. Having used WordPress before, I dove right in. Little did I anticipate the impact of brain fog on my progress. Weeks passed, and I found myself plodding along, slowly inching closer to completion. If you’re reading this, then my website is finally up and running, albeit with a few minor adjustments still needed.
Distribution Dilemma: Choosing the Right Platform
Having explored various options like Distrokid and Songtradr, I find myself drawn to the reliability of CDbaby. Although it may lack some of the promotional tools offered by other platforms, it boasts a longstanding reputation and requires only a one-time payment. So, despite its limitations, I’ve decided to go with the flow and entrust my distribution to this familiar favourite.
Promoting Your Single: Navigating the Social Landscape
In today’s music industry, social interaction plays a crucial role in promoting your work. Yet, for someone like me, who struggles with socializing, this poses a challenge. Should I jump on the TikTok bandwagon or rely on old favorites like Facebook and Instagram? The latter two platforms have algorithms less conducive to organic promotion through social posts, but there’s always the option of utilising advertisements. Facebook’s ad studio, though, can be overwhelming to navigate. Therefore, I believe it’s best to start slowly and focus on a few select areas. Exploring playlists, Submithub, and similar platforms can prove useful in this regard. Additionally, dabbling with YouTube videos, such as music or lyric videos, could help expand my reach.
Considering Ads: A Potential Avenue for Growth
The idea of delving into advertising has crossed my mind. Facebook ads, in particular, have proven effective for many artists. However, the setup process can be daunting and complex. Perhaps this is an avenue worth exploring in the future, once I feel more comfortable with the intricacies involved.
I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section. Have you discovered any successful strategies for attracting fans to your music or helping them rediscover it? Let’s engage in a fruitful discussion and learn from one another’s insights.