Getting noticed as an independent artist is a giant challenge, and Apple Music is another arena to fight for attention. So, how do musicians start making waves on, like, a platform that’s already crowded? How do Indie Artists get seen by potential fans? The first step is to be on the platform; some artists spend their time on Spotify or Soundcloud, but that is just a waste of energy if someone is an “Apple person”. It is good to explore all the popular streaming and marketing choices that might help; then, it is a good idea to test the waters.
Focusing On Apple Music Promotion
The thing is, you can’t just upload your music and hope someone finds it; it’s like throwing a dart in the dark. The first point is to start promoting a business well before the release date; that means letting people know, building anticipation, and having a marketing plan in place. If you want to be successful, you will at least need the base levels of marketing; even big players and well-known artists have these people backing them up. It is important to choose the right steps.
Engaging With Playlists Actively
There are two types of Apple Music playlists: algorithmic ones that Apple automatically creates, and the editorial playlists made by their music experts. The music curator is going to change everything. It can be extremely helpful, and getting even onto small playlists goes a long way. Playlists make a release successful, building stream counts and exposing it to new listeners who may not have found you otherwise. Finding the right music curator is very important, and should be near the top of the marketing priority list, but please do not harass them with unnecessary emails.
Using Social Media The Right Way
Your fans are probably already on social media, so engage. Use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and even YouTube. For example, share a piece of the song to get people excited. You could also launch a campaign around the single/new album or run a promotion where listeners can send in content to engage more fans! It is good to cross over with your other platforms because this will increase listeners. It must come across as genuine and fun, not just fake ads.
Building A Strong Foundation Online
Having a good amount of streams is a basic part of appearing relevant on Apple Music. The thing is, this leads some artists to ‘buy Apple Music streams’ to pump up those numbers. While it may look cool initially, Apple can remove fake streams, which can come off as a major strike for an artist and can actually pull an artist’s career back. Some services offer streams and views from questionable sources, so it’s generally considered a bad idea. Building real, authentic engagement, as explained above, is a longer and harder process, but it pays off. It really is best to use those channels correctly instead of trying to cut short and trick the audience. Also, being genuine will do lots more good than bad. So stick to making good music to engage listeners.
Understanding Apple Music Analytics
Look, numbers matter. Apple Music for Artists gives you, the artist, data to see where listeners come from, which songs are popular, and which parts of the world love you. The way you use this type of data, you could literally build the music from the ground up, tailored to certain countries or fan bases! Do not be fooled; you aren’t just supposed to look at this data and do nothing; you need to actually adapt, change, and adjust your strategies, or you will miss out on the data that is trying to help a musician figure out the right thing to do.
Optimizing Apple Music Connect
Some people forget that Apple Music Connect is a thing that exists because it’s, well, not that obvious. But it allows the musicians to connect with fans within the app. Share lyrics, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and random thoughts just to keep listeners excited over your music. This also has the potential to attract fans that would not otherwise be on your social media (since you can only share it with folks who are on the platform). That makes the fan more likely to share your music with others because they might feel like, on some level, they personally know the music creator, and feel obligated to help with exposure! This is the most important marketing to the most important audience that the independent musician is going to have.
Conclusion
Apple Music is a place that is filled with lots of big and medium-sized fish, but any independent artist can be one of them if they promote the business in all the right ways. Focus on authenticity, real engagement, playlist outreach, and engaging with social media to launch a great presence. It requires focus, time, and a willingness to think creatively!
