The release day is a grand event for the music artists as it is the day when their latest musical creation goes live or becomes accessible to the listeners. After the whole creative process of singing, recording, mixing, mastering, and uploading the project, it is the day when finally a fresh new music project reaches the music lovers. Keeping the anxiety and anticipation aside, artists should also look forward to creating an effective release day strategy that makes it a grand and successful event. It is highly important to build the momentum and retain it, as fresh new tracks can also get lost in the void of streaming with so much new musical content and artists emerging in the industry.
10 Things to Do on the Music Release Day
Usually, the release day feels like a finish line for the artists, but there are many other tasks to do for artists, as they are simply not done after dropping the project. This is even more important for the independent and rising artists who are not signed under any major label that takes care of these parts. Let’s find 10 effective ways to strategize.
• Email Your Fans
There would be no star in the music industry without the support of the fans and that is why, they deserve to know about your music the first. Yes, social media is a powerful tool, but it can be unpredictable too. That is why it is suggested to email your fans about the music release, which is still one of the most reliable ways of communication and announcements. Also, share a short message about the song and why it matters to you. Conclude the mail by thanking your fans for their support. It is a simple trick, but it works very effectively for all kinds of music artists.
• Music Release = Grand Event
The music industry is filled with artists, and the number is constantly increasing, and everyone is releasing new projects. It is easy to get lost in the crowd, and therefore, you should treat your music release as a grand event, like a celebration. You can host a listening party, play an acoustic rendition, or run a small release show. Even if you make a small live video, it could be something that the fans want to be in, and thus, your music release can be more impactful. Turn it into a memorable day that will be remembered by everyone, even you.
• Official Music Video Premiere
Premiering music videos on YouTube is a great way to multiply the anticipation and buzz. You can schedule your official music video premiere, ask fans to watch the video, and join a live chat while the video debuts. It is a shared moment of excitement that makes the premiere of the music launch successful through both audio and video streaming.
• Short-form Videos are Trendy
The impact of short-form videos on the internet is undoubtedly high, and that is why this popular format initiated by TikTok is now a part of Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and many others. You can also use short-form videos as discovery tools for listeners to find your music. You can use various elements to form the video, such as the catchiest part of your song, BTS footage, lyrical display, and many others. This simple trick can help your music reach thousands of active online users, including relevant listeners.
• Announce the Release (Multiple Times)
Posting just once about your music is not enough in the heavy traffic of the internet. The release day content should be posted multiple times across different platforms, but make sure to use different elements every time so it does not appear repetitive or irritating. In this case, you can use artwork posts, short video clips, stories, and reels, etc., different media. With each new post, your music gets a chance to reach a new listener.
• Blog and Press Coverage
You might have already noticed how established music artists go for media and press before release, as it helps to create maximum buzz. But those press events are mostly arranged by the music labels. For independent artists, the best way would be to go for niche music blog sites that accept submissions and hosting. You can also avail yourself of a press release distribution for your music PR. If you are picked by the media or a journalist, you can repost it and gain more credibility in the competitive landscape.
• Small Giveaway Contest
Giveaways make fans very happy, and they are actively willing to participate in some event or contest for their favorite artist. So, you might well give them a chance. Giveaways can also encourage the fans to share your music with other listeners who could be their friends or family. For giveaway gifts, you can offer them something simple like merch, vinyl, and exclusive downloads, etc and the fans will be holding onto it for the rest of their lives. This is the best way to spread your music organically.
• Build a Playlist Based on Release
Instead of just promoting a single or an album, promote a playlist where your latest music projects are also included. In order to make the playlist, you should add songs that inspired it, collaborators’ music, and artists in your genre, other than just your song. This strategy seems to be working for all kinds of music artists and it can engage listeners with deeper impact and a greater musical story.
• Reach Stans (more than fans)
Fans are important, and then come the die-hard fans or stans who are more likely to go the extra mile for you. Sometimes you can gain great promotional benefits by making a personal approach, and that works perfectly in this case. Find out who the most engaged fans are in your follower base. Do they comment regularly on your posts? Thank them for their engagement and send your song personally to ask their feedback. These small interactions can help you gain long-term supporters who make your every music release successful.
• Go Live to Celebrate
You can also go live on social media platforms, as they instantly notify the followers. You will see the number of viewers increasing once you start the live, and it is a great way to talk about the story behind the track, answer fan questions, or play the song live. It is highly noticeable in the music industry how established artists embark on a world music tour just to support their latest album release. You might not be able to do that now, but you can still perform at live gigs to attract more audiences while promoting your music organically.
Final Thought
A majority of music artists think their work is done when music is released, but the real promotional strategies begin after the project drops. According to a recent Spotify report, 75% of a release’s first-year streams happen after the first month. Therefore, keeping up the momentum is crucial here. For further help, it is recommended to take help from professional promotional experts who can help make your music popular.
