SoundCloud is one of the most efficient and user-friendly platforms for new and rising talents to create a name for themselves. It is the hotspot for listening to brand-new artists of every genre there is. Similarly, for a rapper too, this platform along with some other promoting platforms is the best platform to showcase the immense potential. SoundCloud along with other platforms was one of the first to help rappers get the best of the digital world and many eminent rappers like Lil Yachty, Trippie Redd, Future, and Lil Uzi Vert were discovered through this platform. So it is clear how these music-promoting platforms can turn any talented rapper into a famous one. But for things to fall in their right places, some other things need to be checked and kept in consideration first.
Getting Good Gears
To produce high-quality tracks, an artist must have proper gear like a good-quality microphone and headset. The Maono Cardioid with Studio Headphones, Neewer Professional Studio Broadcasting Mic, and the Rockville Pro Recording Studio Set are some of the great options for a tight budget. The right kind of headphones are essential as well as without them it can become impossible to make the right adjustments during mixing. Along with this, a rapper needs a DAW, also known as a Digital Audio Workstation for the proper recording and mixing of the tracks. Some popular DAWs include FL Studio, Garage Band, and Acoustica.
Protect from Plagiarism
Like everywhere else, these promoting platforms are not free from plagiarism if some precautionary steps are not taken at the very beginning. To protect an artist and his work legally is a crucial step that can be taken by registering with copyright organizations like ASCAP or BMI. Other than these there are also digital watermarking services like Audible Magic or Verify Media which help in tracking and identifying any kind of unauthorized use of the artist’s track online.
Profile True to the Artist
The first thing that the audience sees is the banner, profile picture, and the bio of the artist. So it is only natural to think that those things have to be authentic and true to the real personality of the artist. Use of an interesting photo for the banner or having a compelling yet accurate bio that describes the artist’s favorite genre of his or her thoughts is a must. The profile should be filled with stylistic visuals that resonate with the artist and the art which helps in creating a sense of knowing among the audience.
Membership Plans and Paid promotions
The artists can earn from their art if they avail of the membership plans offered by some of the music-promoting platforms. In other cases paid promotion is a very secure and reliable way to go if one wants be reach a desired amount of engagement. Some of the platforms offer various packages of a wide range that includes daily social sharing and content marketing, paid press releases with distribution to popular sites, paid music blogging on popular music blogging sites, paid music reviews to gain the confidence of the audience and to give the artist the actual, and organic engagement that they deserve.
Consistency of Work
There is a huge chance of losing the audience if the artist is not regularly posting his or about his work. It is all about engaging with the audience and gaining their trust. This can only happen if there is consistency in the amount of posts, the quality of the work, and consistent engagement with the listeners. Making a name takes a bit more than just dropping one or two tracks in a year and liking a few comments. It takes compassion and consideration of what the audience feels about the artist and their art.
Building a Fan Base
One of the most effective marketing strategies to gain success through online promotion is by building a following. Creating mesmerizing playlists that suit specific themes or moods for the audience makes it easier for them to navigate through one’s profile. But to add one of their own composition that matches the theme of the playlist is a must as the audience will get familiar with a new song in a familiar setting and this raises the chance of them coming back to the specific track.
Hosting contests or giveaways or lives are also part of marketing strategies. The idea for this remains the same. To get the audience involved with the artist and the tracks more, the artist needs to reach out and engage with his or her audience through these small events held on different social media platforms.
Be Different
Imitation might be the most flattering way of giving a compliment but nobody wants to listen to the same old tracks copied in the same way by a different singer. Every listener on music streaming platforms is looking for a different song that somehow gives the vibe of familiarity so it is better to find a niche of one’s own and beat the competition. Creating a unique sound is one of the simplest ways to get recognized but it may not be that easy. Experimenting with different genres and mixing completely different genres and making them sound harmonious can give birth to a unique flair that will help a rapper rise above his or her peers and stand out.
