Lead Time: One of an Artist's Most Valuable Assets
/Gone are the days of randomly placing your single on soundcloud, people. You get a few hundred or a few thousand listens then you want to call a public relations person to help you "get more exposure." The truth is before you even clicked upload there are several things you should have considered. One of an artist's most valuable assets is LEAD TIME. Why? Because what you do leading up to the release is WAY more important than your itch to "put something out there because you haven't released music in a long time." If you want your message to be heard, here are a few things you need to do.
- BEFORE releasing your music, YOU NEED A STRATEGY! It doesn't have to be elaborate, but take some time to identify who you're trying to reach, what value you provide for them, when is the best time to catch them, where do they go online and what places do they visit? Why you're trying to reach them, and how do they like to be communicated with? Knowing all of these factors will help you make a better impact.
- People buy from those they know, like, and trust. Have you taken the time to consistenly provide value on something before trying to sell? This is one area that I'd fallen short in. Take it from me, build before trying to get people to buy.
- Understand that today, music is a marketing tool. What is your bigger picture? Having dope music isn't enough anymore. What does your music drive people to do? What impact does it make? How can you partner with an organization or companies to amplify the message in your music. Think more like a business(wo)man before you release a single, and your artistry will go far!
Give yourself at least 3-4 weeks of lead time before your release date for pre-promotion. Also keep in mind what ways you'll promote your music during and after launch. If you need help getting your strategy together, and you have a budget, contact me and we'll create one together.
xoxo
Cartiay Reshay