You know that as an artist, it's super important to understand the basics of music promotion. Even if you're not the one doing the promoting, you should be up on the promotion dos and don'ts for those you have working for you. If you're not promoting your music correctly, you're missing out on potential fans and revenue and potentially harming your brand in the process.

In this blog post, we will discuss 10 of the most common music promotion mistakes that artists make. There's no one size fits all and we probably have another dozen we could've written but just these first ten should help you make crucial decisions when planning your next music marketing campaign. I learned most of these through trial and error as I am also an artist. I hope that you will save some time and money by avoiding these missteps below.

1. Don't underestimate the power of social media.

In today's world, it's easy to underestimate the power of social media since we use it daily and don't think too much about it. After all, what difference can a few posts and tweets really make? But the truth is that social media can be a powerful force for good. With a few clicks, we can share important information and reach a wide audience.

We can connect with like-minded people and build community. Through that community we can use our voices to create positive change. So the next time you're tempted to write off social media as pointless, remember that it just might be the most powerful tool you have for making a difference.

2. Don't try to do everything yourself.

If you're an aspiring musician, you might be tempted to try and do all your music promotion yourself. After all, it's your music and no one knows it better than you, right? Wrong. While it's certainly important to be involved in the promotion of your music, trying to do everything yourself is a recipe for disaster. Not only will you quickly become overwhelmed, but you'll also likely make some costly mistakes.

It's important to remember that music promotion is a complex undertaking that requires expertise and experience. By partnering with a reputable music promotion company, you can ensure that your music gets the exposure it deserves. In the end, it's better to entrust your music promotion to professionals who can get the job done right.

We all make mistakes when starting out with our music career. Just don't give up and you'll make it.

3. Don't neglect your email list.

If you're like most people, you probably have a love/hate relationship with your email inbox. On the one hand, it's great to be able to keep in touch with friends and family with the click of a button. On the other hand, dealing with constant messages can be overwhelming. But there's one type of email that you should always make time for and that's fan mail.

Whether you're a musician, actor, or author, your fans are the ones who help to make your career possible. So take a few minutes out of your day to respond to their messages. You might be surprised by how much it means to them - and you.

4. Don't forget about offline promotion.

In today's digital world, it's easy to forget that there are still many offline music promotion strategies that can be incredibly effective. For example, consider handing out flyers or posters in high-traffic areas. Or, get involved with local radio stations and see if they'll play your music.

You could also try setting up a merchandise table at shows or festivals. And, of course, don't underestimate the power of word-of-mouth promotion. If you make great music, people will naturally want to tell their friends about it. So don't forget about offline promotion - it can be just as effective as online promotion, if not more so in the right hands.

5. Don't skimp on quality.

If you're serious about your music career, skimping on quality is not an option. Whether it's the quality of your recordings, your live shows, or your music promotion, going cheap will only hurt you in the long run. Of course, that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on everything. But when it comes to promoting your music, it's worth investing in a few key areas.

Hiring a good publicist, for example, can make all the difference in getting your music heard by the right people. And if you're planning to release a music video, working with a professional videographer will ensure that it looks its best. In the end, quality is what counts - so don't cut corners when it comes to promoting your music.

6. Don't be afraid to be different.

In the music industry, it's often said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But if you're an aspiring musician, there's nothing wrong with taking a different approach from your competitors when promoting your music. After all, standing out from the crowd is one of the best ways to get noticed. If everyone else is using traditional methods like flyers and posters to promote their music, why not try something more unique?

You could organize a flash mob in a busy area, or set up a street performance in front of a popular landmark. Alternatively, you could create an innovative video that goes viral on social media. No matter what approach you take, the important thing is to be creative and original.

7. Don't overlook paid advertising.

If you're looking to increase your fan base, don't overlook paid music advertising. It's a great way to reach new listeners and build buzz around your latest release. With so many platforms to choose from, you can tailor your campaign to target your genre of music. But before you start spending, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, make sure your music is good. There's no point in spending money on ads if your music isn't up to scratch. Second, know your audience. Who are you trying to reach? What kind of music do they like? Once you've answered these questions, you're ready to start planning your campaign. Paid music advertising can be a great way to build buzz and reach new listeners. Just make sure you do your research first.

Getting your music heard means knowing how to market yourself and your songs.

8. Don't forget about search engine optimization.

If you're promoting your music, don't forget about search engine optimization (SEO)! Just like with any other website, your music site needs to be optimized for the search engines if you want it to be successful. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to make sure your site is optimized for search engines.

I'll keep it simple since SEO is a deep topic that we jump can't dive into in this blog post. First, make sure all of your titles and descriptions are keyword-rich. Second, choose a catchy domain name that includes your keywords. Finally, use social media to promote your site and build backlinks.

9. Don't underestimate the power of word of mouth.

If you're trying to get your music career off the ground, don't underestimate the power of word of mouth. In the age of social media, one satisfied listener can quickly turn into a hundred new fans. It eventually becomes obvious that these fans are not just passive listeners; they're active evangelists for your music.

They'll tell their friends, post about you on social media, and come to your shows. So don't be shy about letting your fans do the promoting for you. It's the most effective form of marketing, and it's completely free. So get out there and start making some noise.

10. Don't give up too soon

Anyone who's ever tried to promote their music knows that it's not an easy task. You can spend hours creating flyers and posting them around town, but if nobody comes to your shows, it can be disheartening.

Listen I've been there, and quite frankly most artists who try on the come-up have had those types of nights. It's important to remember that success doesn't happen overnight, and you shouldn't give up if you're not seeing results right away. Just keep plugging away and promoting your music in as many ways as possible, and eventually, you'll start to see some success.

Your next steps

Now that you've read through some of the 10 music promotion mistakes you should avoid, it's time to get working on the steps you should take. Be sure to check out our post "Quick Ways Music Artists Can Attract Thousands of New Fans" where we discuss creative ways to promote your music without breaking your bank.

If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and family as that helps to spread the word and maybe help another artist out there struggling to get their music heard.