Music Industry Marketing

Music Industry Marketing

The music business has changed completely since I started working with bands and A&R companies, but one thing remains constant: authenticity still cuts through the noise. Whether you're an independent artist or working with established labels, marketing in this space requires understanding both the creative process and the business realities.

From Physical to Digital, But Never Forgetting Print

I've designed CD cover art that had to work as both a physical product people hold and a tiny thumbnail on streaming platforms. That dual requirement changes everything about the design process. What looks striking at full size might disappear at Spotify's display resolution. Every element needs to serve both purposes without compromise.

My poster designs have promoted everything from local shows to tour runs, understanding that venue requirements vary wildly. Some want standard sizes that fit their existing frames. Others need custom dimensions for their specific display boards. Print ads for music publications require different approaches than posters; they're competing for attention on a page full of other ads, not standing alone on a venue wall.

The Digital Side of Music Marketing

Beyond print, I handle complete online marketing for music industry clients. This means managing social media accounts across platforms, each requiring different content strategies. Instagram needs visually striking content that stops the scroll. Facebook works better for event promotion and longer-form updates. Twitter moves too fast for most musicians to keep up with unless they're naturally inclined to that platform's rhythm.

SEO for musicians isn't just about ranking for their band name. It's about appearing for genre searches, local venue listings, and related artist recommendations. Website design for bands needs to balance aesthetic appeal with functionality: tour dates need to be immediately visible, music should be playable without hunting for it, and merch stores need to load fast and work on mobile.

Newsletters That Actually Get Opened

Email marketing still drives more direct fan action than any social platform. I design and write newsletters that give subscribers something exclusive, whether that's early ticket access, behind-the-scenes content, or first glimpses at new releases. The key is consistency without becoming spam, value without always selling something.

Working with music royalties organizations taught me another side of the industry: the business infrastructure that keeps artists paid. Marketing these services requires speaking to both artists who need to understand their rights and businesses that need to comply with licensing. It's technical information that needs to be accessible without being dumbed down.

Understanding the Full Picture

My experience spans the complete spectrum of music industry marketing needs. From designing physical products like CD covers and posters to managing complex digital campaigns, I understand how each piece fits into an artist's overall presence. A cohesive visual identity across all platforms, print materials that complement digital efforts, and online strategies that drive real-world attendance and sales. This isn't about picking one approach over another. Success in music marketing requires orchestrating all these elements into something that feels authentic to the artist while actually reaching their audience.