Question 1

What is music marketing?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

Defining music marketing is a bit difficult, as it’s a wide-ranging phrase, but essentially it relates to any activity meant to promote music.  MasterClass defines it as such: “the use of strategic messaging and advertising to connect music artists with their fan base while also informing new audiences about the artist’s music career and latest work.”
It involves public relations, advertising, social media, branding and so much more, and there are countless strategies an artist can utilize when pushing their work to the masses. Marketing is often what makes a song a hit, as great works are overlooked all the time. In today’s world, making beautiful music is wonderful, but without marketing, it often doesn’t reach a large audience.

Question 2

Where can I learn music marketing?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

There are dozens of colleges and universities in the United States alone that offer marketing degrees with specialities in music, but here are five that rank among the best and most popular and which every prospective student should consider.

Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA)
Berklee College of Music is renowned worldwide for its contemporary music education programs. Their Bachelor of Music in Music Business/Management offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers music marketing extensively. With access to Berklee&#8217;s state-of-the-art facilities and a strong industry network, students gain hands-on experience in artist management, digital marketing, and music entrepreneurship. It also doesn’t hurt that Berklee may be the strongest brand when it comes to music and higher ed.
University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
USC&#8217;s Thornton School of Music offers a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry, a program well-regarded for its focus on music marketing and business. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, students benefit from proximity to the entertainment industry&#8217;s epicenter. USC&#8217;s strong industry connections and internship opportunities with major record labels, marketing firms, and music tech startups make it an attractive option for aspiring music marketers.
New York University (New York City, NY)
NYU’s Steinhardt School offers a Bachelor of Music Business that equips students with the skills needed for marketing music in the real world. Studying in New York City, a global music and media hub, provides unmatched access to internships and networking opportunities. NYU&#8217;s faculty, composed of industry experts, ensures students receive a comprehensive education in music marketing, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a career in the music business.
Belmont University (Nashville, TN)
Situated in Nashville–otherwise known as Music City–Belmont University&#8217;s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Music Business. With its strong focus on practical experience and internships in Nashville&#8217;s thriving music industry, Belmont provides students with valuable hands-on training in music marketing, artist management, and event promotion. The university&#8217;s extensive alumni network also opens doors for future opportunities in the music business.
University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL)
The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami offers a Bachelor of Music in Music Business and Entertainment Industries. This program combines a strong music foundation with business and marketing coursework, preparing students for careers in music marketing, artist management, and record label operations…but it also allowing them to understand the ins and outs of actually making music. Miami&#8217;s vibrant cultural scene and proximity to the Latin music industry make it an appealing choice for those interested in diverse music marketing opportunities.

Question 3

How can I market my music with no money?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

If you don’t have any money to spend to market your music, you may find it difficult to reach millions, but it’s not impossible to attract some attention, as long as you can think creatively. Social media is a fantastic way to make yourself known, and there are countless ways to create and post something that will make you and your art better known than before. Be funny, outrageous, visually appealing, or just downright excellent, and there’s a small chance that you may find yourself becoming an online star, and that’s the starting point when it comes to promoting your work.
Also, you can film music videos, live performances, collaborations, and so much more and post them on TikTok and YouTube, all the while thinking about virality. Of course, there are no guarantees, and you’re competing with millions of other people around the world for attention, so you need to be aware that you might not succeed…but does that mean it’s not worth trying?

Question 4

What are the best music marketing platforms?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

There are countless companies offering tools that may help you market your music, and you can dive into these programs and offerings, though they usually will cost you. When looking at platforms that are ideal for promotion, whether free or paid, the biggest and most popular are still the ones you’re already familiar with, and which are listed above. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and others attract millions, if not billions of people, and thus they’re fantastic for promoting anything. You’ll be spending a lot of your time working on these sites when pushing your songs and albums.

Question 5

What is a music marketing degree?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

A music marketing degree would be any college degree that specializes specifically in marketing within the music industry. These programs allow the teachers to dive deeper into the complex business of music, and it gives the students a more comprehensive look at the field than a general marketing program might.
This is an excellent option for those who are entering college with some experience in the field and who are already sure that what they want to do more than anything for their career is help build the brands of musicians and promote their art to the world.
If you are interested in that career path, but not 100% certain it’s what you’ll want to do for many years to come, you may want to think about avoiding such a specific degree. Instead of going to college to earn a music marketing diploma, you can think about going after a more general marketing degree. That way, you can tailor your experience to music via internships and jobs, or you can go in another direction at any time.

Question 6

Is a music business degree worth it?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

Spending the time, money, and effort to secure a college degree is almost always worth the investment. Even if you end up going into a different industry and your diploma doesn’t quite match up, it will help you get your start, and from there, you can make your career what you like.
These days, college degrees are expected, not just preferred, and as a young person who may have little experience in the music industry, let alone when it comes to marketing musicians, a degree may be the sole thing that will help you land that first role. This thinking definitely applies in the music industry, and though there are stories of people making it and enjoying fruitful, successful careers without the piece of paper, they are the exception, not the standard.

Question 7

What are the 4 Ps of music marketing?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

The four Ps of music marketing, which are the same four Ps as the traditional marketing mix, but with a musical twist applied, are Product, Price, Place, and Promotion.

Product &#8211; In the context of music marketing, the &#8220;product&#8221; refers to the music itself. It includes the quality of the music, the genre, the lyrics, and your overall artistic identity. You and your team must work to create music that resonates with your target audience, ensuring it meets their expectations and preferences.
Price &#8211; Pricing in music marketing is not always about setting a monetary value–which is usually set for you on most platforms–but can rather refer to the perceived value of the music. Artists may need to consider the cost of tickets for live performances, the price of merchandise, or even the cost of digital or physical music releases, where applicable. It&#8217;s important to strike a balance between offering value to fans and generating revenue to sustain your career.
Place &#8211; This &#8220;P&#8221; relates to where and how your music is distributed and made available to the audience. It encompasses decisions regarding physical distribution through record stores or online platforms, as well as digital distribution through streaming services. The choice of distribution channels can significantly impact the reach and accessibility of the music.
Promotion &#8211; Promotion involves all the marketing and advertising efforts aimed at creating awareness and driving interest in your music. This includes activities like social media marketing, public relations, live performances, music videos, and collaborations with influencers or other artists. Effective promotion is crucial for building a fan base and growing your presence in the music industry.

Question 8

How do I get into music marketing?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

Getting into music marketing involves a combination of education, skills development, networking, and practical experience. You can learn it on your own with the help of tutorials, articles, and a lot of trial and error, or you can go a more traditional route. Here are some basic steps to help you pursue a career in the field of music marketing.

Educational Foundation &#8211; Start by gaining a solid understanding of marketing principles. Consider pursuing a degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field. While not mandatory, formal education can provide a strong foundation for your career. Additionally, take courses or attend workshops specifically related to music marketing to gain specialized knowledge about the industry. Marketing principles usually apply to most businesses, but if you want to become an expert and work in this area, you need to understand the nuances of what works in music versus other industries.
Develop Marketing Skills &#8211; Music marketing requires a unique skill set. Familiarize yourself with digital marketing tools and platforms, social media advertising, content creation, and branding. Learn how to analyze data and metrics to make informed marketing decisions. Creativity is also crucial, as you&#8217;ll often be involved in creating marketing campaigns that resonate with music audiences. You can learn many of these skills on your own, if you’re committed and stick with it!
Networking &#8211; Build a network within the music industry by attending music events, conferences, and joining music-related organizations. Establish connections with artists, managers, record labels, and other professionals. Reach out to people who already work in the music business on social media. Networking can open doors for job opportunities and collaborations, whether you’re looking to be hired by a company one day or start your own.
Gain Practical Experience &#8211; Start gaining practical experience by working on music marketing projects. This could involve interning at a record label, a music marketing agency, or even offering your services pro bono to independent musicians. Building a portfolio of successful campaigns and projects will demonstrate your skills and dedication to potential employers.
Stay Informed &#8211; The music industry and marketing landscape are constantly evolving. Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and new marketing strategies. Subscribe to music industry publications and blogs, and consider joining online forums or groups where professionals share insights and experiences. Keeping up to date with even tiny changes with social media platforms or other important topics is a great way to stay ahead of the curve.
Apply for Music Marketing Jobs &#8211; Once you feel confident in your skills and have some experience under your belt, start applying for music marketing positions. Look for job openings at record labels, music agencies, artist management firms, or as an independent marketing consultant. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your music-related experience and skills.
Showcase Your Passion &#8211; Music marketing is often driven by passion for music. Let your enthusiasm for both the art and specifically the industry shine through in your applications and interviews. Being genuinely excited about the artists and music you&#8217;re promoting can set you apart from other candidates.

Question 9

What degree do you need for music marketing?

Hugh McIntyre · Accepted Answer

A specific degree requirement for music marketing may vary depending on the employer and the specific role you&#8217;re pursuing. However, a degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field can provide a solid educational foundation for a career in music marketing. Many professionals in this field have backgrounds in these disciplines.
A degree in marketing will equip you with fundamental marketing principles, which can be applied to music marketing with some adaptation. You&#8217;ll learn about market research, consumer behavior, branding, advertising, and digital marketing techniques–all of which are highly relevant to music promotion and artist management. Additionally, a business administration degree can be valuable, as it covers aspects of management, finance, and strategy that are important when working with artists, record labels, or music agencies.
While a degree in a related field is beneficial, it&#8217;s important to note that practical experience, networking, and a deep passion for music are also crucial factors in breaking into and succeeding in music marketing. Many successful music marketers have combined their formal education with hands-on experience and a genuine love for music, which helps them connect with artists and audiences on a more meaningful level.
Some who work in music marketing never went to college, or pursued a different degree and then decided they wanted to change over to another career. This is certainly possible, but it’s much tougher to build a portfolio and a name for yourself and then get hired by a company without a degree.

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