How Do You Break Into Music Promotions?

So, you’ve got an amazing track ready to release – now how do you promote your music so that real people actually hear it?

If you’re an independent artist or a small label, figuring out how to break into the music industry through effective music promotion can feel overwhelming.

Every day, roughly 100,000 new songs get uploaded to streaming platforms, making it harder than ever to stand out.

In fact, over 67 million tracks on streaming services in 2022 were played 10 times or less. That means millions of songs essentially went unheard – largely because the artists behind them didn’t have the right promotion or exposure.

Simply put, great music isn’t enough if no one knows it exists.

Promoting your music is the key to cutting through the noise. But as music marketer Robin Hammouti wisely noted, music promotion can be a “confusing and blurry business” and often “disappointing (and expensive)” for independent creators.

Where should you even start? How do you avoid wasting your budget on the wrong tactics? And what if you don’t have industry connections to open doors?

Don’t worry – these challenges are extremely common. In one survey, 79% of indie musicians said handling marketing by themselves is difficult and exhausting. Nearly half of independent artists have no marketing budget at all.

The good news is that you can overcome these hurdles. With the right approach (and a few smart tools), you can successfully promote your music and start making waves.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical, step-by-step advice on how to promote your music effectively across the channels that matter – from Spotify playlists and social media influencers to radio stations and targeted social ads.

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Lay the Groundwork (Goals, Branding & Assets)

Before you spend a dime on promotion, make sure your foundation is solid.

First, define your goals and target audience. Are you trying to build a local fanbase, rack up Spotify streams, or impress a record label?

Set clear, specific objectives (like “gain 1,000 Spotify followers” or “sell 50 vinyl copies”) to guide your actions.

Then, polish your artist brand and online presence. Make sure your social media profiles, bios and photos reflect your unique style.

Create an electronic press kit (EPK) with your bio, photos, links and press highlights. It shows you’re serious when reaching out to curators or media.

Now, let’s talk about the music: ensure your tracks are well-produced, properly mixed, and distributed on major platforms. Quality is key.

Don’t skip the free tools like Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and YouTube for Artists. They help you claim your profile, pitch tracks, and view analytics.

Also optimize your metadata – tags, lyrics, credits – to boost discoverability. Accurate metadata increases your chances of being found in searches and playlists.

Step 2: Get Your Music on Playlists

Playlists are the new radio. Getting added to one can lead to thousands of streams and new fans.

Start with Spotify for Artists and pitch unreleased songs directly to Spotify’s editorial team – it’s free and worth doing for every release.

Next, look beyond official lists. There are thousands of independent curators who may love your music.

Find active playlists in your genre and check for contact info or use trusted platforms to submit your tracks.

Don’t ever pay for fake streams or placements – they’ll hurt your chances in the long run.

Instead, use platforms like LISTN that connect you to over 500 curated Spotify playlists. You can submit to many curators at once, and if they don’t reply within 15 days, your credits are refunded.

This system protects your budget and saves time. Plus, curators are selected for quality – your track is only promoted to real, relevant audiences.

One example: during beta testing, the duo MAZAA & Yami used a LISTN playlist campaign to promote “Twister”.

They gained features on Magnetic Magazine, EDM.com, and landed on multiple playlists – boosting their monthly listeners and visibility.

Step 3: Team Up with Influencers for Social Buzz

In 2025, going viral on TikTok or Instagram can launch your career overnight. A simple dance or vlog with your song could reach millions.

Start by identifying creators whose content fits your vibe. Micro-influencers (5k–50k followers) often have higher engagement and are easier to approach.

Send personal, friendly DMs and suggest how your music could fit into their content. Many will ask for a fee – if it makes sense for your budget and their audience, go for it.

Or, simplify with LISTN. The platform includes a vetted directory of 2,000+ influencers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

You can filter by genre and budget. If they don’t accept or post, your money is refunded. Campaigns often go live within days, and results can appear almost instantly.

Let influencers choose how to use your song creatively – they know their audience best. Whether a dance, tutorial, or cinematic reel, authenticity drives engagement.

A good influencer push can spark viral traction, drive streams, trigger Shazams, and even get the attention of playlist curators or radio programmers.

Step 4: Don’t Overlook Radio Promotion

With all the hype around streaming and TikTok, radio can seem outdated – but it’s still a powerful channel for music discovery.

Thousands of FM, DAB, online, and community stations around the world play new and independent music every day.

Start by identifying stations that fit your genre – especially college or community radio, which often support unsigned artists.

Look for music submission sections on their websites, or reach out to the music director directly. Be polite, concise, and include a clean version of your track if needed.

To simplify things, use a platform like LISTN, which lets you submit your music to over 2,200 radio stations in more than 100 countries.

You upload once, and LISTN handles the targeting and outreach. If a station doesn’t respond, you get your credits back. This saves time and money.

Radio spins can boost credibility, drive streaming growth in key regions, and even open doors for live bookings or local press.

Step 5: Leverage Social Media Ads Wisely

Organic reach on social platforms is limited. Paid ads can help you reach new listeners with precision – even if they’ve never heard of you.

Start small. A test campaign with $5–$10 per day for two weeks is enough to gather data and gauge results.

Use Facebook Ads Manager, TikTok Ads, or YouTube campaigns. Target people who like artists similar to you, or who follow music content in your genre.

Create a short video – 10 to 30 seconds – using a catchy part of your song. Include a clear call-to-action like “Listen on Spotify.”

Use smart links to send people to a landing page where they can choose their favorite streaming platform.

Track performance: Who’s clicking? Where are they from? Which version of the ad works best? Adjust based on these insights.

Think of your first ad campaigns as buying valuable data. Once you know what works, scale your budget slowly and intentionally.

Remember, ads alone won’t make you blow up. But combined with playlists, influencers, and radio – they help you build serious momentum.

Step 6: Build Relationships and Keep the Momentum

Music is a relationship game. Reply to fans. Thank curators. Follow up with influencers. These small actions build a loyal network.

Collaborate with other artists. Share each other’s content. Join local music communities. Attend events. It all helps.

The more you engage, the more people remember you – and recommend you.

Consistency is key. Make a 3 to 6 month plan of releases and content. Keep promoting, experimenting, and learning.

If something works – repeat and scale. If it flops – learn and adapt.

Don’t try to do everything alone. Platforms like LISTN are built to help. From playlist pitching to influencer matching to radio outreach, you can manage it all in one place.

LISTN connects you to the right curators, creators, and stations – without needing an expensive PR agency or label budget.

It works on credits, with guarantees: no response = refund. That’s ideal for artists managing their own campaigns.

LISTN is like having a virtual promo team, built to help you scale – at your own rhythm and budget.

Wrapping Up: Your Music Promotion Journey

Breaking into music promotion is not easy – but it’s absolutely possible.

Every major artist started with zero fans and a great song. What made the difference? Consistency, creativity, and connection.

Now more than ever, you have tools to take control of your career – no manager, agent, or label needed to get started.

Follow the steps: define your goals, build your brand, get into playlists, connect with influencers, run smart ads, and reach out to radio. Keep learning. Keep growing.

And when you need a hand, LISTN is here to help you pitch the right song to the right person – every time.

Ready to kickstart your music promotion?
Check out LISTN and get your music heard by the right people.

Need more tips? Read: How to Promote Music: Tips for Artists