The internet is a big place. Billions of people zip through it every day. You’d think a few of them would find their way to your recording organically. Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple. Gaining web traffic for any online pursuit is a question of methodology and persistence.
It’s not enough to simply be good. We’ve all heard garbage on the radio that gets millions of plays, just as surely as we’ve enjoyed beautiful recordings played to an almost non-existent audience.
In this article, we take a look at how you can establish a loyal audience that will be receptive to your recordings.
Don’t Forget the Funnel
What is the point of traffic if it is directionless? As a recording artist, you should develop a way for your listeners to support you financially as well as creatively. Marketers employ a concept known as the sales funnel.
Basically, the sales funnel describes the journey a person takes from the moment they discover a product to when they become a paying customer.
You can develop a similar concept around your music. Finding the song is the moment of discovery, but it doesn’t put money in your pocket. Develop a website where fans can make purchases. Sell merchandise. Set up a Patreon account.
It’s been said that artists need *only* 1000 ardent fans to make a living with their craft. “Only” gets an asterisk because one thousand fans can take years to acquire. It’s not easy, but it also isn’t insurmountable. With a well-reasoned revenue generation strategy, you don’t have to be Taylor Swift to make money with your art.
Make it Regular
One-hit wonders notwithstanding, making it as an audience requires regularity. Think about how many entertainment products compete for your attention every day. Shows. Sports. Music. Games. There are so many ways a person can spend their free time.
If you aren’t giving your audience something to sink its teeth into regularly, they will probably forget about you.
Granted, good music takes time. You can’t publish a new album every month. You can give your audience a regular smattering of other content. Social media posts. Blogs. Emails. YouTube videos. Maybe publish snippets from your rehearsals. Many people will enjoy an inside baseball look at what it takes to make great music.
Put Yourself Out There
One of the most uncomfortable components of life as an artist is not playing to strangers but presenting yourself to people you know. It’s strange how much easier it can feel to play for a room full of strangers than it is to play in front of friends and family.
There’s that old saying about how the prophet is never accepted in his hometown. Get up on stage in front of people from your everyday life, and it’s hard to make them see you as a serious artist.
This is a natural struggle, but also one that you need to get over. Personal connections make it easier to find gigs and generate web traffic. Play for friends and family. Post your art to your personal social media pages.
Tapping into your social network is the easiest way to develop traction in the early days of your career. It can also help you start getting gigs. The more you present yourself to your community as a serious musician, the more you will ultimately be seen that way.
Perfection is Unattainable
You don’t want to push out a bunch of rush jobs, but you also can’t get stuck in an endless cycle of revision. Sometimes “good enough,” is what you’ll need to publish. It’s good to think of your art the way you would any other job.
Do plumbers feel inspired with every pipe that they tighten or drain they unclog? No. But they do go to work each day with a clear understanding of what they need to accomplish, and they do it consistently for forty+ hours a week.
Music is obviously more subjective than plumbing but the process can be similarly structured. Set goals. Get on stage. Publish a certain amount of songs/videos/social media posts each week. Commit to doing it regularly, even when you don’t feel “inspired.” That’s how you develop an audience.
Set Reasonable Expectations and Pursue Them With Persistence
Most certainly it will feel like you are playing to an empty room in the beginning. It can take time to develop a good web presence. Persistence is key. Celebrate small wins. Each fan that you acquire will get you that much closer to your goal.
Even reaching 1-2 people a week will be impactful over time. While it might take a few years to get going, it is very possible to make real money from your music.
Conclusion
Ready to get going? As the saying goes, you are only as good as your latest song. Regular, high-quality recordings are an important component of standing out on the World Wide Web. At Pop Rehearsal, we specialize in providing artists with affordable recording spaces from which they can develop their craft.
Contact us today to book a room and get your career started. Remember that the journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step. You can’t get fans without recordings.
