Well imagine with me for a sec…after bustin ya ass, spending money on beats, studio time, mixing, etc…to make the best mixtape in history and then…
NO ONE LIKES YOUR MIXTAPE
Not because they heard it and didn’t like it, because you couldn’t even get them to listen to your mixtape in the first place. They have nothing against YOU personally, it’s just you don’t know…
how to promote your mixtape.
…Well, you might know how to promote your mixtape just not how to do it in a way that WORKS.In an effective way that actually gets people to WANT to listen to your music. Now this might seem like common sense to you, but 99.9% of rappers still approach me with their music the wrong way.
So what this got to do with the pizza pic above? I’ll tell you in a sec if you haven’t figured it out already but first, I wanted to show you what NOT to do, heres a quick scenario of what I get all the time:
Yung Swaggy Fresh: “Download my mixtape(s) im the hottest rapper eva!! I got that crack, I promise!”
They leave a link where I can download their mixtape.
Me: looks at message with this face (o_0) and thinks to self…”you want me to listen to at least 12 of your….lol…IGNORE!”
It’s not because I feel like being a a**hole, mainly its because I don’t know who you are, never heard your music and there’s a big chance your wasting my time.
So i’m gonna share a little tip when hittin people up to try to get your music heard. This applies to both the internet and the real world so pay attention.
“Offer A Sample First And The Entire Pizza After”
You don’t offer a pizza box to people who have never tried your pizza. You offer a sample to them first, and if you really got the crack, then you offer them a slice or a box.
So this is the same for your music. Don’t spam people or sell your mixtape/album. Give people a small sample first, then if they like it they will naturally want more. Feel me?
Here’s the step by step on how to do this.
STEP 1 – THE CRACK
You want to pick one song from your mixtape, so you can make it as easy as possible for your fans to get involved with your music.
So just Pick the BEST song from your mixtape, for them to hear. (a.k.a the single)
The better the song the more likely they are to download your mixtape and actually listen to it. Now move on to the next step…
STEP 2 – THE BAIT
Make it available for anyone to listen to, for freee. (YouTube, Facebook, Tumblr, etc)
Make sure you pick a site where you can add a comment or a description. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!)
So now that you got your song up and it’s on a site where you can add a commment/description, comes the next step…
STEP 3 – THE SALE
Ok, so now, you gotta type in the description or the comment area something like this:
“If you liked this song, then you’ll love my new mixtape, with even more hits…”
Then right after that little sentence post a link for them to where you have your mixtape posted up, whether its:
- DatPiff
- iTunes/Soundcloud, it doesn’t matter.
You can put a link straight to the mixtape or a squeeze page if you want to get their name and email address, it’s up to you.
(See more on how to build a listof fans here)
STEP 4 – THE PITCH
Approach someone who is in your potential target fanbase and direct them to where they can listen to your best song for free. (Step 2)
Example:
(Hey, what’s good I see your into *type of music*, awww man me too, I think you’ll love my new single, it sounds real fresh, like something you would like, lemme know how you feel!)
Now if yo ish is hot and they’re feelin it, they can click on the link you left in the description and get your mixtape.
Remember, everyone has different taste so not everyone will want to download your music. The key to succeeding at this is to hit up as many qualified people as possible.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
I think you get the idea. Now I hope you put this info to use right away for your next album, mixtape or song and what I need you to do next is just comment in the box below and type in 2 things.
1. Type out what you learned from this post in the comment box below and exactly how you plan on using it.
2. Tell me what you want me to cover in the next post.
Dope information brother. Keep up with the great works. Stay blessed. 1Luv!
Thanks, glad you liked the tips!
This was very useful information to me as a new artist. I have alot of songs that people like and I’ll be releasing my first mixtape soon so I needed to know what would be the best way and even though it is basically common sense sometimes you need a systematic approach
Thanks for this article! There are some great tips in here. Will know how to approach potential fans better now.
Appreciate it, great info
[…] them raise their hand by filling out a form, saying they want you to send them more emails. (See How To Promote Your Mixtape for more info) AND FOR GOODNESS SAKE: Do not spam people. It doesn’t […]
i basicly learned to not jus bombard people with a whole mixtape at first but ease people in with a hot song……….so let me know what you guys think of this hot song from my new mixtape #raw2thaoils called new kids on the block pt2 produced by me duey sesay http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IYaxH7erYnk if u like this song no doubt you will love the whole mixtape datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-pl… #raw2thaoils thanks for the advice guys lets see if it works lol
sorry guys the link to the mixtape is http://www.datpiff.com/Duey-Sesay-raw2thaoils-mixtape.510914.html thankyou………feel free to ask any questions or for booking call my management at 2675217471
16 year old artist trying to promote my mixtape out there more.
I learned I was most likely annoying the shit out of people and two This was what I was looking for you covered it.
Great, glad i could help bro.
I learned .. well thought to myslef.. well everyone has a cell phone with 4g now pretty much.. so when you tell them about your music have them peep ur site i.e http://www.reverbnation.com/skynny.. not only will hit get hits on you page but u gain a REAL fan. Hardwork and dedication is the key to success. I perform monthly in La and am about to drop my 3rd mixtape and just now starting to get a lil traction in this saturated market.. just know that the stuggle is so you respect you you earn in the long run . keep pushin..- Skynny
i also cant type correctly ^^ but you get the point.
That releasing one song is better idea than the whole mixtapes, that’s smart.
Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I will
be waiting for your further post thanks once again.
I appreciate the good information…I’ll follow as recommended and let you know how I make out…Much respect!!!
i learned pretty much dont spam my social network accounts. Speak to my demographic to get the best results. i plan on using this info while promoting my new mixtape i have in the works.
Learned a few tips I wasn’t already applying. Love how you damn near murdered my artist name. LOL. Now let me try this.
Check out ‘Everything’ by Yung FRESH
http://rvrb.fm/1miE7nF
Video coming soon!
This article was great. I learned how to approach fans in a more strategic way.
Learned a lot!
Much appreciated advice, but 2 questions brotha. How long to wait after you drop a single until you release the whole mixtape? A couple weeks, a month, 2 months? And also, where exactly is it essential to upload your mixtape? Datpiff, YouTube, SoundCloud, all of them at once?
Preciate it bro.
I appreciate the info its been very helpful being as tho I’m about to drop my first mixtape.
I learned I don’t have to try to get anyone to listen to me because I know they are gonna want to hear it and everyone in this place thinks they can rap lol. I would like to know if there are any studios you know of that do take demos or give new artist a chance to be heard.