The WORST marketing mistakes musicians still make
From too much social media to a total lack of payment options, we’re highlighting the worst mistakes musicians continue to make while promoting themselves in 2022.
by James Shotwell of Haulix
Every music career is different. You can choose to write original songs on ukelele or write complicated harmonies that only the world’s best clarinet players can perform, and any one of a billion things in between. The beauty of music is that it can become whatever you make, but no matter your creation, you still need promotion.
We can talk all day about TikTok idea generation and the best ways to negotiate a sync deal, but none of that matters if you’re not prepared for success. That means being positioned for discovery, which requires being easily found online. That may seem easy enough, but it’s surprisingly simple for musicians to stretch themselves thin on social media, leaving them stressed over things that should be fun (engaging with fans).
Beyond those mistakes, we still encounter artists who shy away from asking for support. Follows and likes may give you a momentary serotonin boost, but neither pay your bills. Today’s musicians cannot afford to be coy. If you want people to give you money, you need to provide a means of receiving cash. That should be obvious, but experience tells us it is not.
In his latest Music Biz update, host James Shotwell breaks down three unbelievably common mistakes musicians continue to make in 2022. These problems often stem from fear, and James provides guidance to help artists overcome any obstacles that may stand between them and grow the community of fans who support their music.
James Shotwell is the Director of Customer Engagement at Haulix and host of the company’s podcast, Inside Music. He is also a public speaker known for promoting careers in the entertainment industry, as well as an entertainment journalist with over a decade of experience. His bylines include Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Substream Magazine, Nu Sound, and Under The Gun Review, among other popular outlets.
