How To Promote Music and Concerts on TikTok

TikTok has made it easier to reach new fans. Learn how to use trends, challenges, and smart strategies to promote music and concerts on TikTok.

How To Promote Music and Concerts on TikTok

by Scott McCormick via Disc Makers Blog

Thanks to its unique algorithm and trend-driven culture, the TikTok app has revolutionized the music industry. It has served as a launchpad for emerging and established artists alike. Even if you don’t have a massive following, getting your music on TikTok can amplify your reach. By showcasing creative and engaging content, indie musicians can go viral and reach a global audience overnight.

This article will show you how to harness TikTok’s power, whether you’re looking to grow your fanbase, boost streams, or create buzz around your latest release.

TikTok has emerged as a game-changing social media platform for music promotion for indie musicians. With nearly 150 million users in the U.S. and hundreds of millions of users abroad, TikTok offers you an unparalleled opportunity to expand your reach. And it has a proven track record. TikTok has propelled dozens of indie songs into viral sensations.

The TikTok algorithm plays a pivotal role by prioritizing content that resonates with viewers, regardless of the creator’s follower count. This democratization of visibility means your music has just as much of a chance to shine as that of a more-established artist, giving you a real chance to shine if it connects with the right audience. Our video explains more about TikTok’s perks for emerging artists.

TikTok’s music ecosystem

Music is in TikTok’s genes. After all, the platform began as Musical.ly. And in the beginning, TikTok became famous for featuring videos of people dancing to their favorite songs. Although the app has grown, music is still at the core of its appeal. Even videos that are not about music will still often incorporate songs in the background.

Getting your music into TikTok’s audio library

After you create an account, you’re going to want to add your music to TikTok’s audio library. To get your music onto TikTok, you just need to partner with a digital distributor like CD Baby. Once you have an account and have uploaded your music to your distributor, your music will be available in TikTok’s audio library, available for any creator to use.

When users incorporate your tracks into their videos, it boosts both visibility and streams on other platforms. You can even earn TikTok royalties.

Viral sounds have become synonymous with TikTok’s success, with many artists seeing massive increases in streams and downloads after their songs take off. Consider creating short, catchy snippets of your music tailored for the platform to encourage user-generated content.

3 Key strategies for promoting your music on TikTok

Once you’ve gotten your music onto TikTok, it’s time to start promoting it. Here are three key strategies to use TikTok to help launch your music career.

1. Creating engaging and authentic content

Authenticity is the foundation of successful TikTok content. Short, visually appealing videos that tell a story or evoke emotion are more likely to resonate with viewers. Share snippets of your creative process, behind-the-scenes moments, or raw performances to connect on a personal level.

Storytelling plays a critical role — use your music to narrate compelling visual stories. Whether it’s a heartfelt acoustic session or a playful skit, focus on content that feels genuine and relatable.

Most importantly, be yourself! People will respond to you being you, as opposed to you trying to be something you’re not.

2. Joining trends and challenges

TikTok thrives on trends and challenges. By participating in an existing trend or trying to create your own, you can tap into the platform’s viral nature. For instance, tie your song to a dance challenge, meme, or visual theme that complements your music’s mood or lyrics.

Jumping on trending challenges increases your visibility, while starting your own can cement your track’s association with a popular movement. Encourage your audience to join in and tag their friends for maximum engagement.

3. Collaborating with influencers and creators

Partner with TikTok influencers to amplify your reach. These creators often have established audiences and can introduce your music to new fans. Identify influencers whose content will appeal to your listeners, then collaborate on creative promotions.

When negotiating collaborations, offer clear value — whether it’s compensation, exclusive content, or cross-promotion. Track the success of these partnerships to refine your music marketing strategy for future campaigns.

Bonus tip: Have fun!

At the end of the day, remember this: TikTok is a fun hangout. Even if your music is serious and solemn, try to show off your lighter side on occasion!

How to use hashtags for maximum impact

Like with many social media platforms, musician hashtags are a cornerstone of TikTok’s discovery system. By using relevant hashtags strategically, you can position your content in front of creators and users who are actively seeking new music.

Combine broad tags like #MusicTok with niche ones to maximize visibility and reach.

Trending hashtags such as #NewMusicFriday, #IndieArtist, and #TikTokMusic will help increase your reach and engagement while exposing you to a wider audience.

Niche hashtags allow you to connect with specific (and passionate) audiences. This combination will give you a balanced approach.

Here is a list of popular hashtags to help give you ideas:

#Music #MusicIsLife #MusicLife #MusicLover #NowPlaying #NewMusic #LiveMusic #MusicMakesMe #MusicInspo #MusicMatters #MusicFestival #MusicTherapy #MusicIsMyEscape #MusicIsMyLife #MusicAddict #MusicProduction #MusicianLife #MusicForTheSoul #SongLyrics #SongOfTheDay #SongWriter #HotMusic #PopMusic #RockMusic #IndieMusic #ClassicalMusic #HipHopMusic #JazzMusic #CountryMusic #ElectronicMusic

Physical media subcultures

Vinyl and CD collectors represent a vibrant subculture on TikTok, making them an excellent target audience for indie musicians. By showcasing physical albums, limited editions, or behind-the-scenes production content, you can attract collectors and enthusiasts. To target these audiences, use hashtags like #VinylTok and #CDTok.

Engaging with your TikTok community

Building a loyal fanbase requires genuine interaction. Be sure to respond to comments, engage with followers, and express appreciation to foster a sense of connection and belonging. This authenticity will inspire fans to create their own videos using your music, which will further amplify its reach.

Encourage user-generated content by launching campaigns that invite creativity. Examples include fan art contests, duet challenges, or themed video submissions. Successful campaigns not only boost engagement but also build a vibrant community around your music.

HYPEBOT: To promote live music on TikTok, use hashtags, collaborate with influencers, participate in challenges, and create your own challenges to amplify shows and sell more tickets.

Common TikTok mistakes to avoid

To succeed on TikTok, avoid these common pitfalls:

• Over-promoting: Balance promotional posts with entertaining or informative content to keep your audience engaged. If every post is about your latest release, people will quickly lose interest in your account. Talk about music by other artists to keep things fresh.
• Ignoring trends: Stay current with platform trends and adapt them to fit your brand.
• Neglecting video quality: Poor visuals can deter viewers. Invest in decent lighting and editing tools to enhance your videos.

Striking the right balance between promotion, entertainment, and authenticity is key to sustaining growth on TikTok.

Maximize your reach with Disc Makers

TikTok offers indie musicians an unprecedented opportunity to elevate their music careers, and social media can be a game-changer for you. If you are strategic with your hashtags, you post creative, engaging content, and you stay engaged with your audience, you will drive streams, connect with new listeners, and build a loyal fanbase. And when you need physical media to help you connect with those fans, you can always reach out to Disc Makers.

Start your TikTok creator journey today and create a promotional strategy that resonates with your audience. With the right approach, your music could be the next viral hit!

Scott McCormick is a musician and the author the Audible bestselling Rivals! series and the hit fantasy novel The Dragon Squisher. Scott can be reached at storybookediting@gmail.com.