How Rap Artists Can Get More Exposure Online

We live in a day and age where we can have virtually everything at our fingertips in moments. Everything is digital. The Music Industry has not been spared from this shift. Most music now is uploaded, exchanged, streamed and downloaded through digital services.

It killed the CD, giving record companies an eye opening jolt into the shift that was beginning to take hold. Now Social Media Platforms are where more and more people are connecting with others to share stories and do business.

With that shift it makes it so much easier for rap artists to take control of their online presence. They now have extra ways of interacting with possible fans, and expanding their existing markets. They can also get the attention of talent scouts, managers, agents and music executives through sites like Twitter, Youtube and Facebook. The key to building a successful online presence is knowing how to work it to your advantage. You have to know what your market audience is and how to get the attention of others within the same demographic.

A lot of this will be through trial and error. If you have a Facebook page or a site that is useable through Google Analytics you can see the demographics of who is visiting your page. You can also see the locations, ages and genders of your visitors; which will in turn help give you an idea of who is interested in your music. Knowing who your core audience is can help you with areas to book shows, sites to market your music for reviews and people to follow on Twitter.

Analyzing sites that are great for hip hop artists to utilize as marketing platforms are relatively straightforward. Sites like Youtube, Vimeo and Dailymotion are great for video distribution and every independent rapper should use them as tools to get their music videos out to the masses. There are also video websites like Youtube that allow artists to generate some income by sharing of the advertising revenue that is generated from their channel. Now keep in mind that yoou only earn a few cents per view in Youtubes partner program, While it doesn’t sound like an amazing deal to begin with, if you are patient you can both expand your fanbase and make a few dollars while doing it. It does take some time to get that ball rolling, and it can help draw people to additional videos you have uploaded. Having your music be placed in advertisements and in other videos, can be an easy way for you expand your market without doing a lot of the lifting.

Twitter is another great site for networking and creating more exposure for yourself. There are many different people within the music industry that have accounts on Twitter. Everyone from Publishing Companies and Record Labels to Talent Scouts and Managers. It is easy to interact with them and with current and potential fans. With the 140 character limit it does require some creativity to be able to say what you need to within that limit, but it is achievable.

It is also very easy to connect other apps with it as well. Instagram and Vine are the most common ones attached to Twitter accounts. Vine is a great app, especially for making short films if you’re in the process of recording a record or in the midst of a tour, it’s a great way to give your fans a snapshot of what’s going on behind the scenes. Instagram allows you to share photos with not only your Twitter account, but with Facebook, Tumblr, and Flickr.

A final way you can create more music exposure is through music hosting websites such as CDBaby. CDBaby is a site that provides podcasts, blogs, and additional services for artists from all genres of music. They offer tips on everything from promotions and touring, to home recording and ways to help your production skills. There is so much available on the site that it is really an amazing tool for artists who trying to grow both their fan base and their production and performance skills.

While there are endless sites that help with marketing, promotion and networking, the best thing a new rap artist can do is practice and perform as much as possible. Perform and practice your craft every chance you get. Perform everywhere you can and however you can. From open mic nights and house parties to opening for other rappers on tour, or even setting up your own shows. Every time you perform you get better, and will essentially help you stand out from other up and coming artists.

Also Read: 4 Mistakes Artists Should Avoid On Social Media