How to Promote Your
Music in Nigeria
Every upcoming musician wants to “blow”
(make it big) in the Nigerian music industry. A major question they ask at the
beginning of their musical journey is how do I promote my music?
Since major record labels like Mo’hits,
Kennis Music, EME, Chocolate city and Storm records that can manage, package
and promote your songs will hardly get you signed, you will need to take up
responsibility as your own music promoter.
My experience shows that unlike the USA
where big labels like Sony BMI, Rockafella and Young money can sign up an
artiste based on raw talent, in Nigeria you will have to showcase
your talent and songs to a certain extent before you will be noticed by the
music promoters, marketers and record labels.
There is the believe that without the big
bucks you cannot promote your music on the radio stations which prompts thoughts
like if only I had a record label/marketer/promoter.
The good thing is you can do it yourself
without putting a big hole in your pocket and you do not have to rely on any
record label, marketer or promoter.
Following the tips below will show you how
to promote your music and get that basic exposure while also increasing your
fan base.
Note that nothing good comes easy and you
will need to sacrifice either in form of time, efforts, a night’s sleep just to
get what you want.
Apply the tips to your success.
1. MAKE GOOD SONGS:
Sorry I cannot teach you how to write a
song. I believe you are reading this because you have the talent already to
compose and record a good song. The type of song you do should be targeted to
an audience with a good taste in music. It does not matter the genre hip-hop, funk,
rock, house, R n B, classic, alternative- whatever! You should do music to
impress thousands of fans and not just your family and close friends.
2. ATTEND SHOWS REGULARLY:
Be it a club performance or sponsored show
just be noticed. Keep your ears on the ground for upcoming shows and try to
make friends with event organizers and tell them to put you on the list of
performers and that you don’t mind doing it for free. Talk to the DJ at the
club, give him a promo copy of your CD and encourage him to play it on his
shows. You get to meet music industry people at musical shows. Build and
maintain your contacts with them. You don’t know who has a marketer in Alaba or
who has a friend in that radio station.
3. USE SOCIAL MEDIA:
Open profiles on sites like Facebook, Twitter,
instagram and MySpace which gives you the platform to interact with your
fans. Update your social network profile regularly with interesting pictures
and videos of you. Photos from an event you performed or a video of a studio
recording session should do. You get not only fans from Nigeria but all over
the world with these types of websites. Social networking site gives you
an online following which is good for your music career. Do not underestimate
the power of the internet in building your music career.
4. OFFER YOUR SONGS FOR FREE DOWNLOADS:
You want your songs to reach a wide
audience and people generally love free music downloads. Upload your songs to
music sites like Reverbnation, Soundcloud,
spreaker, hulkshare, kiwi6 and 4Shared
and promote your download links to your fans on the social networking sites.
You can ask your fans to checkout your profile
on these music sites and also share it with their friends. This will keep your
songs in circulation. Do not worry about not being paid right now. People will
pay you to perform at shows when your songs become popular. If you need to sell
your music then Vibedeck is a great place where you can do so.
5. PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC ON BLOGS:
You should submit your songs with a little
profile and album art/ pictures to the top entertainment and music blogs and
websites. Some of the best Nigerian music/entertainment blogs include Notjustok, Naijawhistle, GidiLounge, +iPromo Naija , TayoTV, +djokay@djokaymegamixer.com , TalkofNaija, +BellaNaija Weddings , +Azeez Makinde , +Darootzentertainment , +Sooncome Music and +linda ikeji ikeji . You might ask for an interview.
Some of them will feature your profile and music; others may not even
reply your email. It is normal as an upcoming musician to face those things.
When you become a celebrity, most of them will come begging you for an
interview.
6. ALABA IS A FACTOR:
There is always a headquarters of any
industry. Alaba being the headquarters of the Nigerian music marketers, you
should familiarize yourself with the people at Alaba. Try to get your song on
the monthly Alaba produced DJ mixes even if you may be asked to pay for this.
Most Nigerian celebrity and superstar
musicians went to Alaba for promotion in their upcoming days. That’s the home
for Nigerian music and movie marketers. Imagine what a contact at Alaba will do
for your musical career.
7. LISTEN: The tips here should help you so stop asking “how can I
promote my music” since you now know how to. Its different strokes for
different folks so feel free to personalize all I have said. There should be
something unique your songs, charisma and stage performance. Note that you may
still have to “grease some elbows” in the process of trying to become a big
name in the music industry and money makes the whole process faster.
When you finally succeed in your music career,
do not fail to say thank you to the crew at Darootz entertainment. Cheers And if you find all this process difficult, Hire us today and let us manage all of your online promotional materials, freeing you to focus on your music! also talk to +Ayo Gas Odunsi
or
Call or E-mail us today at: +234 8051389811, bbm 299b83b9 darootzentertainment@gmail.com
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