Rules For All Artists Promoting Music Online
Unfortunately, with the boom of the internet and the ease of recording high quality sound at home, social networks are filled in abundance with millions of artists trying to stand out in a crowd of many similar faces. Contrary to what most people believe, the internet is actually filled with a lot of undiscovered diamonds in the rough with the talent to make it in the industry. Unfortunately for todays artists, 99.99% of these guys will never make a dime off their music due to market oversaturation. Sorry to say it guys, but right now you are no different from the other thousand assholes who sent me a direct message on twitter/facebook/myspace/tumblr/etc. with a link to their music and Id hate to say it, but my fellow rap artists are absolutely terrible in this department. So Im going to share a few rules that I try to abide by when Im promoting my music online.
1. Who The Fuck Are You???? - Sorry but sending a direct message with a soundcloud link automatically tells me to skip right on to the next message. Its not personable and I feel like just another guy in your copy and paste assembly line of a friends list. Introduce yourself. Whats your name? Who/What do you sound like (Read next rule) Where are you from? Who have you performed with? Who does your beats? Jesus Christ tell me something about yourself. I will always skip over your stupid blue link to your stupid (might not be stupid but I’ll never know because I wont check it) music page. People are more or less going to peep work from a friend than they would a total stranger.
2. You are not that Original - As a white rapper, I hate when people ignorantly compare me to Eminem. I dont mind if people say we sound a like because we both use multi syllables or have a nasally delivery but when they say I sound like him because I am white, it drives me up the wall. So I understand when people ask what kind of sound you are going for or who you sound like, your natural response is “No one, I am original. I sound like me.” I’d hate to say it chief, but you are not that original, especially with orginality having so many factors to it. If you have a niche, tell us. A lot of people will base whether they listen to you or not off what sound you tell them youre going for. Dont be afraid to say that your last album sounds like Nas’ early work, or that you fall into the electo hop category. And remember this. There is always someone who did it before you. And have probably done it better.
3. No one Owes You Anything - My favorite!! This goes right along with rule #1. Cut directly from an inbox - “Hey G Peep this new track and tell me what you think. Alrite pimp. 1” Yeah asshole let me get right on that. Wheres your manners b? A simple please and thank you go a long way with most people. You got 18 plays in 6 months on your soundcloud with no shows in your upcoming schedule. Where the hell did you get this sense of entitlement to demand I go peep that new track? I dont have a clue who you are (rule 1) and you blow up my time line with this rude shit? Sorry Pal, A simple, “Hey if you got time, can you please check me out, and drop some feedback if you like it” would have worked just fine. But since you approached me like that, BLOCK!!!!!!!!!!
4. You’re Not Better Than Anybody Else - Skill wise you might be the greatest rapper of all time. But according to the general public you do not exist. So what makes you think that you’re too good the peep music by other artists that hit you up? Sorry player, even though all music fans aren’t musicians. All musicians are music fans. My favorite part of this music shit is the comradery I have with my fellow up coming artists. I like linking up and collaborating. And even if I dont work with them I always try to listen to everybody that sends me something. (Assuming they come at me correctly) Which brings me into the next rule.
5. Interact With People - No one likes looking at a timeline filled with music links. You are going to have to generate interest in other ways at times. Take part in those trending topics on twitter, like a post, comment on a photo. Interact with people and build a rapport. No one wants to feel like they are constantly being sold, which is what you are doing when you constantly shower people with nothing but links to your music. These are my top 5 pet peeves for right now. Im about to log onto twitter so I am sure I will have more that I currently can not think of. *enters user name and password* Prepare for part 2 coming shortly. Twitter.com/Junior_Floyd Facebook.com/officialjuniorfloyd
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