Every rapper thinks they are the great, they think they are ready to change the game, and that’s good. However, before you can get to the top, you have to build the foundation from the bottom. With the internet today the world is at your fingertips, you just have to have the right tools.
Future is killing the game right now, but this has been years in the making. If you google Future after reading this article, you will see he has the list of 6 things every rapper needs from the jump.
1. Website
This might seem like common sense to have a website, but do you have the right website? Is your contact information readily available? Do you have a bio section, a section to sell your music and show your videos? In the year 2015, your website is your first and sometimes last impression. You don’t have to have a big crazy website in the beginning, but it has to have the right information. Whether you have a website that needs to be updated or you don’t have one at all you need the following: bio, contact, music, videos and artist store.
2. Facebook
With so many people using the internet and more people using tablets and phones, it’s important to be on all social media sites. The different social media sites have different types of demographics and serve different functions. Facebook’s newsfeed is a little bit slower so you don’t have to post as much vs. Twitter or Instagram. However, it’s still a great place to market your music so make sure you stay active on it. Facebook also verifies artist, aspire to get to that point!
3. Twitter
Tons of artist are blowing up just from Twitter today. People are more outgoing and connect with a wider audience than vs. Facebook. If you are going to do bare minimum for social media Twitter is a must. Cult like followings are built every day on the Internet, if you want to be that next big artist you have to participate on Twitter. Also, please don’t spam people with your links. If anything ask first before you send anything. Just constantly posting your music links will not get you far.
4. Instagram
Instagram is a must as well, people are blowing up by just using Instagram alone. With social media sites you get what you put in. The more exciting pictures/videos you post with the right hashtags, the more your likes/comments/followers will grow. Sit down and come up with a strategy of the different content you are going to post (video/photo) and figure out the right hashtags. You don’t just want to post regular any ole pictures of you eating old chinese food, make it dope.
5. Music Streaming Account (Soundcloud,Youtube,Spotify etc)
Streaming music is the new wave and standard for the industry. Big companies are fighting over billions of streams and dollars. Are you also taking advantage of this? It’s best to be on every platform possible. Are you on any of them? Are you really turning your music into money? With these streaming platforms you don’t even need a record label today to make money off your music.
6. Digital Distribution (Itunes, Rhapsody, Amazon etc)
While streaming is the new wave, online stores is the old wave that will never die. Artist are paying there bills just off of Itunes sales. Is your music for sale on these platforms? Some artist just put singles on Itunes and Amazon and collect a nice check. Digital distribution might be one of the most important topics on this list. If your music isn’t for sale online then you are just wasting your time.
So now you have some homework, compare this list to your favorite artist. Then compare your favorite artist to your situation. Out of the 6 topics listed how many can you check off that you have? Just 1? Maybe all 6? Either way, get on it!
This article was written by Zac Shull of ExclusivePublic.com where her focus is helping indie artists see results in their music career. Contact him directly at Zac@exclusivepublic.com and follow @ExclusivePublic for a ton of tips and tricks to use in your music career.