Got a new song that you can’t wait to release?
The excitement is real when you’ve put your heart and soul into a music track and can’t wait to share it with the world.
But wait…
Is the promotional content for the new music ready to go?
It’s a critical step that you must take with proper planning and creativity before announcing any release dates. After all, as an artist, you’re competing with dozens, if not hundreds, of other artists and their releases.
5 Types of Content You Need to Prepare to Make Your New Music Release a Blast
1. Cover Art and Promotional Graphics
When it comes to releasing a new song, cover art and promotional graphics are just as important as the music itself. These visuals play a huge role in how your track will be perceived, so you can’t afford to skimp on them.
Your cover art will be the first thing people see when they come across your music. It should be bold, enticing, and attention-grabbing. Choose images or artwork that represent the sound and feel of your music, and think carefully about the colors and fonts you use. Invest in a professional photographer or illustrator if possible – it can make all the difference.
Taking a step further, you can create promotional graphics to accompany the cover art and use them across social media, on streaming platforms, and in your press kit. Think about what imagery best represents your music and ensure the graphics are consistent across all platforms. Consider making your own GIFs and animations for extra impact.
Feel free to take inspiration from other artists to get your creative juices flowing, but make sure you create visuals that are unique to you and your music.
2. Promo Video/Song Trailer
A promo video or song trailer is the perfect way to give your new music release the visibility, attention, and reach it needs to make it big in the music world. It will help spread the word about your single or album and create hype and anticipation for its release.
But what exactly is a promo/trailer video? How do you go about creating one? And how do you make sure it’s effective?
This short video usually runs between 30 seconds and two minutes. It promotes your new music and gives potential listeners a taste of what to expect. The most effective promo videos feature snippets of the music and some visual element that sets it apart from other releases.
Here are a few key elements to consider when creating your promo/trailer video:
- Make sure it’s visually appealing, with interesting visuals and graphics that draw viewers in.
- The video should be concise, and the visuals easy to follow.
- Make sure your music is presented in the best light possible.
- Add visuals, such as a logo or artwork, or even text or voice-over to help convey the message of your release.
3. Daily or BTS Vlogs
One of the best ways to get people talking about your new music is by creating daily or behind-the-scenes vlogs.
These vlogs give your fans an intimate look at your creative process, the concept behind your new song, and the journey you took to create it. They’re also a great way to show off your personality and give your fans a glimpse into your world.
Keep the vlogs short and sweet—you want to give your fans a taste of what you’re up to without overloading them with information.
Show them something they can’t get from your music alone. Share snippets of the recording process, interviews with other artists, and interesting stories about the creation of your music.
4. Social Media Banners
Social media banners are one of the most important promotional content for new music. They are like billboards designed to grab attention and draw people in with eye-catching visuals.
With a well-designed social media banner, you can start to build hype around your music before the release date. You can showcase the album artwork, tagline, and other promotional material while linking to your music platforms.
It’s an easy and effective way to promote your new music release. With a few clicks of your mouse, you can have your banners up and running in no time.
During the brainstorming and design process, remember that every element should resonate with your fans. Make sure that the colors, fonts, and overall design reflect your brand and appeal to the targeted listeners.
There should also be a call-to-action—encourage people to follow your music and visit your website or streaming services. This will help drive traffic and generate more fans for your music.
5. Photoshoot
Who remembers the bomb photoshoot of Cardi B before the release of her single, “Press“?
We loved how chic and unapologetic she looked in those photos!
Safe to say, a photoshoot to go along with your new music release is one of the best ways to get people talking about your upcoming song.
Professional photos of you performing or having fun can be a great way to engage with your target audience. This starts with finding the right photographer to capture the real vibe of your new track. Make sure they have experience with music photoshoots, and their style matches your vision.
Before the photoshoot, lay out a clear vision of what you want to get out of it. Think about what kind of photos you want to have taken, what outfits and props you’ll need, and any special effects or editing you’d like to have done.
And don’t forget to have fun!
As much as your photoshoot is about capturing great photos for your new music release, it’s also a chance to have fun and show off your personality. So, don’t take it too seriously and let yourself relax and enjoy the experience.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re an established artist or just starting out, it’s key to have awesome content to share with your fans before a new music release.
So, make sure you’ve prepared great visuals to accompany your new music release. Overall, there are many different pieces of content that you can use to push your new release and build closer connections with potential listeners.
The more thought and effort you put into your visuals, the greater start you’ll be off to with your new music release.
Eric Dalius is The Executive Chairman of MuzicSwipe, a music and content discovery platform designed to maximize artist discovery and optimize fan relationships. Along with his work at MuzicSwipe, he also interviews groundbreaking entrepreneurs on his weekly podcast, “FULLSPEED.” Eric also founded the “Eric Dalius Foundation” to support US students with four scholarships. Follow his journey on Twitter, Facebook,YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Entrepreneur.com.
