A Guide to Self-Promotion for Independent Songwriters

We've written many times on this blog about how the Internet has affected the world of songwriting. The World Wide Web has permeated every facet of the music industry--even the fact that you are reading this blog right now is evidence of that. For the independent (read: unsigned) songwriter, the Internet's presence is especially strong. Thanks to the Web, the independent songwriter can now reach a global audience in a variety of ways--with the downside being, of course, that so can everybody else. The Internet can be both a blessing and a curse to songwriters: A song can now be heard by potentially thousands of people, with just a click of a mouse and even free of charge! Thanks to sites like Myspace and Facebook, YouTube, individual blogs and websites like HillTop Records, and other online outlets, the playing field has been leveled. This leveling has in turn allowed for over-saturation, making the competition incredibly stiff for those songwriters vying to be heard. So, how does one promote oneself without the help of a major music label or professional marketing team? How can you successfully reach the masses with your music? Yes, the answer is the Internet--but, more specifically, the correct use of the Internet.

Step 1: Write great music.

"Well--obviously," you might be thinking. But consider the high number of songs out there--not just the songs being played on commercial radio, but the songs being played everywhere: on Myspace pages, in local dive bars, at house parties... What percentage of them would you actually qualify as "good"? And with as much of an objective viewpoint as you can possibly muster, how would you say your own songs measure up? Of course, it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to view the songs you write yourself objectively. That is why it is important to gather opinions from outside sources before releasing your songs into the wild (or, as it were, onto the World Wide Web.)

Yes, feedback from friends and family can be nice--but perhaps too nice. While your mom or spouse might tell you that your songs are wonderful, an anonymous commenter on a website will not be nearly as polite--and once you have put your songs out there, you have opened yourself up to all types of critique. We therefore encourage all songwriters to seek feedback from music industry professionals. A fantastic resource for independent songwriters looking to ready their music for promotion is Studio Pros' project consultation service. You can upload an MP3 version of your song via their online form, and receive guidance and tips from the company's head of production free of charge. You can also find plenty of songwriting tips right here on our HillTop Records blog.

Step 2: Create a high-quality, professional-sounding recording.

Once you have taken the time and effort to write a beautiful song, don't ruin it by producing a low-quality recording. Yes, the right equipment and professional musicians can be expensive--but at the end of the day, this is an important investment in your songwriting career. Especially in the virtual world, where so much is anonymous, your song is your calling card--the first (and oftentimes only) chance you have to make an impression. Just as painters invest in quality frames and actors spend money on professional headshots, songwriters must consider the packaging of their final product. In the world of marketing and promoting, image matters.

Here at HillTop Records, we offer the total package: Our team of award-winning musicians and industry professionals works hard to arrange, record and package the songs of our songwriters under contract. To read more about the specific services we offer songwriters, head on over to our official website.

Step 3: Network with other professionals within the music industry.

In this highly competitive, over-saturated world of music production, who you know is extremely important. It is much easier to connect with other industrial professionals when you live in a major city like Los Angeles, New York or Nashville. However, there are ways to find contacts in other parts of the country as well--especially thanks to the ever-growing presence of social media. Become a "fan" of songwriters whom you admire on Facebook, subscribe to their personal blogs, and follow them on Twitter. Here at HillTop Records, we use all three of these methods to keep in touch with our songwriters and other music industry professionals. You can also find message boards, chat rooms, and other online forums--and establish yourself there by regularly contributing to the discussion. Also, be sure to always have copies of your recorded song handy (even if it's just on an MP3 file) to distribute to interested parties.

An important part of successful networking is showing support to your peers. People will be much more willing to help you once you have demonstrated your willingness to help them in return. If a fellow songwriter or musician invites you to a show or release party--go! You never know who you may meet in the process. And when you do happen to meet someone who may be able to help you in your career, be sure to get their contact information and keep in touch.

Step 4: Get online.

This one should be pretty self-explanatory by this point. We've already mentioned the basics: Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, YouTube, and so forth. There are also many great websites and online tools specially geared towards songwriters and musicians. Sites like CD Baby can sell and ship your physical CD's, or help you set up a PayPal account so you can do the work yourself. CD Baby also works with digital distribution, so it's a great resource for those looking to sell in major online stores like iTunes. Tunecore is another service that specializes in digital distribution for up-and-coming musicians. Meanwhile, Hostbaby and similar artist-friendly hosting sites will help you create your own personal webpage.

An easy way to establish yourself as a songwriter online is to sign a contract with HillTop Records and create your own Unique Songwriter Page on our official website. There you can feature a photo, a bio, contact information, and even direct links to listen to and download your songs online. Once you have your HillTop Records songwriter page in place, you can easily link it to whichever social networking site(s) you use.

5. Create a buzz.

Once you have completed the previous steps, you will finally be ready to promote your music! Keeping in mind that the primary goal is to get your music into as many hands (or ears) as possible, you will want to reach out to any and all media outlets. A great way to make a name for yourself as an independent songwriter is to get your song or album reviewed. Start by contacting bloggers, editors of online music magazines, local newspapers or weekly guides--any publication that you know of that covers music.

Another outlet is radio--both traditional and online. Seek out mainstream radio stations that do regular shows to highlight local artists, college radio stations, and Internet radio stations. These are the outlets that will be most receptive to your material. However, remember that the competition out there is fierce--even in the forums specially geared towards independent artists. DJ's and music writers are constantly being inundated with requests to play and review new songs--and this is exactly why it is so important to make sure that the quality of your work is as high as possible before you join the fray.

Also keep in mind that when you become a HillTop Records songwriter under contract, you have the opportunity to be featured on one of our own Internet radio stations!

In our constant quest to help independent songwriters on the rise, we at HillTop Records have recently announced our latest venture: The First Annual HillTop Records Online Music Festival for Songwriters. Once you have written and recorded your song, you will be ready to accomplish Steps 3-5 listed in this article--and our brand-new Online Music Festival can help you do just that! The first of its kind, this summer-long event provides unprecedented opportunities to showcase your music, network with fellow industry professionals, reach new fans, and promote yourself. We are so excited to offer songwriters this new stage on which to showcase their songs--and we encourage you all to take advantage of it! For more information on the Festival, check out its official website--and be sure to keep checking back here on our HillTop Records blog for updates!