What Platform Shall I Use To Promote My Music?
Over the last 20 years, social media has completely changed how we do things. If you’re in a band trying to get your music out there, working out which platform to use can feel pretty overwhelming. There’s a lot of pressure to be everywhere all the time, but realistically, you don’t need to be. A good place to start is thinking about who your audience actually is. Once you know that, it becomes much easier to figure out which platform will help promote your music the most. Being clear on your goals and tailoring your content to match them can make a real difference in growing your career.
Instagram is usually a solid starting point. It’s easy to share gig photos, short videos, rehearsal clips, and general band life. If you’re already filming shows or practices on your phone, you’re basically creating content without even trying. Reels are especially useful, but they don’t need to be perfect, a shaky crowd video can work just as well as something polished. Instagram’s audience is also really broad, with users of all ages, which makes it easier to reach a bigger demographic.
TikTok is great for discovery, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Posting clips of new songs, live moments, or even chatting about what you’re working on can help people find your music naturally. The more relaxed and real it feels, the better it tends to perform. TikTok’s core audience skews younger, mainly Gen Z and Millennials, especially those aged 18–34, so if your content leans more trend-led or video-first, it’s a strong platform to focus on.
Streaming platforms like Spotify are less about promotion and more about being findable. Keeping your profile up to date and sharing your links makes it easier for people who discover your band to actually listen properly. In the early stages, the main goal is getting your music out there, so try not to stress too much about earnings - listens, followers, and income all come with time.
Bandcamp is ideal if you’re working independently. It allows fans to support you directly by buying your music or merch, and it helps build a stronger connection, especially if you’re not backed by a label.
It’s also worth thinking about an email list, even if it feels a bit old-school. Social media platforms come and go, but emails land directly in the inboxes of people who genuinely want to hear from you. It doesn’t need to be frequent or overly detailed, it’s just a way to let people know when something’s happening. Email lists are also great for promoting shows and events, and offering early access, discounts, or exclusive deals to your fans and can really help keep people invested. Platforms like Mailchimp make setting this up pretty straightforward.
The main thing is to choose platforms that don’t feel like a chore. If you hate using something, it’ll show. Stick to one or two, share what you’re already doing, and don’t stress about being perfect. Consistency matters, especially posting at times when your audience is most likely to see and engage with your content. Your fans are the ones who will share your music and turn up to shows long-term, so interacting with them, replying to comments and messages, all helps push your content further up the feed.
If posting regularly feels like a struggle, content scheduling apps can take a lot of pressure off. Free tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, Canva, and Sendible let you plan posts in advance across multiple platforms, making it much easier to stay consistent without it taking over your life.
