You're struggling to promote your unique music style on social media. How can you make yourself stand out?

I’ve seen so many unknown creatives rise to fame on social media without the hassle of “crafting” an image. Many of these individuals don’t even have the resources to create a polished image when they first start. Instead, they show up as their most authentic selves and simply begin creating content. They let their passion and creativity speak for itself. A classic example is Khaby Lame, the Senegalese-Italian TikToker. He started by shooting videos without overthinking or trying to project a carefully crafted image. With nothing but his natural humor and relatable content, he now makes $10M a year—without uttering a single word. He didn’t need an expensive strategy or a manufactured persona. He just needed to be himself.

As a streaming strategy consultant with 16 years of experience, I've seen how a well-defined image can significantly boost an artist's visibility, or prevent the artist to rise. Start by identifying your core values and musical identity. Then, consistently reflect these in your visuals, content, and messaging across all platforms. Remember, authenticity is key. Don't just follow trends; create them. Engage with your audience genuinely, sharing your creative process and behind-the-scenes content.

Great question about authentic engagement on social media. It's something I've seen make a huge difference for artists I've worked with. Here's the deal: be real. Share snippets of your studio sessions, your songwriting process, even your coffee runs. Fans love that behind-the-scenes footage and interact with you. So chat with your followers in the comments. Do live Q&As and build real connections. People connect with that human side. Remember, your unique voice is what makes you stand out. Use it in your music AND your social media.

Effective hashtag use can significantly enhance your music's visibility on social media platforms. You can start by researching hashtags relevant to your genre and style. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags to balance reach and specificity. For instance, combine broad tags like #IndieMusic with more specific ones like #DreamPop or #AcousticSoul. Create a unique branded hashtag for your artist name or album/single releases. This helps in tracking engagement and encourages fans to use it when discussing your music.

Offering exclusive content can be a powerful way to stand out on social media and promote your unique music style. Create content that's only available to your social media followers, such as behind-the-scenes footage, early access to new tracks, or special acoustic versions. This exclusivity creates a sense of privilege among your fans, encouraging them to stay connected and share your content. Remember to align these exclusives with your unique style, reinforcing your musical identity. Exclusive content will help you build a dedicated community around your music, setting you apart in the crowded social media landscape.

Find your community, if your music is extremely niche often this can be leveraged as a strength. Rather than trying to promote your music to the masses, try and super-service your own "lane" commentators, super fans of other artists in your area. They will be your biggest asset as they have probably been encountering the same challenges you have, it's likely that could be your biggest allies in translating your sounds to the masses down the track.