HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC IN NIGERIA

Every upcoming musician wants to “blow” (make it big) in the Nigerian music industry. A major question they ask at the beginning of their musical journey is how do I promote my music?

Since major record labels like Mo’hits, Kennis Music, Chocolate city and Storm records that can manage, package and promote your songs will hardly get you signed, you will need to take up responsibility as your own music promoter.

My experience shows that unlike the USA where big labels like Sony BMI, Rockafella and Young money can sign up an artiste based on raw talent, in Nigeria you will have to

showcase your talent and songs to a certain extent before you will be noticed by the music promoters, marketers and record labels.

There is the believe that without the big bucks you cannot promote your music on the radio stations which prompts thoughts like if only I had a record label/marketer/promoter.

The good thing is you can do it yourself without putting a big hole in your pocket and you do not have to rely on any record label, marketer or promoter.

Following the tips below will show you how to promote your music and get that basic exposure while also increasing your fan base.

Note that nothing good comes easy and you will need to sacrifice either in form of time, efforts, a night’s sleep just to get what you want.

Apply the tips to your success.

1.       MAKE GOOD SONGS:

Sorry I cannot teach you how to write a song. I believe you are reading this because you have the talent already to compose and record a good song. The type of song you do should be targeted to an audience with a good taste in music. It does not matter the genre hip-hop, funk, rock, house, R n B, classic, alternative- whatever! You should do music to impress thousands of fans and not just your family and close friends.

2.       ATTEND SHOWS REGULARLY:

Be it a club performance or sponsored show just be noticed. Keep your ears on the ground for upcoming shows and try to make friends with event organizers and tell them to put you on the list of performers and that you don’t mind doing it for free. Talk to the DJ at the club, give him a promo copy of your CD and encourage him to play it on his shows. You get to meet music industry people at musical shows. Build and maintain your contacts with them. You don’t know who has a marketer in Alaba or who has a friend in that radio station.

3.       USE SOCIAL MEDIA:

Open profiles on sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace which gives you the platform to interact with your fans. Update your social network profile regularly with interesting pictures and videos of you. Photos from an event you performed or a video of a studio recording session should do. You get not only fans from Nigeria but all over the world with these type of websites.  Social networking site gives you an online following which is good for your music career. Do not underestimate the power of the internet in building your music career.

4.       OFFER YOUR SONGS FOR FREE DOWNLOADS:

You want your songs to reach a wide audience and people generally love free music downloads. Upload your songs to music sites like Reverbnation, Soundcloud and 4Shared and promote your download links to your fans on the social networking sites.

You can ask your fans to checkout your profile on these music sites and also share it with their friends. This will keep your songs in circulation. Do not worry about not being paid right now. People will pay you to perform at shows when your songs become popular. If you need to sell your music then Vibedeck is a great place where you can do so.

5.       PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC ON BLOGS:

You should submit your songs with a little profile and album art/ pictures to the top entertainment and music blogs and websites. Some of the best Nigerian music/entertainment blogs include Notjustok, Naijawhistle, GidiLounge, 360 Nobs, TayoTV, DjMightyMike, TalkofNaija, BellaNaija and Lindaikeji. You might ask for an interview.  Some of them will feature your profile and music; others may not even reply your email. It is normal as an upcoming musician to face those things. When you become a celebrity, most of them will come begging you for an interview.

6.       ALABA IS A FACTOR:

There is always a headquarters of any industry. Alaba being the headquarters of the Nigerian music marketers, you should familiarize yourself with the people at Alaba. Try to get your song on the monthly Alaba produced DJ mixes even if you may be asked to pay for this.

Most Nigerian celebrity and superstar musicians went to Alaba for promotion in their upcoming days. That’s the home for Nigerian music and movie marketers. Imagine what a contact at Alaba will do for your musical career.

7.       LISTEN: The tips here should help you so stop asking “how can I promote my music” since you now know how to. Its different strokes for different folks so feel free to personalize all I have said. There should be something unique your songs, charisma and stage performance. Note that you may still have to “grease some elbows” in the process of trying to become a big name in the music industry and money makes the whole process faster.

When you finally succeed in your music career, do not fail to say thank you to the crew at Naija Whistle. Cheers.