How To Start A Record Label - Marketing Checklist

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RECORD LABEL MARKETING CHECKLIST

24 MARKETING IDEAS TO HELP YOU PROMOTE YOUR NEW RELEASE

† Email your mailing list


• Re: Album announcement with new single/video
• Re: Album release day
• A few weeks/month after the release with something new (video, b-side, contest, tour)

† Put up posters/flyers around town (or band’s hometown)


• Advertise the new album
• Post on college campuses, arts districts, cafes
• Include a QR code linked to spotify album

† Bring tapes/records to local record shop


• Give a few free copies or offer on consignment (or an exclusive copy/test pressing)
• Bring along a poster for the album or tour
• Tweet @ the store to tell your fans to visit

† Submit release to Bandcamp


• Send Bandcamp album link 8-9 weeks ahead of time
• Read Bandcamp.com/guide for more info

† Submit pre-release single(s) to Spotify for Artists (1-2 months in advance)


• Make sure the single ISRCs are the same as the album versions
• Visit https://artists.spotify.com to setup

† Create and post social media banners (Instagram Story/Post, Facebook Cover)

OTHER RECORD LABELS


A FREE RESOURCE FROM
• Carry the album artwork theme/aesthetic thorughout the social media graphics
• Make “coming soon” and “available now” versions

† Update links in your social media bios

© 2020 Other Record Labels.


• Use a free service like (Linktree, Url.bio)
• Make sure all your platforms point to the new album/single/pre-order

† Post to relevant sub-reddits on Reddit


• Find relevant genre or format sub-reddits to share the release in
• Ideally groups you’re already a part of

† Update Spotify Artist Page


• Update bio to talk about the new album/single
• Add new press photos (high-resolution)

† Ask other artists on your roster to promote the album


• Tweets/Instagram stories, etc
• Ask friends/family to share the single/album on their own playlists

† Submit to third-party curators (Birp, IndieMono, Work Hard Playlist Hard)


• Search for playlisters who are relevant to your genre and who may enjoy your release

OTHERRECORDLABELS.COM
RECORD LABEL MARKETING CHECKLIST
24 MARKETING IDEAS TO HELP YOU PROMOTE YOUR NEW RELEASE

† Pitch album to artist’s hometown local media outlets


• College radio stations
• Local newspapers, blogs

† Setup an album pre-order


• Use Bandcamp or artist website
• Create album tiers/bundles

† Create digital mockups for physical products (vinyl, tapes, totes, shirts)
• Use free, exsiting Photoshop templates to create compelling mocksups of your tapes/vinyl/merch

† Create a press one-sheet


• Include bio, photo, release date, tracklist, genre, streaming stats, etc.
• Send to press via email as a digital file or website

† Schedule social media posts and stagger content (singles, pre-orders, video)
• Take inventory of your promotional assets and use strategically: before, during, and after the album release

† Submit single to relevant blogs on SubmitHub


• Commit to a budget first
• Be very selective with what curators/blogs/influencers you approach

† Send personalized emails to pre-existing press contacts


• Don’t “blast” contacts who have helped you in the past

OTHER RECORD LABELS


A FREE RESOURCE FROM
† Post video messages from the artist
• Have the artist create an Instagram story to use on the day of the release
• Create a mini, behind-the-scenes video for YouTube

© 2020 Other Record Labels.


† Schedule multiple pre-release singles
• Stagger 3-4 album sinlges to be released 4-6 months before the album

† Create a contest
• Offer a free album, test pressing, t-shirt

† Update all your web properties to promote and point to the new album
• Eg. artist website, label website, social media accounts
• USe a central location to point all traaffic to

† Mail postcard/flyers promoting the new album


• Gather mailing addresses from fans who have previously ordered merch from this artist

† Record a behind-the-songs podcast or audio commentary


• Publish on IGTV, YouTube, or as a free album on Bandcamp/Spotify/AppleMusic

OTHERRECORDLABELS.COM

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