Like we established in the last editorial (click this link to stay updated), anyone can release music due to our new found digital democracy.

However becoming a Professional Musician is no longer judged solely by the recording and release of new music but by the attitude and positioning of the brand in relation to new fans and the media in general.

This is what we call Public Relations!

Doja Cat recently went viral on the red carpet for wearing a towel and while this is an extreme form of public relations, this and many more strategies are considered essential to what makes a artist appear and look professional. In the music industry and the entertainment business, perception is everything!

The path to looking professional starts with understanding and manipulating public opinion aka public relations – a process you can handle yourself or work with an experienced music executive to execute.

Now your “Brand” no longer consists of just you the performer but you the artist as lead performer and a team working towards the goal of increasing your brand image and presence and finance opportunities of the brand. Music publicity establishes a working relationship and presence between you and those in the media.

These days the media could mean local blogs, content creators and social media influencers but unless you are Drake then by all means we could contact The New York Times for a working relationship. Lol.

Please do not expect your new team member (music publicity guy) to get you a label deal, a merchandising deal or show booking but a savvy and well-connected music publicist may be able to hook you up with all of the things mentioned above but it is not in the job description.

The first step for you and your new team in the world of PR is sorting out your social media presence. This is your foundation and the most important part of the process as it needs to be updated consistently. You need to have your presence sufficiently established online from Facebook to Instagram and YouTube.

Choose your specific platforms and organize them or you won’t get the results you want from your PR campaign and this is because “if the lights are on and no one is home, no fan or music lover will care!” Capeesh? Effort successfully wasted.

Having a presence doesn’t mean having more Instagram likes or YouTube views, it means having consistent activity online and engaging with the online community. This is important to remember, because growing numbers takes time but building engagements with real life people can happen a lot faster.

It’s a matter of consistent engagement!

Once your social media house is built and stable you can begin thinking about amassing the publicity you’re looking for as a Professional Musician

Remember as the artist, you are the buyer of this service, you’re in the driver’s seat. It’s your money and your music that enables publicists to stay in business.

Hiring a publicist is like hiring a producer to make a beat for you. You have to choose someone you like, who is in alignment with your vision, your short-term and long-term goals.

Dear Reader, your questions and curiosity fuel the passion that goes into every session. We encourage you to keep the conversation going by following us on social media and check back frequently for more exclusive interviews.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community. See you again soon!