Music Artists: Why Self-Promotion is About Sharing, Not Showing Off
Building Your Authentic World as a Musician: Why Self-Promotion is About Sharing, Not Showing Off
As a musician, singer, or artist, it’s natural to feel resistance when it comes to self-promotion. It can often feel like you’re expected to shout, “Look at me!” when that’s not really your style. But here’s the truth: self-promotion isn’t about ego—it’s about sharing who you are and connecting with your audience in an authentic way.
Start With What Feels Right
I go live almost every Friday on social media and I’m not reading a script; I’m just talking, improvising, and sharing from experience. Why? Because that’s what feels most natural to me. When I wrote my TEDxGateway talk, I didn’t start by sitting down at a computer. Instead, I walked around and spoke out loud, improvising 3 versions - each one feeling more and more accurate, and natural. This approach allowed me to refine my message and then transition to writing it down. I’m a performer, and songwriter - moving + engaging is how I work best!
Lesson for musicians: If writing captions or crafting polished posts feels forced, start with what doesn’t feel forced. Talk it out, play around with ideas in your voice notes, or improvise. Let your natural form of communication lead you, and then adapt it to your content.
Play to Your Strengths
Think about it: Where do you feel most comfortable? For me, it’s on video, speaking directly to an audience, even if it’s virtual. The camera isn’t just a device—it’s a direct line to the people I want to connect with. For you, maybe it’s singing, writing, or playing an instrument. Maybe it’s long-form storytelling, humor, or visual art.
Example: An artist I work with is a brilliant storyteller, both in their songwriting and in long-form narrative writing. We leaned into that strength and developed a concept where each song they release is tied to a written story, eventually creating a book. This approach not only showcases their unique skill set but also offers their audience a deeper, more immersive experience.
Create a World Around Your Art
Your art is more than just the music—it’s an extension of your life, your interests, and your passions. One artist I mentor loved hosting dinner parties, he started doing dinner events + eventually, turned that passion into a unique concept: his album release was a multi-course meal paired with each song. It became a full experience, merging music, storytelling, and food.
How can you apply this? Take something you love outside of music—whether it’s painting, cooking, knitting, or water skiing—and find a way to incorporate it into your artistic identity. Let your audience see who you are beyond the music, and use those passions to create memorable, authentic content. I’d watch a music video of an artist I love waterskiing!
Think Outside the Box
Social media platforms have their “rules,” but the most successful artists break those rules by infusing their unique voice. Think of Humans of New York—long-form, heartfelt storytelling, long segments the audience including me, waits with excitement for part 10/12. We come back for the depth and quality of storytelling and humanity.
It’s proof that you don’t have to follow the traditional guidelines of a platform to make an impact. You can use Instagram for a 12-part series of long captions or TikTok for something entirely different, like sharing snippets of your songwriting process or behind-the-scenes stories. The key is to use the platform in a way that feels true to you.
Align Your Passions With Your Music
Ask yourself: If I wasn’t making music, what would I be doing? This is a great clue for how to bring more of you into your artistry. For example, if you love knitting, why not knit something inspired by each song and share it with your audience? Or create a music video featuring your passion for water skiing. When you align your hobbies and interests with your music, you create a world that feels authentic and exciting—not just for your audience but for you too. Imagine all the people who would tune in to see your funky hobby!
Self-Promotion Is About Connection, Not Ego
A lot of artists shy away from self-promotion because they think it’s all about bragging. But in reality, it’s just like putting up a sign: “This is who I am and what I do.” You wouldn’t open a store without a sign-out front, right? You need to let people know what you offer so they can connect with you, collaborate, or become a fan. Come to you for what you offer, what they need.
Think of self-promotion as an invitation rather than a performance. It’s about sharing your art, your story, and your passions so the right people can find you and say, “I want to be a part of that.”
Lead With Service and Authenticity
The reason I jump in front of the camera, even when it’s early or I’m not feeling my best, is because I believe that what I have to share can make a positive impact on someone’s life. It’s not about me—it’s about the artist who might find a bit of guidance or inspiration from this. And that’s what drives me - the chance to help you live more authentically and build a career you genuinely love.
So when you’re thinking about self-promotion, remember this: It’s about sharing your truth, your art, and your passions in a way that feels natural to you. Whether you’re creating videos, writing stories, or combining music with another love in your life, the goal is to connect with others in an authentic way.
Bring It All Together
To wrap up, here’s your homework:
Identify your comfort zone: What kind of content feels the most natural for you? Video, writing, photos, or something else?
Think outside the box: How can you use your unique talents and hobbies to create content that’s different from what everyone else is doing?
Align your passions: How can you bring more of what you love into your music career, so it feels fulfilling and fun?
If you’re feeling stuck or need help brainstorming, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s make your self-promotion feel less like a chore and more like an exciting part of your creative journey.
Remember: You’re not just promoting yourself; you’re inviting people into your world. And that’s where the magic happens. ✨
——————————————————————————————————Let’s connect! DM me or check out my programs if you want help building a world around your art. Let’s make your career as authentic and inspiring as your music. 🎶💫
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