Here’s How To Use Influencer Marketing For Musicians In 2024

In today’s social media landscape, influencer marketing for musicians is a crucial strategy for emerging artists seeking to amplify their reach. 

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become the go-to spaces for influencer marketing for musicians, where music influencers can turn fresh tracks into viral hits. A single post or viral challenge can quickly elevate a song’s popularity, making influencer collaborations key for building buzz and expanding fanbases. Influencers play a pivotal role by reviewing new music, creating trends, and boosting an artist’s online following. They also drive streams, ticket sales, and merchandise revenue, making them invaluable allies in the competitive music industry.

Ready to harness the power of influencer marketing? It’s time to make your mark!

THE BEST PLATFORMS FOR INFLUENCER MARKETING FOR MUSICIANS

Here’s a look at the top social media platforms that up-and-coming artists can use to harness influencer marketing for musicians and boost their music promotion.

TikTok 

TikTok is the ultimate platform for making music go viral, boasting over 1.5 billion users globally! When seeking to collaborate with music influencers, focus on those with 5K to 10K followers, as they’re often more enthusiastic about partnering with emerging artists. These influencers can creatively promote music by incorporating tracks into entertaining videos, effectively helping them gain traction​.

Instagram 

Instagram, with its powerful features like Stories and Reels, is a key player in music marketing. With over 2 billion active users, it offers significant opportunities for cross-promotion, especially when partnering with music influencers who have diverse followings. When these influencers share a track, it’s automatically linked to Instagram’s music library, boosting visibility​.

YouTube 

YouTube is a fantastic platform for promoting music and reaching new audiences. Unlike the quick posts on Instagram and TikTok, YouTube videos stick around, bringing in views and streams over time. Music influencers on YouTube have a huge impact, shaping what millions of younger fans listen to, making it essential for artists to connect with them.

Snapchat

Snapchat still boasts over 432 million daily active users, despite its recent decline in popularity. The platform continues to innovate with features like Snapchat Spotlight and Snapchat Sounds, designed to enhance music sharing. These updates present exciting opportunities for music influencers to engage audiences and promote tracks creatively​.

Twitch 

Twitch is ideal for music influencer marketing, especially with its post-COVID-19 growth. Music influencers on Twitch can promote tracks by playing them during streams, reaching engaged audiences. A simple shoutout or background play introduces new listeners, making Twitch an effective platform for organic, audience-driven music promotion.

HOW TO GET INFLUENCERS TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC

Know your target audience

Who do you want to reach with your music? Once you’re clear on that, look for influencers whose followers match that crowd—these are the people who can help get your sound heard by the right listeners.

Find the right influencers

Start by searching social media or using influencer platforms, then do a quick screen—what’s their vibe? What message are they putting out? Look at what they post, the message they promote, and whether their content aligns with your music. This ensures your sound connects with an audience that truly fits.

Make sure your brands align

Choose influencers whose values complement yours. If you find an influencer who’s passionate about fitness or sustainable fashion, that’s fantastic! But if those causes don’t resonate with you and your music, it’s best to look elsewhere. A partnership should feel natural—if your brands don’t connect, it can confuse your followers and potential new listeners.

Do a deep dive into their engagement levels

Follower counts aren’t everything—many are bought! Having 10 million followers doesn’t guarantee genuine interaction. Check the number of likes and comments on their posts to gauge real engagement. This will help you see if their platform is worth your time and effort.

Consider your budget

When selecting music influencers, it’s crucial to consider your budget. Smaller influencers charge £20-£100 per post, while larger ones demand more. Instead of spending a large sum on one influencer, consider partnering with several smaller creators. This increases your chances of reaching diverse audiences and maximising your ROI.

Negotiate the deal

When an influencer agrees to work with you, it’s time to strike a deal! Talk through the details—how much they’ll get paid, what content they’ll create, and the campaign timeline. Make sure you’re both on the same page for a smooth, successful partnership!

Manage the Campaign

Once the deal’s set, it’s time to manage the campaign! Keep in touch with the influencer to make sure they’re sticking to the agreement and everything’s running smoothly. Staying on top of things ensures the campaign stays on track and hits all the right notes to deliver results!

SOCIAL STRATEGIES TO USE: EFFECTIVE INFLUENCER MARKETING FOR MUSICIANS TO HELP PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC AND GROW YOUR AUDIENCE

Music challenges

Getting influencers to create fun challenges around your song is a powerful tactic in influencer marketing for musicians. The Facial Expression Challenge blew up this summer, with some videos hitting over 6.6 million views— all using the same song, “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay.” It’s a perfect way to go viral and promote your music!

Dances

Creating unique dance challenges to your songs is a killer way to go viral with influencer marketing for musicians! Just a few influencers can make your track explode. The “Soh-Soh” dance challenge took over, with videos hitting over 4 million views! It’s the perfect strategy to boost your song and reach a wider audience.

Watch on TikTok

Influencer playlists and song features

Choosing an influencer who connects with your target audience and having them feature your song in their content or playlist is a key strategy in influencer marketing for musicians. For example, influencers can create GRWM (Get Ready With Me) playlist videos, offering a fun and authentic way to introduce your track to their followers.

Watch on TikTok

Written by: Jess Davies

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs.

@sociallypowerful