If you are an artist using your gifts to expand the kingdom, you probably have 1 million questions, one of which is how to get your music out there without breaking the bank.

Also, like most artists, you are probably still navigating a full-time job and making music on the side, managing all your household finances, and scraping pennies to pour into your God-given talents.

Paying a promoter or buying ads may not be possible in the immediate future, so we are here to help!

With a little bit of intentionality, consistency, and elbow grease, you too can get your music heard for FREE.

That’s right.

You will no longer have to worry about your lack of marketing budget; all these ideas use tools you already have at your disposal to get you started today.

Excited yet? Let’s go!

The State of Streaming Platforms

It’s probably no news to you that streaming platforms everywhere are overcrowded with musicians just like you. Everyone is vying for the real estate of listenership in any given genre.
While these platforms have opened up opportunities for independent artists, it also means that you have to do a whole lot more to get noticed and heard above the rest. The brilliant thing about this list is that it should complement your streaming platform strategy for maximum results. Don’t think of this as an all-or-nothing; think of this as a booster of what you are already doing to market your music.

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7+ FREE Ways to Get Your Music Heard

1. Build relationships. Building relationships and networking is just as important in corporate America as in music. Getting to know other musicians, music influencers, radio personalities, and industry professionals is a great way to make a face-to-face connection with the music that you deliver. Find ways to connect digitally or in person, by collaborating or supporting their work, mission, and special event events. Many people would rather work with someone they know than someone they don’t.
2. Create content. Regardless of how you feel about social media, content has been King for years now, in fact, social media is where many artists across genres have gotten their big breaks. Don’t feel like you have to invest in fancy equipment and cameras; start creating content and posting consistently with whatever you have at the frequency that fits you. People are more likely to be forgiving of the quality of content if you can prove you have the chops to make good music.
3. Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate. One of the most beautiful things about CHH is that we are a community of brothers and sisters in Christ and are much more accessible to each other than in the secular world. When you start to support those in the community and build relationships, opportunities will naturally arise to collaborate with others. Create new music with artists you can vibe with, and if you see someone starting out, return the favor and collaborate with them.
4. Start locally. We know that you want to showcase your music on a big stage, but the way to cut your teeth on performing and connecting with your audience is through local performances and festivals. Attend the events and get to know promoters and event planners. If you have built relationships with music professionals in your area, getting an opening gig will be easier than not.
5. Go LIVE. While this is a social media-related tip, it takes content creation to another level. If you are far away from the music scene or are strapped for time to attend events, consider going LIVE. Many artists have discovered that going LIVE they can engage directly with their audience. By allowing your followers to see your unfiltered process of creating music or performing, you will build a following based on the authenticity you let them see.
6. Get to writing. Press releases and song descriptions are more valuable than you know. As an artist, you already have a gift with words; when you release a new project, have a quality press release and sound description of your song, including inspiration, biblical references, and a high-resolution image. Media outlets will find these valuable and may be more likely to cover them.
7. Submit your songs for review, submissions, and playlists. It costs nothing to submit your song for consideration to sites like Holy Culture and Rapzilla. Be sure to follow directions closely so your song gets to the right set of ears. On sites like Spotify and Apple Music, there is an option to submit your song for their editorial playlists; it’s free to submit, and if your song gets picked, it would be a huge bonus for you.
8. Create your own playlist. Speaking of playlists, creating your own on Spotify by curating songs based on vibe, or theme can expose you to a brand new audience. People are always looking for music for their playlists, and matching your style with trending artists can take your music to the next level. Ensure your Spotify artist profile is up-to-date with your social handles, as people who love your playlist will likely look you up.

Next Steps

As with anything in the music, consistency is key. If you follow the Spotify algorithm, you will see that artists who consistently release music every six weeks tend to do better than those who don’t.

The same thing goes for social media, as each platform looks for quality content consistently posted over time. Remember, don’t worry about having fancy equipment; your talent will shine bright regardless of what model camera you’re using, and your follower count will reflect that.

Once you have built up a following and have extra income to invest, Instagram ads and influencer collaborations are two areas that you should look at. Investing in training for yourself also pays dividends as you learn how to do for yourself instead of paying others. Before handing over your hard-earned dollars, do your research to ensure you get your money’s worth.

Don’t Hold Back

You were given the gift of music for a reason. The world is hungry and in search for positive music that will uplift and inspire.

Your art needs to be heard, so don’t let money be an obstacle to people hearing the message that you have to give.

With these free tips, you too can start making waves, with a little consistency and grit.
Start by sharing your music on social media, engaging with listeners, and telling the story behind your songs.

Use free platforms to distribute your work and connect with other artists for collaborations. Perform wherever you can, whether online or in-person, to build your audience organically. Stay persistent, refine your craft, and trust the process.

Every big artist started somewhere, and your journey is just beginning. The world needs your sound—so don’t hold back.

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