Do These Music Marketing Strategies Still Work in 2025?
Are your music marketing tactics outdated? Discover which strategies still work in 2025 and how indie artists can grow smarter, not harder.
August 21, 2025 / by DailyPlaylists
Being an independent artist today means wearing a lot of hats. You’re not just making music, you’re also your own marketer, data analyst, and community builder. In 2025, dropping tracks without a strategy isn’t enough. This article dives into the tools and tactics that can actually help you stand out, reach the right listeners, and keep growing long after release day.
1. Posting Daily on Social Media
Verdict: Not as effective
Flooding your feed with content just for the sake of being active doesn’t cut it anymore. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are rewarding quality and engagement over quantity.
What works now: Posting less often but with intentional, engaging content that encourages shares, saves, or comments. Leverage social media strategically to gather your initial follower base by tapping into relevant influencers and groups first.
2. Relying on Organic Reach
Verdict: Outdated and Strategically Limited for New Artists.
While ten years ago organic reach could connect artists with thousands of people, today it is limited. For new artists, solely depending on the algorithm initially makes growth harder because without a concentrated follower base, the algorithm struggles to find similar audiences for your content.
Furthermore, most new artists cannot afford paid advertising early on as it's too expensive and can quickly deplete marketing funds. If the goal is just "awareness" through ads, people tend to only like the music, not the artist as a person, leading to a shallow fanbase of casual listeners who might move on to the next song in weeks. Initial ads often don't generate income, causing rapid capital burn.
What Works Now: Awareness should first be built organically to cultivate an affinity for both your music and you as a person. Trust, developed through your personality and music, is crucial for creating loyal fans.
• Strategic Initial Organic Approach (especially for new artists):
◦ Manually find your initial "tribe" by engaging with micro-influencers and groups interested in your music, both online and in person. This concentrates your follower base faster than algorithms can.
◦ Promote the artist, not just the music. Produce content that tells your story (past, present, and future) to help listeners connect with you, which naturally fosters word-of-mouth promotion and brand loyalty. Artist promotion is for fans, while music promotion is for listeners.
◦ Use social media strategically to gather your initial follower base by tapping into influencers and groups, including those in your local geographical area.
• Strategic Combination with Paid Methods (once an organic base is established):
◦ Pair organic posting with paid boosts, collaborations, or playlist placements to reach new listeners.
◦ If investing in promotion, prioritize influencer campaigns over direct ads as they can yield a more qualified return.
◦ Limit ad spending to avoid burning funds that could be used for essential organic content in the early stages. Story-driven content justify ad expenditures for promoting both your music and personal brand.
3. Playlist Submissions
Verdict: Still powerful, but smarter targeting is key.
Sending your track to hundreds of random playlists doesn’t guarantee growth.
What works now: Tools like DailyPlaylists’ Track Explorer and the Recommendation Submissions help you find curators whose audience actually fits your sound.
4. Following Every Trend
Verdict: Risky
Yes, jumping on a viral audio can bring quick views. But if your music doesn’t align with the trend, those new followers won’t stick.
What works now: Blending trends with authenticity. Use trending formats but keep the content rooted in your style and voice.
5. Ignoring Data
Verdict: Never worked, never will.
If you’re not checking analytics, you’re basically flying blind.
What works now: Tracking how fans discover your music, what songs perform best, and doubling down where you see results.
Understanding your audience and the performance of your music is non-negotiable. Spotify for Artists for example provides invaluable data.
Music marketing isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what actually works today. In 2025, that means smarter targeting, authentic content, and using the right tools to reach the right audience.