subject: A Better Understanding on Music Marketing Plan [print this page] A marketing plan is a report which describes how a given property (be it a brand, a product, or a service) is to be marketed, it covers all aspects of marketing including advertising, promotions, and sales. Hence, music marketing plan is a formal document that helps you provide marketing goals and a framework in which they can be achieved to help you increase your value in the music industry. It encompasses the most important process in gaining popularity including publicity and promotion, advertising, retail and distribution, strategy and process, merchandise, touring, and fan base among others.
To make your own music marketing plan, you have to set your goals first along with its more detailed objectives. If you are an independent musician who wants to sell your music then, you have to write a music marketing plan aiming mainly on selling the recordings that you have made. Writing a music marketing plan is putting your thoughts into paper so it can be your self-made steps to success, which is why you may need to consider in doing some things before starting with your plan such as research and doing reality checks. A situational analysis may be needed; this section would be more focused on competitor analysis and a look at the market environment. This way, you get to create the most appropriate and realistic plan for your music career. Remember to write your music marketing plan in the form of outlines. Make sure to give some sort of numbered heading to each distinct section. It should be first and foremost, well-organized and easy to follow.
Understanding the 4 Ps associated with music marketing plan namely: product, promotion, place and price is also important, they are the most essential aspect in marketing in the music management. Aside from the product, the rest of the plan is simply built upon the foundation of who you want to reach and how to effectively do it. Make sure that you give the best quality music to your audience, channel your style to the right people, make yourself available to the various music industry contacts, and offer the most appropriate cost to it. Here, you have to ask yourself about your financial situation. Find out if you really have the ability to start and operate your own record label or if your music can be a potential money-maker because you wouldn't want this business venture to be put in vain. Write down all the potential threats and opportunities that you might face and the things you can do to avoid these threats and attract the opportunities.
Lastly, write down the things that will help you keep track on things. Working everyday toward your long term goal of being a successful musician is the hardest part of the job. Keep in mind to always stay on budget, don't ever get into debt and meet all deadlines, communicate with the right people and be patient. Update your music marketing plan or make some alternatives as necessary and stick with it, you did not make a plan for nothing.
