In today’s digital age, TikTok has evolved into an essential platform for upcoming artists. Its massive data base and highly effective algorithm make it possible for every artists to gain exposure and recognition. The accessibility of the platform enables artists to effortlessly showcase their talents, get in contact with other artists and engage with their audience.But what can you do to make the most out of TikTok to grow in your career? Let’s have a look!
The Importance of a Target Group
Understanding your target audience is not only important but also crucial when it comes to creating TikTok content. This knowledge plays a vital role in ensuring that TikTok effectively reaches the right audience for your videos, maximizing their impact and engagement. Let’s say you are an active member of the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) scene and want to cater specifically to this audience through your TikTok content. It is essential to make it evident to TikTok’s algorithm and viewers that you are targeting this specific group of music enthusiasts.
One way to achieve this is by featuring the intended audience in your videos. You could showcase EDM producers, DJs, or even passionate fans engaging with your content. This visual representation creates an immediate connection between your content and the desired audience, signaling to TikTok that your video is relevant to the EDM community.
Additionally, including relevant captions can further reinforce your target audience. For instance, you could create a TikTok titled “5 struggles every EDM producer experiences.” This title not only captures the attention of individuals interested in EDM but also clarifies your intended audience. TikTok’s algorithm recognizes the specific keywords and themes related to EDM, enhancing the chances of your video reaching the right viewers.
By effectively communicating your target audience to TikTok, you increase the likelihood of your content being circulated to individuals who would appreciate and engage with it. The algorithm understands the preferences and interests of different users, and when it identifies a clear target audience, it can optimize the video’s reach accordingly. In conclusion, understanding your target audience and aligning your TikTok content with their interests is a strategic approach to maximize your reach and impact on the platform. By featuring the intended audience in your videos and incorporating relevant captions, you establish a strong connection with your target demographic, prompting TikTok to distribute your content more efficiently within the desired community.
What Makes Your TikTok Different?
While lipsyncing has been a popular trend on TikTok, it is important to recognize that relying solely on this approach may not yield the desired results. With countless users already engaging in lipsyncing videos, the platform has become saturated with such content, making it less likely to grab the attention of viewers who have seen similar videos before.
To stand out and make a lasting impression on TikTok, it’s crucial to tap into your creativity and explore different fielfd of content creation. Instead of solely focusing on lipsyncing, consider incorporating other elements that can captivate and engage your audience. For example, you can showcase your dancing skills by creating choreography to accompany your music. Dance videos have been incredibly popular on TikTok, and by combining your own song with an entertaining dance routine, you have a better chance of capturing the interest of users scrolling through their feeds.
The key is to create something unique and memorable that sets your video apart from the sea of lipsyncing clips. Similarly, you can explore the realm of comedy and create funny sketches or skits that resonate with TikTok users. Humor has proven to be a powerful tool for engaging audiences, and if you can make people laugh, they are more likely to remember and share your content. Even if your content doesn’t directly relate to your music, you can still incorporate your song as the background sound. By doing so, you increase the exposure of your music and potentially generate interest from TikTok users who enjoy the sound and decide to explore your other content.
Consistency Is Key
Consistency is a key factor in building a successful presence on TikTok. By consistently uploading content, you establish a regular presence in the feeds of your followers and increase your chances of reaching new audiences. To help you maintain this consistency, creating a content calendar can be immensely beneficial.
A content calendar is essentially a schedule where you plan and organize your TikTok uploads in advance. It allows you to outline what type of content you will be creating and when it will be published. For example, you might decide to release a beat breakdown video on Mondays, a funny sketch video on Wednesdays, and a “3 tips to improve your drumming” video on Fridays. Having a content calendar provides you with a clear overview of your upcoming uploads, ensuring that you stay on track and meet your content creation goals. It also helps you avoid last-minute scrambling and enables you to plan ahead, brainstorm ideas, and gather any necessary resources or props for your videos.
Consistency plays a crucial role in TikTok’s algorithm. When you consistently upload content, it signals to the algorithm that you are an active and engaged creator. This can result in higher visibility for your videos, as TikTok tends to prioritize creators who consistently provide fresh content. Additionally, regular uploads increase the chances of your content appearing in the “For You” page and being recommended to a wider audience.
Remember, consistency doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. While it’s important to stick to your content calendar, ensure that you maintain the level of creativity and effort that aligns with your brand or personal style. Consistently delivering high-quality content will not only please your existing followers but also attract new ones who appreciate your dedication and the value you provide through your TikToks.
We hope you find this information useful and may you successfully apply these insights to boost your professional career!
Everyone wants to earn some extra money with music. It can be challenging for an upcoming artist to make a living from their music, but there are plenty of ways to start earning your first money with music. Here are 3 ways to turn your music into a profitable business:
1. Distribute your Music to Online Streaming Platforms
The first tip is pretty straightforward but it’s the most important one. If you want to make a name for yourself and earn money, you should get your music on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. This makes it easy for people to find and listen to your music, share it, and save it. The more streams your songs get, the more money you can make. It may not be a huge amount, but it’s a great way to start earning some income from your music. As an illustration, consider this: 100,000 streams can translate to €400!
2. Assisting Other Musicians
Utilize your skills to assist other artists. Collaboration is the key to success, and success leads to financial rewards. Whether you are good at songwriting, creating album covers, producing beats, playing guitar, or any other talent, there is always a demand for specific skills. Reach out to artists in your community and offer them a service that can help propel their careers forward. This not only benefits them but also benefits you! For example co-producing can lead up to €500!
3. Performans and Concerts
You’ve probably seen it before: artists who perform and charge a lot of money for it. They’ve put in a lot of hard work to earn their value. But don’t forget, they started out at small local venues too. As a new artist, try reaching out to cafes, clubs, or restaurants in your area and ask if you can perform for a night. Show them your music and tell your story, explaining why they should let you play at their place. You can ask for payment or even offer to play for free a few times to build your reputation. Building relationships in the music industry is really important for your future success. The starting fee as an artist is €100 – €200 per hour.
See what these tips can do for your success in the music industry. Best of luck on your journey!
Ever feeling like your mind ran out of ideas , not knowing what to create next? Don’t worry, beat block is a common struggle. It is normal that you need fresh inspiration everyday, like who doesn’t? Here are 3 tips that will help you create music you’ve never made before.
1. Explore Different Genres and Artists
Give yourself the freedom to break free from your comfort zone and dive into a world of diverse genres and artists. Let your musical taste buds savor flavors you’ve never tasted before. Embrace the fresh sounds that come your way, and watch as a flood of creativity surges through your veins, giving birth to beats that are truly mind-blowing. Allow the captivating melodies and irresistible rhythms from uncharted musical territories to sweep you off your feet, unearthing hidden gems that shape your artistic identity. Soak up the possibilities with an open mind and tuned-in ears, and prepare to witness your music soar beyond all expectations, resonating with the very depths of your soul.
Take, for instance, if you’re an EDM producer, try giving RnB a spin and consider incorporating its dynamic drums into your EDM tracks. Remember, in music, there are no rigid rules. Embrace the freedom to follow your ear’s desires and let your creative instincts guide you.
Tip 2: switch up your work environment
In search of renewed creative energy, it is worth considering the exploration of alternative settings when engaging in music-making. Within these unfamiliar surroundings lies the potential for fresh inspiration to flourish. The conventional confines of the studio can be left behind as you embark on a journey of sonic discovery. Equip yourself with headphones, and the exploration of beat creation in diverse locations becomes attainable. The balcony, with its open space and ambient atmosphere, serves as a potential canvas for the expression of melodic visions, harmonizing with the gentle whispers of the environment. Nearby parks, rich with their natural symphonies, offer a backdrop where the fusion of your rhythms and nature’s harmonies can intertwine, creating a unique auditory experience.
Furthermore, even the interior of your car can be transformed into a creative haven, enabling you to immerse yourself in the flow of musical ideas while traversing urban landscapes. By venturing beyond the studio, the possibilities for musical innovation multiply, providing an opportunity for your creativity to be nurtured and amplified within a fresh and invigorating sonic landscape
Tip 3: experiment with samples
When you find yourself in need of a creative kick, samples can be a game-changer. Starting a melody from scratch can be a real headache when you’re not sure about the vibe, the key, or even where to begin. But fear not! Samples are here to save the day, showing you the path and providing a smorgasbord of sounds to take your creativity up a notch.
Just look at some of the recent chart-topping hits that have used samples to their advantage. Take “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd, which cleverly samples the synth-pop of the ’80s, giving it a fresh and infectious spin. And how about “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X? This viral sensation sampled a classic country tune, fusing it with modern hip-hop beats for a truly genre-defying hit. By diving into the world of samples, you open up a treasure trove of possibilities.
From vintage soul and funky grooves to cutting-edge electronic sounds, there’s something for every musical taste. Let samples be your guide, showing you new avenues to explore and helping you unleash your full creative potential. So, the next time you’re stuck in a creative rut, remember: samples are your secret weapon. Let them steer you in the right direction and watch your creativity soar to new heights.
Album covers have always held a special place in the hearts of music enthusiasts. They not only serve as a visual representation of the music contained within but also have the power to captivate the listener’s attention. However, creating a professional album cover can sometimes be out of reach due to budget constraints. But don’t worry, because you can make your own artwork with just a few simple steps!
Step 1: The Message
Start by distilling the core message of your song into a few sentences. Focus on the essence of what you want to convey. Keep it concise and powerful, as the other details are unnecessary at this stage.
Step 2: Picture the Situation
Close your eyes and envision the situation that reflects the essence of your song. Imagine the Close your eyes and envision the situation that reflects the essence of your song. Imagine the environment, the atmosphere, and the characters involved. Let your mind create a picture. Write down what you see, describing the elements that make up this visual representation. Perhaps you imagine yourself in a DJ studio or producer studio in Amsterdam surrounded by the right equipment and vibes or perhaps you are running in the forest searching for answers.
Step 3: Sketches
Now it’s time to translate your mental image into a visual form. Take a notepad and pen, and make a few simple sketches based on the situation you envisioned. Remember, these sketches don’t have to be perfect or final. They serve as a starting point for your design process, helping you visualize your ideas.
Step 4: Final Design
To bring your sketches to life and create a polished album cover, you can use design software like Canva or Adobe Photoshop. These popular programs offer templates that you can customize or provide a blank canvas for you to start from scratch. Explore different layout options, experiment with colors, fonts, and graphics to create a design that perfectly complements the essence of your music.
Creating your own album cover doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these four simple steps, you can make your own artwork that resonates with your music and captures the attention of your audience. So unleash your creativity, embrace the essence of your songs, and let your album cover become a visual gateway to the world you’ve created.
Why you should think twice before you sign with a label or publisher
Royalties are one of the most discussed subjects in the music industry, yet no one really understands what they are and how they work. Especially for young, starting artists and producers, this is a real swamp that seems almost impossible to navigate and get through.
With the coming of the digital age, many new opportunities for music distribution and publishing have appeared, making it easier and safer for young artists to make a living from their art. Whether you’re signed at a label and/or publisher or if you’re an independent artist, the trickiest business of the music industry arguably is concerned with royalties. Before we get into that however, we’d like to start with some basics about the ownership of music and how all of that works.
Copyright of music
There are two sides to the copyright of a piece of music. One is the Composition Rights and the other is the Master Rights.
The Composition Rights includes the notes, melodies, chords, rhythm, lyrics of a song and belong to the owner of the actual composition, which is usually 50% songwriter and 50% publisher. As an independent artist, you could be both songwriter and publisher.
Then there’s the Master Rights, which is the official recording of a song used for reproduction and distribution. These belong to either the artist(s) or their record label. Again, as an independent artist, you could be both.
Licensing of music
There’s a difference between selling licenses and collecting royalties. You, or your publisher, can sell a license to any customer, like radio + tv stations, filmmakers and YouTubers, which states that they can use your music in their own projects. Once these projects, including your music, go public however, you’ll receive public performance royalties for every time your song is played.
In order to receive royalties however, you must be registered to an organization or society that collects royalties and pays those who are due. So here we are, we’ve arrived at the tricky part: the royalties.
The five types of royalties in the music industry
Mechanical Royalties are the income generated from the physical and digital reproduction and distribution of your copyrighted music. It applies to music reproduced on CD, vinyl and cassette, and music made available for digital download and streaming services.
This only applies to interactive streaming services. An interactive-streaming service is a streaming service where the consumer chooses which song is played, forcing a digital reproduction of the song. Examples of interactive streaming services are Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Apple Music, etc. Interactive streaming services generate both mechanical and public performance royalties.
A non-interactive streaming service is a streaming service that does not let the consumer decide which song is streamed. Examples of this are Pandora Radio, webcast services and really any other digital streaming service that does not allow its users to skip or rewind songs, skip forward or see what songs are ahead in the playlist.
The royalties generated from these non-interactive streams are public performance royalties (second in the list) and go to the copyright holders of the sound recording, which is either the artist or their label, and to the copyright owners of the composition, which are the publishers and the songwriters.
In order to receive these royalties, you must be the copyright owner of the intellectual property. If you’re signed to a label, there’s a fairly big chance you’re no longer the full copyright owner of your music, which means that a percentage of the royalties earned from your music go to your label. This all depends on the agreements you made with your label.
Secondly, we’ve got the Public Performance Royalties. Remember that there were two sides to a copyright, the composition rights and the master rights. For the owner of the composition right, this is the payment you receive when your music is performed, recorded, played or streamed in public.
These royalties are collected by Performance Rights Organizations (PROs). When you register with a PRO, they’ll sell licenses for your music to be played in public and then monitor whenever it gets played in public, so they know how many royalties you are due.
Now, every time your music is played on TV, radio, in clubs, bars, concerts, on streaming services or anywhere else in public, your PRO will collect the royalties and distribute them to the composition right holders of your song.
Beware, PROs make a clear distinction between songwriters and publishers and they split the royalties 50/50. So, if you’ve made a song entirely by yourself (you hold the composition copyright and the master copyright) and you haven’t signed a publishing deal, make sure you register to your PRO as BOTH the songwriter and the publisher to receive the full 100% of royalties on the Composition side you are owed.
Next, we have the Neighbouring Royalties. These are basically the same as the Public Performance Royalties, except these royalties go to the copyright holder of the sound recording, the master right, instead of the copyright holder of the composition. These royalties are collected and paid by the same PRO that collects and pays your public performance royalties.
So, the only real difference between public performance royalties and neighboring royalties is the person who’s getting paid. Public performance royalties are for the composition right holders, whereas neighboring royalties go to the master right holders.
Fourth is the Synchronization Royalties. Every time your copyrighted music is ‘synchronized’ or paired with visual media, e.g. when someone uses your music for their YouTube video, the synchronization royalties generate income for the right holders. To be allowed to use someone’s copyrighted music for audiovisual media, you’ll need to purchase a synchronization license and a master use license. The sync license allows you to use the composition of a song for an audiovisual project. A master use license allows you to use the master recording of a song for an audiovisual project.
To obtain a master license, you’ll need the permission of the master recording owner, which is either the artist that made the music or the label that signed the artist. For a sync license, you’ll need to contact the composition right holder of the song, which is either the songwriter(s) or the company that published the song. However, nowadays there are Sync Libraries where artists can submit their music to be licensed to an end user, and end users can easily purchase all the licenses needed to use music in their projects.
Last, but not least, there’s the Print Music Royalties. These are the least common nowadays but can definitely make for a decent revenue stream. Print Music Royalties generate income when copyrighted music gets printed to sheet music and distributed. Note: these royalties only go to the composition right holders of the song, which are the songwriters and the publishers.
Many artists and producers believe that they need to sign with a label or publisher, regardless of the quality of those companies, but as you can see from the way this industry works, it doesn’t always pay off (that much) to sign with a publisher and/or label.
Now, labels and publishers can definitely help you grow as an artist, but if you dive a bit deeper into how the music industry works, you’ll see that signing to a label and/or publisher might not necessarily always be the best move for you to make in your career right now.
So what do you do, once you decide not to sign a contract with a label or publisher?
That’s the big question, right? How can you, an (aspiring) independent artist collect royalties over your music?
The first thing that needs to be absolutely clear is: Who holds the rights to your music? Have you signed a deal with a publisher and/or label? Then it’s very likely that you own even less than 50% of your music, meaning you don’t get all the royalties your music generates. If you do, however, own the full copyright to your music, congrats! You’re on the winning side of this game.
Now of course, your music needs to be heard and for that, it needs to be sent to music stores and streaming services, which you don’t need to do yourself. Here’s a list of distributors that can get your music in stores and to streaming services. Make sure you pick one that’s best suited for you and don’t forget to check how these distributors handle copyrights. Some of these may not let you keep 100% of your rights, which would be a complete rip-off if they didn’t compensate you fairly.
Be aware that most streaming services only pay royalties for the sound recording (side B), which means that the royalties you are due for the composition (side A) will be lost if you don’t register your music with a performance rights organization and a collection society that focusses on mechanical royalties!
In the Netherlands there’s an organization that houses two collection societies under one name: Buma/Stemra. Buma collects and pays public performances royalties for songwriters and publishers (side A) and Stemra collects mechanical and synchronization royalties for songwriters and publishers (also side A).
So if you’re a Dutchy like us, we advise you to register to Buma/Stemra as BOTH the songwriter and the publisher, to ensure you receive the full 100% of side A, and then find a suitable distributor to distribute your music and collect your mechanical and public performance royalties of side B.
There’s also sena.nl, a royalty collection society focused on neighboring rights (side B), but this might not be necessary if your distributor already pays these royalties.
Finally, we have www.stichtingnorma.nl, they focus on what’s on TV. If your music has ever been or will ever be played in a live television show, Norma is the one you need to contact.
Beatstars and Airbit are popular for producers and musicians to sell their music to artists or fans in general. These platforms are very easy to use, and both have a huge client base for you to sell your music to. It’s not just beats that you can sell here, even complete songs and albums if you like.
This is probably the fastest way to make money with your music right now. You can choose to sell your music under different types of licenses: exclusive and non-exclusive. An exclusive license usually sells a at a higher rate than a non-exclusive license, since an exclusive license can only be sold to one person, group or label. A non-exclusive licensed track, however, can be sold to an unlimited number of people.
Note: before you start using Beatstars or Airbit, watch these tutorial videos on YouTube, just to make sure you don’t miss any important steps.
2. Distribute your music to online streaming services
Luckily today, online music distribution is easier than ever! A few decades ago, you would have to go to a label, hoping your music would be good enough to get signed. Then you’d be offered a deal, which usually meant giving up more than 50% of profits made by your music.
Nowadays, all you need to do is go online, find a distributor, like Distrokid.com, Amuse.io or CDBaby, and upload your music through their platforms. They will send your music to stores like Spotify and Apple Music who, in turn, will pay you for the number of streams your music gets. Also, most of these platforms let you keep 100% of your rights, meaning you receive 100% of the money earned with your music.
3. Become an (online) music teacher for others
You might give teaching a shot. You can use your experience and skills to train other musicians and artists. This can range from instruments to music theory or a combination of the two. It’s a fun way to earn money, since you get to talk about something you love doing and you get the chance to inspire and help young artists and musicians. It’s pretty easy to start teaching. You can choose to teach people online or have them come to another place. You can use your instruments to play on, students can bring their own instruments, or perhaps you can borrow them from schools or friends.
4. Start performing at (small) venues
Of course, this is where you get to show people what you’ve got. It’s fantastic way to make money as a musician and lots of fun to do. Just don’t expect to become a millionaire after one show, that’s not how this works. If you don’t have a great track record on pulling in audiences, you won’t be able to demand large fees. You’ll have to start small and build yourself up to the point where you can fill entire clubs and venues just by dropping your name on the invite. Everybody has their own way of building their name up, so get creative and do as much as you can to build your audience and reputation. After some time, you might even be able drive ticket sales through your own website, eliminating the commission that’s usually charged by booking agencies.
5. Become a music producer for others
Making music can be more than just a hobby. As a producer you can find tons of clients. Use Instagram to brand yourself and your music, so people will be able to find your name and your style as a producer. Beware that it’s a bit of a saturated market, so you’ll have to stand to attract attention. Luckily, we have platforms like Beatstars and Airbit today, making it easier to present yourself and your product online. But that’s not the only way to make music for others. Many producers prefer working with artists in a studio, so they can get to know the artist and figure out what works best for them. A producer’s job is not just to make the beats, it’s the whole process of translating an idea into a song and helping artists to find the best way to represent themselves in their songs.
If you can find artists who are willing to collaborate, you might just find yourself with a whole new stream of income.
6. Work as a DJ
DJ’ing is a very popular way to make money in the music business. If you look at some of the popular guys like Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Martin Garrix, you’ll see there’s serious money to be made. Again, just like these guys, you’d have to start at the beginning. You’ll have to be talented, dedicated and work yourself up in the business. This way you’ll build a network, increase your amount of shows and you might just reach the stars in 5 years!
DJ’ing is not only a great way to make money, it’s also a great way to get exposure for your own music. Since you’re the one deciding what music gets played, you might as well throw in some of your own songs and see how the crowd reacts. This learns you how people respond to your music. Maybe you want to drop a mixtape in the future, but you’re not sure which songs you want on there. This way you can test your songs with a live audience and decide what would work best for your mixtape.
7. Sell your music services on Fiverr.com
Fiverr is an online marketplace where anyone can basically sell everything to anyone. As a musician, this is the place where you can offer your specialty, whether it’s playing bass guitar, mastering a track or experienced vocals.
The key to maintaining a sustainable business on Fiverr is to start by offering your service for a low price. Once you’ve got positive reviews from clients and have built a reputation for yourself, Fiverr will recommend you to more people on the platform, meaning you get more potential clients to sell your service to. Once you have a steady client base, you can increase your rates gradually and start making real money for yourself!
8. Get your music played on TV or Radio
You can get your music on TV or Radio by sending it to Sync Catalogs. They will make it possible to get your music added to films, tv shows and radio. They don’t take ownership of your music though, so usually there’s no upfront money or production budgets. You only receive money once your music is used. To get into a Sync Catalog, you need to send an introductory email, telling a bit about yourself and the songs you worked on. This should also include a link to 3 of your best tracks. Sync Catalogs are looking for high quality only, so your tracks will need to consist out of a solid production!
9. Launch a YouTube channel
It’s also possible to record videos and post them on a YouTube channel, this includes your own music videos or videos that teach others whatever you’d like to teach. You’ll have to be consistent in uploading these videos to build up a strong audience, but once you attract enough people to watch your videos, you can make some nice bucks from this, either through ads or premium content.
If a video contains ads, YouTube will pay a small percentage of the advertisement money to you, the person that hold the rights of the content. Also, there’s this thing called YouTube Content ID, which is like a digital fingerprint that identifies you as the creator and copyright owner of the content you provide. So, if your song plays in the background of someone else’s video, and you hold the rights to that song, YouTube will have to pay you as well!
10. Sell your music on Bandcamp.com
Bandcamp is a marketplace where musicians can sell their music and merchandise. It has a great recommendation system and makes use of daily selections, meaning you might just be on the frontpage one day.
As a musician, you can sell CDs, Vinyls, posters, tickets, merchandise and whatever else you have in store for us. You also get to set the price yourself, so you are the true owner of your own business here.
