With the current rise of the digital age, and the power of social media, pursuing a job in the music industry has never been more obtainable. A career in music marketing is often sought after as it allows individuals to collaborate with big artists and learn more about the behind the scene process of the music industry. While pursuing your dreams may seem daunting at times, it is important to remember that with persistence and determination anything is truly possible. So get ready to learn some helpful beginner tips to start living your best music life! In this article we will learn:
Music marketing plays a crucial aspect in connecting artists to their fan base through a variety of social outreach tactics. Whether it’s through creating social media content to promote upcoming song releases, creating digital ads to spread awareness of the artist, or assisting in the process of distributing products on various music platforms, music marketers are truly a jack of all trades! What makes music marketing a fulfilling career is that the technical skills that are learned in the process are highly transferable. With that being said, if you are an individual that is interested in pursuing your own musical career, a job in music marketing will provide you with the networking opportunities and knowledge needed in order to put you on the right path to success!
In 2024, a career in music marketing has an annual baseline salary of $83,000 with top earners making a revenue of $125,000. While money isn’t everything in life, it is good to acknowledge that a field centered around creativity and constant innovation, is still financially beneficial and will provide you with a comfortable living.
Much like other jobs, to be successful in music marketing it is important to have the educational background needed to ensure that you are capable of completing a variety of different tasks. Some of the most beneficial majors for those interested in music marketing include:
While not all of these have a direct emphasis on the concept of music itself, they provide a deeper insight on the best ways to promote music, build a brand, and network with other individuals and companies.
Similar to taking the right courses, the college that you choose to attend to obtain your degree is also extremely important. While many colleges offer degrees in music business or marketing, it is important that you pick one that is also reputable to increase your success in an extremely competitive field!
Some of the best colleges for music marketing (and other related fields) and the programs that they offer:
While the annual tuition cost of these institutions vary, they all expose students to a hands-on education that allows them to utilize state of the art equipment in order to prepare them for post graduation internships and jobs!
It is no secret that as time goes on, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain a professional job post graduation. One of the best things you can do to improve your chances at employment is through gaining experience as an intern! Internships allow for students to apply what they have learned in their classes to the corporate world. In an internship you will receive direct exposure to the music industry and work with professionals with similar interests. What makes internships so useful is the fact that a lot of them are only seasonal. This means that you can complete a variety of them before you graduate and build up a great resume! It is important to figure out where your true passions lie and internships allow you to also learn about your likes and dislikes which can help you when it comes to researching companies for employment in the future.
Internships can also help your educational path, as some of them count for college credit or can even assist you financially if it is paid. When you are just starting out in a new endeavor the mentorship and guidance given to you during an internship is very useful because it is okay to recognize that sometimes you will make mistakes! It is important to recognize that every new opportunity is a learning experience.
Some companies that offer music marketing internships are:
Some artists who have worked with Extreme Music include:
Some artists who have worked with Insomniac include:
Instruments that Yamaha is most known for include:
People who have worked with Thrive Music include:
Some artists who have worked with Live Nation include:
If some of these names are unfamiliar to you, we urge you to expand your music taste and see if you can discover a new favorite song! With working with some of the biggest names in music, your experience will be nothing short of amazing. While it may seem intimidating at first, one of the best ways to learn about the industry is through challenging yourself, nothing is ever impossible! Whether it’s focusing on event planning logistics, music composition, advertising, or even learning about the distribution of the equipment itself, all of it is important when it comes to building well rounded knowledge about the music industry.
Now that you have the experience, it’s time to look at job opportunities and get inspired by those who have been successful in the world of music marketing. Finding jobs can be difficult, and it is important to steer clear of spam job postings as they can sometimes appear really convincing on the surface. Using a website such as Linkedin, not only allows you to show off your skill sets and internship experience, but also allows you to be exposed to job postings that are catered to your interests. This website is also helpful for its ability to connect with people that you know, and have met throughout your educational journey, which allows you to continue to network even after you have already graduated college.
Searching through company websites directly is also another way to ensure that you are able to live out your music loving dreams! Companies such as Fame House and Crowd Surf have a career tab that is accessible on their websites that allow you see if they are hiring for onsite or remote positions at a location near you! Applying directly on a company website not only limits your chances of being fooled by a fake website, but truly shows recruiters that you are passionate and eager to work for their company!
Some of the top paying cities for jobs in music marketing are:
If you don’t currently live in California, it may be a good idea to start packing your bags and booking a ticket!
When it comes to planning for your future career, the steps to get there may seem overwhelming. However, it is important to remember that behind every successful individual is a humble beginning. It is important to take your career building one step at a time to ensure the best results and to remember that it is okay to make mistakes in the process. Allow yourself to stand out creatively in your music marketing endeavor and you will have the tools to get very far!
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