Image via Wikipedia

Here are a few keys you can use to become successful in the new music:

1) Hustling Through Merchandising

Having a solid Merch table is key. Artist like the Listener among others have taken unique and inventive approaches, using album themes to create merch content or even unique hard to find items. Branding your group and creating related merchandise from hats to T Shirts, to incense, to posters and coasters, merch is another solid way to make money and create endearing fans. Make the items personal and reflective of your group. It can be as simple as getting a bunch of blank hats and attaching a button with the bands logo, to a T with graffiti or the bands logo. The types and kind of merch you can create and find are limitless. Make sure you have a fan list sign up sheet because you will need all those emails to follow-up and keep fans engaged when you come into town again or have a new release to promote.

2) The Tour Grind

Another vital key is the tour grind. I was talking to KJ-52 about the key to his success and he said it’s touring constantly and doing the big festivals. He’s been able to sell over 500,000 records total on his entire catalog. None of these happened the first week out on any new release but up to a year and a half or more of touring on each record. I’ve seen artist tour the youth group circuit, the festival circuit and even the coffee shop, pub and bar circuit. Touring is vital to your success.

3) The Festival Circuit

Touring the big festivals seems hard for Christian Rappers unless you’re a big name that’s established. They usually have larger crowds, this is where your merch table is vital to getting sales, even if you start doing smaller local festivals and work your way up. This is an avenue your should actively seek for exposure, even if it’s a short set. The more people you can get in front of the chances are a few more people will like your music and pick up your cd or merch.

4) Hiring A Publicist, Promoter or Manager

This is an oft overlooked and almost neglected facet in the CHH market. For one there aren’t many and they usually don’t get paid as well in the CHH market so it’s hard to stay consistent. The publicist is the one who can get your cd to the right magazines, radio, dj, record pool or video outlet. They have the connections and the established name. They can save you time and increase your exposure. Companies like 3L Promo who established names as promoters, managers and / or publicists can be the key ingredient you need to make your Indie release a success. Don’t overlook this key ingredient and as this person can get your album the exposure and presentation it needs to sell well don’t undervalue or underpay them. A worker is worthy their hire. So make sure you take good care of them so they can take good care of your project. The better you treat them, the better you pay them, the easier it is for them to do their job well.

5) The Power Of A Record Pool

When I was pushing for a CHH record pool, I knew the need for a CHH record pool so that our play list could be uniform and it would be easier to push artist music to get more consistent exposure. It was why I had been building with Dj D Lite to start the HCR record pool, which later split into two entities with the creation of the new DaSouth site. It’s another reason I’ve pushed Triple H Mixtapes as a way to continue to get CHH music to listeners and new audiences. We’ve given over 110,000 people to hear CHH for the first time or as repeat listeners. That may not be a large number but we feel like we’re making an impact. With 3,000 to 4,000 hits a month, we are making some noise. Even if it’s a small noise it’s still noise. There are a few DJ Record Pools like Higher Ground, KARP and Holy Culture Record Pool. So make sure you get your music and singles to them. Also, releasing your singles to Christian rap sites like Rapzilla is crucial to getting music to the fans and radio DJ‘s alike.

6) The Power of The DJ

The power of the DJ should not be neglected or overlooked. They are the ones who get your music or video to the listener or viewer. Whether it be disc jockey or video jockey. Respect the DJ as the backbone of people hearing your music. Make sure to get them advance singles, exclusive and promotional material to promote and expose their audiences to. Whether it be the Radio, Church / Club or Mixtape DJ make sure your build those relationships and network so you can have solid coverage when you release a project.

7) Leveraging The Power Of Social Networks

Finally, I want to talk about the power of social networking. Namely Twitter, Facebook and Blogging. It is key to building your fan base, keep it pithy and interesting. Knowing how to properly use social networking can drastically change your group, band or websites presence. I know personally from using Twitter, Facebook Groups, LinkedIn, and WordPress I went from getting a few hundred hits a month on Triple H Mixtapes and para-DOX parABLEss to getting a few thousand hits a month. I did some experiments with it even overloaded Twitter with content. Then I found a moderate middle ground where I’ve built a solid presence providing promotional mixtapes and interesting blogs that has engendered some solid followers and subscribers.

There are many tools that are available that can make, your band or group a success. Study the industry, study the market, study what works, pay attention to what doesn’t and learn from other artist. Don’t be afraid to try new things, be open-minded, be prayerful. I hope you find this information helpful and useful.

Related Articles

• Humble Beast – Humble Beginnings Volume 1 (triplehmixtapes.wordpress.com)
• Braille – Weapon Aid (triplehmixtapes.wordpress.com)
• Rooftop MC’s – Back At One (triplehmixtapes.wordpress.com)
• Buck Barnabas – Who Is Buck Barnabas (Hosted by DJ I Rock Jesus) (triplehmixtapes.wordpress.com)
• G-Status Presents…: Therapy – The Rebirth Of J Stephens” (Hosted by Dj Network) (triplehmixtapes.wordpress.com)

Print PDF