Prompts for Music Marketing: Your Music Marketing Playbook

Coming soon – a guide of AI prompts to help musicians generate marketing ideas and create a better presence in the music world!

This guide, “Prompts for Music Marketing,” is like having a seasoned mentor in your corner, ready to help independent artists and labels truly connect their unique sound and story with the right listeners. It’s not about quick fixes or chasing fleeting trends; it’s a strategic partner designed to spark fresh ideas and turn every interaction into a meaningful step forward.

Think of it as your essential playbook for navigating the often-noisy music industry. It helps you build a strong digital identity, engage authentically on social media, craft impactful email campaigns, and foster genuine fan loyalty. You’ll learn how to plan compelling music releases, get your story heard by the press, and even design merchandise that fans will absolutely love.

The guide emphasizes that success isn’t just about streams; it’s about building relationships and creating a sustainable path for your art. It encourages you to embrace tools like AI to streamline your workflow, but always with the understanding that the human touch and authentic storytelling are what truly resonate. Ultimately, it’s about transforming your passion into a thriving enterprise by making your audience feel seen, valued, and part of your journey.

A Closer Look at the Guide’s Elements

The “Prompts for Music Marketing” guide is structured into several key sections, each focusing on a vital aspect of an artist’s journey in the modern music landscape. It’s designed to be a practical, actionable resource, breaking down complex marketing into manageable, prompt-driven tasks.

Here’s a summary of what each section aims to help you achieve:

• Introduction & Glossary: This sets the stage, explaining the guide’s purpose and providing a helpful glossary for key terms like [artist or label] and [unique sound or story], ensuring you can tailor the prompts effectively. It also includes a crucial section on “How to Write Effective Prompts,” emphasizing clarity, context, constraints, and character when interacting with AI.
• Section 1: Digital Marketing & Strategy: This is your foundation for online presence. It helps you define your digital goals, map your online footprint, and create content that truly connects. Think SEO for musicians, funnel strategies, and crafting a website that actually converts visitors into fans.
• Section 2: Social Media Strategy: Beyond just posting, this section teaches you how to tailor content for each platform’s strengths, ensuring your voice resonates with your audience without burning you out. It covers everything from weekly theme calendars to micro-storytelling and behind-the-scenes reveals.
• Section 3: Email & Newsletter Strategy: This section highlights email as a direct line to your fans, cutting through social media algorithms. It guides you in crafting personal, purposeful emails, from welcome series to milestone celebrations and engaging fan polls.
• Section 4: Fan Engagement & Loyalty: This is all about building lasting relationships. It offers ideas for creating unique experiences, recognizing superfans, and fostering deep loyalty through personalized messages and loyalty programs.
• Section 5: Content Creation & Storytelling: This section helps you shape the narrative around your music. It’s about sharing your unique story authentically, from behind-the-scenes snapshots and origin stories to lyric deep dives and “day in the life” content.
• Section 6: Music Releases & Rollouts: Crucial for any artist, this section focuses on crafting compelling release strategies. It covers pre-release teasers, countdown campaigns, and even unconventional release formats to maximize anticipation and stand out.
• Section 7: Email & Newsletter Marketing (More Prompts): A deeper dive into email, covering lead magnets, email story arcs, exclusive content, and strategies for maintaining a healthy and engaged email list.
• Section 8: Paid Advertising & Sponsored Campaigns: For artists looking to expand their reach, this section guides smart use of paid ads on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. It covers ad hooks, objective setting, and retargeting strategies.
• Section 9: Publicity & Press Strategy: This helps you navigate the media landscape, from writing compelling press pitches and building timelines to identifying local media angles and crafting effective electronic press kits.
• Section 10: Even More Email Marketing & Fan Messaging: Further advanced email strategies, including campaign announcements, call-to-action optimization, and list hygiene.
• Section 11: Fanbase Growth & Community Building: Focuses on attracting new fans and deepening connections with existing ones. It covers fan tribe names, rewarding active followers, and creating real-world connections.
• Section 12: Live Performance & Touring Strategy: This section is all about making live shows unforgettable, whether in-person or virtual. It covers hometown anchor events, microtours, and creating immersive merch.
• Section 13: Press, Publicity & Podcast Outreach (More Prompts): Additional prompts for securing media coverage, including origin story angles, connecting music to a mission, and pitching to podcasts.
• Section 14: Brand & Visual Identity: Helps you build a cohesive visual identity, from logo design and color palettes to brand style guides and album aesthetics, ensuring your brand is instantly recognizable.
• Section 15: Live Shows, Tours & Virtual Performances (More Prompts): More ideas for creating dynamic live experiences, including setlist design, signature moments, and fan-curated shows.
• Section 16: Revenue, Merch & Fan Offers: Focuses on sustainable income streams beyond streaming. It covers flagship merch, story-driven products, subscription models, and ethical upsells.
• Helpful “How To” Articles: These articles provide practical guidance on specific tasks, such as creating clickbait headlines ethically, posting press releases, using AI effectively, and developing various types of content (behind-the-scenes, fan-centric, educational, collaborative).
• More Prompts and Variations: This section offers additional, more advanced prompts across all marketing areas, allowing for deeper dives into digital strategy, content, growth, brand, and more. It also includes detailed sections on competitor analysis, market analysis, SEO, paid promotion, influencer marketing, and brand visual creation.

Example: Basic Branding Prompts

Let’s start with some fundamental branding prompts from Section 14: Brand & Visual Identity. These are crucial for laying the groundwork for how your artist or label is perceived.

1. Brand Personality Prompt:
   “How would one describe [artist or label] if they were a person at a party? Cool and mysterious, loud and hilarious, deep and thoughtful? Use that to define a brand voice. [insert details here]”
2. Logo Refresh Prompt:
   “If [artist or label] had to reimagine their logo or visual symbol tomorrow, what colors, shapes, or textures best represent their current sound or evolution? [insert details here]”
3. Brand Moodboard Prompt:
   “Create a moodboard with visuals that define [artist or label]’s world-album art, favorite colors, fonts, fashion influences, fan-generated content. [insert details here]”

Example: “Fan Tribe Name Prompts” with Effect Prompts

Let’s take a subject from Section 11: Fanbase Growth & Community Building, specifically “Fan Tribe Name Prompts.” This section helps you create a unique, collective name for your fanbase that fosters identity and belonging.

Here’s how you might use it, along with some “effect prompts” that explore the potential outcomes:

Original Guide Prompt:

“What unique name or identity could [artist or label] give their fanbase (e.g., “Swifties”, “Little Monsters”) that feels authentic to their [artist or label]’s [unique sound or story]? Create a detailed marketing plan, all the necessary original content and social media posts for this idea across social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok with relevant hashtags). Make sure the content is original, avoids sounding AI generated and is natural in language. What else is needed to make this idea a success? Here’s more information – [insert more details].”

Let’s imagine our artist is “Echo Bloom” and their unique sound/story is “dreamy, atmospheric indie-folk with themes of nature and introspection.”

Applying the Prompt:

“What unique name or identity could Echo Bloom give their fanbase that feels authentic to their dreamy, atmospheric indie-folk sound with themes of nature and introspection? Create a detailed marketing plan, all the necessary original content and social media posts for this idea across social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok with relevant hashtags). Make sure the content is original, avoids sounding AI generated and is natural in language. What else is needed to make this idea a success? Here’s more information – Echo Bloom’s music often features field recordings of forests and oceans, and lyrics explore growth, change, and finding peace in natural cycles.”

Possible Fan Tribe Names Generated (based on the prompt):

• The Bloomers
• Echo Keepers
• The Forest Folk
• Dream Weavers
• The Current (referencing water currents and present moments)

Let’s pick “The Echo Keepers” for our example.

Effect Prompts (Exploring the Outcomes of Naming the Fan Tribe):

1. Effect Prompt (Building Community Identity): “How would adopting the name ‘The Echo Keepers’ foster a stronger sense of belonging and shared purpose among Echo Bloom’s existing fans? Describe three specific ways this name could be integrated into fan interactions (e.g., exclusive content, community rituals) to deepen their collective identity.”

• Expected Outcome: Fans feel like they’re part of an exclusive club, reinforcing their connection to the artist and each other.

2. Effect Prompt (Attracting New Fans): “In what ways could the name ‘The Echo Keepers’ act as a ‘discovery hook’ for new listeners who resonate with Echo Bloom’s sound? Imagine a social media ad or a Spotify playlist description that uses this name – how does it intrigue potential new fans and invite them into the community?”

• Expected Outcome: The unique name piques curiosity, making new listeners want to understand the community and, by extension, the artist’s music.

3. Effect Prompt (Merchandise & Branding): “How could ‘The Echo Keepers’ name be integrated into Echo Bloom’s merchandise and visual branding? Suggest two specific merch items (beyond a simple t-shirt) that would appeal to ‘Echo Keepers’ and visually represent the dreamy, nature-inspired aesthetic. What kind of visual language (colors, fonts, imagery) would best accompany this name?”

• Expected Outcome: Merch becomes more than just band gear; it’s a symbol of belonging, strengthening brand identity and creating unique, desirable products.

4. Effect Prompt (Artist-Fan Connection): “From Echo Bloom’s perspective, how would referring to their fanbase as ‘The Echo Keepers’ change the tone and intimacy of their communication in newsletters or live show banter? Draft a short message from Echo Bloom to ‘The Echo Keepers’ that conveys gratitude and reinforces their shared journey.”

• Expected Outcome: Communication feels more personal and appreciative, fostering a deeper, more intimate bond between the artist and their dedicated supporters.

Creating Your PDF Guide

To create a professional PDF from this content, you have a few great options:

1. Google Docs / Microsoft Word: If you copy and paste this summary and the EPK script into a Google Doc or Microsoft Word document, you can then use their “Download as PDF” or “Save As PDF” functions. This is usually the simplest way to maintain basic formatting. You can add a nice cover page with your logo and the guide’s title.
2. Canva: For a more visually appealing and branded PDF, I highly recommend Canva. It’s user-friendly and has many templates for guides, reports, or e-books. You can easily drag and drop text, add images (like the guide’s front page graphic if you have it digitally), and customize fonts and colors to match your artist’s aesthetic. Once you’re done, you can download it as a PDF (Print or Standard).
3. Adobe InDesign / Affinity Publisher: If you’re looking for professional-grade design and have access to these tools, they offer the most control over layout, typography, and image quality, perfect for a polished, shareable PDF.

My suggestion: Start with Google Docs for the text, then if you want to elevate the design, import it into Canva.

Electronic Press Kit (EPK) Script

Here’s a script for an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) video or audio introduction. The goal is to sound genuine, passionate, and inviting, rather than overly corporate or “AI-generated.” It’s designed to be adaptable—just fill in the bracketed parts with your specific details!

[Start of EPK Script]

(Visual: A warm, authentic shot of the artist/band in their creative space – maybe sketching, playing an instrument casually, or looking thoughtfully at a demo. Music starts softly in the background – a snippet of your most representative track, or something that captures your unique sound.)

Voiceover (Friendly, passionate, a touch reflective):

“Hey there! Thanks so much for taking a moment to dive into our world. We’re [Your Artist/Band Name], and honestly, we’re just a bunch of folks pouring our hearts into making music that… well, that hopefully resonates with yours.

(Visual: Quick, engaging montage – maybe a raw live performance clip, a shot of a handwritten lyric, a glimpse of a unique instrument, or a candid laugh with bandmates.)

“You know, every song we write, every note we play, it all comes from a really honest place. For us, it’s about [mention your core theme or unique approach – e.g., ‘exploring the quiet moments of life,’ ‘channeling raw energy into something beautiful,’ ‘telling stories that make you feel less alone’]. We try to capture that feeling of [mention a key emotion your music evokes – e.g., ‘dreamy escape,’ ‘unfiltered joy,’ ‘thoughtful introspection’] in everything we create.

(Visual: Shifts to a slightly more polished, but still authentic, shot – maybe a candid photo from a recent show, or a close-up of album art.)

“We’ve been on quite a journey, from [mention a humble beginning – e.g., ‘jamming in a dusty garage,’ ‘playing open mic nights in our hometown of [Your City]’] to [mention a recent small achievement or significant moment – e.g., ‘seeing our music connect with listeners across the globe,’ ‘playing our first sold-out show’]. And honestly, it’s all thanks to the incredible folks who listen, share, and just get what we’re trying to do.

(Visual: A shot of the artist/band looking directly at the camera, smiling genuinely. Music swells slightly.)

“This EPK is here to give you a deeper look – our story, our music, and what we’re all about. We’ve put together everything you might need, from our latest tracks to press photos and a bit more about our journey. We’re genuinely excited about what’s next, and we hope you’ll be a part of it.

(Visual: Your logo appears cleanly on screen, with website/social media handles. Music fades out.)

“Thanks again for being here. We can’t wait to connect.”

[End of EPK Script]

Interested? We’ll send a notification about the release date and provide free copies for review.

Rick Mulholland

GadgetsFoodandTravel.com

rickmulholland@gmail.com