The Complete Music Marketing Glossary for Independent Artists

Wiki Article

If you’re an independent artist trying to grow your music career, you’ve probably heard all kinds of marketing buzzwords thrown around. It can feel confusing at first, but learning some basic terms can really help you get the word out about your music in a smarter way. That’s why we’ve put together this handy glossary to explain some common music marketing terms in plain language. Whether you handle everything yourself or work with a small team like buzzclick-music, these words can help you make better choices for your journey.

Let’s start with a few basics:

Branding – This is how people see you as an artist. It’s your style, your message, your artwork—everything that gives you a unique identity. If people remember you, your branding is working.

EPK (Electronic Press Kit) – A digital portfolio with your bio, photos, links to music, and videos—basically your music resume. You use this to send to bloggers, playlists, venues, or anyone who might want to share your music.

Engagement – More than just followers. Engagement is when people like, comment, share, or message you. These actions show they’re paying attention and care about your work.

Analytics – The numbers that tell you how you're doing. Think of your song plays, social media stats, and email open rates. These can help you figure out what’s working and what isn’t.

Call to Action (CTA) – Something you say or write to get your audience to do something, like “Listen to my new track” or “Follow me on Spotify.”

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – A way to help people find you online. This includes using keywords in your posts and making sure your website is easy to read and load.

Conversion – When someone who sees your post actually does that thing you wanted—maybe it’s buying a ticket or adding your song to a playlist.

Learning these terms makes it easier to manage your own music journey and talk to potential team members, like managers or publicists. Try using one new word each week and putting it into action. Before long, they’ll feel like second nature. Music marketing doesn't have to be complicated—it just takes a little time, some learning, and a lot of heart. Keep making great music, and keep sharing it your way.