How to grow a strong online presence as a musician?

In today’s digital-first music industry, talent alone isn’t enough - you also need visibility. A strong online presence helps you connect with fans worldwide, attract industry opportunities, and stand out from the crowd. Unlike traditional music careers that relied heavily on labels, today’s artists are taking control of their growth through digital platforms.

But simply posting on social media or uploading tracks isn’t enough. To truly make an impact, you need a cohesive, professional, and engaging online identity. This guide explores six key strategies that will help you strengthen your presence, grow your audience, and create lasting connections with fans.

In this blog, we’re breaking it all down:

1. Create an Effective Website
   
   
2. Leverage the Power of Social Media
   
   
3. Create an Email List
   
   
4. Reach New Audiences Through Playlists
   
   
5. Optimize your Artist Profiles on Streaming Platforms
   
   
6. Collaborate with Other Artists
   
   
7. Final Thoughts
   
   

1. Create an Effective Website

Your website is the one place where you have full control of how you want to present your story and your music to your audience. Unlike social media, website building for artists is not dependent on algorithms and serves as an effective way of creating a strong online presence.

Must-have sections:

• Homepage: 
  This is the first place where people land when they come to your website, so make sure to highlight your latest and best work here with a short bio. 
  
  
• About Section: 
  This is your space to share your story, your work, your achievements, your purpose and anything under the sun about what you do and why you do it.
  
  
• Discography: 
  This is the most important section where you showcase your entire music discography. Make sure to provide full clarity on where your music is available and add links to your music across all streaming platforms, like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc.
  
  
• Tour Dates (if applicable): 
  Keep your upcoming gigs updated, including the venues, dates and tickets.
  
  
• Media Gallery: 
  You can have a dedicated section for some high-quality photos and videos where people can get a glimpse of your music videos, live performances, behind-the-scenes snippets, etc.
  
  
• Social Media Handles: 
  Make sure to link all of your social media handles in this section of your website so that people who are interested in your content know where to find it.
  
  
• Contact + Newsletter Signup: 
  Share your email address or your preferred mode of contact information for important people in the press and industry to reach out to you. 
  Also, create a sign-up form to build an email list subscription for fans and share email newsletters with regular and direct updates.
  
  

Pro Tip:

• Make sure the website is easy to navigate.
• Ensure the website is optimised for mobile phones as well.
• Use SEO keywords to rank better on search engines.
• Keep all the content updated.

Website building for artists should be one of the first steps when it comes to building an online presence.

2. Leverage the Power of Social Media

Social Media for artists is the most easily accessible free tool available for marketing our music, so it is important that we utilize its potential as much as we can.

Here are a few things to keep in mind while getting started with social media for artists:

• Choose the right platforms: Most people use Instagram for visuals, TikTok for short-form, YouTube for long-form, and X for updates. This could be an easy guideline to pick a platform and see what works best for you.
  
  
• Stay consistent: Post regularly with a mix of music content, behind-the-scenes, and personal moments. Share your story as an artist because that’s what people truly connect to.
  
  
• Engage actively: Reply to comments, share fan content, and engage in meaningful conversations. This makes your audience feel included and connected with your journey.
  
  
• Experiment: Get creative and see how you can use Stories, Reels and Live sessions to engage with your audience in different ways.
   

3. Create an Email List

An email list gives you access to direct communication with fans and allows you to take control over how and what you want to share with your fans. It is a great way to reach out to your audience without worrying about algorithms or platform changes.

Here’s why it matters:

• Guaranteed reach, because emails land directly in inboxes.
• Build loyalty by offering exclusive content and updates.
• Drive traffic to releases, tours, and merch.
  
  

How to build one:

• Add signup forms to your website and social media accounts.
• Offer incentives and exclusivity through early access, free downloads, behind-the-scenes content, etc.
• Send regular but non-spammy updates.
  
  

Pro tip:

• Segment your list (casual fans vs superfans) for more personal communication.
  
  

4. Reach New Audiences Through Playlists

If social media feels too overwhelming for you, playlisting is your answer. Playlists are simple, easy and one of the best ways to promote your music on streaming platforms. It can introduce you and your music to thousands of listeners with minimal thought and effort.

Steps to get featured:

• Submit your music to Spotify editorial playlists before release.
• Reach out to independent playlist curators.
• Encourage fans to add your songs to their personal playlists.
• Create your own themed playlists to showcase your work alongside your music influences.
  
  

Benefits:

• Reach new listeners.
• Boost streams and algorithmic placement.
• If you manage to land on a big playlist, it also strengthens your credibility.
  
  

Pro Tip:

• Carefully go through the playlists before submitting your music. The sound and genre of your song should align with the mood of the playlists you’re submitting to. If not, you’ll be wasting precious time and money.
  
  

5. Optimize your Artist Profiles on Streaming Platforms

Your artist profile on Spotify, Apple Music and across all other streaming platforms is more than just a space to upload your tracks - it’s your digital showcase. Think of it as your portfolio. For many listeners, this profile is the first place they’ll explore to understand who you are, what your music sounds like, and what makes you unique — so make it count. Optimize your artist profile so that you can stand out!

What to include:

• Updated bio highlighting your style and story.
• Social links and tour information.
• Latest releases pinned to the top.
• Professional photos and cover art.
  
  

Pro Tip:

• Use consistent branding (same tone and visuals across platforms).
• Claim your artist profile on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc.
• Track analytics to see where listeners come from and refine your strategy.

An optimized profile not only looks professional but also boosts chances of editorial playlisting.

6. Collaborate with Other Artists

Collaboration is one of the fastest ways to grow your audience. It is also a great way of sharing ideas and developing those ideas by blending individual talents and perspectives to create something unique.

Why it works:

• It helps you access another artist’s fanbase.
• It sparks creativity and fresh ideas.
• It creates a great networking opportunity in the industry.
  
  

Ways to collaborate:

• Co-writing or joint singles.
• Featuring on each other’s tracks.
• Cross-promotion on social media.
• Live shows or joint tours.
  
  

Pro tip:

• Pick collaborators who align with your genre or values. This way, you’ll be able to maintain authenticity and a stronger fan overlap.
  
  

Final Thoughts

A strong online presence is more than just promotion — it’s about building meaningful connections. Your website serves as your home base, social media brings daily engagement, playlists boost discovery, an artist profile on Spotify becomes your portfolio, and collaborations expand reach. When combined, these efforts can create a digital ecosystem that reflects your artistry and helps fans connect with your story.

The key is consistency and authenticity. Fans can spot when you’re genuine, and that’s what turns casual listeners into loyal supporters. By investing time in each area, you’ll not only increase visibility but also build a lasting community around your music — one that sustains your career in the long run.

We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!