Social Media Strategies That Emerging Artists Are Using to Get Noticed in 2024

In today’s music industry, social media is no longer just an option—it’s essential. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become vital tools for emerging artists. They allow musicians to connect directly with fans, build a following, and even capture industry attention. But with so many artists vying for visibility, it’s crucial to have a strategic approach. Here are the top social media strategies that new artists are using to stand out in 2024.

1. Harnessing the Power of Short-Form Video Content
Short-form video content, like TikTok videos or Instagram Reels, is currently one of the most effective ways for artists to go viral. These quick, engaging clips allow musicians to share snippets of their music, highlight their personalities, and build a relatable image. Short-form content is also easily shareable, meaning a single viral video can quickly reach a massive audience.

• Teasers and Previews: Artists are using short videos to share teasers of upcoming tracks or performances. A well-timed snippet of a new song can build anticipation and give fans a reason to keep watching.
• Behind-the-Scenes Content: Showing the creative process behind a song, from writing lyrics to recording sessions, allows fans to feel more connected to the artist. Many fans love seeing raw, authentic moments.
• Collaborations and Challenges: Participating in popular challenges or teaming up with other creators can expand an artist’s reach. Duets, stitch videos, and challenges help artists connect with a larger community and showcase their work to new listeners.

With each short video, emerging artists can effectively introduce themselves and their music in a way that feels authentic and engaging.

2. Building a Brand Through Authenticity
Authenticity is a major theme on social media in 2024. Audiences want to follow artists who feel genuine, relatable, and approachable. Instead of projecting a carefully curated persona, many successful artists are sharing honest moments with their fans.

• Share Personal Stories: Opening up about the inspiration behind songs or sharing experiences in the music industry helps artists create a relatable image. Fans appreciate artists who are transparent about their challenges and successes.
• Engage with Fans: Responding to comments, answering fan questions, and hosting live Q&A sessions are great ways to show fans they’re valued. Even a small gesture, like liking a fan’s comment, can create a strong connection.
• Showcase Day-to-Day Life: Not every post has to be about music. Many artists post snippets of their daily lives, hobbies, or passions outside of music. These moments make the artist feel more like a friend than a brand.

By building authenticity, artists create a loyal fan base that is more likely to support their work and share it with others.

3. Leveraging Trends Without Losing Originality
Staying on top of trends is crucial on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Trends bring in viewers and can increase an artist’s chances of reaching new audiences. However, the key is to adapt trends in a way that feels true to the artist’s unique style.

• Creative Spins on Viral Songs or Sounds: Musicians can add their own twist to popular sounds. Whether it’s a cover, remix, or genre mashup, adding a personal touch keeps content both relevant and original.
• Visual Trends and Effects: Artists can incorporate trending visual effects or formats that are currently popular on social media. This could mean using specific filters, editing styles, or themes that are easily recognizable to viewers.
• Staying True to Brand: While trends are useful, artists should avoid adopting ones that don’t fit their style. Staying authentic to their brand makes their content feel consistent and cohesive, even when following trends.

When trends are used wisely, they can increase visibility without compromising the artist’s individuality.

4. Creating Consistent Content Schedules
In the fast-paced world of social media, consistency is key. Posting regularly keeps an artist’s work in front of fans, making it easier to build and maintain an audience.

• Schedule Posts: Artists are increasingly using social media management tools to plan and schedule their posts. Apps like Later or Buffer allow them to plan content in advance, ensuring they maintain a steady online presence.
• Weekly Themes or Series: Having themed content, like “New Music Monday” or “Fan Request Friday,” helps audiences know when to expect new material. Weekly series also encourage followers to keep coming back for new content.
• Adapt to Platform Algorithms: Social media algorithms reward frequent engagement. Regular posts increase the chances of an artist’s content being shown to more users, especially when those posts generate likes, comments, and shares.

A well-structured schedule keeps artists engaged with their audience and helps them gain steady visibility on each platform.

5. Collaborating with Influencers and Other Musicians
Collaborations are one of the most powerful ways to reach new audiences. By working with influencers or other musicians, emerging artists can leverage their collaborators’ followers to expand their own reach.

• Influencer Partnerships: Musicians often collaborate with social media influencers who align with their brand. This can mean partnering with lifestyle influencers, music reviewers, or even dancers who can create routines for their songs.
• Musician Cross-Promotions: Many artists team up with other musicians for cross-promotions. This can involve creating joint content, like duets, song covers, or jam sessions that showcase both artists to each other’s fan base.
• Live Collaborations: Live streams with other creators allow both artists and influencers to connect with each other's audience in real-time. Fans love interactive events, especially when they feature their favorite personalities.

Collaborations not only expand reach but also add diversity and excitement to an artist’s social media presence.

6. Using Analytics to Refine Content Strategies
​Tracking engagement metrics helps artists understand what resonates most with their audience. By analyzing which posts get the most likes, shares, and comments, artists can tailor their content strategy to better connect with fans.

• Review Platform Insights: Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer insights that show engagement levels on posts. Artists can see when their followers are most active and which content performs best.
• Experiment and Adjust: It’s common for artists to try different types of posts—videos, images, text updates—to see what works best. Regularly adjusting content based on performance metrics helps artists stay relevant.
• Track Growth Over Time: Many artists set specific goals, like gaining a certain number of followers or increasing engagement by a percentage. Tracking these goals helps them see what’s working and where improvements are needed.

By focusing on data, artists can optimize their strategies for maximum engagement and growth.

Final ThoughtsIn 2024, social media remains a powerful tool for emerging artists to reach a broader audience. By focusing on short-form content, authenticity, strategic trend usage, consistency, collaborations, and analytics, artists can create a unique online presence that resonates with fans. These strategies are not about simply going viral. They’re about building a sustainable, engaged fan base. With the right approach, social media can open doors to new fans, industry connections, and endless creative possibilities for today’s musicians.