How To Release Music In The New World (The ARTA Strategy)

[@simongreyson3477]

I love the Nirvana example, that is so true. As much as I love the band they did have to use the system to play the game and people confuse the system with the message and they are separate. Love this one Damo!

[@DamianKeyes]

Thanks Simon, very well put 😊😊

[@beautifulcaramelman]

I eat pre-sliced cheese. That's where the danger is!

[@maneli]

This is great information! I follow some of these steps and have been applying them for 10+ years. It took a while before everything snowballed but the hard work and consistency paid off now. For anyone wondering, I prioritized the process first and foremost and then the outcome was a byproduct of that. No one will outwork someone who plays for a living.

[@DamianKeyes]

Hey! Thanks for sharing this, I’m so glad everything is working out for you. It definitely is the process and loving the journey first and then everything comes from that. Numbers are all an outcome, the more we don’t focus on them but focus on bringing value, the easier it is to get the numbers!

[@maneli]

@@DamianKeyes exactly. It’s so easy to get enchanted when you get added to a big Spotify playlist and then expect that to happen with subsequent releases. A great wake up call to stick to what you love doing and find your ideal audience. Cheers!

[@markaitkenguitar]

I’m just starting. Been playing for almost 30 years, putting out a highly polished 15 min EP in a week. Not looking to get famous, but I’d love more than just my insta/fb friends to hear my vision. Your videos are insightful and helpful in nudging me forward so thank you! Lots to think about.

[@abdur1914]

Hey Damian, I like the ARTA strategy. I'm going to build my fan base and monetize my music.

[@thumbnailgreen9155]

'Is that gunna work?. No." the speed with which you said that was such a conclusive message to the excuse creators that I chuckled.

[@GrimRockandRoll]

You are absolutrly right, it's all about conversion. That is something I am working hard at is to convert that attention into retention. I am glad I subscribed to your channel recently. Lots of good information in all the videos of yours.

[@benjaminclocks]

Siento que estoy en la etapa de Atención, totalmente de acuerdo el crear fans (no estar focalizado en hacerse viral solamente) y trabajar en material que logre captar la atención y conectar con mi comunidad. Llevo casi 1 mes aplicando su planificación de 30 días y realmente he aprendido mucho, hacer videos para todos los días no ha sido difícil sino el saber y pensar bien el cómo lograr conectar con las personas. Después de todo tienes que atreverte, donde a través de la consistencia y trabajo he ido descubriendo lo que realmente quiero transmitir al mundo 😃 Gracias Damian por ser un gran maestro para mí

[@KaliBeatsYoSoyAquel]

Ánimo

[@benjaminclocks]

@@KaliBeatsYoSoyAquel Gracias Kali! Éxito en todo 😃

[@markymarkvillar]

Still on the first A. Still learning the ropes. But you've been very helpful and for that i am truly grateful. 🙏

[@wannarewind]

Damian Keyes has helped so many bands, directly and indirectly. Many artists worldwide are grateful and speak highly about his content.

[@LJMTX]

I have over 40 demos I’ve made over the past few years with a few of them fully finished, and 3 animated lyric video concepts on my other KZbin channel which has enough subs for monetization. Your videos are the most current comprehensive model I’ve come across and I’ve been making music for over 2 decades. Once I get my health situation sorted out with my doctors this month I look forward to joining your academy.

[@TomBretonOfficial]

So many treasures in this video! 🤘hahaha I had to rewind to make sure you said "I'm glad I asked" 🤣

[@DamianKeyes]

Thanks so much! You’re a legend 💪

[@LynzCrichton]

Yes yes YEEESSSSSS!! Damian this is a FAB video! I have been banging on about this to any musician I can find - this is the blueprint to success as an independent artist, but so many musicians don’t seem to want to do the grunt work, or want the shortcuts…. This is the wayyyyyy 🙌🏻🎶😎

[@DamianKeyes]

Ahhh love this!! Thank you!

[@ChaosGShadowX]

My group is definitely struggling with the attention section, but after listening to this video, I can see why. This has really given me a lot to think about how I'm approaching our music, but importantly a brand. I'm definitely going to run up some views to soak this game in!

[@victoriousgangster]

The 4 part strategy is a great way to build a fan base. I like to view other accounts with the same type of content and I see what made me follow them and try to do the same. I got attention, retention is low, transfer even smaller, action, I have some id say. I've seen a musician who has boring content, nothing that makes them stand out, and they seem like they don't even want to be doing it but they have a decent fan base with only instrumental covers. They are consistent and have some skill but nothing that makes me want to follow or watch more of their content. Maybe they got lucky with viral content. I can't tell cause scrolling down pages and pages, is the same thing, in a room, playing music with nothing that stands out.

[@guythegoth139]

Looks like you picked up my email newsletter comment from the last video. If not, great coincidence! I'm actively designing a newsletter right now too. The cool part is that you can cut up the content from the newsletter to form simple extra bits of content for social media if you design it right. The newsletter kind of becomes both the early bird version of the content, and the premium version of the content. I don't expect I'll get many followers or subscribers - or sales - but I'm hoping I can enjoy making a newsletter more than I do making social media content - which is not at all.

[@ProbablyTooLoud]

Besides luck, what’s needed is a complete and marketable product. It also pains me to call real music a product, but most consumers see it that way.

[@renoir.kobashi]

Thanks, Damo! I've been in a rut the past few weeks, but I took notes on this video and am excited to get back in the game!

[@upparecords6413]

This video is 10/10. Thanks Damian. Your a legend.

[@kekamirza]

I didn’t even try to get much attention all these years. Posted songs once in a while. I have to work on that. Thanks Damian for this great video. ❤

[@giulianamusic]

Love Damian, I guess retention and transfer is my weak spot, so I need to make my audience aware of what they are getting and offer them that piece of extra value at the email list 😅, greetings from Mexico

[@onegillianbaci2]

thank you so much for this video. it's not exactly something new, but the context is great. it helps me better understand what i've doing well and what i've been slacking on. now i also know the ideal next steps.

[@onegillianbaci2]

to answer your last question, i am in the T phase. i've stumbled on the different aspects of my persoanlity and art that people resonate with. grown my IG to 37k followers with an engagement rate of 15-30%. reached 1.2m accounts in the last 28 days. i've also finally cracked TikTok i think...or rather, i know the side of my that does well on TikTok (the foolish/goofy side). took me 1.5 years to get to 1k followers but now it's taken less than a week to gain 400+ more followers. so all in all, my attention and retention game are going pretty strong. my KZbin shorts sucks though, but i'm sure i'll figure it out. now i'm working on a newsletter funnel to onboard potential fans to the mailing list i'm calling 'gb squad'. i've got over 70 recorded demos and 20 finished songs to share. i'll add more value to these songs by explaining the philosophy/meaning behind them. the one bit i have definitely slacked on is merchandise. but i think i know what to do. once again, thanks for sharing this video, i found it incredibly helpful.

[@TheRealDSummers]

I feel like I’m stuck on the retention step, you’re right about attention being the easiest step. But sometimes it’s like cracking a code to me on how to get those people to come back again.

[@yasmina8129]

Thank you for the amazing work you put in and enthousiasme! The way you narrate your recommendations gives me so much faith ! You’re amazing !!! Merci 💜

[@RalphL.]

Very interesting video. Currently in the attention building phase, testing different types of promotion & social media formats. Thanks for this, it creates a concrete blueprint helping to create the path towards where I want to go!

[@hurricanedanfischer]

I've recently just released music (2 weeks ago) and I'm in the semi Attention bracket... I'm really trying to connect a fan base and curate my next roll outs effectively

[@s0347801]

Any pragmatic / realistic advice on how to get beyond the (undeniable) resistance to getting anyone (even the keenest of fans) onto a mailing list? I get the argument that "if they like it so much, they'll give up their email", but the truth is undeniable that they just don't. Understandably - I don't either. Even deliriously keen fans who come to all our gigs, who'd love the right email content, recoil at the idea of signing up to any mailing list. It is just a much harder thing to achieve, when they know enough content to scratch their itch will be free on social media anyway. I agree with all the advantages of a robust mailing list, delivering great art & content. But the email medium is a total buzzkill and not how many mega fans want their fix delivered. Thanks.

[@carlossotomurrugarra]

Thank you for your process. It makes perfect sense. I'd love to use your strategy to make it work for my recording studio. I suppose it's the same process just applied to what I do. Thank you again.

[@KikiMac]

Hi Damian, great to hear the fantastic music advice, especially from a fellow Welshman! Only recently found your channel, and love the 23-day release plan. Do you have any advice for a release plan for a first single? It seems the 23-day plan needs some existing songs for people to check out while you hype up and tell a story for the new single coming out on day 17. How much changes for a first single? Do you suggest releasing the single a lot earlier in the schedule, or what would you change? Thanks!

[@thelostboymusic]

Thank you for this - I am finding it tough

[@joshuamorganmusic]

Yes!!!! Thanks you so much Damo🤘all of your insight pushes me that much further! I want to (am going to be) the first band to play on Mars! I want the whole world/universe to hear my message. Seriously thank you for everything you do!

[@DamianKeyes]

That’s a such an awesome goal, let’s smash it!!!

[@popodopulus3826]

Bro I set this exact goal to myself a long time ago. See ya on the road

[@joshuamorganmusic]

@@popodopulus3826 hell yes! Let’s gooooooooo🤘

[@scottufford]

If you wanna be the first band on Mars, why not do a few video skit-snippets of you AS IF on Mars? Sing to the unusual rocks that we “know” are Martians camouflaging themselves, etc. Have fun with it!

[@IB66145]

Another great vid, always making the points clear and hammering them home. I love how how you address musicians self-sabotage over their reticence to address the fact we are part of the sales. (My fave book for people on this is You've Never Give Me Your Money by Peter Doggett, a real wake up call on the reality of earnings).

[@WanangwaSibande]

Learnt so much 🔥 Back to the drawing board

[@yasnielnavarro]

Amazing video as always 🎉🎉🎉

[@kenalva7769]

This is HUGE!!!

[@KosmicTroubadour]

One of your best… succinct, but with the key points that we all need to apply ! 🌈🎶🕺🥳💥

[@TomBretonOfficial]

"Where's the treasure" this is so helpful!

[@Itstylergifted]

Really love your videos. You have made me realize what I’ve been doing wrong for so long. Now I’m back to the drawing board and I can honestly say now things are making sense thank you for all of this information!! Preparing for my next release but first I’m following every step you give

[@edinimusic]

Damien.. first off your content has massively helped me take steps towards improving my artist strategy.. Secondly I have a question. Whenever I add my song to a TikTok or Insta Reel, despite turning down the song and increasing the original volume.. I’m seeing much a lower view count compared to when I don’t tag the music in it. Do you see the same outcome for the artists you work with and what do you suggest as a remedy? Continue adding the track so ppl can click on it and go to the video, or remove it and stick with the music on the original audio? Thanks in advance and keep creating great content. E-Dini ✌️

[@desmondmyers]

This was one of your best videos. So well laid out and explained and truly helpful. Thank you

[@ArshadzaiOfficial]

Thanks damian ! Very good info

[@chelseaphilice7458]

Killing it as usual ❤❤❤

[@luiszapiola355]

Great video! Good luck everyone! I hope you all have a great release :)) 👍👍

[@DamianKeyes]

Thanks Luis! I hope you have a great release too, I’m always on hand to help and let’s smash it!

[@adiyacobi9023]

Thank you Damian🌹

[@meekhamusic194]

Hey Damien! I’m in the attention stage for sure. It’s been 3 years since I’ve released anything and 6 years since releasing my own solo work. I’ve been working on stabilizing my life financially and now I’m working on new music! I’m trying to build an audience with covers and my previously released music. How do I know if I’m having an attention problem or if it’s still just early?

[@Aejixmusic]

Love your stuff, thank you!

[@AyoSolanke]

This is so insightful and I see the truth of how it will definitely work but where do I start? 😢

[@deaconjack4186]

Great train of though. I agree all at once is too much for many artists, yet, what do you think about Primary goal/Secondary goal thinking? I feel this would work for me.

[@nyronwaite]

This video was godsend!

[@lbx2142]

Great break down to help Artist narrow down their focus!

[@lbx2142]

Ok Nice!! I’m sure this is going to be great!

[@zalzacky]

This was a good video dude! I've never been able to relate to the "be the party" message. I'm a solo musician/songwriter in the hardrock/metal genre, doing a different vocal feature for each song. I think that's a fairly interesting "story" I guess. I've worked with some sick talents, and I've reached 30M streams independently, but I've never really showed my face, or bothered at all with social media. A post here and there sure. I don't really wanna be at center of attention. I've built my team to do proper sound and some decent video content, but not much more than that. Playing live isn't a thing for me at all. You think there might be decent potential to do really well and how would you go about a case like this?

[@ethanswope]

Thanks Damian, just released my latest song with another artist, excited to watch it grow!

[@DamianKeyes]

Love this, make sure you keep pushing it, keep it alive and be patient. Approximate you dude 😊😊

[@musole7104]

Hi, I am someone who has not started, i don't have any social media pages, i don have any songs out......but I write songs and practice everyday, I play guitar and sing, I do vocal workouts everyday, play guitar and sing everyday. I have not started because i feel I have to put things in place first. where do i begin?

[@5minutescifi]

I’ve been in the music industry and playing professionally since I was 13 and 1000 legitimate fans spending a mere hundred dollars per annum purchasing your latest release attending your live events and buying merch once a year is a sustainable viable income 100,000 listenership on Spotify gets you what $350 while the useless bunch of zeros billionaire owner rakes in the ad revenue It takes a virus to go viral

[@Evelyn925_]

Damián, What do you recommend for someone like myself who has gone viral for unfavorable opinions, but is also a musician but I’ve been banned, blocked on TikTok and IG?

[@jellowolf]

Thank you for this video Damian! I have a question for you: I'm a young songwriter+musician and I'm thinking about starting to create a presence on social media (Instagram specifically) to start my career, but I have a lot of different types of things I would like to do/share within the music niche. Is it better to have a hyper-specific type of content or is it okay to branch out and make the content I want to make, even if it's not uniform?

[@aderossman580]

thank u so much teacher

[@TheJoeyBones]

@18:18 new marketing strategy. You DO have to go walk down the street to meet some guy named Keith. We're not selling JUST a cd, it's an entire experience.

[@STONEDECISION]

Amazing piece of content.

[@DamianKeyes]

Appreciate you! 👊

[@foto21]

Sitting hungover and just talking is a lot easier than creating social media on a daily basis.

[@erickbravo6070]

I'm at 0 and by myself out here, I'd like it make it happen with music and play for a decent sized venue but that feels like miles away

[@nyronwaite]

Thanks!

[@DamianKeyes]

Hey! This is awesome, thank you so much!

[@samsneadd]

So funny I just watched tht Kurt interview this past weekend

[@Catywampus.Kerfuffle]

With the amount of unwanted attention I fall into throughout any given day, I can concur:...yes...attention IS easy to get.

[@afrosensei5308]

Got attention and some retention. The transfer and action are a slow steady trickle at best

[@izehare5480]

Damo you should do a podcast my friend x

[@NickKizirnis]

Yes! This is great, really appreciate the focus on the value of the mailing list, mine is still small but has made a big difference for my music. Love it

[@TheFeelButton]

Ironically all my music is stored with a guy named Keith in an underground lair! Cheers Damo!! 🐒

[@thesuncollective1475]

Make them love you

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

As always a fair and truthful lesson. My only worry is how does a 50yr old use Tik tok when I’m not sure my audience will be using it.

[@DamianKeyes]

You’ll be surprised!! Be your honest, authentic self and that is what will shine through.

[@TheEndless560]

.... but you don't even know your audience yet, how do you know they won't be on there?

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

@@DamianKeyes good point! Cheers Damian.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

@@TheEndless560 Yep you’re right. It’s a definite mind changing needed on my part. Embrace the new!

[@SynnUnsworth]

biggest problem i seem to be running into it going down the info rabbit hole (for mixing etc) making myself not finish songs as a result... have made it my goal to finish the next track by the end of the week and trying to only look for information when i need it, not just learn it because i started looking at something else that i did need to know.

[@DamianKeyes]

Hey! I know that rabbit hole well, it’s a tough one because it always makes you feel like you’ve achieved by watching, even if you haven’t made any steps forward. I want you to finish the track by the end of this week, sit down and get it done!! Then let’s get it out 💪

[@SynnUnsworth]

@@DamianKeyes absolutely, i keep looking back and reminding myself of when i was a kid doing art constantly (pre-internet) and using that to remind myself "i got good by doing not by researching" just gotta keep telling myself to "do", having the knowledge is useless if i don't put it to use... already planned a few hours for this evening to get some more work done

[@SynnUnsworth]

@@DamianKeyes and this morning I wrote the final part of the lyrics, the song is as good as complete

[@nunoandradebluesdrive]

great as usual!

[@DamianKeyes]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate your comment and hope it’s helped. Let’s have a big week!

[@Lillithstoneofficial]

what do you use to create an email list?

[@THE_QUEEN_ARIADNE]

Thank you Damian! How do you choose which artists you work with?

[@DamianKeyes]

Hey! I work with a couple of labels mainly and a few other artists I work with are my friends, so I like to help them out with content. So it’s mainly existing relationships and then labels/companies who reach out to me. I don’t tend to do any outreach! I’ll always try to do what I can :)

[@THE_QUEEN_ARIADNE]

@@DamianKeyes Your content is already a lot of help. I've learnt so much from watching your videos eve more than doing a music degree.

[@MattLeFaitMusic]

Great video bro! (Meet a guy named Keith 😂).

[@findJLF]

I’m at ground zero … lots of work to do!

[@DamianKeyes]

Make sure you enjoy the process and journey and lets make 2024 a big fun year. Also my biggest video of the year is dropping today. 'How to release a single in 2024'. It's a big one, hope it helps 🙂🙂

[@IlijaStajic]

Video starts at 05:30 :^)

[@jwhitegbemisola5352]

Please about the DK MUSIC BUSINESS ACADEMIC

[@vidallepe2073]

Im still figuring out how to get attention. We have a new single coming out Oct 6th. It is a cover of one my favorite English bands. I guess I need it to go viral. I'll just jump off a helicopter and send the rest of the band on walkabout in American from California to New York. Will that get me viral?😂

[@belleandtheboombox9335]

some great insightfull ideas about the E-Mail list - I worry about being spammy - but hey these guys actually opted in - so why not get close up and wossaname ??? :)

[@DamianKeyes]

Totally!! You don’t need to worry, they want to know more. And being salesy every now and again is ok too - if they want the merch, give them the discount codes! :)

[@nyronwaite]

Retention and the content of your page is so important. Does the content engage, create emotion and make people want to go to my page to see more of it. I think that mindset and ecosystem is a better way to view content then the mindset of always just posting just to post. I feel like 4 amazing videos a month that can invoke emotion, tell a story, something like an amazing ad. Is better than 40 average videos of my basic content like song is out now, etc.

[@j-giv27]

I need help on all of it - How to start 😩 💯

[@j-giv27]

@Damienkeyes someone is trying to pretend to be u

[@entertainmusi]

Hi from Nigeria

[@DamianKeyes]

Hey!

[@entertainmusi]

@@DamianKeyes thank you Sir 🥺

[@realslimcuba]

Hi Damian, I have a question regarding the 23 day release strategy: I get that we have to push content and use the song as an asset in order to build awareness, but wouldn't it risk to be redundant to push so much similar content after a certain point? Thanks in advance and keep up the great work

[@DamianKeyes]

Hey! I think it’s about knowing that the same people aren’t seeing it every time, you need to have a level of variety (different ideas, different locations etc), but know that everytime you put something out, it isn’t the same people seeing it. You need to make sure each piece of content has context in its own right (ie, if someone looks at it for a split second they understand what it is) and then use the data to learn what’s landing and then double down on that. Over time you’ll be able to work out what’s working for you and every now and again you’ll have a breakthrough, that’s how the algorithm is working at the moment. Keep going, I’m always here to help!

[@realslimcuba]

@@DamianKeyes So delightful, thank you very much! Hope to see you soon in DKMBA

[@SteveHarmony3]

Still getting Attention. Developing my Social Media Content Strategy.

[@DamianKeyes]

Love this, keep smashing it, I'll be here to help 🙂🙂

[@SteveHarmony3]

@@DamianKeyes Yes sir! Will do. Thank you!

[@tomix1970pl1]

Goal is always the same.But 0.0001 from 1p will not make it possible for metal underground single player.Since yers you are here and since years music is going down.

[@goodwiil]

so far i'm struggling to get attention. i've been improving but not enough to bring massive views in

[@Keiftain]

Hey I’ve got a great CD to sell you if you wanna come down to my underground lair over here 😂

[@vidallepe2073]

What else can I get in this layer?😂

[@priscillawaters]

💖 Promo sm

[@aderossman580]

sumwhere btw a r

[@thumbnailgreen9155]

Since you asked Damian, and you are offering so much value (following your own advice in this video to the letter) - I am at A. I have had a shitty Insta act. for years doing nothing but randomly posting work in progress (200 followers). I now am dealing with the boring part - being organised. This week I have acquired a social media mgt tool (metricool) that will assist with consistency ( my weak point) allowing scheduled posting at regular intervals. Daily? 3-5 per week? I have blocked out a weekly time budget, balancing day job and family (two boys) it has shown I have 18- 23 hours available time to build this into something larger which should be enough. I think your salient points about value will be next - the audio quality, the video quality the context and the story - trying to stay within the boundaries of my brand/identity/offering - Underground Rapper/Performer. Boss Doomsday-Prepper. This next week I will dwell on what my market would be and how to satisfy them and reach them. I think I have plenty in the story there to allow for content - I owner built my strawbale house and my music studio out of junk and mud and it looks beautiful. I am self-sufficient in the forest cutting firewood, raising animals and fruit and vegetables. My power and water and all services I own and manage with no gov fees. I am very counter-culture but love modern music and I am a multi-instrumentalist. Who gives a shit? Dunno but I need to find them and get my music and art in their ears

[@fayeband]

currently on artist and retention! spent the last 2 years marketing all wrong. found your video with the 25 tips and it has changed the game for me 🥲

[@mariaduringerjacquesdelima8638]

Im still struggling with th first A, specially cause since I started doing music I've done so many different projects, to different audiances... when I was in Brazil I did children music and now, living in France I realized from experince that my best value is to do brazilian music for adults. And now, after a research with my new audiance I understood I need to change my artist name to better communicate with them from Maria Duringer to Maria Luma. Do you think I should just change my instagram and spotify names (dont have tik tok yet - shame) or should I create new accounts? Thanks for the great content, that is giving me so much to think about! Any extra insight will be very much appreciated

[@K-OzOfficial]

Need u for management 9 month deal and u get 25% Everything u touch turns to gold an better let's eat 1 time ........ ps dats my best first try sir lol take it easy on a mobsta