Promoting Music in the US: 8 Things Artists Should Know

The United States is the world's largest recorded-music market, and also one of the most competitive. These eight points help artists from anywhere plan a US push.

1. It is many markets, not one. Scenes in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Nashville, Chicago, Houston and Miami work very differently. Choose cities that fit your genre.

2. Radio is format-driven. US commercial radio is organised by formats (pop, country, urban, rhythmic, alternative and more). Airplay campaigns target a format, and spins are tracked by monitoring services. College and community radio offer a route for newer artists.

3. Charts use measured data. Billboard charts are compiled with data from Luminate, combining streams, sales and airplay depending on the chart.

4. Royalties come from several places. Performing rights organisations such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR collect for songwriters; SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties for recordings; the MLC handles mechanical royalties from streaming. Register with the right ones before you promote.

5. Playlists and short video drive discovery. Editorial playlists on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music, plus short-video apps, are where many new songs are found.

6. Press is crowded but reachable. National outlets get flooded. Local and genre-specific blogs, newsletters and podcasts are often a better first step.

7. Live matters. Showcases, support slots and festival appearances build credibility with media and fans. Check visa requirements early if you are not a US citizen.

8. Plan for time. A US campaign rarely works in one release. Budget for several releases in a row.

For a full overview of campaigns in this market, see this guide to promoting music in the US.