How to Claim Your Apple Music Artist Page: Essential Tips for Music Promotion

In the midst of everyone hunting for Spotify playlists and artist profile verification, it’s important not to overlook Apple Music. While Spotify often grabs the spotlight, Apple Music offers a wealth of tools and opportunities that can significantly boost your music promotion efforts. After you've put your heart and soul into recording an amazing song, the next critical step is getting it heard. As an indie artist, you know how challenging it can be to stand out in a crowded industry. But don't worry—you're in the right place! Have you ever wondered how to claim your Apple Music artist page? Streaming platforms are powerful tools for reaching new audiences, and they offer a range of features that can help you boost your releases. Let's dive into some valuable tips on promoting your music on Apple Music.

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What is Music Promotion?

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Before we get into the specifics of Apple Music, it's important to understand what music promotion is. Essentially, music promotion involves strategies to increase the reach of your work. After finishing a new song, you need to plan how to grow your audience. These efforts occur at every stage of your release: before, during, and after. For instance, promoting music on social media is crucial in today's digital world—it's hard to imagine a song going viral without the internet.

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But while social media is important, streaming services have become the dominant force in the music industry over the past few decades. Simply putting your tracks on these platforms isn't enough; with millions of other musicians doing the same, you need to stand out. Fortunately, platforms like Apple Music provide tools to help you do just that. One of the most important steps you can take is to claim your Apple Music Artist Page.

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Why Should You Be on Apple Music?

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Apple has long been a pioneer in the music industry. In the early 2000s, iTunes and the iPod revolutionized how people listened to music. Apple Music, launched in 2015, has become a major player in the streaming world, especially in the United States. By June 2022, the platform had 88 million subscribers and generated approximately $8.3 billion in revenue in the previous year. Apple Music also pays artists more per stream than some of its competitors, making it an attractive option for indie musicians.

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How to Claim Your Apple Music Artist Page

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Now that you understand the importance of Apple Music, let's walk through how to claim your artist page. You can do this via the iOS app or on the web. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you:

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Claiming Your Apple Music Artist Page in the iOS App

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1. Sign in to the Apple Music for Artists app using your Apple ID. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you'll need to create one.
2. Request Artist Access by pasting your iTunes Store artist page link in the search bar.
   • To find this link, search for your artist name or one of your releases in Apple Music or the iTunes Store.
   • Once you find your content, tap the “More” button, select “Share,” and then choose “Copy” to copy the link.
3. Select one of your releases to ensure you’re claiming the correct page. Remember, you must be listed as the primary artist on the track or album.
4. Choose your role (artist, manager, or label representative) and fill out the required application fields.

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Claiming Your Apple Music Artist Page on the Web

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1. Sign up for Apple Music for Artists and create an Apple ID if you don’t have one.
2. Request Artist Access by pasting your iTunes Store artist page link in the search bar.
   • Follow the same steps as above to find and copy your artist page link.
3. Select one of your releases to verify that you’re claiming the correct page.
4. Choose your role and fill out the required application fields.

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Next Steps After Claiming Your Artist Page

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Once you've submitted your claim, the verification process begins. To speed things up, sign in to your social media or distributor accounts to provide additional information. Your claim will display as “Pending” while it’s being reviewed, and you'll receive updates via email. After your account is approved, you'll have control over your artist page, and you can review any additional access requests.

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Remember, only artists or managers can request access to an artist page. If you're a label representative, you’ll need to coordinate with the artist to have your request reviewed or to be added as a user. If no one acts on your request within 30 days, it will expire.

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Maximizing Your Apple Music Promotion

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Claiming your artist page is just the beginning. Apple Music for Artists offers a variety of tools to help you build momentum around your releases. Here are some features you can use to your advantage:

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• Customize Social Media Posts: Apple Music lets you tailor posts with different colors, themes, and sizes to match your style. This is crucial for maintaining a consistent visual identity across your social media channels.
• Twitter Audio Cards: Share 30-second previews of your tracks directly on Twitter, complete with album cover art. This feature is easy to use and can be accessed through the Marketing Tools section in your Apple Music for Artists account.
• Milestone Celebrations: Promote your achievements by sharing customizable posts when your song reaches a new milestone or gets featured in a playlist.
• Linkfire Integration: Use Linkfire to create a single link that leads listeners to your music on multiple platforms, including Apple Music. You can also generate shortened links for easy sharing on social media or in emails.
• Pre-Adds: One of the most powerful tools for promotion is the pre-add feature. This allows fans to add your upcoming releases to their library or playlists ahead of time. When the release goes live, they’ll be notified immediately, giving you a head start on streams.

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Expanding Your Music Promotion

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While Apple Music offers a robust set of tools, don’t stop there. Consider hiring a music distributor to ensure your tracks are available on other platforms, too. Being active on social media is also crucial—create engaging content, start challenges, and keep your followers excited about your music. A well-prepared electronic press kit (EPK) can also help you reach the press, industry professionals, and your fanbase more effectively.

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By combining these strategies, you'll be well on your way to a successful music promotion campaign on Apple Music and beyond.

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More details are available via Apple.