For many music artists, the choice is usually social media or music streaming. Of course, most do both, but some want to just focus their attention on one. TikTok and Spotify are both known for music discovery.
As a music artist, deciding where to invest your time and energy is critical. Spotify and TikTok are two of the biggest platforms for promoting music, but they serve very different purposes. Let’s break down the pros of each and help you decide whether you should focus on one or both.
Spotify: building long-term fans
Spotify is the go-to platform for music streaming. It’s where fans go to discover, save, and listen to your tracks repeatedly. By growing your presence here, you can generate royalties and build a lasting catalogue of music.
Pros:
- Streams generate income.
- Playlist placements (like on Discover Weekly) can reach thousands of listeners.
- It’s a platform where fans actively engage with your full songs, not just snippets.
Best for: Artists who want to focus on creating albums, EPs, or singles and aim to build a loyal, listening fanbase over time.
TikTok: instant exposure
TikTok is a viral content powerhouse. A single video featuring your song can launch it into global popularity, leading to streams on platforms like Spotify. TikTok thrives on short, catchy moments, so having a hooky beat or relatable lyrics can work wonders.
Pros:
- Viral potential is huge.
- Great for building a community and engaging with fans.
- TikTok trends can lead to rapid growth in followers.
Best for: Artists who can create short, engaging content and want fast exposure.
Why not both?
Using both platforms together can create a powerful strategy. TikTok can help you grab attention and build excitement, while Spotify allows you to retain fans and grow your music catalogue. Create TikTok videos to promote your tracks and direct users to your Spotify page.
The key is balance: Use TikTok to spark interest and Spotify to sustain it. By combining the two, you’ll cover both short-term buzz and long-term growth.
