The Musician’s Guide to Building Online Presence in 2025

There’s a lot of pressure on artists to be everywhere online, posting constantly, jumping on trends, keeping up with every new platform. But truthfully? You don’t need to go viral to grow. You just need to be findable, memorable and consistent in a few places that matter.

The artists who build real, lasting followings aren’t always the loudest, they’re the ones who show up with intention, share what’s real, and make it easy for people to stick around.

Here’s a 2025 friendly guide to building your presence without burning out, or losing your creative spark.

1. Start with a real home base

Already have a website? Skip to the next step.

Before you stress about TikTok reach or Spotify growth, make sure people have somewhere to land when they look you up.

A simple website goes a long way, it gives your music a home, builds trust and makes it easier for people to stay connected.

Here’s what it can do:

• Show you’re serious - whether someone’s a new fan, a venue booker or a potential collaborator, a clean, updated website signals that you’re committed

• Collect everything in one place - your streaming links, bio, tour dates, merch, press photos and social links

• Let you build a mailing list - still the most reliable way to reach your audience directly, without depending on algorithms

• Boost your visibility on Google - especially if you include a detailed bio, blog posts or keywords related to your genre or location (like “ambient producer in Berlin”)

• Sell music or merch directly - with no commission fees, if you use the right tools

• Make it easier for journalists or curators to write about you - with press-ready info all in one place

• Highlight what matters most - like a new release or an upcoming show

• Create space for longer-form content - song breakdowns, updates, studio stories or blog posts

• Give you full control over the experience - no ads, no algorithm, no clutter. Just your world

If you’re not sure what to include on your site, we put together a full breakdown:
→ 10 website features every musician needs

And if building a site sounds overwhelming, Noiseyard makes it easy, no drag-and-drop, no tech hassle, just a simple way to set up a clean, musician focused site that works.

2. Be searchable, not just scrollable

Social media is great for quick discovery, but it fades fast. People might catch a clip of your music on TikTok, and then Google your name to find more. That’s where being searchable really matters.

Photo by Stephen Phillips - Hostreviews.co.uk on Unsplash

In 2025, people still use search engines. So if someone types your artist name + genre + city… will your site show up?

It will if your website includes:

• A custom domain - like yourartistname.com. It looks professional and helps Google know you’re legit

• A written bio - one that clearly mentions what kind of music you make and where you’re based

• A blog or updates section - even a few posts about your songs, shows, gear, or process can include keywords that help people find you

This doesn’t mean you need to blog every week. Just a few well-written pages or posts can go a long way in helping fans, bookers, or collaborators discover you through search.

Want to dig deeper into how search works for musicians? We’ve got a full guide:
→ The SEO Guide for Musicians

3. Social media? Use it to build connection, not just clips

Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts matter, but only when they’re used with purpose. You don’t need to post every day or chase every trend. What matters more is showing up consistently, in a way that feels real and sustainable for you.

Photo by gaspi the artist on Unsplash

Pick one or two platforms where you’ll:

• Share glimpses of your process - like studio clips, gear setups, a vocal take or a lyric you’re wrestling with

• Post short previews - from new songs, rehearsal moments or upcoming shows

• Link back to your website - when you’ve got something worth checking out: a release, a blog post, a mailing list signup, merch drop or tour dates

You don’t need to go viral. What really matters is that the people who find you feel a reason to stick around. That’s why consistency beats virality. And when a post does take off, make sure there’s more for people to explore, something that helps them understand who you are beyond the clip.

4. Set up a mailing list early (and actually use it)

Even a tiny list - say, 20 people who genuinely care - is far more powerful than thousands of passive followers. When you send an email, it lands directly in their inboxes, no algorithm, no disappearing feed. Hypebot explains that email marketing for musicians gives artists "direct access to fans" with "higher engagement rates than any other channel".

Photo by Andrew Dunstan on Unsplash

Use it regularly to send:

• Pre-save links or pre-order options before official release

• New track or album announcements with exclusive context

• Insights into your process, from writing, recording, or touring

• Exclusive downloads, early merch codes or one time offers

• Welcome emails that thank new subscribers and share what they can expect

You can use Noiseyard's built-in mailing tools or integrate something like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Bandsintown. What matters most is creating a direct, algorithm free line to your most interested listeners.

5. Claim and clean up your profiles

Before you chase new listeners, make sure your existing profiles are actually working for you. Start by claiming your artist pages on all the major platforms. This gives you more control over how you appear, what’s linked and what fans see first.

Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

Claim and update:

• Spotify for Artists

• Apple Music for Artists

• YouTube Official Artist Channel

• Bandsintown or Songkick (for shows and tour tracking)

• SoundCloud, Audiomack, or any other platform where your music lives

Once claimed, take a few minutes to polish things up:

• Write a short, updated bio that gives people a feel for who you are

• Upload clear, high-quality press photos

• Add current links: to your site, mailing list, latest release, or merch

• Check for any outdated info (old links, broken URLs, outdated branding)

These small details go a long way. A clean, consistent presence across platforms builds trust, looks professional and helps people take you seriously, even if you’re still early in your journey.

6. Don’t try to do it all at once

You’re not a content machine. You’re a musician.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

So build this slowly:

• Website first

• Then mailing list

• Then claim your profiles

• Then start posting content, at your pace

The goal isn’t to "go big" overnight. It’s to be findable, consistent, and slowly grow a presence that lasts longer than a trend.

One last thing: keep it human

The strongest online presence? One that feels like you. Not just polished photos and promo posts, but real moments, real words, real music.

That’s what makes people remember, and return.

Need a starting point?
Noiseyard is built for musicians who want a clean, simple site with music, updates, and mailing list tools already built in. You don’t need to code anything, just write, post, and share.

Try it here →