Maximizing Mixcloud Exposure: Identifying Your Niche as a DJ
As someone who has delved deep into the world of music marketing, I can tell you that there are a few broad genres that the majority of the music on Mixcloud falls into. These genres include electronic, hip hop, pop music, and Rap.
With so many talented DJs seeking attention, the competition within these popular genres on Mixcloud can be fierce.
Going head-to-head against DJs who have already established a large following and a significant amount of industry support can be too big of a challenge for a starting DJ.
By finding your niche, you can concentrate on gaining recognition among a specialized, targeted group of listeners. Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, you can develop a more loyal fanbase.
What if I had a path to avoid the over-saturated competition?
It’s true. There is a way to bypass the crowd to make your show stand out and gain more exposure than ever - you have to define your niche.
By finding your niche in the music industry, you can focus on building a reputation and popularity within a specific, targeted audience.
Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, you can create music that resonates with a specific group of people and develop a more loyal fanbase.
As an starting DJ, you may not be the best among the millions of others in the industry.
However, by finding your niche, you may be able to establish yourself as a top artist among a smaller group.
Once you have gained recognition and created a fanbase in your niche, you can use them as a strong base to get into a larger genre.
Utilize Niche Strategies to Expand Your Soundcloud Reach in 3 Steps
Define your music niche:
A niche in the music industry refers to a specific sub-genre or style within a larger genre. It is a way for DJs to differentiate themselves and appeal to a specific audience within the broader music market.
Think about the audience you want to reach and the message you want to convey with your music. Consider the elements of your sets, the themes you explore in your music, and the overall feel and vibe of your sets.
Utilize niche strategies to expand your Mixcloud reach. For example, if you are a DJ who specializes in a subgenre of electronic music, like "glitch," you can reach out to other DJs and listeners who are interested in that subgenre and collaborate with them to gain more exposure.
It's important to note that broad genres like "rap" or "electronic" are not considered niches. Here are some examples of niches within those genres:
Rap is not a niche.
These are examples of niches in the rap genre:
Drill: A subgenre of hip hop that originated in Chicago, characterized by its aggressive beats and lyrics that often focus on violence and crime.
Cloud Rap: A subgenre characterized by its dreamy, ethereal beats and introspective, often drug-inspired lyrics.
Horrorcore: A subgenre that combines elements of horror fiction and hardcore hip hop, characterized by its graphic and violent lyrics and dark, eerie beats.
Emo Rap: A subgenre that emerged in the 2010s, characterized by its confessional, emotionally vulnerable lyrics and often incorporates elements of emo and alternative rock.
Afro-trap: A subgenre of trap music that fuses elements of African rhythms and instruments with trap beats and lyrics.
Conscious Rap: A subgenre of rap that focuses on socially conscious and politically charged themes, often with socially conscious and politically charged lyrics.
Jazz Rap: A subgenre of rap that combines elements of jazz and hip hop, characterized by its use of jazz samples and beats, and often features live instrumentation.
Electronic and Rock are not niches.
These are examples of niches in the rap genre:
Glitch: A genre of electronic music that incorporates elements of noise and distortion, often using techniques such as chopping and rearranging samples.
Shoe gaze: A subgenre of alternative rock characterized by its dreamy, ethereal sound and heavy use of guitar effects.
Dubstep: A genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London, characterized by its use of bass-heavy beats and growling basslines.
Witch House: A subgenre of electronic music characterized by its use of dark, atmospheric elements, often incorporating elements of Trap music and R&B.
Math Rock: A genre of rock music that is known for its complex, irregular rhythms and use of unconventional time signatures.
Post-black metal: a genre of black metal that incorporates elements of post-rock, shoegaze and post-metal to create a more atmospheric and experimental sound.
Vaporwave: A subgenre of electronic music that emerged in the early 2010s and characterized by its use of samples from 1980s and 1990s pop music and smooth jazz, often with a dreamy, nostalgic or surreal feel
Pop niches:
Dream Pop: A subgenre characterized by its dreamy, ethereal sound and use of swirling guitar effects and atmospheric vocals.
Chamber Pop: A subgenre that combines elements of classical chamber music with pop elements, often featuring the use of strings, horns and woodwinds.
Synth-Pop: A subgenre that emerged in the 1980s characterized by its use of electronic instruments, particularly synthesizers, and often features robotic or robotic-sounding vocals.
Indie Pop: A subgenre that emerged in the 1980s, characterized by its DIY ethic and often features introspective, personal lyrics and a stripped-down sound.
Pop-Rock: A subgenre that combines elements of pop and rock music, characterized by its catchy hooks and guitar-driven sound.
Pop-Punk: A subgenre that combines elements of pop and punk rock, characterized by its upbeat, fast-paced sound and often features lyrics about everyday life and relationships.
Pop-Soul: A subgenre that combines elements of Pop and Soul music, characterized by its use of soulful vocals and often features lyrics about love and relationships
Other popular genres include Club Music, Ambient, Beats, Relaxation, Techno, and their various subgenres.
As you explore these examples of niches, it's important to ask yourself which one fits your music the best? By finding your niche and utilizing niche
It's important to note that these niches are not mutually exclusive, and many artists may blend elements from different niches to create their unique sound.
By identifying and targeting a specific niche, you'll be able to attract a more devoted fanbase and less competition from other artists making similar music.
2.Establish yourself as a niche member
Once in your niche, work on improving to become the top performer in your niche. With less competition within the niche, there is more room for you to stand out and make a name for yourself.
Continuously improve your music and production skills to ensure that your music stands out within the niche.
Be an active in the niche by being vocal about important issues and promoting the niche to others.
By being consistent and sticking to a plan, you are able to make progress everyday towards reaching your objectives.
Above all, it is crucial to have a consistent output of content.
I have seen too many DJs make music sporadically, releasing a few mixes here and there, and then disappearing for long periods of time.
Without a consistent output of music, you'll struggle to gain traction and will always be stuck at the starting point. Think about all the fans that believe in you, you have to take your music more seriously!
3. Becoming a niche leader
Establishing authority in your niche is directly tied to the size of your fanbase. Therefore, it's crucial to focus on building a following within your niche.
As a starter, you should engage with other DJs in the Mixcloud community by following them and participating in online conversations. Here is a guide on what you need to do EVERYDAY to keep a following on Mixcloud.
Leverage the power of social media marketing to connect with your fans and build a loyal fanbase. Here is a guide on how to create valuable content and consistently promote your music
With a solid foundation of fans and a reputation as a top performer within your niche, you will have a significant advantage over other DJs who are trying to break into the genre.
Your fanbase will provide a strong foundation to build on, and the competition in the larger genre will not be as intimidating.
With this solid foundation, achieving success in larger genres will no longer be impossible to do. It will be a natural progression of your already established career.
The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.
By identifying and targeting a specific niche, creating high-quality show, and actively building a fanbase, you can get the Mixcloud exposure your music deserves and make a name for yourself.
With hard work and dedication, you can rise above the competition and become a true leader within your niche.
So go out there, take massive action, and make your mark on the music world!🌎🔥