Game Plan For Mixtapes:
Nevertheless, I can understand independent rappers releasing at least one free mixtape/street album, but not 10 and 20 in a short period of time like many are doing. Notwithstanding, there are several important factors you must consider before releasing a mixtape.
There is a game plan that you should follow. Firstly, if you are going to give away your mixtape for FREE, then try to derive revenue from sponsorships and advertisements. Monetize it. Secondly, make sure the mixtape is recorded properly, mixed down correctly, and sounds crisp. Equally important, make sure your mixtape content, cover, and concept are unique to stand apart from the competition.
Some independent rappers are putting out FREE MISTAKES instead of DOPE MIXTAPES. Strive to make a “classic” project not a “clutter” project. Don’t just make “clutter” music that you give away for free to clutter the marketplace. Make “classic” music with passion and feeling that music aficionados can appreciate.
Similarly, if you are going to do a remix of a popular song or rhyme over a well know industry instrumental track, then make sure that your version is just as good as or even better than the original. Also, it defeats the purpose to pay thousands of dollars for a feature and the featured artist out shines you on your own song. Bring your “A” game to the song!
Build Anticipation
Why are you expecting a bunch of downloads for your free mixtape when no one is even anticipating its release? Do not get caught up in the “Mixtape Madness.” Do not release your 3rd free mixtape in 3 months, if you have not properly promoted the first two.
Most indie Hip Hop artists release a mixtape without even promoting it. As well, if your only marketing strategy is sending out tweets on Twitter and posts on Facebook every hour about your project, then you have already lost. Furthermore, just because your mixtape is free, does not mean that people are going to automatically want to listen to it. You still have to give people a reason to want to download your free mixtape. You have to build momentum and energy around the release.
Develop a plan to make people excited about downloading it. Create hype about your mixtape before releasing it. Send out press releases and create a contest. Do giveaways, get reviews on it, do radio interviews, etc.
Learn How to Work A Single
Equally important, learn the process of working a single first before inundating people with a 15 song street album right out of the gate. Prior to dropping a mixtape, release a single first and develop it virally. Inform the public that this is the lead single from the upcoming mixtape.
A week or two before releasing your project, do a couple of mixtape release parties and invite the press, fans and DJ’s. Perform a couple of songs from the release. In addition, use a small budget to sponsor local events to promote the mixtape. Advertise with the local internet radio shows that support your music.
Do not just have a mixtape marketing company do all of the promotion. Work the project yourself. Make your fans part of the experience! Also, try to do something different with your mixtape like tie it in to your favorite charity, whereby you can get awareness for the charity too. If you are going to pay a so called big name DJ to host your mixtape, then try to have an agreement which stipulates that the DJ has to promote the project too.
Bonus Single
Here is something clever. Put a snippet of a bonus single on your free mixtape, and then sell that bonus single in its entirety on ITunes. Additionally, make a
Develop a “concept” street album and then create a short film based on the “concept” project. Use your music as the score or soundtrack for the short film. The concept street album should have a particular theme. Each song should flow together in terms of telling the overall story of the project.
Put Your Mixtape On Your Website First 
Please listen carefully. Instead of just placing your FREE street album on a mixtape website, it would make sense to put the street album on your own website first and draw traffic there. You can design the site to have an opt-in feature so that people must enter a name and an e-mail in order to download the mixtape.
In addition, you can put a traffic tracker on your own website, and gather analytic demographic data of the unique visitors who visit your site. Therefore, you can sell advertisements, bonus singles, and merchandise on your own website, based on all of the traffic you draw there.
Strategy
So, now that your free mixtape has been downloaded “5000” or more times, what is next? That is what you should be asking yourself. (Movement Calculations) The purpose of giving away free music is to advertise your brand for opportunities that make money like paid live shows, endorsements, merchandise sales etc.
If you do not have a follow up plan to generate money from your “Free Mixtape,” then you are just wasting your time. Monetize your movement! In fact, forget about putting out three (3) mediocre FREE mixtapes in a row. Concentrate on creating one (1) CLASSIC ALBUM that you can market and sell.
Written by Jesse Atkinson. From the book “The Independent Music Grind” This article is copy written and may not be used without permission.
