Branding Advice for New Musicians from a Former Marketing Professional:

Branding Advice for New Musicians from a Former Marketing Professional:

Dive into the world of music branding with Branding Beats, the ultimate podcast for emerging musicians looking to amplify their careers. Hosted by Alexander Paul Burton, a seasoned musician and former marketing professional with 12+ years of experience working for prestigious organizations like St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation and Afghanaid, this podcast merges the art of music with the science of branding. Alexander brings his expertise in fundraising marketing, graphic design, press outreach, and event management to offer actionable tips and strategies for musicians to build their unique identity, grow their audience, and thrive in the competitive music industry. Whether you’re navigating social media, designing your first album cover, or curating your Spotify playlists, Branding Beats provides the tools you need to stand out. Tune in for insider advice, inspiring interviews, and creative branding hacks that will help take your music career to the next level.

Episodes

April 20, 2025 4 mins

🌱 Volunteering at Allen Gardens Food Bank in Toronto 📚 Launching a new initiative to donate books to marginalized libraries 🎵 Creating motivational content to uplift /LGBTQ+ musicians 📘 Releasing Marketing for LGBT Musicians – now available on Amazon!

Mark as Played

There’s a particular silence that settles over small towns—the kind that doesn’t just hush noise, but expression. If you’ve grown up in a place where conformity is prized over creativity, you know exactly what I mean. You learn to stay quiet. To blend in. To “be normal.”

But for many musicians and writers—like me—that silence becomes unbearable.

Mark as Played

This is the raw, unfiltered story of how I went from creative triumph to heartbreak overnight. How I found the strength to report my cousin to the police for online harassment. And how I chose to walk away from toxic family ties to protect my peace and keep writing.

Mark as Played

If you’re a new musician struggling to get your music heard, you’ve probably come across countless music promotion platforms—many of which are scams that send useless traffic and actually hurt your channel.

Mark as Played

Spotify’s latest Loud & Clear report boasts a record-breaking $10 billion in royalties paid out to artists in 2024. On the surface, this seems like a massive win for musicians.

Mark as Played

Ever found yourself working late into the night, long after the world has gone quiet? Whether it’s music, writing, or an idea that won’t let you sleep, there’s something about the midnight hours that pulls us deeper into creativity. 

Mark as Played

Toronto's vibrant music landscape is abuzz with a dynamic mix of legendary acts, emerging talents, and groundbreaking events this March. Here's a curated look at the most compelling stories shaping the city's musical narrative.​

Mark as Played

As a new musician, understanding basic legal concepts can help you navigate the music industry with confidence. Here’s a breakdown of essential legal terms and concepts every musician should know.

Mark as Played

It’s the end of the week, and whether you’ve been a creative powerhouse or stuck in a doom-scrolling spiral, today is about one thing: pushing further. This isn’t just about music, art, or career—it’s about the fire inside you that refuses to be quiet.

Mark as Played

Hey everyone! In today’s update, I’m covering a lot—the OUTLINE LGBT Awards, my upcoming CBC French-language radio interview in Sudbury,

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Musicians, wake up! You’ve been lied to. The algorithm isn’t your fan, and it definitely doesn’t care about “good” or “bad” music. What it does care about? Efficiency. Money. Data.

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In the competitive world of music streaming, getting noticed can be a challenge, especially for new musicians. One way to stand out and gain traction on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Boomplay is by leveraging backlinks and referral sources. These tools can significantly impact how the algorithms of streaming platforms perceive your music, which ultimately affects your visibility and stream counts.

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In this episode, we delve into the significance of a professional online presence for musicians and how it serves as the foundation of a compelling music brand. We explore how platforms like Bandzoogle empower artists to create customized, mobile-responsive websites equipped with features such as direct music sales etc

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💡 In this episode: We are told to push, to strive, to keep moving forward—no matter the cost. But what if real growth comes not from constant motion, but from stepping away? What if true strength lies in knowing when to let go, when to pause, when to embrace the silence?

Mark as Played

We are told to push, to strive, to keep moving forward—no matter the cost. But what if real growth comes not from constant motion, but from stepping away? What if true strength lies in knowing when to let go, when to pause, when to embrace the silence?

Mark as Played
If you’re an independent musician looking to get press coverage, you might think you need to pay for PR services to get noticed. But the truth is, with the right approach, you can do it yourself—and often get better results! In this guide, I’ll break down the steps you need to take to reach out to press and PR effectively and authentically.
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We often think strength is about pushing forward, no matter the cost. We hide our pain behind masks of success, using distractions to escape the things that hurt. But true strength? It’s in the moments when we stop running and face our hardest truths.

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Alright, let’s talk about success—what it means for a musician. Now, I know what you’re thinking: "Success is when I drop a track and get 10 million streams overnight." Sure, that’s great, but success isn’t just a number on a screen. It’s deeper than that.

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💡 In this episode: Doubt is a thief. It steals our dreams before we even have the chance to chase them. It convinces us that we’re not good enough, not talented enough, not worthy. And for years—I believed it.

I walked away from music, from the thing that had shaped my childhood, my identity, my soul. 

Mark as Played
In today's digital age, every musician needs a strong online presence. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your reach, your website plays a crucial role in attracting fans, promoting your music, and gaining recognition. But simply having a website isn’t enough—you need to make sure it gets seen by as many people as possible. That's where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes into play.
Mark as Played

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