Musicians Are Sleeping On These 5 Underrated Marketing Moves

BusinessHollywood & EntertainmentMusicians Are Sleeping On These 5 Underrated Marketing MovesByOlivia Shalhoup,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Olivia Shalhoup covers entertainment marketing and social strategy.Follow AuthorMay 18, 2026, 12:39pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.The music industry has no shortage of advice telling artists to go viral, chase trends, and grow their follower count. But some of the most effective marketing moves are quieter than that—and far more durable. I asked marketing executives and digital strategists working across the industry right now what they think artists are missing. Their answers point to a common thread: the future of music marketing is personal.Show the Human SideArtists pour enormous energy into crafting an image, and somewhere in that process, the actual person disappears. Riley Cooper, Marketing Director at Punchbowl Entertainment, thinks that's a costly mistake. "Artists forget that fans want to see the human side of them—whatever that looks like for their brand," she says. "It's easy to get lost in the noise, and the artists winning at marketing are the ones who make their fans feel like they know them."Few artists have executed this as effectively as Chappell Roan, whose theatrical persona is matched by an unusual willingness to be publicly candid about burnout, boundaries, and the realities of sudden fame. That combination of character and honesty created a parasocial intimacy with fans that no amount of polished content could manufacture. Sabrina Carpenter operates similarly, the humor and self-awareness she brings to her social media presence makes her feel genuinely knowable, which has translated into one of the most devoted fanbases in pop.BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - AUGUST 11: Chappell Roan performs onstage during Sziget Festival on August 11, 2025...