Successful music needs to sound good — or, at the very least, interesting. However, making music that sounds good often isn’t enough to stand out in today’s crowded music market. To generate plays and to build press coverage, you need a striking image too. In many cases, captivating visuals will lure people in and your sound is what will keep listeners coming back. There are many different ways to use visuals to market your music. We’ll take a look at the 3 most important visual ingredients when promoting music in 2026.
By Team Savant
Image: Clout Africa
Album and Single Artwork
Fewer people buy physical music nowadays, so standing out on the record shelf isn’t quite as important. But having album or single artwork is still essential when getting people to stream your music. For one, most streaming platforms won’t let you upload your music unless you have artwork. Eye-catching artwork also helps press releases to stand out or may get people to click on your thumbnail in the suggestions.
Consider hiring an artist or a photographer to help you create album/single artwork. Avoid copying other artists so that your artwork doesn’t seem cliched (unless you’re parodying them or doing a deliberate homage). Make sure it hooks people as both a tiny thumbnail and a full-screen image.
Music Videos
Since the launch of MTV in the 80s, music videos have been integral in launching many major acts. Nowadays, music TV channels aren’t quite as popular, however YouTube has taken its place, and it remains a huge source of music discovery for many listeners.
Investing in music video production can be a great way to promote the launch of a new single. This could be a live action video of you performing or a live action video with actors, or an animated video. Lyric videos and visualisers are also a low-budget option. Don’t forget to consider other types of video content for gaining buzz on social media - live footage of gigs, behind-the-scenes content of you making your music, short-form videos for TikTok and Instagram and interviews.
Personal Style/Stage Presence
When it comes to performing live, how you present yourself can greatly affect how memorable your performance is. Think about your hairstyle, outfit, make-up, gear and how you move around the stage. If you’re a supporting act, how you look will greatly affect whether the crowd pays attention.
Your personal style also matters in music videos, press photos and interviews. Ideally, it needs to match the personality of your music. Find a look that you feel comfortable with - you don’t want to dress in a way that makes you feel awkward, as this will negatively impact the authenticity of your performance. Similarly, try to make your stage presence feel engaging but natural. If you want to dance on stage and in music videos, consider working with a choreographer if you’re not already a dancer. For press photos, you can get tips from stylists, models and photographers as to how to pose and present yourself.