When we were running our own indie labels and releasing our own music, finding affordable PR to promote our stuff was a nightmare. We were small operations with tight budgets, and our only options were PR services that promised the world but gave no guarantees. They often charged over £500-1000, and more often than not, we had nothing to show for it but frustration and a lighter wallet.

We know there are some fantastic PR folks out there who do great work, but they're hard to come by. They usually cater to established artists or those with label backing. For most musicians, investing heavily in traditional PR just isn’t practical.

> Tip: If you do decide to go with a traditional PR agency, try to work on a pay-on-performance basis. It's better to offer a larger incentive for securing coverage than to pay a hefty fee upfront with no guarantees.

Out of this frustration, Musosoup was born. We couldn't understand why there wasn't a better, more modern way for artists to manage their own PR campaigns affordably and without risking a ton of money or wasting time. We wanted to democratise PR and create a platform that lets artists take control of their own campaigns at a fraction of the cost of traditional services.

Key Benefits of Musosoup Over Traditional PR:

1. Affordability!

We wanted a platform that any artist could use, no matter their budget. Instead of campaigns costing thousands, with Musosoup, you can run a decent PR campaign for less than a hundred bucks. You have the control to spend however much you want without paying a massive fee upfront.

2. Access to Curators

Traditional PR can be frustrating because you don't know who the PR person has contacted. We wanted artists to talk directly with curators, build their own relationships, and manage their own campaigns without needing a middleman. With Musosoup, you decide who you want to work with.

3. Total Transparency

With traditional PR, it's all or nothing. You either pay £500-1000 and hope for the best or pay nothing and get no coverage. Musosoup lets you decide exactly where your money goes. You know what you're getting, when you're getting it, and how much it costs.

4. Made for Independent and Grassroots Artists

Traditional PR isn't usually suited for artists promoting their first releases or those with tight budgets. We wanted to offer a platform that any artist could use, regardless of their career stage. If you have good music, you can generate coverage with Musosoup.

5. Real-Time Reports

Traditional PR often lacks real-time reporting, adding to the stress. You are sometimes sent a campaign report at the end of a campaign but it was often very light on details. With Musosoup, you see exactly how your campaign is doing—who's listened, who's interested, and who wants to create coverage—all in real-time.

6. Guarantees

Lastly, we wanted to provide a guarantee to remove the risk from PR. If you don’t get any coverage, we’ll refund the campaign fee. As we listen to every submission, we’re confident that any artist accepted onto Musosoup will generate coverage.

Here’s a summary of the differences between Musosoup and Traditional PR:

Thinking About Traditional PR?

If you're an independent artist, think twice before engaging with traditional PR. If you do:

Speak to Other Artists: Get feedback from those who have used the service.
Negotiate the Price: Don’t accept the first offer.
Request Regular Reporting: Ensure you get frequent updates.
Demand Assurances: Seek guarantees for securing coverage.
Manage Expectations: Don’t set your hopes too high.

Or… just use Musosoup. 😉

Musosoup Vs. Traditional PR