#185: My Journey to 10,000 Monthly Listeners - What Actually Works?

In this episode of Inside The Mix , host Marc Matthews takes listeners behind the scenes on his journey to reaching 10,000 monthly Spotify listeners in 2025. Reflecting on his experiences as an independent artist, Marc shares both the wins and the challenges of learning what is music marketing and how to release music independently while maintaining creative authenticity. Starting with just 300 listeners, Marc’s breakthrough came with releasing his single Waves , reigniting his passion for sharing music with the world. He breaks down the music marketing strategies that helped him grow, from leveraging SubmitHub and social media engagement to experimenting with ad spending. He also discusses how to release your own music effectively, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, outreach to radio stations and blogs, and the power of a waterfall release strategy to maximize listener engagement. What You’ll Learn: • What is music marketing and why it matters for independent artists • How Marc grew from 300 to 1,700 monthly listeners on Spotify • The role of SubmitHub, social media, and paid advertising in music promotion • How to release your own music with a structured launch strategy • The benefits of a waterfall release strategy for long-term listener growth • Insights on pitching to radio stations, blogs, and playlist curators • The highs and lows of promoting music independently Join Marc as he navigates the realities of independent music promotion, shares his future plans for audience growth, and inspires fellow artists to take charge of their music careers. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you release music independently and market it effectively. Tune in now! Links mentioned in this episode: Got a question? I’d love to hear from you! Submit a question , share your social media handles or website, and get featured in a future episode. Plus, one lucky question will win a Starbucks voucher each month! Send me a message Support the show Ways to connect with Marc : Listener Feedback Survey - tell me what YOU want in 2026 Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Follow Marc's Socials : Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!! Try Riverside for FREE