Marketing Services You Actually Need in 2026, And Ones You Can Throw Out For Good
Which marketing services should you really be focused on? I'm here with a Substack exclusive to spill the tea.
Hey there! Welcome back. I appreciate all the support on my Forbes column. This piece, however, will be a Substack exclusive, because I need to spill the tea. Out with the old, in with the new!
Let’s get into it.
Skip: Macro-Influencer Campaigns
Unless you’ve got a budget of over 6 figures, which some people do, paying influencers 5 figures and up for a post thats views you can’t control isn’t smart.
Instead: Run a Fan Page Campaign OR A Trending Audio Campaign with Micro Influencers
Fan pages give you complete control over messaging, timing, and creative direction while delivering guaranteed high-volume results on TikTok and Instagram. At Amethyst Collab, we run targeted fan pages for artists who struggle with posting consistently on their main accounts or want additional traction sources—plus genre-focused fan pages that amplify entire label rosters. Our Social Media Strategy & Management service ensures every piece of content is strategically planned for maximum growth and impact, while our Fan Pages deliver the high-volume sound results that macro-influencers promise but can't guarantee.
Skip: A Massive Advertising/Boosting Campaign
Throwing money behind every post isn’t gunna lead to real fans, especially if you have no organic content strategy to connect with them once they do follow you. You absolutely need a strong foundation of 3-6 months of a winning content strategy first.
Instead: Start with a Content Strategy Campaign
Our Social Media Strategy & Management service builds that crucial foundation by testing content formats, hooks, and audience responses organically before you spend a dollar on ads. We manage your socials from A-Z, identifying which posts drive real engagement and community building, then scale those winning formats through strategic paid promotion. This approach ensures every ad dollar amplifies content that's already proven to resonate with your audience.
Skip: Only Having Press Support During a Rollout
Treating press like a switch you flip on and off around releases means you’re constantly starting from zero, rebuilding relationships with writers and editors who’ve moved on to other artists by the time you circle back.
Instead: Always-On, Strategic Press Campaigns
Consistent press visibility keeps you in ongoing conversations with tastemakers, builds deeper relationships with key writers, and positions you as a go-to source for industry commentary and cultural moments beyond just your music releases. Our Press Support service maintains year-round editorial and digital press campaigns that secure meaningful coverage during quiet periods, whether it’s commentary on industry trends, collaborative features, or lifestyle pieces that humanize your brand. When you do have a release, you’re already top-of-mind with editors rather than competing with hundreds of other artists for their attention during busy release weeks. This approach ensures every rollout builds on existing momentum instead of starting from scratch.