TREND: PR, Branding & Social Media

This week, our #internhighlight features Yuqi Qin, one of our Brand Management interns. Her hard work has been incredible this fall! What skills have you gained from your current internship at TREND? Through my internship at TREND, I’ve developed skills in social media management and artist brand management, particularly on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where I’ve learned to engage with audiences and monitor trends effectively. This role has also strengthened my ability to craft targeted content and stay up-to-date with industry trends. What is your favorite aspect of your internship? My favorite part of this internship is being able to explore Spotify playlists, TikTok trending videos, discover excellent indie artists, and listen to music everyday. This experience has been incredibly engaging, I enjoy the hands-on nature of this role and how closely it connects to real life. What inspired you to pursue a career in the music industry? I’ve been playing the piano since I was three, and music has always been an essential part of my life. While studying music business in college, I realized the music industry offers a relatively relaxed environment where people are unique, open-minded, and welcoming. I enjoy the authentic interactions in this field, and I feel that it’s a perfect match for my personality and values. #musicindustry #internship #brandmanagement

Looking to book gigs as an independent artist? Here are 5 must-know tips to get you started! ?? Network: Build relationships with local venues and fellow artists. Connections can lead to great opportunities! Email & Follow-Up: Reach out to venue bookers with a professional email. Don’t hesitate to follow up if you don’t hear back—persistence pays off! Create a Press Kit: Put together a digital portfolio that includes your bio, high-quality photos, and links to your music. Make it visually appealing and concise. Perform at Local Venues: Start small to build your reputation and connect with your community. Every performance helps you grow! Join Music Communities: Engage with both local and online music groups. Collaboration and support are key! Use Online Platforms: Promote your music on social media and explore booking sites like Sonicbids to find gigs. Stay consistent, keep honing your craft, and those gigs will come! ??? #IndependentArtist #MusicIndustry?

This week, our #internshiphighlight introduces Caitlyn Lynch, one of our PR interns. Her hard work has been invaluable this fall! What skills have you gained from your current internship at TREND? Being an intern at TREND has helped me sharpen my writing skills as well as my ability to be creative in a professional environment. I have been able to create pitches, press releases, and other written pieces and gain valuable skills that will transcend from the internship. Also, researching and learning about effective trends to help our clients engage more with current and new audiences to grow their brands has been enlightening and exciting. What is your favorite aspect of your internship? One of my favorite parts of the internship has been working with the other interns and senior staff. I have enjoyed the team mindset and collaboration within the office. I also love that the internship is hybrid, covering both PR and social media marketing, helping me gain valuable hands-on experience in two areas I am excited about. What inspired you to pursue a career in the music industry? I was looking to gain experience in a field that I felt passionate about, so getting into the music industry had always been a goal of mine and just felt right. I have such a deep love for music, so being able to combine my passions with my career has been very fulfilling and exciting! #internship #publicrelations #musicindustry #brandmanagement

This week's #internshiphighlight will introduce Paria Assemi, one of our PR interns this fall. Paria has been an incredible help these past few months with her incredible work ethic and passion. What skills have you gained from your current internship at TREND? Since joining TREND, I have developed strong writing skills by learning how to structure and craft press releases and articles for clients effectively. Additionally, I have gained valuable experience in conducting research to identify the most suitable media outlets for our clients’ PR needs. I have also learned how to target social media posts to reach the right audiences strategically. What is your favorite aspect of your internship? My favorite part of the internship so far has been working with other talented and driven individuals, the other interns, and the senior staff. By being able to come to the office and gain hands-on experience, I have been able to collaborate with other interns and senior staff to get that full internship experience. Seeing the other interns and I learn/flourish together is extremely rewarding. What inspired you to pursue a career in the music industry? I’ve always been moved by music, more specifically live music events. There’s a certain feeling I get when I’m at a concert that I can’t seem to find anywhere else in life. Given that, I thought why not combine what I love most with a career I can build for myself? I also think throughout recent years, I’ve been especially moved by the artist Del Water Gap, attending his shows helped me realize I wouldn’t want to do anything else but work in the music industry. #internship #musicindustry #publicrelations

Did you know that music recommendation algorithms might be reinforcing gender bias? A study done by the Music Technology Research Group (MTG) has revealed that on platforms like Spotify, we’re hearing significantly more male artists than female ones. In fact, only 25% of the artists listened to by nearly 330,000 users over 9 years were female. This gender bias in music recommendation algorithms occurs because they rely on historical listening data, which tends to favor male artists, thus reinforcing existing biases in user preferences. Researchers propose a re-ranking method to address this issue. By adjusting the algorithms, female artists could gain more visibility without compromising recommendation quality. Could this change how we discover music? Let’s hope so. #genderinequality #musicindustry #spotify

It's time for our #internshiphighlight of the week! This week, we are introducing Alex Gillette. Alex's hard work and creativity have been invaluable this fall. What skills have you gained from your current internship at TREND? I would say collaborating with others in a professional environment might be one of the most important things I have learned. Also, using analytic tools such as Spotify for Artists and Instagram/TikTok insights to test strategies for different marketing campaigns has been a particularly illuminating experience for me. What is your favorite aspect of your internship? What I enjoy most about my internship at TREND is the guided freedom it offers. I’ve had the chance to experiment with different approaches to brand management and digital marketing. More importantly, the supportive work environment stands out to me. Everyone at TREND has been incredibly friendly and patient as I learn industry best practices. What inspired you to pursue a career in the music industry? Music has always been a core part of my life, so combining my passion for it with digital marketing feels like the perfect fit. I love connecting with different artists and exploring their stylistic preferences, which resonates with my background as a musician. #internship #musicindustry #brandmanagement #publicrelations

?? MUSIC INDUSTRY INSIGHTS ?? Want to elevate your release day strategy? This checklist is the perfect place to start. ?? Gain Media Attention: Research Relevant Blogs and Outlets: Identify blogs, magazines, and websites that focus on your genre. Look for platforms that feature emerging artists. Personalize Your Pitches: Tailor your pitch to each outlet. Mention why your music aligns with their content and how it can benefit their audience. Connect with Local Publications: Reach out to community papers and local music sites. Local support can amplify your reach and establish your presence. ?? Perfect Your Press Release: Keep It Short, Clear, and Exciting: Aim for one page. Use compelling language to grab attention right from the first sentence. Highlight What Makes Your Sound Unique: Include your influences, style, and what sets you apart. Don’t shy away from showcasing your personality! Include Quotes: Add a personal touch with a quote from yourself about the music or your journey. This adds depth and human connection. ?? Consistency is Key: Regular Releases and Audience Engagement: Plan a schedule for singles or EPs. Consistency keeps your audience excited and engaged. Create a Content Calendar: Map out your release dates, social media posts, and engagement activities in advance to stay organized. Engage with Your Audience: Regularly respond to comments and messages. Show appreciation for their support and build a community around your music. ?? Follow TREND for more music industry tips and strategies! Let’s elevate your music journey together! ?? #musicindustry #newreleases #TRENDTips #independentmusician

?? Ready to drop new music? Follow this pre-release checklist to ensure you're set up for success! ?? ? Finalize your cover art and visuals. ? Submit your track to streaming platforms early. ? Create a promo plan with teasers and behind-the-scenes content. ? Update your press kit and reach out to media outlets. ? Engage your fans with sneak peeks and countdowns. Let’s make your release day a success! ?? #MusicTips #ReleaseChecklist #NewMusic #ArtistPromotion

Intern Spotlight: Thalia Alleman #musiccareers #intern #musicindustry What skills have you gained from your current internship at TREND? In a short time at TREND, I’ve already gained valuable insights into PR and the entertainment industry. I’ve learned to conduct in-depth research to identify media outlets that can expand our clients’ reach and fanbase, and I’ve sharpened my professional writing skills by drafting press releases, articles, and email pitches. I’m excited to continue learning from such a knowledgeable and experienced senior team! What is your favorite aspect of your internship? My favorite aspect of the internship is, without a doubt, the work environment. The senior staff is incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely eager to share their insights, helping us grow both professionally and personally. The intern team is equally dedicated, striving to become the best versions of ourselves. Growing alongside such a supportive and driven group is an experience I’ll never take for granted. What inspired you to pursue a career in the music industry? Music has always been a powerful way for me to build connections in my life. When words fall short, music consistently expresses what I cannot. I believe music shapes who we are, influences how we think, and guides what we bring to the world. Working in an industry dedicated to amplifying the voices of talented artists has been such an amazing opportunity.

This week we are highlighting Lily Tenner, one of our latest interns! Lily has been a huge help, and we are grateful for her hard work and determination! What skills have you gained from your current internship TREND? I am so excited to be a new intern! So far in my first few weeks I have learned so much. I am really enjoying learning more about writing and pitching clients to outlets and media publication, and researching social media trends. I am excited to apply my new skills to help more artists in the industry. What is your favorite aspect of your internship? My favorite aspect is learning directly one-on-one from the senior staff. I am so thankful to be learning from this team who has been working in the industry for so long. They have so much wisdom to share and their guidance has been invaluable. I am excited to continue growing under their mentorship. What inspired you to pursue a career in the music industry? Music is everything to me. When I was 5 years old I had a pivotal experience at the Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds tour. Little did I know, that moment would be the catalyst for my lifelong passion for music. Years later, I have now attended over 115 live music events. These events inspired me to create unforgettable experiences for others. They solidified my ambition to work in the music industry, shaping my goal to bring that same joy and connection to audiences around the world. #internship #musicindustry #pr