Social media ads can feel like tossing money into a trash can—until they don’t. When done right, they’re one of the most cost-effective ways to get your music in front of real listeners who actually want to hear it.

If you’re planning a release and wondering how much to spend on ads, the good news is: you don’t need a huge budget to make an impact. But you do need a plan.

So… how much should you spend?

Our general recommendation: start with $5–$10 per ad.

That’s enough to test your targeting, gather some initial data, and figure out what’s working. If your ad is performing well—getting clicks, saves, or follows—you can always scale up. If it’s not? Keep the budget small and keep refining.

This approach protects your wallet while helping you grow intentionally.

Where can you run ads?

While Facebook and Instagram (via Meta Ads Manager) are still the go-to platforms, there are several options—each with different strengths:

• Facebook & Instagram (Meta Ads Manager)
  Still the gold standard. Deep targeting tools, retargeting capabilities, and the ability to run the same ad across both platforms. Best for building awareness, boosting engagement, and driving traffic to streaming platforms. 
• YouTube (via Google Ads)
  Great for pushing visual content. These ads run before or during videos and can drive views or subscribers. Especially effective if your music has strong visuals or cinematic appeal. 
• TikTok Ads
  Designed for short-form video. If your content is catchy and tailored to younger audiences, TikTok can explode your reach. Just note—it’s harder to drive traffic off-platform. 

How to maximize a small budget

If you’ve got $50–$100 to work with, here’s how to stretch it:

1. Start narrow.
   Choose one or two countries and three to five artists your fans already follow. You’ll waste less money and reach a more relevant audience. 
2. Run a simple video ad.
   Use a 15–30 second clip of your track. That could be a snippet of the music video, a lyric visualizer, or even a live take. Keep the call-to-action clear and direct. 
3. Send them somewhere smart.
   Don’t link directly to Spotify. Use a smart link that lets fans choose their preferred platform—and lets you track their clicks. 
4. Use a two-step funnel.
   Start with an engagement ad (video views, likes, saves). Then retarget those who interacted with a second ad that asks them to stream or follow. This builds trust and lowers your cost per result. 
5. Adjust based on results.
   Once an ad is working (low cost per click, high engagement), increase the budget to $15–$20 per day. If it’s not working, no problem—stay small and keep testing until it clicks. 

Is it worth it?

Yes—if you treat it like an investment, not a gamble. Don’t just boost posts and hope for the best. Build a funnel. Watch the data. Tweak as you go.

Ads won’t make you famous overnight. But they can build momentum, grow your follower count, increase your streams, and help you form a real connection with your audience.

Think of it like planting seeds. The more consistently—and wisely—you spend, even in small amounts, the more likely you are to grow a fanbase that sticks around.