About De Novo Agency
About De Novo Agency
From Musician to Marketer, Helping Artists and Music Businesses Succeed
Since 2018, we’ve helped people in the music industry thrive with transparent, results-driven marketing strategies.
De Novo Agency was founded by musician-turned-marketer Elliot Tousley in 2018, with one simple mission: to help independent musicians and music businesses grow through honest, strategic marketing.
The Journey of a Musician
Elliot didn’t just study the music business—he lived it. As an independent artist, he learned firsthand how to get songs on the radio, book gigs without a manager, sell tickets, and pull off shows that left a lasting impact. From the ages of 18 to 24, Elliot didn’t win a Grammy or make millions, but he succeeded on his own terms—earning thousands of dollars playing original music to crowds who bought tickets to see him.
Elliot knows what it’s like to start with zero fans, hustle to promote yourself, and slowly build a loyal audience. His experience navigating the ups and downs of the independent music world gave him a real-world education that no textbook or course could offer.
From Musician to Marketer: The Birth of De Novo Agency
As his music career evolved, Elliot found himself drawn to helping the next generation of musicians do what he had done. He had built a network of trusted contacts, found tools and strategies that worked, and—after trying 15 things and failing 10 times—discovered the methods that truly drove results.
In 2018, Elliot launched De Novo Agency as a side hustle while still working his 9-to-5 job. It started small, helping musicians navigate the same challenges he had faced: how to get heard, how to market yourself, and how to grow from scratch. But when he was laid off from his job, Elliot made the leap and went all in on De Novo.
With a clear vision and passion for helping artists, Elliot transformed De Novo Agency into a thriving marketing company that has now generated over $2 million in revenue and helped thousands of independent musicians get their music heard by the right audience.
Expanding into Digital Marketing for Music Businesses
As De Novo grew, so did Elliot’s skills. He mastered SEO, Google Ads, and digital marketing strategies that helped De Novo Agency scale quickly. Now, those same skills are being used to help not just musicians, but also music-related businesses like record labels, distributors, and venues build their digital presence and reach more customers.
Today, De Novo Agency is a full-service marketing company that provides top-notch digital marketing solutions for the music industry. Whether you’re an independent artist looking for exposure, or a music business trying to drive traffic and growth, we’ve got the tools, expertise, and real-world experience to help you succeed.
Why De Novo Agency?
De Novo Agency isn’t just another marketing company. We were built by musicians, for musicians, and we understand the unique challenges that come with building a career or business in the music industry. Our team is made up of specialists who have been where you are and know how to create the right strategies to help you grow.
Transparent, Ethical Marketing: We don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t sell dreams—we help you achieve realistic, sustainable growth.
Proven Experience: With years of hands-on experience in both music and marketing, we know what works and what doesn’t.
Personalized Support: Whether you’re a solo artist or a business owner, we work closely with you to develop a custom strategy that fits your goals.
Meet the Founder: Elliot Tousley
Elliot knows the struggles of trying to make it as an independent musician, because he lived them. After years of booking his own gigs, promoting his own shows, and making a name for himself in the music scene, Elliot turned his attention to helping other musicians achieve their dreams. What started as a side hustle turned into a full-fledged business in 2018 when he was laid off from his day job. Elliot went all in, and De Novo Agency has grown into a thriving company that’s dedicated to helping both artists and music businesses succeed.
Our Mission: Helping You Succeed in the Music Industry
At De Novo Agency, our goal is simple: to provide the tools, strategies, and support that musicians and music businesses need to succeed. We focus on digital marketing that works, from Spotify playlist pitching to Google Ads, SEO, and website design for music-related businesses.
We’re here to help you navigate the complex world of music marketing—whether you’re an artist starting from scratch or a business looking to grow your brand.
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FAQs
De Novo Agency stands out due to our real-life experience in the music industry and our proven track record of excellent customer reviews. Unlike many agencies, we offer personalized, face-to-face interactions, ensuring that each artist receives a custom plan tailored to their unique needs. Our approach is hands-on and grounded in practical knowledge, making us more than just a marketing agency – we're your partners in navigating the music industry's complexities.
At De Novo Agency, transparency and trust are at the core of our services. We maintain open communication with our clients, providing clear, honest insights and updates throughout our collaboration. Our commitment to transparency is further reinforced by our 100% verifiable streaming guarantee, ensuring that artists can trust the authenticity and effectiveness of our campaigns.
De Novo Agency primarily works with musicians who are at the early stages of their music business journey or those seeking clear guidance. Our expertise is not in making people famous, but rather in helping thousands of musicians establish and connect with their initial core audience. We specialize in providing the foundational steps and strategies needed for artists to build a sustainable and growing fan base.
Artists working with De Novo Agency benefit in multiple ways. Firstly, for those seeking personalized guidance, our coaching service offers direct interaction with experienced professionals. This means getting answers to your specific questions and developing custom strategies tailored to your unique journey in the music industry. Secondly, for artists looking for efficient and stress-free promotion, our playlist pitching service is ideal. It comes with a 100% verifiable streaming guarantee, ensuring your music reaches genuine audiences. This dual approach caters to both artists who desire hands-on assistance and those who prefer a more automated, yet reliable, promotional method.
Our approach is personalized and strategic. We focus on helping artists identify their core audience, develop their brand, and navigate the music industry effectively. Our coaching is tailored to each artist's unique journey, emphasizing sustainable career growth and informed decision-making.
De Novo Agency stays ahead by continuously adapting to industry trends and leveraging the latest technology. We prioritize staying informed about new platforms, marketing strategies, and changes in music consumption. Our team actively engages with industry experts, attends relevant events, and maintains a strong online presence, ensuring we're always at the forefront of the evolving music landscape. This proactive approach allows us to offer cutting-edge solutions to our clients.
To get started with De Novo Agency, we suggest either a playlist pitching campaign to identify your initial audience through Spotify data, or an initial discovery coaching call with our team for personalized guidance.
What Our Clients Say
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