Executive Summary
Needs No Sleep has built a repeatable TikTok promotion strategy using SpaceLoud creator challenges for every release. By consistently running micro-budget campaigns, artist Mitch has achieved millions of views across his catalog for just hundreds of dollars—demonstrating how strategic, ongoing creator partnerships compound into massive reach over time.
The Artist
Needs No Sleep is an electronic music project led by Mitch, a producer who has built a dedicated following through consistent releases and smart promotional strategies. Unlike many artists who treat TikTok promotion as an afterthought, Mitch has made SpaceLoud a core part of his release strategy—using the platform for every new track.
The Challenge
Getting music discovered on TikTok and Instagram Reels isn't as simple as uploading and hoping for the best. Even great tracks can get lost in the noise without a strategy to seed them across the platform. Mitch needed a reliable, cost-effective way to get his music in front of audiences—without spending thousands on traditional ads or hoping for organic luck.
The SpaceLoud Approach
Mitch runs creator challenges through SpaceLoud for each release, connecting his tracks with vetted TikTok and Instagram creators who use the music in their content. The process is straightforward: set a budget, let creators apply, approve the content, and watch the views roll in.
"You set up a promotion, and influencers apply to use your music in content: in exchange for a budget you set. It's super simple."
Campaign Results: Video Games Challenge
For his track "Video Games," Mitch ran a $150 creator challenge focused on visually pleasing, aesthetic content. The results demonstrate what's possible even with a modest micro-budget:
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Budget | $150 |
| Creators | 31 |
| Submissions | 34 |
| Total Views | 48,000+ |
| CPM | $3.12 |
| Cost Per Video | ~$4.41 |
At $3.12 CPM, the campaign outperformed traditional TikTok ads (3-8x more efficient) and Meta ads (2-5x more efficient)—while producing 34 pieces of authentic creator content that can be repurposed across channels.
And this is just one campaign. Mitch runs challenges for every release, stacking results over time to reach millions of views at a fraction of traditional ad spend.
The Results: Compounding Returns Over Time
The real power of Mitch's approach isn't any single campaign—it's the consistency. By running creator challenges for every release, he's built a compounding promotional engine. Each campaign adds views, content assets, and algorithmic momentum.
"I've had millions of views on my music for only a few hundred dollars. In all my years releasing music, I honestly can't think of another strategy that delivers that kind of reach for that price."
A $150 campaign here, a $200 campaign there—it adds up to massive reach without the massive budgets typically required for music promotion.
Why It Works
Consistency Over One-Offs: By using SpaceLoud for every release, Mitch has built a repeatable system. No more guessing which tracks will get picked up—he seeds each release with creator content from day one.
Authentic Content: The tracks end up in real TikToks and Reels created by real people, not interruptive ads. This native feel drives higher engagement and gives tracks a better chance at organic pickup.
Cost Efficiency: While traditional TikTok ads run $10-25 CPM and Meta ads cost $8-15 CPM, creator challenges through SpaceLoud consistently deliver results at a fraction of those rates.
"As much as we'd all love a song to 'just go viral,' the reality is: even the tracks that seem organic usually have money behind them. Today's ecosystem rewards smart promotion."
In Mitch's Own Words
From the Needs No Sleep newsletter:
Hey everyone,
I'm not usually one to plug companies in this newsletter - but there's one platform I use religiously for every release now: SpaceLoud.
If you've ever wondered how my tracks end up on a bunch of TikTok and IG Reels videos... this is how.
You set up a promotion, and influencers apply to use your music in content: in exchange for a budget you set. It's super simple.
The biggest win for me has been the cost effectiveness. I've had millions of views on my music for only a few hundred dollars. In all my years releasing music, I honestly can't think of another strategy that delivers that kind of reach for that price.
The team behind it are absolute legends as well, I speak with them often, and they genuinely care about helping artists win.
As much as we'd all love a song to "just go viral," the reality is: even the tracks that seem organic usually have money behind them. Today's ecosystem rewards smart promotion.
Anyway, I think SpaceLoud is a killer resource, and I wanted to pass it on.
Best regards, Mitch
Conclusion
The Needs No Sleep case study demonstrates that you don't need massive budgets to build real momentum on TikTok and Instagram. By treating creator challenges as an ongoing strategy rather than a one-time experiment, Mitch has built a promotional system that delivers consistent results—millions of views for just hundreds of dollars.
For independent artists seeking a sustainable, cost-effective approach to short-form video promotion, the lesson is clear: consistency compounds. Every campaign builds on the last.