7 Social Media Tips For Bands And Music Artists

Social Media has become a vital element in a musician’s music marketing strategy, but what’s the best way to use it? 

Social Media has become a vital element in a musician’s music marketing strategy, but what’s the best way to use it? Here are 7 of my top social media tips for bands and music artists:

 

 

If you seem to be inactive, there’s no reason for your fans (never mind those who are unfamiliar with your work) to follow you.

 

Update your social media pages with:

• Updates: On what you’re doing, any news, tour dates etc.

• Pictures: From gigs, in the studio, with fans (tag them), days out etc.

• Sneak peak snippets of new songs – Instagram videos of you in the studio are good for this!

 

 

Don’t under or over promote. Sometimes artists forget to promote due to busy schedules. On the other hand, some artists seem to promote something or other in every post. Try and find a balance where promotion forms about 20% of your tweets.

 

Be creative in your promotion and if possible, slip it casually into regular tweets or conversation.

 

 

Your fans want to get to know you. Share information that is only on your social profiles as, if they can’t learn this information anywhere else, it will offer incentive for them to follow you.

 

If you’re in a band, put the name or initials of the band member who posted at the end of social media posts so that fans can get to know individual members. Most fans will have a favourite member, so this could increase engagement and help you categorise fans.

 

 

Do not let your label/management take full control of social media. It’s usually obvious and makes the experience of following you less personal.

 

Of course, they might want to send out the odd promotional post, but you fans still need to feel like it’s YOU they’re following.

 

 

While PR companies, labels and managers can be great for contacts, it’s a good idea to build industry relationships of your own too. As a music blogger, I feel a lot more inclined to take a look at someone’s music if I’ve had direct contact with the artists/band myself, rather than just with someone who represents them.

 

 

Avoid arguing publicly. It’s not a good look and can catch up with you in the long run. Basically, don’t do a James Arthur.

 

If people are slagging you off, be happy. It means they’ve heard of you, which is definitely not a bad thing.

 

My final, and possibly most important, tip is:

 

 

It’s rude (especially if you don’t even follow them) and it’s lazy. Why should someone take the time to listen to your music if you won’t take the time to personalise a tweet?

 

Especially avoid doing this to bloggers, media outlets and labels. It’s a waste of time as they’re unlikely to check it out. You’re better off submitting music via their website.