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1. Think you know
how to network?
Think
again.
Top 10 Social Networking tips
for Musicians
Learn how to use Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites
to build your fan base, drive people to your gigs, and promote your music.
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2. Top 10 Social Networking tips
for Musicians
1. Destination: Website
Your website should be the center of your online universe. Think of any interaction you have
online as an opportunity to entice your friends and fans to visit the one place where you have
complete control. This is where your fans can listen to your latest cuts, buy your album, sign
up to your email list, read up on your comings and goings, check out your gig calendar and
communicate with you and like minded fans. Sure, they can do some of these things on your
MySpace or Facebook page, but your website is free of invasive ads, required log ins and
slow load times. It’s also free of thousands of ads, links and distractions that might find
your fan leaving your page at any given moment.
Think of your website as the destination for every Facebook post, MySpace Bulletin, Twitter
tweet, and YouTube video you post. Populate your site with lots of exclusive content and update
often. Leverage this content as an incentive for fans to visit your site.
What’s that you say? No website? HostBaby has everything you need to get started.
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2. Document Everything.
Cameras, camcorders, and hand-held audio recorders are more affordable then they’ve ever
been. Tape your practices, film your shows and studio sessions, and photograph your band
members. Upload and share your experiences on your favorite social networks. Always post
everything on your website. It doesn’t have to be polished or perfect. The point of sharing
content is to engage and make real connections. If somebody comments that your video is
stupid, that’s perfect! Nothing stirs interest online like a strong opinion. Chances are somebody
else will jump in and say the exact opposite. The point is; they’re paying attention and you’re
making yourself real to them, which means they’ll remember you.
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3. Top 10 Social Networking tips
for Musicians
3. Content: You need lots.
Social networking is all about repeated interactions. You have to keep people interested in
what you’re doing by consistently posting interesting content. In an ideal world we’d all have
unlimited time to create and post music to share with our fans, but the reality is most of us
don’t have the time. Fortunately, ‘content’ doesn’t always have to be your newest recording or
a concert video. In the digital age there is no end to the hilarious YouTube videos, interesting
blogs, insane pictures, intelligent articles and amazing music that is shared widely and freely in
online communities. Share your favorites with your fans. Tweet links to the music you love. Post
on MySpace and Facebook about that pee-in-your-pants-funny cat video your co-worker sent
you. Some of the most successful social networkers have built their reputations by mixing great
original content alongside content derived from outside sources.
Tip: Having trouble finding interesting content online? Use your community. What are your friends
and fellow musicians posting and sharing? Also try StumbleUpon.com, a social network in its own
right that helps you find interesting web content based on your tastes.
4. Interact.
Posting great content is wonderful, but making great connections is better. Do more than
just friend, follow or poke. Find and friend users with similar tastes and goals and ask them
questions. Be real and honest and they will return the favor. Remember, not everything
has to be about your music.
Use your social networks to connect with other musicians and people who work in the music
business. Connecting with your local bookers, promoters, managers and record labels can turn
into real and profitable relationships. Just be courteous and don’t expect anything right away. Put
yourself in their shoes. What kind of interactions do you enjoy online? Never say “check out my
music” before you say “how are you today?” Talk to your contacts about what they are doing. Once
you have established a rapport, it will be much easier to steer them toward your own projects and
interests. Developing these online relationships can be rewarding, informative, and just plain fun.
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4. Top 10 Social Networking tips
for Musicians
5. Numbers Can Be Deceiving.
Having five-thousand friends on MySpace or ten-thousand followers on Twitter may give you
some bragging rights, but how many of these people have bought your album or even listened
to your music? Social networking is truly about quality relationships and not quantity. One-
hundred fans that buy your album is worth far more than one-thousand strangers that friended
you just so they have a bigger friend list. Don’t get to wrapped up in the stats. Don’t friend and
follow every yahoo who’s ever played on a stage. Be selective. It will be easier for you to manage
your online presence.
6. Study the Experts.
There is an art to social networking and each social network has it’s own language and it’s own
tricks. Pay attention to those active users that seem to be in constant engagement with fellow
users. Watch how journalists and entertainers use social networks to further their career and
engage their audience. You just might learn something.
One of the most popular and often misused social networks is Twitter. Sure it’s ok to Tweet
that you’re having coffee on your way to work, but if that’s all you tweet about people will get
bored fast and unfollow you. Post links and engage with other Twitter users on topics you are
interested. Quiz your followers on music trivia. Write a haiku every Friday. Post your favorite
Jazz song of all time. Be creative!
Tip: Check out the journalists on http://muckrack.com/ for a great example of how
Twitter can be used.
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5. Top 10 Social Networking tips
for Musicians
7. Give Something. Get Something.
One of the most common and genius techniques for engaging fans is by offering free content
in exchange for something small. This could be giving away an Mp3 if someone signs up to
your mailing list or promising someone a free T-shirt if they guess your middle name. Forget
about the quick sale and aim for the long haul. A true fan will be buying your music for years
to come. Let them discover your music by giving it to them, one mp3 at a time until they’re
so addicted to your amazing talents that they can’t help but buy your album, DVD, bumper
sticker and decaled coffee mug.
8. Old Fashioned Email.
Email is still the most personal way of connecting with people online. Receiving a message on
Twitter, Facebook or MySpace will never be as immediate or intimate as receiving a personalized
email in your own inbox. Acquiring the email address of a fan, friend, or industry professional
should be treated as special privilege. Use your social networking skills to entice people to sign
up to your fan list. Pass around a sign up list at your shows. Utilizing a mass email service such as
HostBaby’s ListBaby is an essential way to manage your email contacts, engage your fans directly
and avoid the spam blockers that mass mailings can sometimes fall prey to. Just remember,
don’t spam your fans! One or two mass emails a month is more than enough.
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6. Top 10 Social Networking tips
for Musicians
9. Online Fans Exist in Real Life.
I know it’s crazy but it’s true. Use your live performances and day to day interactions to bring
people into your online community. Print your website address on everything and let your
fans know at concerts what social networks they can find you on. Tell your audience that if they
tweet ‘#yourband’ or friend you on Facebook you’ll send them a personal link to an exclusive free
track. Conversely, encourage your online connections to come out to your events and engage
with you in the real world. An online buddy is no substitute for one in the flesh.
10. Mind Your Time.
Yes, there are musicians out there that spend forty-plus hours in the online world, but this
is neither possible or enjoyable for most of us. Set out a designated amount of time each
week to spend on social networking and leave it at that. Use the social networks that appeal
to you and engage your creativity. Don’t worry about signing up for all of them (I’m pretty
sure that’s impossible). Use the social networks that appeal to you. If you like photography
then get a Flikr account. If you shoot video, use YouTube. If you like to write, start a blog
and use Twitter. MySpace is great for posting music. Facebook is excellent for making real
connections. Make sure that the time you spend on these networks is productive. After all,
social networking is a great way to engage with fans, musicians and industry professionals,
but it’s not as important as your music.at
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