A Social Media guide for Musicians

I’ve got a lot of musician friends who are constantly in an effort to promote themselves and their music. The world wide web has become the hub for everything in the music world and the radio is hardly in existence anymore. If I want to listen to music, I go online. If I want to buy music, I go online. If I’m looking for something new, I turn to my trusted friend; The Internet. So what’s a band to do? Go digital.

Singers will continue to sing, drummers will continue to drum, guitarists will continue to play. Musicians will keep making music. Nowadays in the online digital space, every artist has the ability to be their own label, run their own business and act as their own marketer.

I put together this guide to help musicians understand the online social landscape and provide them with tips on how to maneuver and promote themselves to current and potential listeners. Check it out and feel free to pass around!

Social Media Guide for Musicians

Image isn’t everything but it matters

It’s not the be all end all, but you know that it does. You look at the cover of US Weekly and its obvious why the people on it are on it. They’re good looking. Now in relation to the internet.

You wouldn’t walk into an interview with your resume on a piece of crumpled, coffee stained notebook paper. You wouldn’t present a portfolio you pained with your toes (unless you’re applying for a toe painting position). So why the heck are you pumping up your circa ‘95 p.o.s. website?

It’s nice to see you’ve gotten with the times and decided to somewhat invest in going digital, but why won’t you spend the time to assure that your online presence is an accurate reflection of you? If you’re going to own a site or blog about internet technology, social media, fashion, whatever, you better be sure that your website depicts that you’re practicing what you preach.

You can talk the talk all you like at conferences and conventions but at the end of the day, when you slip your business card into the hands of that potential client, you better know that the first thing they’re going to do is look at your website or google you. Spend time customizing and always keep your user’s experience at the forefront. Ask yourself, if you were a random visitor looking for some information on a specific subject, what would you want to see? What would you want to know? How would you want to be fed this information? Go from there.

How to make BFF’s

Social (adj.) – [soh-shuhl] – pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations.

SOCIAL networking. SOCIAL applications. SOCIAL technology. SOCIAL media. All of which are based on the interactions and participation of people.

No one will want to socialize with you if you’re annoying. I’m sure you’re yelling at this blog post right now saying “WTF, I’m not annoying!” Yeah. No one will ever think or admit to being a nuisance. Truth is, we all get obnoxious. Especially when we have the ability to post Tweets, Facebook updates, and comments whenever and wherever the hell we want.

Personally, I get the most disgruntled when I get a bunch of crap thrown my way from people that I don’t know nor have the slightest interest in getting to know. Be relevant.

So how do we simmer down on the annoying-ness and pump up our circle of bff’s?

Find people who are into the same stuff you are. This way, you’re all on the same level and can build on conversations and everyone is able to have an input and participate.

Be a good friend. This means not overpowering the conversation with jabber and spam and LISTENING to what other people say. Commend them for their accomplishments. Also, don’t be an @$$hole and be sure take everything with a grain of salt.

Don’t get pissed if someone doesn’t want to be your friend. Maybe they’re just not that into you.

Bake some pie. Everyone loves a good host. Be welcoming and hospitable. Invite people to participate and say “Thank You” when they do.

With friends come mutual contacts who already feel comfortable with their friends, so the transition to being your buddy doesn’t take much effort and the trust is already somewhat established.