In the digital age, social media is an integral part of any business or brand. Clients, customers and the general public often make judgments based on a person or business’ online presence. Music artists are no different. It’s important to use social media tools to enhance your brand, promote your talent and add as much personal contacts as possible in a virtually connected world. With the Voy Media services, the promotion of the music is done in the best way. The use of the tool of the agencies is done with the skills and intelligence of the people. The image of the brand is enhanced with the intelligence of the people. An excellent platform is provided to the people to get the desired results.
Unfortunately, many artists fall short in this area. Are you guilty of any of these social media fails?
- Refusal to Engage
To answer your question: Yes, social media is necessary. If you’re looking to grab the attention of big labels, they must be able to find you. Gone are the days where label executives search high and low for a voice. These days you must be your own promo team. If you’re sticking true to the indie realm, you’re not exempt. How do you expect your fans to learn about you? Chances are, you’re playing at open mic nights in front of a dozen other musicians who are waiting for their turn on stage.
If you want to develop a true fan base, you and your music must be accessible online. No matter what your aspirations, it is imperative that you engage with your fans and followers. People tend to support artists they like. Show them you’re more than just a singing robot or a humanoid drum machine. Let your audience know you have passion, personality and talent.
- Being Too Private
Lets face it. Protected tweets and Instagram photos are for wimps. Stardom requires that you be an open book. Even little Blue Ivy Carter had to show her face at some point. This doesn’t mean you have to show everyone your vacation pictures, but it wouldn’t hurt. Advanced privacy settings can hurt your brand in two ways. People will think you’re hiding something, or they’ll simply forget about you. No matter how awesome of an artist you are, if someone follows a link to your Twitter page and your tweets are protected, you’ve killed the momentum. They’ve had to stop and request to follow you and by the time you’ve approved their request, they’re on to the next best thing.
- Dropping The Branding Bal
As earlier mentioned, these days people are looking for the full package. Labels don’t have a lot of money to put behind artist development and music fans are flighty. You can be eccentric, as long as that’s you. Your social networks should represent your brand at all times. Make sure that everything you post and share is in line with how you want the public to perceive you. If you titled your last single, “Pimp ‘Til I Die,” it might not make much sense to go on a Twitter-rant promoting teenage absence or fidelity. Likewise, speaking at a fifth grade D.A.R.E. graduation could be little misleading after posting that “Legalize It” meme to your Facebook page last night. It’s easy. Live your brand and don’t be a hypocrite.
- Excessive Promo
Social media is about generating a buzz, not about being a pest. Tweeting your SoundCloud link to everyone who tweeted the word “music” in the last 7 years is rude and annoying. Also, there’s no need to post the same video on the Facebook wall of everyone who attended your high school. Chances are you all have hundreds of mutual friends and it’s flooding their news feed anyway. Try sending tweets to your biggest supporters and closest friends and asking them to ReTweet you. If you haven’t already, (and you should have) create a Facebook Fan Page for your brand. This way you can connect with all your friends and fans at once. If they “Like” or “Share” your post, they’ll be promoting it to all their friends. It’s a lot less work and much less abrasive.
- Not Doing Your Research
It’s important that every move you make is researched and has a purpose. Again, sending unsolicited links can get annoying. However, you might want to shoot a link to an A&R Rep or a music blogger that you know is looking for new music. However, don’t assume that everyone in the music industry wants to buy what you’re selling. Sending a 140-character advertisement about the beats you have for sale to that same music blogger could get you blackballed. They don’t need your beats and since you were too lazy to read their bio, they won’t pass your info along to anyone who does. Always know who you’re sending your music to and why.
- Poor Submissions Etiquette
Bloggers are the DJs of to web. Therefore, it’s always good to build relationships and be sure never to piss them off. When submitting your music make sure you introduce yourself. Never just send a link. If you don’t have a professional bio or EPK, it’s ok. Tell the blogger about yourself, your music and your goals for the future. While bloggers are always on the hunt for quality, they also recognize drive. A 14 year-old guitarist might not have the sound of a 30 year-old guitarist but if he’s playing shows, involved in social media and is passionate abut his work—he might get a feature.
Try to send album artwork or pictures with each submission. Also, follow instructions. Most blogs have submission guidelines somewhere on their site. If they request liks to streaming music, don’t send an mp3 they have to download. Finally, Don’t ever ask a blogger to review your album and purchase it on iTunes in the same breath. It’s tacky and careless.
- Curation Overkill
- Curation is another necessary part of social media marketing. Not all your friends and fans use the same social networking sites, so you want to make sure that your information is being spread around the net. Hoever it’s not necessary to curate your curating. If your latest single is available on iTunes, CDbaby, and Bandcamp, say so. There’s no need to Post a link to the single on each site. To your audience, it looks like you’re posting the same song 3 times – and you are. If several blogs feature your music, thank them all in one tweet or one at a time. Going through and ReTweeting everyone who’s posted your music in a 30-second sweep looks like you’re spamming your own timeline. Use tools like HootSuite and TweetDeck to help you post your content at the most effective times and in the best places.
If you’ve found yourself making a few of these mistakes, don’t panic. There’s still time to correct them. It might take a month or so for your friends to stop calling you “Spammy Tammy,” but by then you’ll be a social networking expert. Your music is your first priority, but social media is a vital tool. Use it, don’t rely on it, and please don’t abuse it.
