7 Tips On Using Social Networking To Make It In Music

Using social networking to make it in music is a key strategy employed by artist managers, record labels, and independent artists worldwide.

In fact, it is almost expected that artists will have a large number of likes, followers, and views on their social media. There is probably no industry quite like entertainment where this is such a must.

In fact, the number of social media followers an artist has basically become a report card on their popularity and the reality is that people do look at what others are following.

Take YouTube, for example. People quite simply are more likely to view a video with many views than one that does not.

The lesson is, just to make sure you get a large number of followers for your artist, however, you do it because it will return rewards of more popularity.

So, our 7 tips on using social networking to make it in music:

1. Get social media followers:

In addition to your efforts to get those who come to your or your artist's shows to become followers, you can purchase followers to come out of the box strong and start building a buzz immediately. Before you discard that idea as "cheating," consider that followers you purchase at reputable social media follower sites are real people, with interests, goals, and aspirations, and it is a given that a percentage of them will most likely become fans of you or your artist. Even though it usually costs a bit more, ask your social media provider to target your followers by country if you like to maximize the likelihood of conversion to engaged social followers of you or your artist.

2. Use these followers to get more followers:

Once you've got followers, try and enlist them as your "virtual street team." Give away tracks in exchange for your fans posting promotions for you on Facebook, tweeting or retweeting. In exchange for likes from new arrivals put a free track behind a "fan gate." Reward your most active Facebook fans with merch (music industry slang for artist memorabilia such as t-shirts, stickers, etc.). Ask questions with polls, ask them if they'd like you to play a show in their city, and think of any way to get them talking about you or your artist.

3. Use Bandpage or Reverbnation on Facebook:

These great apps are the industry standard for presenting an artist on Facebook. Great interface and features include an embedded music player, tour schedule tools, the ability to sell your music on the spot, and more.

4. Tweet early and often:

Brush up on your 140-character communication skills and create a steady flow of updates to your followers. Update on recording status, tour stops, charitable efforts, and also toss in some personal notes to show people it's real communication and not just publicist chatter.

5. Try using Badgeville to engage your followers:

This program rewards engaged followers across multiple social media platforms with custom, game-like rewards for liking a post, sending a Tweet, or registering at your website. You can even develop a points-based system that fans can use to win prizes such as concert tickets and so on using this program.

6. Use Talenthouse to bring out the creativity in your fans:

This cool site permits a social network-enabled method for fans of an artist to design a logo or t-shirt or some other creative for an artist. The platform is a great way to really engage fans and get them active and participating in the promotion of you or your artist.

7. Use what you learn to tailor your marketing program:

It's like having the ultimate market research tool at your disposal. Post a track and get feedback, find out which fans want a show and where find out what your followers read, eat, and shop, and use this information to approach possible tour sponsors who want to reach that demographic.

It's all about engaging your followers

There are many more ideas that can apply to the music area but creativity with social media to engage fans and followers, such as sharing updates on Katy Perry's net worth in 2023, is key. Whether you are just starting to build your social followers or are working to better engage those you have, you will certainly see exposure and reach for you or your artist increasing through the use of these techniques.