Social-tips For safe and Fun Social Networking and Marketing

Top 10 Social NeTworkiNg TipS for MuSiciaNSLearn 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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Think you know how to network?

Think again.

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1. Destination: websiteYour 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.

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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.

Top 10 Social NeTworkiNg TipS for MuSiciaNS

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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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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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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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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.


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Social-tips For safe and Fun Social Networking and Marketing