How to Use Social Media Effectively for Musicians

If you were a musician back in the seventies or eighties, you would never have to think about the way you use the internet. But you’re not a musician of the past. You’re a musician in the twenty-first century, and the culture and expectations have changed – especially when it comes to the way bands and solo artists distribute and promote their music.

In today’s increasingly digital world, the internet is immensely important to the music industry and the people who work within it. Whether you’re dealing with music blogs, tiktok music videos, album reviews, tech reviews, sending your sample through email, skype artist interviews, promotional giveaways, festival submissions, or other aspects of the industry, the internet reigns supreme when it comes to sharing information, interacting with fans, and expressing yourself as an artist.

Regardless of whether you’re a solo performer or part of a group, one of the most important parts of the internet for musicians is social media. Every type of business imaginable has a social media presence, and as a professional musician trying to build a career, you should have one, too. Some of the most popular platforms for musicians include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but there are countless other places where artists can showcase their talent.

While there isn’t necessarily a “perfect” way to present your music online, there are a few basic do’s, don’ts, and pointers you should follow if you’re a DJ, singer, rapper, or any other type of musician on social media. To help you get the most out of your social networking strategy, Planetary Group offers some helpful social media tips for musicans, including a list of 11 of the best social media sites for musicians.

 

In This Article:

• Best Social Media Platforms for Musicians
• Creating Compelling Content
• Consistency in Posting
• Interacting with Fans
• Utilizing Visual and Multimedia Content
• Leveraging Hashtags and Trends
• Collaborations and Cross-Promotion
• Measuring Success and Adjusting Your Strategy
• Offer Rewards for Fans
• Keep Your Content Varied
• Use a Personal Tone

 

The Top 11 Best Social Media Platforms and Apps for Musicians

There are tons of social media platforms out there, some designed specifically with musicians in mind. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the hassle of picking and choosing between them, because you should ideally make a profile on all of them (or at least as many as you can realistically spend time maintaining).

That being said, some social media platforms definitely have more clout than others. Facebook, for example, boasts a user base of more than three billion people – about a quarter of the world population! At the same time, it’s also important to keep in mind that size isn’t everything. SoundCloud, for instance, is much smaller than Facebook, but it exists specifically for the purpose of sharing music, which is obviously a major benefit in promotion for indie musicians.

A good social media strategy is to start by making profiles on the most popular or relevant websites – beginning with Facebook – and work your way toward the smaller websites that get less traffic.

 

11 Websites for Musicians to Upload Music or Share Content

There are numerous websites where you can sell or upload your album or single, interact with fans and followers, and share the latest news about your tour schedule, band, or solo act. To help you get started, here are 11 social media platforms that have either been designed for musicians, or are useful for musicians despite having a more generalized user base.

We’ve included the approximate numbers of users or artists for each platform in order to give you a clearer idea of the website or app’s overall size or popularity.  Platforms are listed in order of roughly how many users each has.

1. Facebook – 3.03 billion
2. Whatsapp – 2.7 billion
3. YouTube – 2.7 billion
4. Instagram – 2.5 billion
5. TikTok – 1.67 billion
6. LinkedIn – 930 million
7. Snapchat – 750 million
8. Pinterest – 465 million
9. Reddit – 430 million
10. Twitter – 368 million
11. Tumblr – 135 million

 

What Is The Best Social Media Strategy for Musicians?

There are do’s and don’t for using social media effectively, and that applies to musicians, too. Here’s some basic advice to get the most out of social media as a hip hop artist, DJ, folk artist, or any other type of independent musician.

Creating Compelling Content

To captivate your audience, you have to give them content that will grab their attention and keep it–and that message applies to music as much as it does social media. Share stories about your musical journey and experiences to connect with fans on a deeper level. As you create, try to step out of what only you find interesting and think about what your followers–and the world beyond them–might stop scrolling to investigate.

Consistency in Posting

Consistency is the backbone of a successful social media strategy for musicians. Establish a regular posting schedule that aligns with your audience’s online habits. Whether it’s daily, weekly, or biweekly updates, maintaining this consistency will keep your followers engaged and anticipating your content. It’s like creating a musical rhythm for your social media presence, ensuring that your fans know when to expect new content. This also works when it comes to releasing new music or touring as well.

staying on top of your can be exhausting, but is key to getting your music heard – Planetary can help with that. Come to us for social media promotion for musicians.

Interacting with Fans

Approach your social media interactions with a personal touch. Respond promptly to comments and messages from fans, showing appreciation for their support. Engage in conversations, ask for their opinions, and make them feel valued. Acknowledging their presence and contributions not only strengthens your fan base but also fosters a sense of community around you and your music.

Utilizing Visual and Multimedia Content

Visual and multimedia content is a powerful tool for musicians. Share visually appealing photos, concert videos, and live-stream performances to give your followers a sensory experience. Let them see and feel the music through your content. Visuals can create a lasting impact and enhance the emotional connection between your music and your audience. They strengthen your brand and help sell the music.

Collaborations and Cross-Promotion

Collaborations with fellow musicians can be a game-changer. Team up with artists who complement your style and share a similar fan base. Cross-promote each other’s work to introduce your music to new audiences. These collaborations not only broaden your reach but also create exciting opportunities for innovation. If you’re not looking to do so, you can still build a following online by interacting with and “collaborating” with other accounts by resharing, quote tweeting, and more.

With Planetary, you can focus on writing, recording, and playing music, and we can handle running your social media.

Offer Rewards for Fans

Show appreciation to your loyal fans by offering exclusive rewards and experiences. Provide early access to new music, special merchandise discounts, or even private virtual concerts. These gestures not only strengthen your fan base but also foster a sense of reciprocity and loyalty among your followers.

Keep Your Content Varied

Keep your audience engaged by maintaining a diverse content portfolio. Mix up your posts with a range of content types, including photos, videos, text updates, and live streams. Share not only your music but also glimpses into your everyday life, interests, and inspirations. By offering a well-rounded view of yourself as a musician and a person, you’ll keep your social media feed interesting and dynamic.

Use a Personal Tone

Authenticity is paramount in connecting with your audience. Use a personal and relatable tone in your social media posts. Share your thoughts, experiences, and emotions genuinely. Let your fans get to know the person behind the music. While they may love your art, you will really succeed when they also love you as well. When you speak from the heart, you’ll forge deeper connections with your followers, making them feel like they are a part of your musical journey.

Measuring Success and Adjusting Your Strategy

Regularly assess your social media performance using analytics tools provided by the platforms. Track metrics like engagement rates, follower growth, and post reach to gauge your success. If certain content or strategies aren’t yielding the desired results, don’t hesitate to pivot and adapt. Flexibility is key in the ever-evolving world of social media for musicians.

With Planetary, we will not only create your social media content, but track how it’s doing and give you reports so you know what works! Music promotion at Planetary is here to help you reach your musical goals.

If you’d like to learn more about using social media as a musician, you can also head over to our social media tips page for some extra reading – or, simply give Planetary Group a call at (323) 952-5050 for a consultation.

Are you looking for tips on how to effectively use a specific social media platform? We’ve got you covered there, too. You can check out our pages on:

• How to promote your music on Facebook
• How to promote your music on Twitter
• How to promote your music on Instagram
• How to promote your music on Tiktok
• How to promote your music on SoundCloud
• How to promote your music on Spotify
• How to promote your music on Bandcamp
• How to promote your music on Pinterest

Online Publicity and Marketing for Bands, Singers, DJs, and Hip Hop Artists

Planetary Group was founded in 1996 to help up-and-coming bands and solo performers reach bigger audiences, book better gigs, enter music festivals, get their music played on the radio, and score record deals with major labels and independent labels.  With over 20 years of experience in the music industry in the U.S. and abroad, Planetary Group has worked with some of the world’s biggest artists, including Beastie Boys, David Bowie, Katy Perry, Foo Fighters, Moby, Nine Inch Nails, and Yoko Ono. Though based in L.A., Planetary Group takes clients from all over the country, including Atlanta, Houston, Austin, Memphis, New Orleans, Nashville, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Seattle, and throughout the world.

We work with singer-songwriters, folk musicians, rappers and hip hop artists, DJs and electronic musicians, punk bands, and many types of eclectic styles and genres. No matter what stage of your career you’ve reached, we can help you take it to the next level. To learn more about how Planetary Group can widen your audience and gain exposure for you, give us a call today at (323) 952-5050.