Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are the go-to channels for most metal bands’ social media marketing. However, several emerging or lesser-known platforms also deserve your attention. But why should you care about these new platforms? Because early adopters tend to reap the most benefits. When Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram launched, the bands that jumped on board first saw significant growth. The same thing happened with MySpace. Early adopters consistently have a major advantage over those who join later.
That being said, while there are clear advantages to being an early adopter, it’s not without risk. If a platform doesn’t take off, you might end up investing significant time and effort for minimal return. On the other hand, bands can often succeed by finding and dominating a niche audience on smaller platforms.
For today’s post, I’m highlighting three emerging platforms and why you should consider them in your social media strategy.
1. Bluesky
Stats: 9 million users (as of September 2024, per TechCrunch)
Bluesky is a service similar to Twitter. It was actually created by Twitter’s former CEO, Jack Dorsey, and offers a very familiar look and feel. Since Twitter’s acquisition by Elon Musk and its subsequent decline into a mess of spam and bot issues, many users have been searching for alternatives. Bluesky and Threads seem to be the main contenders.
I’m still relatively new to Bluesky, but it feels much like the old Twitter. There is a small but growing metal community on the platform. My advice? Create a profile, get a feel for it, and see who’s following major metal publications. Engage with these users to grow your presence.
2. Threads
Stats: 175 million users (as of July 2024)
Threads is another Twitter-like service, owned by Meta. It has a very active metal community. Although its search function leaves a lot to be desired, finding fellow metalheads to engage with is still relatively easy.
One of the perks of Threads is the ability to cross-post between Instagram and Threads. However, don’t just duplicate your posts. Use Threads as an opportunity to engage with people directly and build a community. I’ve seen musicians boost their streams simply by being active and friendly on Threads.
3. TikTok
Stats: 1.04 billion users
With over a billion users, TikTok may not seem like an “emerging” platform, but surprisingly, many metal bands either ignore it or don’t invest enough effort into it. One key feature of TikTok is its algorithm, which actively pushes your content to new users if it believes they’ll be interested. This makes TikTok a fantastic tool for discovering new potential listeners, not just engaging with people who already know you.
There you have it! Three platforms you should be exploring to better connect with fans and potential listeners. Remember, you don’t have to be active on every platform, but make a dedicated effort to be present—especially on TikTok, which offers powerful discovery potential.
If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to Curtis or Corinne, and they’ll be happy to assist you!