At this point, most musicians are well aware of the importance of social media for networking, marketing and, fundamentally, finding and connecting with their audience. Incorporating your brand across social media platforms is a key part of running your profiles successfully – your profiles need to be identifiably ‘you’. Feeding into this is the content you share, your choice of imagery, and ultimately how you interact either on your own page or on others’. The ease of being able to communicate with others is, in many ways, highly beneficial as networks and audiences can grow and strengthen. It does mean, however, that the way in which you interact with others, your content, and the ‘voice’ you use fundamentally reflect back onto your brand and your band.
Below, are a number of faux pas to avoid in the day-to-day running of your social media as a band or artist in order to ensure you present your brand in the best possible light, and avoid running the risk of appearing as unprofessional.
You Never Know Who’s Watching
Your band’s social media functions as a ‘shop window’. It’s a virtual space in which fans, fellow musicians and industry professionals can gain an insight not only into your music, but also your brand, and potentially gauge whether they may or may not wish to work with you.
This is why taking care to present yourself as an individual (band member), or the band as an entity, is essential. It may seem obvious, but any comments or posts that are shared must not be discriminatory. Aggressive arguments or inappropriate comments are certain to discourage any meaningful networking or obtaining of fans. Any political topics need to be navigated carefully and respectfully if you are going to discuss these on your public profiles. A band whose identity is heavily political will, by nature, post more frequently on relevant topics which aligns with their brand, but must still be mindful of how they do so.
Is It Relevant?
Sharing a variety of media in terms of post type and content is key. This includes incorporating an array of video and static posts, as well making use of additional functions within each platform such as the ‘live’ functionality found in Instagram and TikTok. In terms of content behind the scenes videos, playthrough videos, merch photos, professional music video snippets and interview clips all work well for including variety. A key aspect to be aware of though, is to ensure that any content posted remains relevant to your brand. If by posting memes frequently a large following is gained – but one that consists of an audience who doesn’t realize you are a band and not a meme page, then it can have a detrimental impact on the promotion of your music.
By paying attention to your branding as a band or artist, and ensuring your online presence portrays the band and its members favorably, this demonstrates a level of professionalism that is both more appealing to industry professionals and ensures consistency that will help your brand stand out.
- For further insights on building your professional network, check out: Building a Professional Network: Connecting for Success in the Music Industry.
- For further social media tips, check out: Managing a Band’s Social Media Presence: Best Practices and Pitfalls.