The effective implementation of your media coverage can make a huge difference in terms of strengthening industry connections, creating social media content and showcasing your successes. This blog post offers a number of ways in which musicians can be more effective with their use of media coverage especially across social media channels.
1. Social Media: Showing Appreciation and Networking
Media coverage brings a number of benefits in relation to posting on social media, predominantly that it forms pre-made content for your social media that can be easily shared in different ways across differing platforms. When doing so, and where possible, ensure you always tag the media outlet in your posts and the specific journalist if they are named and have a public profile. Acknowledging media sites and writers for the work they have done goes a long way to establishing relationships which may lead to further coverage from them in the future.
Tips for Sharing Coverage Across Social Media:
- Instagram
You can use a screenshot of the media coverage as a static post, as a Reel or share as a story which can include a direct link to the media site. For Reels, you can also create a slideshow type video showcasing a number of pieces of press. - Facebook
Screenshots can also be shared on Facebook as static posts or Reels. Due to the dampened visibility of external links shared on this platform, it is worth avoiding including links directly in the main body of the post but adding them as a comment once the post has been made live. - X and Threads
Links can be shared more frequently on these platforms and as they are predominantly text-based social media channels. Sharing links directly accompanied with a ‘thank you’ comment to the site works perfectly well. - YouTube
YouTube’s Community posts are often underutilized for sharing updates with fans. Text and image content from your media coverage can be shared here and assist in obtaining further reach. YouTube #shorts can also function as a means to share short form content produced from your media coverage. - TikTok
As TikTok is diversifying as a platform it presents additional means for sharing content derived from your media coverage. With its Stories function, and recent move to push more static posts in its algorithm, you can make use of these multiple functions to increase your visibility on the platform.
2. Quotes, Quotes & More Quotes: Showcase Praise for Your Music
It is worth compiling your favourite and most positive quotes from journalists, while making a note of who/which outlet said what, which you can include in press kits for PR, booking agents, or add to your website and/or socials. Including quotations from external, and in particular well-respected, sources adds further layers of credibility that may assist in obtaining further opportunities.
Tips For Using Quotations Effectively:
- Create high quality graphics for your website and/ or social media banners including your best press review quotations to assist in your PR campaign.
- Include a few quotes when pitching for a label or seeking a booking agent, for example.
- Share these quotes as additional social media content, whether simply as text or create a high quality graphic.
- You may wish to include quotes in your physical merch, for example in your CD booklets or vinyl sleeves.
- (Re-)Share your favourite quotes as pre-made social media content in-between releases.