In this day and age, most promotion happens on social media. For indie artists, social media activity can make or break a new release. While each platform is different and there are numerous elements that go into promoting yourself online, these five best practices will help you grow a strong foundation for your music.
1. Genuine Connection
The first and most important step in promoting your music is being yourself. This may sound cliche, but genuine connection is everything, especially for smaller artists. Take the time to interact with your fans and show that you care about them individually. People are more likely to talk about you to their friends if you leave a lasting, personal impression. The more people connect with you, the more attention you’ll get which equals more merch sales and streams!
Tip: If fans tag you in pictures wearing your merch, give them the occasional shout out on your Instagram story.
Who you follow matters, too. Only follow those you genuinely care about on all your social media accounts. If you’re a fan of someone’s work, don’t be afraid to show it! Genuine interest in other artists or related accounts can lead to some amazing collabs, boosting your fanbase and overall income.
2. The Three A’s of Bios: Authentic, Accurate, Accessible
When someone finds your social media page, the first thing they see is your bio. This has to leave a lasting impression while showing a glimpse of who you are and describing what exactly you do. Like the rest of your online content, authenticity is essential. Being true to yourself and your brand while keeping things concise is key to a great bio.
Not only should your bio be genuine, it also needs to be accurate and current. Links, latest releases, artist or band info, etc. all need to be up to date if included. If your bio isn’t true to you and your music then potential fans may be left confused.
Bio Must-Haves:
- Artist or Band Name
- Artist Pronouns (If the bio is for an individual, not a band.)
- Who you are and what you do.
- Link to website, main streaming service, or Linktree.
Keeping these main things consistent across profiles makes your content more accessible and shows that you’re legit.
3. Keep Links Current
One of the most crucial things that many indie artists forget to do is to keep your bio links up-to-date. Keeping a current link to your website in your bios is a must. Many find it easier to use Linktree instead of just listing their website. Using such a service makes it easy for your fans to find your music, merch, website, and more.
4. Consistent Branding
As for your content, consistency makes all the difference. If you’re making music, going on tour, and selling merch, chances are you know what your aesthetic is. Whatever your vibe, stick to it with all content you post. This shows that you know who you are and what you’re doing, and makes fans feel like they’re a part of something – artistically speaking. Try sticking to one color pallet and font, and be sure to pinpoint your overall aesthetic.
5. Regular Posting
The final step in growing a strong social media foundation is to post regularly. Intercept Music’s Artist Dashboard can help with this by giving you a place to create and schedule posts well in advance across all social media pages! By creating several weeks of posts at once you can ensure that you’re getting an engaging, quality array of content out there without spamming your fans. Be sure to alternate your promotional content, too. While your fans love to see your merch and tour info, no one wants a constant stream of posts clearly trying to sell them things. This is where making genuine connections comes in, and where your Artist Dashboard can help.
At the end of the day, remember that authenticity is everything when connecting with fans, and people are more likely to buy merch when there’s emotion attached. The best promotion is tied to human experience and is polished with the steps listed above. With these five best practices in place you will be able to more effectively and easily promote your music across social media!