As a musician, having an active, engaged fanbase is the key to success. A loyal following allows you to be a professional performer and make money off your art. But with hundreds of thousands of other artists out there, how can you manage to attract anyone’s attention?
The answer: use social media to build a fanbase from the ground up.
Social media is a powerful resource used not only by musicians and other artists but by professionals in almost every other industry. Many of them choose to focus on Facebook. Why? Because with over a billion active users every day, the potential reach is astronomical.
From communicating with already loyal fans to making new ones, there isn’t a better medium out there.
Here’s why Facebook marketing is important for musicians and a few best practices we’ve picked up along the way:
Why Does Facebook Matter for Musicians?
A social media presence, and Facebook, in particular, is the best way to get your name out there and entice more people to listen to your music, download your albums, and show up at your gigs.
Why? Most people, especially those in the younger generations, are glued to Facebook all day long. In fact, studies show that the average person visits the platform 13.8 times a day. Is that really an audience you can afford to miss out on?
In an industry where the competition is so cutthroat, you can’t let the other guys get a leg up (and trust us, the other guys all have a Facebook page). Having a professional looking profile with all the bells and whistles (Photos! Videos! Free downloads!) shows your audience that you’re good at what you do and you deserve to be taken seriously.
That being said, there are some rules to follow. Here’s what you need to know:
Start by optimizing your profile. Have you ever checked out a business’ Facebook page only to find that their profile isn’t filled out, there is no header image, and the contact information is missing? It doesn’t make a good impression, does it? That’s why having a professional looking, optimized profile is essential to attracting and keeping new fans.
If you want to put your best foot forward, follow these guidelines:
- Make your website link point to your latest promotion, album, or tour.
- Format your profile and cover photos so they’re correctly sized for Facebook.
- Keep your profile up-to-date with accurate information about tour dates, events, album drops and more.
- Make sure there is a way for fans to reach you, whether it’s an email address, phone number, or live chat.
Regularly Update Your Facebook Page
This may seem obvious, but there are lots of professionals (in all industries) who start a business Facebook page and then never do anything with it. Not even one post. Why even bother?
When your fans, or potential fans, visit your Facebook page they want to see what you’re up to now, not what you were doing six months ago. Keep things current with up-to-date tour schedules, new music, videos from gigs, and behind-the-scenes photos.
Encourage User-Generated Content
When you go to a show these days, everyone in the audience has their phones out taking photos and video. Some musicians get angry about it, but the smart ones encourage it.
When it comes to gigs, allow the attendees at your show to take all the photos they want – but make sure you ask them to tag you on Facebook. Re-posting fan content is a great way to create a stronger bond with your audience and to make them feel appreciated.
As an added bonus, when you have fans creating your content for you, it takes a lot of the work off your plate.
Forge Relationships with the People Who Tag You on Facebook
Asking your audience to tag you in photos is one thing. But maintaining that relationship is another. If you want those fans to keep interacting with you and to keep posting photos and video, you have to make them feel appreciated.
When a fan goes to one of your shows and takes the time to tag you in a photo and say what a great time they had, thank them. Tell them how much you enjoyed that gig and that you hope to see them at your next show. If it’s a fan you see again and again, or someone that’s always talking you up online, go the extra mile and send them a DM!
Final Thoughts
These are just a few examples of ways you can grow your fan base via Facebook. In the end, you not only want people to like your music but to like you. That’s what’ll keep them coming back.
Does your band have a Facebook presence? Do you have any best practices that we left off our list? Let us know in comments!
