As the internet has grown and expanded over the last decade, it has become much easier for musicians and artists to maximize their online presence.
Making a website is so easy and there are just so many media platforms to choose from (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Stumbleupon, Reddit, Linkedin, Tumblr, Google Plus, and a thousand more). How should musicians keep up? Music Marketing strategist Tyler Allen wrote an article that basically says that musicians shouldn’t have to use a specific platform just because it exists.
He said that while it’s natural to hop onto new and trending outlets, it can actually be detrimental to your overall online image.
We totally agree! More doesn’t give added value to your online presence at all. Here are some tips to help you declutter your band’s online presence.
Table of Contents
1. DO NOT LINK OTHER PLATFORMS TO YOUR FACEBOOK
Let’s say you have a personal account and lots of people follow you, music fans and friends alike. What you share online definitely matters. You notice those people who double or even triple share on Facebook? Sometimes, that’s because their Twitter or Pinterest or other social media profiles are linked to their Facebook profile. This is too messy and annoying for most people.
2. DEACTIVATE OUTDATED PLATFORMS
Are you still using Myspace? If Multiply and Friendster still exist, I’m sure you still have both, too. Do people still visit your page? If no one views your site anymore, deactivate it. Just make sure you save all your old photos and contacts. If a good number of people still visit your page, then make sure everything found in your Myspace is still updated- from contact info down to the last detail.
3. GOOGLE YOUR BAND. MAKE SURE THE BEST SITES SHOW ON TOP
You’re lucky if your band’s website sits on the #1 spot of your Google search. That doesn’t usually happen. Sometimes, a more popular platform gets more attention. Worse, it could be Yelp or other review sites with a bad review. So how do you manage your reputation online? It’s not very simple.
That’s why Music Marketing Specialists exist. If your online reputation is really bad, you can shrug it off and focus on improving your website and social media or hire a specialist to help you clean up your mess.
4. CHOOSE AT LEAST THEE PLATFORMS. UPDATE REGULARLY
As Tyler Allen said, you don’t have to be on all platforms simple because they exist. Taylor Swift may have chosen Twitter and Instagram. That’s where her fans are. Do the same. Choose what’s best for your branding and update regularly. in my opinion, if you already have Facebook, you don’t have to be on Google Plus.
5. USE YOUR BAND’S NAME ONLINE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY.
If you need to make an account on craigslist, for example, don’t use your band’s name. You may use your personal name or your manager’s name. If you need to post on a forum or make an account on LinkedIn, don’t use your band name.
We want to only use your band’s name for marketing purposes, nothing else. Everytime you use your band name online to anything that’s not directly branding/publicity related, you’re creating junk. Remove all of those accounts.
Happy decluttering, everyone!
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD/vinyl and merch company in LA.
