What Bands can Learn from Radio Stations Regarding Social Media

The headline caught my attention -
Radio's Social Media Performance is Pathetic

I thought, hmm it isn't just me who feels this way. And no, I am not. With several comments, posts to facebook and retweets shortly after it was posted, to over all consensus in YES, Radio Stations haven't a clue about social media.

Social media such as FaceBook, My Space , Twitter and others are a powerful powerful marketing tool. And for the most part, the Radio stations get that and used them to let the fans know whats goodies they got going on. But the failure comes into play when they use Twitter, etc as their soap box and forget the first word in the term Social Media. Unfortunately, so do some musicians.

Fans want to here about what gigs you have coming up, what CD or song you are working on and given links, will repeatedly  view your you tube. But fans appetite for new stuff is ravenous, so if that is all you are using these sites for, they will quickly go find another place ( band) to feed their hunger.

The easiest way to keep their attention is by actually engaging with them. Now I know many of you have 1000 or more fans following you all over, and are thinking " I don't have the time to 'engage' them all. Well it would be crazy to try to. But you can occasionally welcome your new people, personally post an answer or response, and thank them for the prop ups and love they are throwing your way. If you are sincere about it, you will find the casual fans become loyal devoted ones giving you the most important form of advertising going - 'word of mouth'.

I recommend going and reading Mark Ramsey's article., Radios Social Media Performance is Pathetic , his insight is great and you will find tips any one that is using social media within their business can use.

And if you have a tip for others, feel free to share it here. I am always looking for ways to improve my social skills myself.

Do and Don'ts for Musician's Blogs

One of the best ways to keep in touch with your fans and to gain more is a blog. Fans love finding out more about their favorite musicians and bands and a blog offers you a way to give them an inside peek into your life. There are some basic rules to follow though to keep your reputation in a good light:

1. Use spell check. - Be sure the spelling is correct. Type out your blog in word first, check spelling then copy and paste in.
2. Use proper English - Don’t sound like an uneducated thug
3. DON”T cuss - leave the f-bombs, “N” word etc out of it.
4. Give some inside scoop - what is the next song about. Your favorite gig spot. What happened before the show, etc.
5. DO NOT brag about getting drunk, high, or having sex. - Not you or any of your band members.
6. DO give praise- to a fan, a fellow band member, another artist.
7. Include extras - Song Lyrics, Videos, background of song, Pictures, etc
8. Avoid lots of fancy fonts etc - And be sure the colors make it easy on eyes

Update Often - You don’t have to do it everyday, but don’t let it get stale either
By keeping it clean, informative and fun, you will be winning the hearts of your fans and building upon your Web presence.  It is a great way to promote yourself as well.
Now get started!
Later…. Renagade

www.renagadesmusic.com  - where good bands build great reputations

Got a band?? You Need a website!

As an Indie, you need to have some place on the web you can send people to to find out more about you, listeh, download and purchase your music, and simply see you.  It is alos a way for you to track who likes your music, and what area of the world knows you even exist.
But far too many bands do not have a page set up.  Many site the cost factor.  Please! There are many many places on the web at low cost or no cost to the artists, so let's get started!
You have the following list of great places to set up on:
www.bandzoogle.com
http://darkjam.com/
www.webs.com
www.blogger.com
www.wordpress.com
www.homestead.com

Just to name a few, all at low cost or free.

Now some prefer to just have a page somewhere.  Which is fine as well.  There are many sites offering pages for artists.  Ones you need to check out are:
www.myspace.com (music)

www.facebook.com ( fan page)
www.renagadesrelics.com (yes, my site)
www.reverbnation.com ( a true MUST have!)
www.sunsetislandmusic.com
www.bandcamp.com
www.indiemadmp3.com/

Again, just a few.

There are some things I highly recommend when buliding up your 'home on the web'.

1. Get your own domain name.  It is classier going to yourband (dot) com.than to yourband/whatever/whoever/WTH?/com .
2. Pictures of YOU - Yes, your fans want to see what you look like.
3. Music -what good is it if your fans can play SOME of your music??
4. A GOOD Bio - something explaining who you are.  And I do recommend having more than one.  Nothing worst than seeing the same exact same thing everywhere.  Change it up alittle.
5. A way for your fans to 'belong' - a street team sign-up, guestbook, membership, newsletter sign-up, 'be my friend' something to give them a sense that their visit is appreciated.
6. A way to purchase your music, t shirts, or other items.
7. Links to you - twitter, facebook, Reverbnation, etc. 
8. Links to other places you are on.  If you are being helped out by someone, on a ning site or community you enjoy, help them grow by linking with them. Win - win for both of you.

Having a website is not rocket science, most places have templates for you to use.  Just how fancy you want to get is up to you.  But I will recommend you K.I.S.S. - Keep it Simple Stupid.  Flash can annoy many, and too many bells and whistles can make it difficult for poeple on dial up and slower connecttions to enjoy.

So get going! and dont worry about having it all done at first.  Everytime you add something new it will give people a reason to come back and see.  All the better for you, your website, and your band as a whole.

Later..Renagade
Renagade offers PR consultation,CD marketing and other promotional services.  visit www.renagadesrelics.com - where good Indies build great reputations