Well, I’ve been at this for right around two weeks now. I’ve listened to literally hundreds of indie artists and groups in that time, and have found some absolutely incredible music. However, I’ve also had to pass on a large number of groups. I had to pass on some because the social presence was a hot mess. I had to pass on others, because it appeared that I was more eager to learn about them than they were to show me what they’ve got. In other words, I was having to put a lot of time and effort into something that should not be so hard. And if I, as someone who is looking for new talent, is having such a hard time, what about the casual listener, or potential fan?
Here’s a few suggestions from me to help you gain better traction and ultimately build your fan base.
Keep your social media information current. I can’t begin to count the number of groups I passed on, because links were broken or no longer existed. Don’t assume that someone who has stumbled across you on Twitter, or any other site, is going to devote hours to finding your music. They won’t. Neither will I. There is way too much competition out there who is making it easy to discover them. Make sure you regularly audit your social accounts to ensure the most up-to-date information is provided.
Keep your music towards the top of your social feeds. It’s great that you have great reviews and fan feedback to share. I want to see every show you are playing advertised. But, in the end, it should be your music that is front and center. Don’t get into the habit of assuming everyone reading a feed is already a fan. Give the newbie a taste of what you are and watch your fan base grow!
Stay active on your social feeds. Social media can be the greatest form of advertisement at your disposal. It’s free and easy to use. But a feed who’s latest post is six or seven months old doesn’t paint the picture of someone trying to spread the word. As I mentioned above, keep you music towards the top, but let the public also know what is going on with you. New gigs, new reviews, anything to show that you’re still alive musically.
Don’t hide your music on your website. You are a musician. You create great music. People are coming to your website because they want to hear your great music. And despite all of these facts, more often than not, I am required to go hunting for something to listen to. Much like your social feeds, your music should be presented front and center on your home page. That doesn’t mean it all has to be there, but there should be one song to let me know whether or not I want to explore further. Even a thirty second clip is enough to let folks know your sound. I get the fact that you may not want to give something away for free, but the small sacrifice of allowing folks to hear even a part of a song pays off in the long run.