4 Mistakes Musicians Make When Promoting Themselves

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Today, we urge you to read the below, check yourself to see where you’re lacking, and then step up your game!

NARCISSISM

Stop talking about yourself! Yea, who doesn’t want to promote their band; but seriously nobody wants to have a conversation with you when you’re constantly busting your own bubble and talking about how how revolutionary your music is. I’m not saying you shouldn’t talk about your band. I’m saying you should tame yourself. Make sure your conversation is not “me-focused”. Take time to care about the other people you’re talking with.  Trust me, it will go a long way and you’ll be promoting yourself without even promoting yourself.

LAZINESS

Is your Facebook status automatically being updated by Twitter or Reverbnation?  Stop relying on robots. Actually add some personality to your Facebook page and generate your own posts. Trust me, your fans will comment more. It’s frustrating to see so many musicians putting their fan communication into the hands of computers. The internet is already impersonal enough. If you value your social media presence, take the time to nurture your fan-artist relationship by tweeting/posting/uploading regularly and making it as human as possible.

APATHY

Go the extra mile…not because you have to…but because you can!  Fortunately, because of the internet, the “extra mile” is super easy.

  • If you’re going to tweet about playing at a venue, make sure you include the venue’s twitter handle.
  • If you’re splitting a show with 3 other bands over the weekend, make sure you tag them in your Facebook status update and link to the Facebook event for the show.
  • Make sure the information on your show calendar leaves no questions. If you’re playing at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, you can’t just list U.Penn on your calendar. For a school that has over 24,000 students you must list the specific buidling you’re playing in, which room, and for what organization.

You get the point. So many artists only give the bare minimum. But your information can really travel if you let it. Just take the time to make the most of your posts. Don’t give the bare minimum.

UGLINESS

You cant say you’re an artist if your branding sucks! Please, on all accounts, stay away from UGLY! Read one of our recent posts for some solid tips:  ”WHAT MAKES A GOOD WEBSITE? 3 TIPS FOR THE INDEPENDENT MUSICIAN”

 

 

 

  • http://beafulltimemusician.blogspot.com/ josh

    I agree with so much of what you said, especially the personal touch. We created a facebook page and always let people know about it at our gigs. We checked the page regularly and always tried to reply to any comments. We would always ensure that our page was updated regularly and we always gave specific details regarding venues and contact details etc. Great advice