It’s summertime once again!
One of the biggest mistakes many artists make is frantically trying to amass more potential fans while not paying enough attention to the ones they already have. Followers aren’t things you collect, store away, and never tend to again.
You already have fans who don’t need to be found and won over. They already support you and your brand but may not remain loyal followers if you do not engage with them. Tend to them with the same love and care as your garden this summer! Weed out the dead and uninteresting and water the best and most promising.
Why do this? Studies have proven that it is much more difficult to make a new client (or fan) than to get a client who already knows and trusts you to purchase from you over and over again. I always suggest that, in measuring followers, the number one place to look is at your existing social networks and email list and increase likes where people already like you.
Read on for 10 tips for nailing your music promotion this summer!
Here are 10 fail-safe ways to augment and engage with your follower base by pulling from followers that you already know and who already trust and appreciate you and your music.
1. Get Serious About Your Email
You probably spend more energy on social media but you should shore up your email if you haven’t. Don’t fret if you don’t have one yet. You can easily use MailChimp to set one up!
Send your newsletter out once per month. Be sure to be consistent. Monitor your open, forward, and bounce rates to determine its effectiveness. Read my Guide—it will help you craft a great one.
Gather names and addresses you can add. Ask all of your friends if it’s OK with them that you add them to your mailing list so you aren’t mistaken for a spammer. That would be defeating the purpose.
Lastly, be sure to include summer visuals and emojis in your newsletters to boost your email marketing reach.
2. Create an IRL Memory
Host a picnic concert your in friend’s backyard, tea up with an art gallery and do a concert at an opening, scope out an abandoned storefront and create a pop-up, invite 10 people o a bonfire on the beach, and serenade them, play an intimate house party, or throw a blanket down in a local park and schedule a summer gig!
Show your closest fans that you are all about creating memories and IRL connections by creating a cool and special event that’s better than “the usual.” We are all craving connection after years of missing each other so make it special 🙂
3. Make ChatGPT Your Unpaid Summer Intern
Here are 100+ prompts to help you get started. You will suddenly have an unpaid intern at your fingertips to help with social media and your PR and publicity strategies!
4. Include a Special Offer on Your Website and Socials for a Free Exclusive Track or Video (or Better Yet – Several)
To deliver a juicy bribe (download, merch, video, MP3) in exchange for an email address. Try Tunepipe. They rock.
When creating special offers, make sure they are tailored to your audience and fit with your brand. If you plan touring this summer, you can incorporate exclusive access to your show, such as a VIP or backstage pass, as a special summer offer.
Plan out your releases accordingly as well. A special offer could be a summer exclusive single. Freebies and gifts are crucial for music promotion, especially during summer when many artists release music!
5. Follow 25 New People a Week on Twitter (or Instagram, or Facebook or ANYWHERE!)
Many of these newly followed people will follow you back, and your network will begin to grow, especially if you interact!
TIP: Be sure you have a link to your website on your Twitter homepage or Instagram profile.
6. Send Out Personal Direct Messages to Your Most Engaged Followers
Ask if you can have their email addresses for your newsletter. This is a bit arduous, but the results will pay off. Do the same with any other networks you frequent. They may just help your algorithm by increasing likes and interaction.
7. Start an IG / TikTok Video Series and Share Your Songs, Stories, and Thoughts
Tumblr is great if you like blogging! Website-building services like Bandzoogle also offer blogging platforms.
You can also start a podcast or a video series on TikTok and interview other artists with similar audiences. Ask them to share with their fans and followers. It doesn’t have to be a big production. It can be small, informal videos. Just have fun with it. The less you see this as a chore, the better it will be.
8. Ask for Interaction
TikTok and Instagram stories are great ways to pose questions or fun trivia for your fans to respond to. By letting them express themselves and respond to you, you are building a better and deeper connection AND increasing likes. They might even share your post with their friends!
9. Practice Random Acts of Kindness Online Regularly
For example, introduce people who may benefit from knowing one another. Always start by asking “How can I help?” instead of “What can they give me?” A little kindness can go a long way and it will only take a moment to tag each other on social media.
Offer freebies alongside these kinds of acts to get extra exposure. Thank your fans for being there for you with a generous free item or experience.
10. Strengthen Your Micro Networking Muscle and Build Community
Last but certainly not least, is connecting with your community through Micro Networking! Attend local events and befriend those who fit your target audience. Many parks host concert series over the summer. Be sure to do some research and see if there’s any availability to play for your community. Show your support for holidays by posting on social media and going out and meeting with fans. Share these experiences with the people within your community.
Reach out to bands you’ve worked with or connected with on social media to assemble robust bills with good followings in your target area. Use LinkedIn and Lunchclub to help you build a smaller and stronger network of artists and professionals that can help push your career to the next level. Create a roadmap to connect with them and show them what you can do to help them in a mutually beneficial relationship.
I hope you found these tips helpful. Now go forth and increase likes!
Want to REALLY get that Social Media into shape now? Download our 100+ ChatGPT Prompts for Social Media to help you save time and energy on your social media strategies!
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