So, you’re an artist or band who is looking to use social media to promote your music. Great! You’re already a step ahead in the game. While social media may seem like a place to simply slap photos and a link down and call it a day, using it as a tool to promote your music successfully involves a lot of planning and strategy. “Planning? Strategy?” I know, these words can make it seem overwhelming, but here are 5 mistakes you can avoid making to set you apart from other artists in the industry:

1.) Having an unrelated username/handle.

The usernames/handles for your social media accounts should include your artist or band name. For example, if your band is called “Kool Kats,” you should aim to have an account such as @KoolKats, @Kool_Kats, @KoolKats_Official or something along these lines.

Now you may be thinking, “Wait, what about Drake? Mr. @champagnepapi?” Well for one, he is Drake. He is an established artist who has built a following allowing him to essentially have any username he wants. For artists who haven’t sold over 170-million records or received multiple Grammy Awards, it is important to include the artist or band name in order to improve SEO (search engine optimization) and to make accounts easier for fans to find. In addition to having a username/handle that includes your name, it is also important to make sure that your chosen username/handle is consistent across the board. In other words, your Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and other platforms should have the same username/handle.

2.) Having a Linktree in your bio.

Yes, I know. You have a lot you want to share with the world and Linktree allows you to keep everything in one place. Believe it or not, doing so may be hurting you. Having so many link options after a simple tap or click can be both confusing and overwhelming for your audience. Instead, the link in your bio should be a link to the most important content or event at the time. This can be a pre-save link to your next release, a link to purchase tickets to your upcoming tour or a link to your latest music video. If you are promoting a specific album, EP or single, it is recommended to share the link provided by your music distributor (such as DistroKid). Although these distributor links include a list of links within them, they are focused on one release and allow your audience the freedom to listen to your music on their preferred platform.

3.) Having repetitive posts.

So, you heard that posting consistently can help grow your following and drive engagement. The problem: creating so many posts is too much work. To make it easier, you can just keep resharing the same post, right? Wrong. Not only does sharing the same post repeatedly just come off as lazy, but it’s also boring and annoying for your followers. I’m not saying you can’t have multiple posts that promote the same thing, but you have to be creative in how you do it. Post a combination of still images, videos and stories. Instead of spamming your audience with the same show flier 15 times, show some behind the scenes, share footage from your last performance or give a shout out to other artists in your show lineup. There are a number of ways you can get your message across in a more engaging and interesting way.

4.) Sending mass DMs of your music.

While reaching out on a personal level to your audience can be beneficial, sliding your SoundCloud link into the inbox of strangers with no prior relationship is not how to do it. As much effort as it may take to craft a message and select a list to send to, at the end of the day you’re overstepping a boundary. Generally speaking, people seek out music themselves. If they wanted to listen, they would. Take for example the band U2 when their “Songs of Innocence” album was automatically downloaded to our iTunes music libraries in 2014. Although it was free, many were angered by this action. Why? A boundary was crossed. Music they did not seek out appeared in their music space. The same idea applies to DMs on social media. Additionally, doing so seems robotic, impersonal and can even damage your brand. Nobody wants to be known as the artist or band who just spams people with links. Instead, create posts that encourage people to seek out your music. Give them a reason to listen to it. If you’re looking to expand beyond your followers, be sure to include hashtags in these posts as well.

5.) Focusing only on yourself.

“Wait, you’re telling me that I shouldn’t focus on myself on MY accounts where I’m promoting MY music?” Why yes, yes I am. There’s a reason the term social media is often used interchangeably with the term social networking. It is a place to be collaborative and to build relationships. In order for people to care about you and your music, you need to show that you care about them. Do not simply make a post, close the app and expect people to be your lifelong fans. For your fans and followers, respond to the comments on your posts and share reshares of your content. Not only is this bonus content for you, but it also shows audiences that you appreciate them. This will encourage additional support in the future and it will help you build a positive reputation. Don’t just stop with your fans and followers. It is important to also show love to your fellow musicians. “In this cutthroat industry? With my competition?” Yes again. You never know what kind of connections you’ll make or what opportunities will arise. Share the music of other artists, like their content and show some love in the comments, because you never know who’s watching.

The post Mastering Music Promotion: 5 Social Media Mistakes Every Artist Should Avoid appeared first on Space Hound Records.

The hole-in-the-wall restaurant that has the best sandwiches, the florist where you bought your prom corsage, the café around the corner that makes your coffee just right: When thinking of small or local businesses, these are the types of businesses we tend to think about.

It’s no mystery why supporting these entities is so important. After all, it encourages entrepreneurship, creates jobs, strengthens the local economy and helps represent the culture of the towns we love. While supporting these types of businesses has become second nature, local musicians continue to be an overlooked small business.

From rappers and rock bands, to classical singers and violinists, the musicians within our neighborhoods are not easily seen. Unlike other types of small businesses, oftentimes they do not have ads in the paper, a physical location you can visit or signs you pass by on your way to school or work. Yet, when these musicians make a name for themselves their success radiates through the streets. Take for example the state of New Jersey. Frankie Valli, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, The Sugarhill Gang, Queen Latifah, My Chemical Romance, The Jonas Brothers and SZA are just a handful of artists who have emerged from New Jersey over the years. Although the state has been coined the “Armpit of America,” there is no denying that such talent makes New Jersey proud.

Local musicians deserve the same attention as other small and local businesses, but how can you support them? Here are 3 easy ways:

1. Ask the musicians in your life

Whether it’s a coworker, a family member, a friend or a neighbor, express interest in what your local musicians are doing. Is there a place you can stream their music? Do they have any upcoming shows? Do they have any social media channels you can follow? Odds are, the answer is yes. Even if you pass by a musician performing in the park , engage with them. Your interest in their craft will mean the world to them.

2. Follow, like, comment & share

Another sure way to support local musicians is through social media. If they have an artist/band page on Facebook, be sure to give them a follow to stay up to date on their new releases and shows. If you prefer platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Threads or X (formerly known as Twitter), you can like, comment, share and follow them on these accounts too. Be sure to engage with their content as well. Similarly to how you’d share a picture of that “Insta-worthy” pizza slice from the pizzeria down the street, share your local musician’s music if it resonates with you. To do this, repost their posts or even use their music when creating your own posts.

3. Check out local venues

Okay, so maybe you don’t personally know any musicians in your city. That doesn’t mean you can’t support the music scene in your area. If there is a particular genre or style that piques your interest, research nearby locations that hold performances of that genre and plan a fun night out. Not only do local shows tend to be cheaper than large concerts, but by attending, you may discover that your neighbor is your new favorite artist.

Attending performances doesn’t have to be exclusive to venues. In fact, attending the music concerts of local schools is another great way to support local musicians. Although they may not be in their career stage yet, a supportive crowd can encourage young, student musicians to further pursue their passions.

Bonus Tip!

Supporting local music isn’t just a one way street. If you yourself are a musician, be sure to build connections to put your name out there. Although filming TikToks and landing placements on Spotify playlists is important, never underestimate the power of your community. Engage in community activities, be present and build a relationship with those around you.

The world is brimming with musical talent. We shouldn’t let this talent go unnoticed and unsupported. It’s time for us to support the overlooked small business: our local musicians.

The post 3 Easy Ways to Support Local Musicians: The Overlooked Small Business appeared first on Space Hound Records.

Performing live as a music artist is an experience unlike any other. Not only is it an opportunity to share your music with the world, but it’s an effective way to grow your fanbase, build relationships and even make money in the process. If you’re serious about your music career… like really serious… it’s not enough to simply book a show and show up. If you’re passionate about what you do and you want to stand out from other artists then you’ve come to the right place. Here are five ways you can enhance your live performances:

1.) Do Your Research

Before even booking a show to perform in, it is important to research the who, what, when and where.

Who:

Who will you be performing with? Do the other acts in this show have the same sound to you? If not, this show may not be the right fit. A fan attending a show for 21 Savage most likely will not want to listen to an act like Taylor Swift. This is an extreme example, but you want to perform with similar artists to you in terms of genre. This can help you organically grow your fanbase more effectively.

It is also important to know who you are performing with in order to network. Check out the other artists’ music and social media before the show. Not only will this help you build a meaningful connection with them, but it shows both music professionals and audiences that you are both knowledgeable and involved in the music community.

What:

What will you be performing? It may seem obvious, but you need to know what songs you will have in your set list. It may be hard to choose, but ask yourself: Which is your most popular song? Which song represents you and your talents the best? Which song do you feel the most confident performing? Answering these questions should help you narrow down your list. It is also important to be mindful of your set time. Take advantage of your given time, but DO NOT go over it. Not only is going over your allotted time disrespectful to other artists and their fans, but it is highly unprofessional. 

When:

When will your performances be? Again, this may seem obvious, but the dates and times of your performances should be strategic. If you want a strong turnout, you need to be sure that the dates and times of your performances are convenient for your audience. While you may have easily booked a gig at the local bar midday on a Tuesday, who will be there? Odds are, your current and potential fans will be at school or at work. Instead, aim for performances that take place at night or on the weekend. 

Where:

Where will your performances be? Take note of the name of the venue you’re performing at, and the town it’s in. Not only do you need this information for promotion, but you need it to prepare. Is the performance space indoors or outdoors? Is it a smaller venue or a larger one? Is there easy access from the stage to the audience? By looking at the venue’s social media and/or website, you can better prepare what to wear, what to perform and how you will perform. 

The location of your performances should also be strategic. Are you performing in a town or city that’s easily accessible to your audience? Is it a place they are comfortable visiting? Is it the kind of place your target audience frequents? Always be sure to keep your current and potential fans in mind.

2.) Arrange Your Songs

Yes, we did discuss the importance of choosing which songs you should have in your set list, but that’s only the first step. If you want to take your performance to the next level, put the performance tracks of each song into one track. A performance track is the instrumental of your song with your background vocals. By putting your performance tracks into one track, you will reduce your chances of having technical errors and awkward pauses, making your performances smoother and more professional. Again, remain mindful of your set time and adjust accordingly.

Additionally, you should pay attention to the order of the songs within your set list. If you find that you’re regularly losing your crowds’ attention on a particular song, try taking the song out and replacing it with a new one. It may take some trial and error, but by remaining open minded and allowing your audiences to guide your decisions, you will learn how to develop the ideal set list.

3.) Prepare What To Say

Performances are more than just your music. You could just walk on stage, run through your songs and walk off, but you’ll be forgotten. You could also walk on stage, wing some dialogue with your songs and walk off, but you may say something you’ll regret (and trust us, it’s obvious you didn’t prepare). This is where your prior research comes in. For example, you could greet your crowd by mentioning the town you’re in or you could explain the meaning behind one of your songs. You don’t necessarily have to follow a script word for word. In fact, you shouldn’t as this can come off as robotic and disingenuous. Instead, have a set idea of what you’re going to say and when, but make it unique to that specific performance and to that particular audience. Once you have prepared what to say, be sure it fits within your performance track to avoid talking too much or talking too little. 

Bonus Tip: Thank both your audience and the venue at the end of your performance. Be sure to also shout out all of the artists who performed before you and the artists who are performing after you. 

4.) Engage Your Audience

Energy is contagious. Your audience may not remember the lyrics to your songs or what you said while you were on stage, but they will remember how you made them feel. Even if your songs are hits and your dialogue is perfect, if you’re not controlling the room at the time of your performance, you’re not engaging your audience enough. Make eye contact, perform within the audience, encourage the audience to repeat lyrics back to you or incorporate visual elements such as dance, lights or props. There are a number of different ways you can engage your audience. How you do it depends on your genre and the emotion you’re trying to evoke with each song. What was the best performance you’ve ever seen? What made it so memorable and meaningful for you? Find ways to give your audience that same feeling.

Engagement isn’t exclusive to your set time. As a music artist you should always be engaging whether that’s on or off the stage. Both prior to and after your performance, hype up other artists by being an active audience member, make genuine conversation with audience members and express appreciation towards those working at the event/in the venue. After your performance, be sure to also share your social media information to build a connection and encourage future online engagement.  

Bonus Tip: It doesn’t matter how small your audience is. Always give every performance your 100%. 

5.) Practice, Practice, Practice 

You’ve done your research, you’ve arranged your songs, you’ve prepared what to say and you’ve planned ways to engage your audience. It’s a solid plan, but you’re not finished yet. What truly sets seasoned artists apart from amateurs is practice. While you may not be able to rehearse on location, there are ways to ensure your performance is the best it can possibly be. 

Starting off, you can practice your set in your room. It may sound like the scene out of a cheesy, coming-of-age film, but don’t underestimate the power of singing to yourself in the mirror. Especially starting off, performing your entire set while looking in the mirror allows you to see which ways you should stand, what expressions you should make, how you should hold the microphone and how you should move. 

Another good trick is to record yourself. This allows you the freedom to use your chosen rehearsal space without being confined to your small reflection. After recording yourself, watch the video back, take notes on what you liked and what needs improvement and implement your changes. Recording yourself is also a great way to see how you’ve improved over time. 

Perhaps the best way to practice is in front of an audience. Whether it’s your family, friends or even a small group of strangers, practicing your set in front of people allows you to receive feedback in real time. Use this as an opportunity to test your ways of engagement. How is your audience reacting? Do they seem bored? Are they responding to what you’re doing and saying? If what you’re doing and saying isn’t giving you your desired response, try to think of a quick way to bounce back. After you’ve finished, request verbal feedback by asking questions such as, “What is one way I could have improved this performance” or “What is one thing you’d change?” Take note of both their responses and their reactions. 

Bonus Tip: Don’t practice until you get it right, practice until you can’t get it wrong.

The post Unleash Your Inner Star: 5 Ways to ENHANCE Your Live Performances appeared first on Space Hound Records.