I started creating a FB music page a while ago, but on top of the fact that it was a total PITA to get a music player working with it (maybe it's easier now?), the general consensus seemed to be that FB wasn't as good for promoting music as Myspace is/was to the general website-viewing public (i.e., rather than just musicians as Soundclick, Soundcloud, ReverbNation, etc. do). So, I sorta abandoned the idea, but I'm considering reviving it. Personally, I still prefer Myspace and I wish they'd find a way to reinvent themselves as the go-to website for social networking.

So, what are your experiences with promoting yourself on the social networking websites? For you guys promoting on both, which is the most effective nowadays? How about Twitter? It seems lame and annoying to me, but how effective is it?

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cryophonik.com | facebook | soundcloud

Sonar Platinum | Ableton Live 9 | Logic Pro X | Access Virus TI2 Keyboard | Kurzweil PC3X | Nord Lead 4R | NI Maschine

I'd recommend both but since I use neither (until my girlfriend gets around to building me a FB account), my advice should be taken lightly. I do say both, however, because the networking angle just seems to be above average. I've heard it said, time and time by musicians on the radio and the internet that they've landed phone-calls from labels, in part, because of myspace and/or facebook. It's something I've been very reluctant to engage with but I am finding myself relenting in this regard.












I still refuse to Twitter, damn it!

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Now with extra singles!
my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker I still refuse to Twitter, damn it!

Same here! I just don't see the appeal.

I'm thinking you're probably right that having both bases covered is probably the best way, but that's also twice as much effort/time to maintain - actually more, when you consider how much effort it's going to take to get my FB page going again, try to get the word out, etc. I just wonder if it's really worth it.

BTW, if any of you have a FB music page, feel free to spam it here - I'd like to see what you guys are doing with your page.

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cryophonik.com | facebook | soundcloud

Sonar Platinum | Ableton Live 9 | Logic Pro X | Access Virus TI2 Keyboard | Kurzweil PC3X | Nord Lead 4R | NI Maschine

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Same here! I just don't see the appeal. I'm thinking you're probably right that having both bases covered is probably the best way, but that's also twice as much effort/time to maintain - actually more, when you consider how much effort it's going to take to get my FB page going again, try to get the word out, etc. I just wonder if it's really worth it. BTW, if any of you have a FB music page, feel free to spam it here - I'd like to see what you guys are doing with your page.

Will do, regarding the second. My blogspot page (click the little tape) is cluttered to hell. I suspect it's about to get a little more cluttered as I'm beginning to develop marketing channels I want to add to it (Check this out: アーティスト: Deep Eddie Zilker | 定額制音楽配信サービス ...). I've got two different players going on it and have told people to scroll down to get to them.

My girlfriend has a background in HTML and web-page design so I'm anxious to see what she can do with Facebook. She wasn't all that enthralled with blogspot but it's a quick way to get exposure - but I think I've kind of maximized that channel with what I'm willing to put into it - too clunky.

___________________

Now with extra singles!
my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker Will do, regarding the second. My blogspot page (click the little tape) is cluttered to hell. I suspect it's about to get a little more cluttered as I'm beginning to develop marketing channels I want to add to it (Check this out: アーティスト: Deep Eddie Zilker | 定額制音楽配信サービス ...). I've got two different players going on it and have told people to scroll down to get to them. My girlfriend has a background in HTML and web-page design so I'm anxious to see what she can do with Facebook. She wasn't all that enthralled with blogspot but it's a quick way to get exposure - but I think I've kind of maximized that channel with what I'm willing to put into it - too clunky.

Japanese, nice - the Japs get right into most electronic music. Good thinking though, to increase the angle of your marketing/audience

edit: i think the only thing that can become a problem with having all these networking sites as much as one would need them would be maintaining them (keeping them up to date) which i guess tho can be overlooked as once ther done, minor changes would be all that is needed to keep them fresh. Although if your one with little time it may be beneficial to have one or two that are solidly maintained.

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Last edited by Energy_3 on Feb-19-2010 at 23:44

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik So, what are your experiences with promoting yourself on the social networking websites? For you guys promoting on both, which is the most effective nowadays? How about Twitter? It seems lame and annoying to me, but how effective is it?

I use all the relevant services: Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Youtube, Soundcloud and of course a web site. I have all my services linked, so if I post something on any one of the services it automatically gets posted to the others. All the sites have the feature to "link" your posts to the others, you just have to set it up. My web site is built using the .NET framework with a SQL back end, and I designed the site so that making updates is very easy for me.

Mostly I use the social networking sites for promoting upcoming and recent releases. If I have an EP thats climbing any one of the relevant charts, I'll post updates 3 or 4 times a week along with the release date.

Myspace still remains the best site among the social networking platforms to promote yourself as an artist because the artist account is much more robust and you have the ability to customize the UI with creative usage of CSS. Facebook is more geared towards individuals, so the most you can do on Facebook is create fan pages, While those are somewhat useful, they still are not as robust as the Myspace artist pages. Youtube is important because the videos show up in Google searches quite frequently, so everytime I have a release, I make a video with a preview version of the song and the link to purchase in the description. Soundcloud has still not penetrated the mass consciousness enough to be as useful as the other services, but it is quickly gaining ground. In addition, Soundcloud is very popular with our target market which is music enthusiasts, DJs and producers. It is absolutely the best place to post music, for obvious reasons, but the hard part is driving people to it since it is not as well known.

As for how important they are, I am of the opinion that you need to do everything you can to promote your music to people without being obnoxious about it. There is so much music out there it is important to do everything you can to rise above the noise and get yourself on people's radar. This is especially important if you have no budget for traditional promotion. Use of these sites is (mostly) free, so why not take advantage of it.

I'm also a big believer in a well designed web site as this gives you the utmost flexibility in providing and distributing content to the people who are interested. I'm a web developer by day, so I have the ability to make a robust and easy to update site, but for those who dont have the same skill set, you may want to consider looking into at least a WordPress site or getting one designed for you. Like any other business your web site is your face to the rest of the world, so it is important to make sure the content on the site represents what you want to say (or what you want then to hear).

Last edited by Eric J on Feb-20-2010 at 02:06

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik BTW, if any of you have a FB music page, feel free to spam it here - I'd like to see what you guys are doing with your page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nightshift/223759395417

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@Soundcloud

:::OUT NOW!:::
Garrido & Skehan ft. Erin - Waiting For You (Nightshift Remix)
Elvin Ong - Motion (Nightshift Remix)
Tidal Forces - Machine Blue (Nightshift Remix)

quote:

Originally posted by meriter Your primary focus should be making good music. That's all. No one gives a shit how you do it. And the people that do are fags.

each one is more personal.

Myspace>Facebook>Twitter

a lot of times, big names have someone else run their myspaces while using facebook and twitter themselves, although ive seen a few personal facebook pages that i know are run by someone other than the actual name.

however, with twitter youre much more likely to be communicating directly to the person.

i said i'd never get twitter, but just the past few days ive been contemplating signing up, even as just another marketing avenue.

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www.misterfalconmusic.com

i have all of them, 0 friends on all of them, its a waste of time...
make a product worth promoting first (like i didnt), then think about promotion later.

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker I still refuse to Twitter, damn it!

SAME. I don't think it serves any real purpose to a musician with his head in the right place as far as promotion/marketing. To me it is an attention whore service; completely lackluster as far as content goes.