Social media marketing in the music world

Social media is an excellent way for people to meet new friends, connect with communities, and share ideas with others. Websites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter allow users instant access to huge social networks. Beyond being a great networking tool, social media is now a huge part of digital marketing, especially in the entertainment industry.

Artists can market themselves and promote their albums and tours directly to their fans through any means of social media. One of my personal favorites, Deadmau5, utilizes Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Ustream to connect with his fans and market his new tour dates and album releases. Joel Zimmerman (Deadmau5) has recently announced his new tour dates via Twitter and Facebook for his upcoming North America tour, officially named the "MEOWINGTONS HAX TOUR". Mr. Zimmerman even goes as far as streaming himself live on Ustream, from his home studio, as he works on new music and interacts with his fans via Twitter, getting instant feedback on brand new music. By utilizing such social media, not only do you effectively market yourself, but also your fans will feel like they are involved in something and are giving their input. When you let fans interact with the artist in such a way, it will draw the fans further into the artist’s life, and create a dedicated, loyal fan base. Deadmau5 regularly posts on Facebook about his cat named “Meowingtons” and keeps fans up to date on his home life. Just a few days ago he posted on Facebook “I am going to get a haircut”, and received thousands of likes and comments within 30 minutes. He already has his fan base drawn into his daily life and interacting with him on almost a friendly level.

I have seen other artists that are now jumping on the bandwagon; as Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas has recently started streaming himself live as he works on new music. Social Media has become an extremely valuable tool as far as marketing your brand and your music goes. It is truly the cheapest way to reach the largest amount of people.

Survey time! :D

Digital Marketing and the Future of the Music Industry

These days everything int he music industry has gone digital. Major studios have thrown out tape machines and switched over to an all digital format, cassette tapes have been ruled obsolete ages ago by the CD, the CD is now ruled obsolete due to the iPod and digital mp3 music, even marketing and distribution in the music industry has gone digital.

The age of digital information sharing is a great tool as far as marketing yourself as an artist, but the downfall is that with digital technology comes music piracy at an alarming rate. Recording artists these days can not rely on music sales alone to make a living, they now have to turn to other means of revenue such as merchandise sales (t-shirts, books, memorabilia, etc.) and ticket sales from live shows in order to be make a good income.

One positive side of this is the fact that any unsigned artist can effectively pursue a music career on their own without the help of a record label. Even musical spoof videos go viral on YouTube and launch the individual into a web-star. For example,

“Our friends Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan are Karmin and have found amazing lightning-fast popularity with this cover of Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes Look At Me Now.

2.9 million views on YouTube as of a few minutes ago, in less than 7 days. Wow. That’s some velocity.” D. Kusek, 2011.

Utilizing digital marketing today, if done correctly, can be just as good - if not better, than the old way of marketing music artists via television and radio. There are plenty of really amazing recording artists in the world that never get their chance to be heard, because record labels are afraid to take a “risk” with a new sound. Record labels tend to go with proven artists that have sold tons of music before and hope their flame does not burn out. Things are going to change in this digital age, as major labels will recognize that independent artists can effectively reach success on their own. Who needs a major when you have digital marketing and distribution?

Similar blog post regarding digital marketing:

http://cliffanderson.blogspot.com/2011/04/music-publishing-in-digital-age.html

Reference:

David Kusek, 2011. Quality and Talent Win, www.futureofmusicbook.com, retrieved on 05/08/2011 from:

http://www.futureofmusicbook.com/2011/04/quality-and-talent-wins-online/