Hi folks,

Just wondering does anyone use facebook etc to get their music heard to a wider audience?

I have just started to realise how powerful this medium is as regards the above and even though I haven't got a facebook page myself (and to be honest I don't really have any time for facebook) it seems to be the way to do it for up and coming musicians and singers.

They get lots of friends on facebook, then simply share the link to their music on youtube etc and obviously if the stuff is good the friends will share with other friends etc.

So the whole thing just builds and builds.

I'm one of the older generation and don't want any facebook page but for the younger crowd it seems to be the way to go.


Your thoughts appreciated.

Musiclover

Facebook is of growing importance in what should be your complete marketing strategy. I use it primarily to announce concerts, and in the announcement I have a link to a website.

I think Matt's right.

We have a business page linked to both Soundcloud and our website and this is really useful. For me personally, I think life's too short to get involved with facebook on any other level.

ROG.

To quote from musiclover's original post:

"They get lots of friends on facebook, then simply share the link to their music on youtube etc and obviously if the stuff is good the friends will share with other friends etc.

So the whole thing just builds and builds."

In my opinion, there is no magic in use of social networking, other than it has less corporate influence as to what can become popular. Simply sharing music on Facebook or any other social network site - like SoundCloud is specifically for music - requires something that appeals to masses to become popular. It requires work to build the friend collection, etc. It doesn't just build and build all on it's own.

Plain and simple.

There's actually a decent assessment of how to build a listener base on the SoundCloud site. Here's the link: http://help.soundcloud.com/customer/portal/articles/1209774-how-to-grow-your-soundcloud-community

This applies on all kinds of scales as it pertains to social networking. There is work in gaining 'friends or followers'.

I don't use it to promote music, but I do follow 3 artists on Facebook.

They post info about concerts that aren't on the official schedule and tell you when and where you can catch the show, links to vids, new songs they've written, etc.

Facebook is a great way to promote your own music or to follow an artist.

I came into Facebook kicking and screaming . . . I was wrong! I have a "Music Business" page and my "Regular Business" page where I share my music and whatever else I have to share. Not "friend pages" a "business pages". It has been very successful in getting me gigs and some side money writing jingles etc.

My regular business page has also wrung the old cash register at the Campo conglomerate.

The trick is to get visitors who have "friend pages" to share your music and your message.

This is coming from a 70 year old guitar picker, the new fangled way to communicate really works!

YMMV

Later,

A lot of folks don’t realize that there’s numerous ways to use Facebook.

I go the minimalist route. I almost never post a topic. But I occasionally comment on others topics. If one of my friends post too much info or too frequently, I filter them so I only see a what FB considers important topics. After filtering, if a “friend” says they’ve bought new shoes or they talk about what they had for lunch, it won’t appear on my page. But if they say they’re getting married, divorced or that someone has died, that will appear. (Keywords, I guess is what the filter uses).

I mainly use it to stay in touch with family and a few friends. I frequently ignore friend requests. (Just because we’ve met or went to school together doesn’t mean I want to see what you post on FB.)

My average FB time per day is usually 5-10 mins. If I’m having a conversation with someone, it may go up to 30mins.

The musicians I follow frequently have impromptu concerts at towns they’re just passing thru and they post it on FB a few hours in advance, so I keep hoping they’ll pass thru mine and play a show at a local club, coffee house or church and post it on FB before the show. …… (It could happen!)

It doesn't have to be the huge time waster that young folks turn it into.

Facebook is work. Literally for me. I'm head of a web department that has an eMarketing dept.
One of our eMarketing services involves FB, FB ads, corporate pages, etc.
It has worked very well for some. Depends on what you do.

For an emergency service guy, adwords would probably be better. People search for it when they need it and if you are right there at the top your clicks will rise, and so will leads.

For a company that sells widgets that people only buy occasionally, FB (and FB ads) can be a VERY cost efficient way to build brand. Even if people don't click those little ads, when they want a widget there's a good chance your name will pop into their head. They've seen you on FB more than once and if the ads are done right, they will tend to give you a shot.
If you target only your geographic and client profile it can be done smartly for little cost. Some clients have tens of thousands of likes and see the return (and notice the un-trackable effects too). It can definitely work.

And then of course the active Business page (as Danny mentioned), groomed with extra software designed to improve the look of FB pages. Make a professional impression.

Enough about work, where's a good music thread..