I\u2019m writing this to show you how using social media in the right way will be way more rewarding than the crap I see most bands doing.<\/p>\n
First, follow mp3 blogs, local newspapers, and local media on Twitter.<\/p>\n
Put them on to a specific list so I can see all their tweets without being distracted by Snoop Dogg and Jimmy Fallon tweets. I try to\u00a0find very local media: the closer to home and where I\u2019ll be playing shows, the better.<\/p>\n
Second, try to follow the person rather than the organization.<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s a weekly newspaper, look up the music journalists\u2019 names and find them on Twitter. Instead of following the radio station you want to be on, follow the individual DJs.<\/p>\n
I casually did this for one DJ that hosts a weekly, local band series on the radio. I re-tweeted her show announcement. I replied to a tweet or two, being light-hearted and funny. Then she posted something about one of her followers wanting a prize. So I offered that follower a free t-shirt of my band. The DJ retweeted me to all of her followers. And the person sent me their address so I can mail them a shirt\u2026in a city that I want to play soon. How cool is that?<\/p>\n
Third, when the gatekeepers post something relevant, retweet their posts.<\/p>\n
When I retweet, I try to\u00a0spread the retweets out throughout the day instead of in a row.\u00a0If someone sees you retweeting a million posts in a row, they tend to ignore you. Also, if you are filling up your Twitter stream with a ton of posts per minute, people will unfollow you. So don\u2019t go buck wild re-tweeting everything in existence all at once!\u00a0Only re-tweet what is relevant to your music that you think your fans would like.<\/p>\n
Fourth, don\u2019t promote yourself to the media list.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a bad way to get attention. If they are interested in you, they will follow the link in your profile to learn more about you. They will read your tweets for relevant information.Spamming them to follow you, listen to your music, or to write about your shows just sucks. It\u2019s what Seth Godin refers to as \u201cinterruption marketing\u201c. It\u2019s the same thing as irritating commercials during your favorite show. Or getting email about erectile dysfunctions. Nobody wants it.
\nFifth, join their conversation and talk casually.<\/p>\n