Guitarists use social media to amp up careers

Guitarists just starting out in the music industry have an incredible amount of career building resources available to them at little or no cost thanks to burgeoning world of social media. Getting those first gigs and eventually repeat bookings will still take a bit of time but by combining those efforts with a focused use of social media a guitarist can exponentially increase his or her exposure. Those who have yet to achieve a reputation in the music industry need a place to build a fan base and also showcase their talents.

Most Americans already have a Facebook page but setting one up specifically for  one’s music is key. Make sure it is easy find by using one’s stage name. Facebook even allows users to customize their page address so that it can read www.facebook.com/yourchosenname. Postings on Facebook are a great way to build up a fan base and keep them informed of upcoming performances. This means that once the gig has been landed one has the ability to insure that there will be bodies in the seats, a definite plus and a way to get rebooked. Using Facebook cannot be an endless plug of show times and event schedules. Social media users are accustomed to a variety of content and pay more attention to those consistently offering new, insightful information. Post short video clips of practice sessions, a segment of a performance, and even a demonstration of a tricky chord with personal tips. Post about sound checks, venue mangers who are great to work for, and lots of pictures.

Social media easily lends itself to repurposing content, which makes it easier for those with a limited budget and time to fully maximize the capabilities of these platforms. The video clips posted on Facebook should be on YouTube. This is a place for longer videos so this offers even further opportunities. As a new performer it is incredibly important that others can see examples of you playing and your stage presence as both factor into how memorable a performance can be delivered.  A signature song or move should absolutely be showcased here. Go even further by offering brief tutorials or lessons for those interested in learning a few chords. People that excel in their field can highlight their talents this way and get others to take notice of them.

Twitter is a site for succinct posts but the life of a tweet is considerably shorter than a posting on Facebook. This means that tweets must be more frequent in order for followers to stay engaged. Tweeting throughout the day about anything and everything guitar related from exercises, rehearsals, new products that excite you, and of course shows is required. Social media followers like to see the everyday, mundane things so make sure to keep it personal. Social media is not meant as endless self-promotion and will not be effective used that way. Simply capture what goes into being a guitarist day in and day out. A great way to make sure that social media content does read like an endless advertisement is to talk about others. Mention a great bar or venue that you love performing at, if a guitarist you admire is coming to town or made the news share it, and always capture the excitement you have for any guitar industry news. It allows people to associate you and your brand as a guitarist with reliable information, which keeps them focused on you.

These are three of the big platforms that are available and are easily accessible to most. By keeping the content fresh and meaningful your followers will continue to grow as will your reputation. These tools are out there to be used, and using them in a purposeful way can help grow one’s career as a guitarist. Simply remember that social media is personal and actively engage.

Justin Miller is a professional blogger that writes for Jamplay.com. JamPlay is a leading online music educator offering 2,000+ beginning guitar lessons in HD.