Suggestions to help with social media promotion
In today’s digital age, social media takes many forms, and figuring out how each platform works can feel overwhelming. To make things easier, here are some practical, effective tips to help you promote your music across the major social platforms.
THE BASICS
– Keep your information current. Update your profiles whenever you release a new EP or album, announce a tour, or make any major changes.
– Write a clear and engaging bio. Include it on as many platforms as possible so new listeners instantly understand who you are.
– Link everything. Make sure your website and social media channels are connected across every profile
– Stay active. Check your accounts at least twice a week.
– Engage with fans. Interaction is key to building loyalty. Like comments, reply to messages, and thank fans for their support. It may take time, but the effort will always be appreciated. And if someone new comments on your page, invite them to follow you.
– Share media coverage. When a publication reviews your music, interviews you, or posts gig photos, share their original post on your socials.
– Credit your supporters. Tag and thank media outlets, reviewers, interviewers, and photographers. Acknowledge anyone who shares or tags your content.
– Refresh your visuals. Keep header images eye-catching and update them every few months to maintain interest.
– Cross-promote. Use one platform to boost another – encourage followers to like, share, and subscribe across all your channels.
– Diversify your content. Go beyond music updates. Share motivational posts, giveaways, Q&A sessions, review quotes, teaser videos, behind-the-scenes clips, recording studio tours, guitar play-throughs, fun facts, blog posts, and helpful advice.
INDIVIDUAL PLATFORMS
Below are specific tips tailored to each platform. While listed under individual platforms, many of these suggestions can also be applied across others.
TAG, TAG, TAG
Tagging is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to expand your reach. Every time you tag a person or organisation, you increase visibility and strengthen connections.
– Acknowledge contributors. Tag media outlets, reviewers, interviewers, photographers, and everyone who supports your music – from sound & lighting crews at gigs to production and mastering specialists on your releases.
– If your music video was supported by NZ On Air or Creative NZ, be sure to tag them when promoting it.
– Don’t just tag the post itself – consider tagging individual photos within the post as well to maximise exposure.
SHARE, SHARE, SHARE
Sharing is one of the most effective ways to expand your reach and build momentum.
– Leverage your inner circle. Encourage band members to share posts on their personal profiles, and ask friends and family to do the same.
– Promote events widely. Share Facebook event pages to local and national music groups, especially those based in the same town as your gig. Use gig guide groups such as MNZ: Gig Space and others relevant to your scene. Some other Facebook groups are listed here.
– Amplify media coverage. When an article, review, interview, or photo gallery about you is published, share it directly from the original source to both your music page and personal profile. Ask your network to help spread it too.
– Prioritise feeds over stories. Share content like reviews, interviews, photos, or press releases directly to your feed rather than stories, making it easier for fans to engage.
– Add creative touches. Consider designing a simple graphic that highlights a positive quote from a review to make your posts stand out.
INTERACT WITH YOUR FANS
Building strong connections with your fans is essential – it shows you value their voices and keeps them coming back. Online interaction can be just as important, if not more, than meeting them after gigs.
– Reply to comments. Take the time to respond to anyone who comments on your posts.
– Follow back. Engage with fans by following those who interact with your content through your band or music page.
– Invite engagement. Encourage people who like or comment on your posts to also follow your page if they haven’t already.
– Ask for feedback. Find out what songs fans want to hear live, which merch designs they prefer, or their thoughts on your latest track.
– Use polls. Add interactive polls to your page to spark conversation and gather opinions.
– Show gratitude. Post thank-you messages for milestones – such as hitting a play count, finishing a tour, or reaching new follower goals.
– Run competitions. Offer giveaways like tickets, merch, autographed items, guitar picks, drumsticks, setlists, or posters (even printed on canvas).
– Involve fans in projects. Need extras for a video shoot? Someone to design your cover art?
– Build a street team. Create an exclusive group for your most dedicated fans to help spread the word. You can even get your fans involved in coming up with a name.
STAGGER CONTENT
– Pace your content. Avoid posting too much in a single day. If you receive multiple reviews at once, spread them out over several days to keep your feed active without overwhelming followers.
– Space posts apart. Allow at least three hours between posts to maximise visibility and engagement
– Use scheduling tools. Plan and schedule posts in advance to maintain consistency.
– Post at optimal times. Choose days and times when your fans are most likely to be online for better reach.
– Don’t overdo it. Posting relentlessly can turn fans away. Aim for at least three days a week, but it’s fine to have quiet days too.
SHARE THE LOVE
– Invite new followers. Regularly encourage people who engage with your posts to also like and follow your page.
– Support fellow musicians. Share posts from friends’ projects and from bands you’ve performed with. When you promote others, they’re more likely to share your content in return.
– Reciprocate support. If another band or musician likes your page, return the favor by liking theirs. This not only builds goodwill but also reminds them to check out your music.
– Amplify media coverage. Share or repost reviews, interviews, photos, and press releases from media outlets – always tag and give proper credit.
CO-HOSTING
– Extend the reach of your Facebook event pages by making relevant venues and support acts co-hosts.
– By also making Muzic.NZ a co-host for any Facebook event pages, they’ll also show up on the Muzic.NZ Facebook page – giving you extra promo.
PHOTOS
– Organise galleries. Group your photos into clear categories such as promo shots, gig/tour photos, fan photos, band logos, and posters.
– Create visual posts. Combine collections of images with text to document studio sessions, recent gigs, or music video shoots, giving fans a deeper look into your journey.
– Show behind-the-scenes moments. Share images of your gear, home studio, sound checks, and other times the band gets together to keep fans engaged.
– Highlight support acts. Capture photos or short videos of opening acts at your gigs and use them to encourage people to attend. (e.g., “We’re on at 10pm—come down and catch the whole show!”)
– Celebrate fan contributions. Repost or share photos taken by fans at your gigs to build community and show appreciation.
OTHER
– Showcase your biography. Make sure your ‘About’ page includes a clear bio along with links to your website and other social media accounts.
– Educate and inspire. Create posts that go beyond promotion – share insights about your gear, techniques, sources of inspiration, or the meaning behind your lyrics to connect more deeply with fans.
– Pin key updates. Keep important posts – such as announcements, gig dates, or new releases – pinned to the top of your page so they remain visible.
– Post strategically in groups. Share new releases and gig/tour updates in genre-relevant groups, but avoid reposting everything from your page. Focus on the most important content.
LINK TO YOUR OTHER SOCIALS
– You can connect Instagram and Facebook so that every time you share a post on one platform, it automatically publishes on the other as well – saving you time and keeping both platforms active.
PHOTO POSTS
Photo posts don’t need to be limited to gig shots or promo images. You can also share:
– Tour posters to promote upcoming shows.
– Selfies with your fans.
– Screenshots from music videos as teasers to build anticipation.
– Graphics featuring review quotes to highlight your achievements.
Mixing up your photo content keeps your feed fresh and engaging while showcasing different aspects of your journey
CHECK MESSAGE REQUESTS
– Message requests are from people who don’t follow you.
– Check regularly. When reviewing your inbox, also look under Requests (next to General in the Message tab) to see if any new requests have arrived.
– If someone sends you a message request, consider inviting them to follow your page as well.
SHARE THE LOVE
– Follow back. Show appreciation by following anyone who follows you.
– Amplify coverage. Share or repost reviews, interviews, photos, and press releases from media outlets – making sure to tag and credit them properly.
– Support others. Like posts from the people you follow, including friends’ bands and other music pages.
– Acknowledge tags. Always like posts you’re tagged in to help strengthen connections.
YOUTUBE
– Organise into playlists. Group your videos into categories such as lyric videos, teasers, music videos, interviews, and promotional clips for gigs or new releases.
– Plan teaser releases. Upload teaser videos to YouTube and Facebook about two weeks before the official release to build the hype.
– Share interviews. Post video interviews on both Facebook and YouTube to maximise reach.
– Create lyric videos. Especially for tracks without official music videos, lyric videos keep fans engaged and give songs extra visibility.
– Experiment with live streams. Stream sound checks, rehearsal performances, or host interactive Q&A sessions to connect directly with fans.
– Diversify video content. Add videos that explain the meaning behind songs, share updates on future plans, or give behind-the-scenes tours of studios and venues.
SHARE THE LOVE
– Support fellow musicians. Like videos from other bands and artists, and subscribe to their channels.
– Acknowledge collaborators. Subscribe to the channels of those who’ve supported you – studios, interviewers, lyric video creators, and media partners etc.
– Give proper credit. Always recognise everyone involved in your music videos, including funding partners such as NZ On Air and Creative NZ.
– Celebrate fan content. Regularly check for fan-made videos, whether live performance recordings or covers of your songs. Like, comment, and consider adding them to a playlist on your channel.
– Engage consistently. Reply to comments on your videos to maintain strong connections with fans.
– Be responsive. Aim to answer every question during live sessions to show appreciation and build trust.
WHAT ELSE?
GOOGLE ALERTS
– Set up a dedicated Gmail account, and set up Google alerts for your band/musician name, as well as anything else you think is relevant such as album/EP/single titles, the name of your tour etc.
– You’ll then receive a notification whenever you are mentioned on the internet.
SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS
– Send your music through for inclusion in local Spotify playlists. Click on the below links for contact details and submission forms:
NZ Drum & Bass
NZ Music
NZ Musician: Hatchlings
New Music: Friday
NZ Bangers and Other Great Mash
New Zealand Metalcore+
– Create your own Spotify playlists to show support for any local bands and musicians who have supported your gigs, or helped to promote your music.
