February 19, 2009

Promoting Your Music with Twitter

  • Share
  • Share/Bookmark

What is Twitter?

To be totally honest, I wasn't exactly sure what Twitter was about a week ago, and after signing up I'm still trying to understand all of its uses and benefits.  Twitter defines itself as a service that helps people "stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?"  These days you'll hear about all sorts of people using twitter, from friends and family to celebrities and politicians.  Perhaps you've considered signing up yourself but want to know more about how it could help your music career.

A big upside of Twitter, and one of the reasons it seems to have caught on so quickly, is that it can be updated frequently and in multiple ways.  You can update it from a computer in your studio, or from a cell phone on the road.  Twitter posts, or "Tweets", are limited to 140 characters, meaning posts are generally short, sweet, and (hopefully) to the point.

I found this article from about.com by Heather McDonald that discusses the benefits and potential pitfalls of being a musician who tweets.  You can check it out here for the full run down:

How To Use Twitter For Music Promotion

Article highlights include

  • How to set up your own Twitter page
  • How to connect with new readers
  • How to keep readers interested and involved
  • What to avoid when Tweeting

Like with other promotional services, such as MySpace and Facebook, Twitter can be a great tool for making fans feel connected to your musical process.  Just finished the vocals for a track on your upcoming album?  That could use a Tweet.   Have a gig this weekend?  That could definitely use a Twitter post.

You will want to avoid what Heather refers to as the "TMI"  (or "Too Much Inormation") affect.    Followers of your Twitter page probably don't need to be notified when you floss your teeth, and if you're not careful you can lose readers by overloading their mailboxes.

Are you a Twitter user now?  Do you want to hear more from current Twitter users about what works and what doesn't?  Share your thoughts right here.  Tweet Tweet!

Related Posts

  • No Related Post

February 19, 2009 · 8 comments in Artist Marketing

  • http://www.sebastianportillo.com sebastian

    It’s funny because I just signed to Twitter today and I had the same feeling about it like you write in the article.
    Apparently, (I got this from a Email posted on musicbizcentre.com – and the source is not always reliable but) within 48 hours they managed to get about 14’000 people to download a Lil Wayne exclusive track! Furthermore, just within 4 hours time there are more than 30 people following me at the moment.
    Finally, it seems that it’s much easier to increase the volume of response on Twitter than on MySpace or Facebook and that could reveal tremendously intresting for spreading information if you want to target as many people as fast as possible (but don’t mind who’s actually reading it).

  • http://www.darylshawn.com Daryl Shawn

    I’ve had a Twitter account for a long time, but just a few weeks decided to start, er, Tweeting (Twitting?). I’ve come to enjoy it, both posting and watching other posts. As a promotional tool, I’ve already had a few people check out my music. But for an AMAZING tale of what can be done, check out this article by solo bassist Steve Lawson about how he booked a seven-week house concert tour, completely through people he met on Twitter. I’m still a little baffled myself as to how to get things to that level, but it’s certainly something to aim for.
    Oh yeah – I tweet at twitter.com/darylshawn.

  • http://www.twitter.com/kaleofuturisto Kaleo Futuristo

    I would like more info on how to promote my music with twitter.
    http://www.twitter.com/kaleofuturisto

  • http://www.hifiveinc.com Michael Kauffman

    I have been engaged on twitter for a few months now and find it to be useful, addicting, aggravating and enlightening all at the same time. The posted articles above make some great suggestions for getting started.
    2 tips to help find people to follow:
    Use the twitter search engine at http://www.search.twitter.com to look up key words from tweets that relate to your band or music. This will allow you to find like-minded people on twitter.
    Secondly, go to http://www.twellow.com and search for people in appropriate categories.
    Twitter is a channel that can be very rewarding if you invest time in listening and talking to people. Just like life.
    Michael Kauffman
    @michaeljoel
    @hifivelounge

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/TheBeop/137529587164 Quardle9

    As the band in a time-bubble the Beop are grateful for your advice for this thing “Facebook”. Now we can explain why Zozzi plays the Hairy-tailed Jippet, Sister Dep Phroves the tones and Uncle Doog delivers the beat on the Rhythmo-Pole 27t.

  • http://www.nhrtp.com/business/project-management-certification.html project management raleigh

    I needed this info thanks mate
    Regards

  • http://www.bulktv.com/SE-Internet.html Commercial Internet

    When is the next post comming on this topic.

  • http://www.dialashop.com Dialashop

    I have tried Twitter and Facebook and I feel Facebook is a total waste for marketing music because it is more personal based. People use it for showing photos or using it to communicate with close friends. I think Twitter is better because as you follow people, they follow you. If they contact you, then contact them back and say hi. It makes it a bit more personal. Its better to know 20 people that have hundreds of people who are not interested in your music. I also find it useful to make lists so as you follow people you can categorise them eg music studios, artists, music hardware, radio stations etc.

blog comments powered by Disqus