Suggestions For Indie Artists On Social Media
Indie artists on social media can never get enough good ideas when engaging with listeners and fans. This article offers 10 awesome suggestions for indie artists on social media to spice up their social media presence. In today’s fast-paced digital world, indie artists on social media have more opportunities than ever to connect with fans and build a loyal following. But with so much content out there, standing out can be tough. To help you navigate the noise, here are 10 content suggestions that will boost engagement and help you make a lasting impression on social media.
Table of Contents
10 Suggestions For Indie Artists
Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Content
Why It Works: Fans love to see the process behind their favorite music. Sharing BTS content gives them a sneak peek into your creative world, making them feel more connected to you. Of course, this is a curated peek. Give them a view behind the scenes without blowing “the big reveal”. This means letting them see the environment that you are working in, and the people you are working with, without letting them hear your Work In Progress. Ideally, your fans should only hear selected, crafted performances. Even when you let them hear something that is “rough”, it is worked so that it is not musically poor.
Use this tactic near the release of the song. Use it as a tease when you are building buzz. Above all, don’t reveal the big hooks with this kind of content.
Example Post:
“ I just spent 3 hours tweaking this guitar riff. Here’s a little peek at what we’ve been working on in the studio! Can’t wait for you all to hear it. #StudioVibes #IndieArtistLife”
With the above example pick a guitar selection that is edited, and that the guitar sound is right, so that it sounds really good. Pick a supporting riff, not the main riff. Let them hear it out of context. ie, don’t let them hear other instrumentation. The point is, think about what you are letting them catch a glimpse of. Be deliberate, and hold back.
Very near song release you can really build the tease, with this kind of clip. You can let your audience hear you doodle, before a take, and then a count down before the take and as you lift your hand to strum, or draw in your breath before you sing, you cut the video feed and show them the release date, or a countdown timer for the release.
Live Performances or Rehearsals
Why It Works: Live content creates a sense of urgency and excitement. It also allows your fans to experience your music in a raw, unfiltered way, which can be incredibly engaging.
Example Post:
“Going live in 10 minutes to play a few songs from the new EP! Come hang out and tell me what you think. #LiveMusic #NewEP”
Similar to the first suggestion, you don’t want to destroy the mystery. You want to fuel curiosity, not satisfy it. Tease them.
Try showing a rehearsal for a live performance of a previous single or again a drum click count down and cut away before or just after the first note.
Storytelling Through Lyrics
Why It Works: Lyrics often have deep, personal meanings. By explaining the story behind your songs, you give fans a deeper understanding of your music, making it more relatable and memorable.
Example Post:
“This song was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend about overcoming self-doubt. Here’s a snippet of the lyrics: ‘When the shadows start to creep, I find the light within me.’ What do these words mean to you? #Songwriting #LyricLove”
Make this kind of post after a song has been released. If you are delivering a message through your song, it is a good idea to do this not long after the song is released so that the message can be included in the marketing for the release.
If the lyrics are ambiguous or obscure, or there is a degree of mystery, it is probably better to delay this type of content/ Let the mystery and ambiguity work its magic.
Collaborations and Features
Why It Works: Collaborations not only expose you to a new audience but also showcase your versatility. Posting about collaborations gets fans excited and can spark new interest in your music.
Example Post:
“Stoked to announce my collab with [Artist Name]! We’ve been cooking up something special, and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Here’s a sneak peek! #Collab #IndieMusic”
Coordinate this promotion with your collaborator, and possibly other artists in your scene who play the same genre of music.
Rely on interview-style clips or clips in the studio (between takes/sessions) so that the music itself is teased, not played.
Fan Involvement
Why It Works: Engaging your audience by involving them in your creative process makes them feel like they’re part of your journey. It also encourages interaction and builds a stronger community.
Example Post:
“Working on a new track and can’t decide between these two cover designs. Which one do you like better? Let me know in the comments! #YouChoose #IndieFam”
By including them you can help to make your music and its success personal to them, a part of their story too. This encourages fans to go above and beyond when promoting your music for you.
Music Recommendations and Influences
Why It Works: Sharing the music that inspires you is a great way to connect with your audience on a deeper level. It shows your influences and can help fans discover new music they might like.
Example Post:
“Currently on repeat: [Song Title] by [Artist Name]. This track has been a huge inspiration for me lately. What’s on your playlist? #MusicInspo #NowPlaying”
If you name-check an artist who inspired you, you use a tag in the same way, or you are posting in a place where the following of such an artist can see your post, you can pique their interest and introduce new listeners, followers of that artist, to your audience.
Personal Milestones and Announcements
Why It Works: Sharing personal milestones helps humanize you as an artist. Whether it’s celebrating a career milestone or a personal achievement, it gives fans more reasons to root for you.
Example Post: “Just hit 10,000 streams on our latest single! Thank you all for the love and support. Couldn’t have done it without you! #Milestone #Grateful”
It gives you a great excuse to demonstrate just how much the support of your listeners truly means to you.
Exclusive Content for Followers
Why It Works: Offering exclusive content gives fans a reason to follow and engage with you regularly. It also creates a sense of community among your followers.
Example Post: “Here’s an acoustic version of our latest single, just for you guys! This one’s not going anywhere else. #ExclusiveContent #IndieArtist”
Let exclusivity work its magic and recruit people onto your mailing list.
Example Post: “New acoustic version available exclusively to mailing list members for the next 24 hrs. This song will never be available any other way! #ExclusiveContent #IndieArtist”
Throwback Posts
Why It Works: Throwback posts tap into nostalgia, which is a powerful emotion. Sharing old photos, videos, or stories can rekindle memories and strengthen the bond with your audience.
Example Post: “Found this gem from our first gig ever! Look how far we’ve come. What’s your favorite memory of us? #ThrowbackThursday #TBT”
This is particularly powerful as a buzz builder if you decide to use past songs that prepare the grounds for an upcoming release. That could be a song on a similar topic, with a similar mood or feel, a similar message, a similar genre, arrangement or production or a combination of any of these.
Music-Related Challenges
Why It Works: Challenges are fun and engaging. They encourage your audience to interact with your content and share it with others, increasing your reach.
Example Post: “Challenge time! Can you cover our latest single in your own style? Post your version and tag us—we’ll share our favorites! 🎤 #CoverChallenge #IndieChallenge”
Challenges can bring out the competitive side of your audience, even when it is purely for bragging rights.
Final Thoughts For Indie Artists On Social Media
Related Articles
Do you want to find out more about independent music artists here on Songstuff? If so, you can find articles and interviews on our Indie Music Blog page.
You may also find the following content interesting:
Independent Artists And Social Media
10 Suggestions For Artists On Social Media
The Dangers Of Comment Pods For Musicians and Better Alternatives
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