There are a lot of social network sites already out there and more spring up each day. With so much to keep up with, it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. Add to that the need to create engaging content to post, and it can seem like there’s no way to cover it all. So here are 70 quick tips to help you with creating better engagement with your fans on these sites.
Tips for All Networks
1. Have a plan for what you are doing online and why. Don’t stumble around blindly in your efforts.
2. Pick the networks where the majority of your fans are.
3. Don’t create too many social network accounts. Focus your efforts on the ones you pick for Tip #2.
4. Refine it even more. Pick one network to be the spearhead of your strategy and use the others to compliment it.
5. Don’t make it all marketing and self-promotion content. Talk about other things as well.
6. Figure out what sort of content will resonate the most with your fans.
7. Let your fans know they are important to you. Maintain an approachable persona online.
8. Never create mediocre content. Always treat this with the professionalism it needs and make sure your content is of the highest quality you can produce.
9. Produce all types of content. Smartphones are not that expensive so you cannot afford to not post pictures and video as well as text.
10. Beyond just producing content across varied media types, you must also make sure it is easy to view on mobile devices.
11. Post new things on a regular basis. Don’t post a lot for a day then disappear for a week.
12. Don’t post too much though or you’ll appear “spammy.” Instead focus on spreading your posts out a bit.
13. Pay attention to holidays and current/upcoming events. Create content involving these.
14. Ask yourself “how likely would I share this?” when creating new content.
15. Pay attention to where you are getting the most fans geographically. Play a show in one place and 100 new fans the next day? Focus on increasing your engagement in that area.
16. Don’t just promote yourself. Promote other artists you know or are similar to you.
17. Promote all of your accounts on each of the networks you use.
Facebook Tips
18. Create a post or ask a question that encourages comments from your fans.
19. Make a “fill-in-the-blank” post and let your fans fill the “blank.”
20. On a similar note, post a picture and ask your fans to come up with the caption for it.
21. Offer a giveaway for something. Maybe the best picture from your last show or the first 10 people in the door.
22. Create a humorous “Click Like if…” post so your fans can Like it.
23. Don’t be afraid to sponsor an important announcement like your new album release or that you have a new shirt design your fans can buy online.
24. Remember to respond to your fans’ comments as much as you can but don’t let if detract from other important work.
25. Thank your new “fans” when they Like your page. Thank them individually for even better engagement.
26. Geo-target your posts when it is appropriate. How to Geo-Target Your Facebook Posts
27. Tying in with the last tip, be sure you sort your fans into Lists so that you can target them more specifically in Event Invites.
28. A study showed that the best time to post on Facebook is around 5:00pm.
Twitter Tips
29. Remember tweets can only be 140 characters so fine tune your posts.
30. Try to keep your posts under 120 characters so they are Retweet friendly.
31. Make sure you use an URL shortener for links in your tweets.
32. Some of the Twitter apps come with built-in URL and Image link shorteners. Use them.
33. Lists on Twitter are different than on Facebook. Use them for keeping up with important industry professionals, other bands, your top fans, etc….
34. Don’t be afraid to Retweet what someone else posts if you feel your fans will like it.
35. In addition, be sure to Retweet some from your followers occasionally.
36. Don’t forget to reply to any Mentions you get.
37. Also don’t be afraid to ask for a Retweet on a post. Sometimes all you need to do is ask.
38. Some studies show that posting on Twitter around 1:00pm gets more shares.
39. Twitter streams move quickly, so occasionally Tweet a post again to make sure your followers get to see it.
40. As long as you have time, check out the profiles of new followers and read their tweets. Decide if they would be good to follow back.
41. Go a step further and send new followers a private message thanking them for following you.
42. Answer all your @ Replies!
43. Make use of hashtags to tie in with relevant topics or to make it easy for your fans to follow certain grouped posts like touring updates.
44. Create a custom profile background.
Google Plus Tips
45. Try posting pictures with important updates. Pictures tend to get +1’s more readily.
46. Make sure you share pictures, photo galleries, and videos on your page.
47. Invite fans to a Hangout where they can ask you questions and such.
48. Host a Hangout showing you rehearsing some new material or doing some recording in the studio.
49. Besides responding to fans’ comments like on other networks, make sure you also +1 the best comments.
50. The same social site studies show that Google+ posts made around 10:00am get more response.
51. If you run a blog on your website, make sure you set up Google Authorship for it.
52. Like Lists on Facebook and Twitter, Google Plus has Circles. Use them to group your followers such as Fans, Super Fans, Business Contacts, etc….
Instagram Tips
53. Upload pictures of new merchandise when it becomes available. Add pricing information and such to the pics.
54. Upload pictures from your shows. Something of you getting set up or with some fans.
55. Going to a conference or special event? Post live update pics. Integrate it with your Twitter and Facebook to keep those updated as well.
56. Instagram uses hashtags just like Twitter. Try and find some that work well for you on both platforms and cross post.
57. Try to keep it to three hashtags or less. Also make sure you Geo-tag the photos when useful.
58. Integrate it into your website via a plugin or script. Tie it in with a hashtag so you have a constantly updated gallery around that tag.
59. Have a photo series. For example, perhaps a “getting ready to go on” photo for each venue on a tour.
60. If you are in a band, set up a band account and give every member access. This way all of you can create content for your account. Just make sure you discuss acceptable content first with everyone.
Pinterest Tips
53. Upload pictures of new merchandise when it becomes available. Add pricing information and such to the pics.
54. Upload pictures from your shows. Something of you getting set up or with some fans.
55. Going to a conference or special event? Post live update pics. Integrate it with your Twitter and Facebook to keep those updated as well.
56. Instagram uses hashtags just like Twitter. Try and find some that work well for you on both platforms and cross post.
57. Try to keep it to three hashtags or less. Also make sure you Geo-tag the photos when useful.
58. Integrate it into your website via a plugin or script. Tie it in with a hashtag so you have a constantly updated gallery around that tag.
59. Have a photo series. For example, perhaps a “getting ready to go on” photo for each venue on a tour.
60. If you are in a band, set up a band account and give every member access. This way all of you can create content for your account. Just make sure you discuss acceptable content first with everyone.
Pinterest Tips
61. Post at least weekly updates if you can’t post daily updates.
62. Allow your followers to to interact with you by adding pins to your boards.
63. If you have a stand alone website, then add backlinks from Pinterest to your site to improve your rank in search engine results.
64. Post your updates on Pinterest to your other social network accounts or at least mention you have something new on your Pinterest page.
65. Use Pinterest to bookmark useful articles or posts for your own use.
66. Pin interesting posts you find that your fans may enjoy.
67. Make sure you pin your Youtube videos and any videos you post on any other sites such as Facebook, Google Plus, or Vimeo.
68. Snag fans of similar bands with a “If You Like This, You’ll Like Us/Me” board and pin similar artists to it.
69. Create an “Influences” board and post artists that you consider to be influences in your music.
70. Create a “Gig Photos” board and pin your Facebook, TwitPic, or Instagram photos from your gigs to it.
71. Pin pictures of your best fans from show pics or their profiles with a quote from them about you.
72. Create a “Store” board and pin pictures of your merch with prices in the descriptions.
73. Your profile has an RSS feed. Share it with your fans on other the other sites.
74. Use Pingraphy to schedule your pins.
75. Create a board about your stage gear and setup. Other musicians will be interested. You can even give short reviews in the descriptions for some of your gear.