Five Must Have Social Media Tools for Musicians - Repost from FanManager

Recently I was asked to be a Guest Blogger by FanManager, which began as a grass roots street team management company in 2005, focusing mainly on bands within the jam band scene. FanManager quickly expanded into a full-service marketing powerhouse in just a few years time. The company has worked on campaigns for artists such as Depeche Mode, Shakira, The Crystal Method, Paul Oakenfold, Infected Mushroom, Umphrey’s McGee, Imagination Movers, The Disco Biscuits, and many others. Here is the re-post of the article...
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As we roll in to 2011, the selection of band-friendly social media tools continues to grow. MySpace is on its last leg, the days of no music on Facebook are over and incomplete tour information is just unacceptable. The following are tools that encourage fan engagement and help you easily manage those relationships in this crazy era of social networking and branding.

1. Improve your Facebook Page with RootMusic’s BandPage

In minutes BandPage puts all your band’s info in one place on your existing Facebook fan page. Fans can listen, share and send new tracks from your SoundCloud music player, read your bio, check out your Tweets, videos and upcoming gigs all from one tab.

2. Share Music & Merch Directly To Fans With Bandcamp

Bandcamp is the do-it-yourself platform for the sale of physical goods and digital music distribution. Features include name-your-price (or free) download options in the format of your choice, metadata of songs and album art, lyrics, list-building features and real-time stats. You can also bundle physical and downloadable goods, you own everything, and can integrate it anywhere you’d like.

3. Share Song Links on Twitter with Twiturm

Twiturm integrates with your band’s Twitter account, allows you to post your music and track listens. You can choose whether or not listeners can download the track and users can share the track with their followers in just one click. Log in with your Twitter credentials, browse to a mp3 on your computer, fill in a few details about your mp3 and click submit. From there they tweet a link that your friends and fans can click and instantly hear your music.

4. Reach More of Your Fans With FanMail


FanMail is a digital marketing solution that provides you the tools to help you find, know and reach your most important assets via email, mobile, social, websites and design. Their interactive campaigns are powered by the best technology and are produced by seasoned marketing, design and development professionals who understand fans. FanMail reaches millions of fans daily, and they each get the information they want, the way they want it.

5. Measure ROI With Band Metrics

Band Metrics is for musicians, bands, labels, managers, booking agencies, venues, A&R reps, promoters, music supervisors, publicists, marketing agencies, analysts and anyone interested in measuring artists and music. Identify fans, measure social engagement, find hot markets, track radio plays and discover trends all with their multiple in depth reports.

Marketing Tips for 2011

• Use Facebook apps to increase fan engagement.


• Blogging is still king according to Social Media Examiner. And Hubspot points out that businesses with an active blog get 55% more online traffic than those without a blog.


• Spice up your Social Media strategy.


• Focus on Customer Experience and learn about consumer behavior.


• Enact good link building activities.


• Use different kinds of content to drive results to maximize your Social Media marketing plan.


• Get the Ecommerce Tips to Guide You Through 2011 ebook from GetElastic.


• Integrate email into your Social Media plan.


• Continually learn how social media is changing and how to stay on top of the latest trends, technology, ROI stats, devices, apps, and more.

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