Generation D.I.Y. Not So Socially Awkward

posted in: Features

Welcome to the second installment of “Generation DIY” . As promised in the initial post, the first topic to be discussed is social networking sites. Let’s break it down so we can get the most out of the Internet and all it has to offer.

Getting Familiar. By now you should have some sort of idea as to what genre you’re working within. There are many sites out there that can cater to you; it’s just a matter of finding them among the hundreds that promise to make you a star! The first suggestion is to research (and make a list of!) other artists that fall in (or closely around) your genre and see where they are showcasing their music. From here you can strategize as to where you’d like to create a focus for yourselves while keeping morals and dignity in check.

Research, research, research! Anyone will tell you, researching is the greatest tool you can master when it comes to business (yes, your band is a business). In terms of genres, keep yourself around similar artists because you will be able to capture their audience if you have what it takes. For instance, classic artists shouldn’t be signing up on Buzznet.com (it says right in their description emo, pop, punk, rock and screamo bands.) Make sure you are bringing your music to the right audience because there’s nothing more awkward than being a metal band playing a hip hop show.

Strategize. Once you made a list of potential sites, weed out the ones you don’t believe you’d be able to keep updated and work around. (Nobody wants to go to a YouTube site and see 1 video of a band practicing in a garage so make it interesting!) Remember, no matter where you sign up, you are creating an image for yourself. Make sure it’s consistent and always up-to-date.

My space or yours? As great as MySpace.com is, there are plenty of sites that are entirely overlooked. Years ago, many times bands were found by A&R (or college kids paid by a label to sit on the Internet and find the next big hit) through MySpace, however the influx of bands swamping the site has been overwhelming for most users. With the digital age at its peak, spread your assets through various media platforms. But don’t be reckless, be consistent on all profile pages and make sure the target audiences are met.

Personalize. Over the years, bands have become a lot more creative in how they promote themselves online. Video blogging (or webisodes), where artists talk about updates or just about their love for skittles, have become a huge hit on YouTube. Giving yourself some personality never hurt and it can go a long way sometimes. For example a friend of mine made a video about how much their band loved Doritos. Guess what happened next? Yep, they received a sponsorship with Doritos and were given an endless supply of the chips for tour. Give flavor to your fans and who knows maybe you’ll get something tasty back.

These tips should get the gears rolling, and make for a strong starting point. Later on we will go into depth as to different ways to promote your band using video blogs, mailing lists, as well as bringing promotions back to the streets.

Remember, this is your time to shine Generation D.I.Y.