This week, Kelly Allen represented Q Strategies at a panel discussion to help local bands tackle the business side of band promotion. The event was organized by Gig City Productions, which is coordinating the 2015 Road to Nightfall, a contest for regional bands to win a much sought-after headline spot at the popular outdoor concert series.
Kelly offered go-to social media tips and best practices to the attendees. Here are a few of the items she shared.
- People are least active on social media on Monday and Tuesday, take those days off – make that your weekend.
- Post more often about others – send a shout-out to your venue of choice, congratulate another band, talk about your favorite music, review local restaurants when you are on the road.
- Fewer people are seeing you on Facebook – keep the page active but find alternatives, too.
- Use the brand-building tools on YouTube – it’s the second most used search engine, so add your logo or album cover to the video. Create calls to action and link to your website.
- Get a website. Keep it cheap with SquareSpace.com, you can also easily sell merchandise!
- Keep it social – take pictures with your fans, get names and quotes, have a social media assignment for every band member at each show.
- Gather email addresses and start a newsletter - Fan Bridge and Survey Monkey are good options for delivery.
- Keep it visual with Canva.com to help you design album covers and social posts on the cheap.
Kelly was joined by several other volunteers in support of local music, including: Monica Kinsey with Track29, Jim Roe with Roe Entertainment, Paul Gussack with Solid Rock Live and fantastic Nashville musician Alanna Royale.