Social Media Networking for Artists

Traditionally, artists such as writers, musicians, photographers, composers and the like have been ensconced solely in the creation and expression of their art.

Those that have had a considerable measure of success in publishing their works and reaching a fan base beyond their local and regional demographic have done so with business assistance from ‘non-artist’ types, and this, over longer periods of time. Record companies and publishing houses for musical artists and writers respectively, ran practically all aspects of production from manufacturing to marketing to distribution.

Publicity campaigns were waged on the available limited media of the time. With the advent of the Internet and the exponential growth of its lateral support technology, the parameters of public dissemination of information and data have increased in ways unimaginable two decades, or even a decade ago. As it relates to artists, technology now available makes it possible to exercise complete control and management over one’s creative product.

Today, a single keystroke can send an announcement to thousands around the world in an instant. In the case of music, one may send his or her latest composition virally throughout the Web and receive instant feedback, either through hits, views or downloadable sales. Indeed, these developments have changed the entire face of the music industry (as a case in point). The technology has placed artists in direct control of the many facets involved in the creation, production, marketing and dissemination of their original works.

To ensure success, it is important for artists today to reach as wide an audience as possible on a global scale. Viral diffusion is a primary means to achieve this end. The reliance on large record companies to ensure success of one’s music is a thing of the past. Increasingly, artists are opting for a self-distribution model for public diffusion of their works.

Among many social media networking spaces, MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter are at the forefront of popularity for the independent artist/musician. Using these sites, MySpace in particular, artists have created networks with which they get other people to discover them and their music. People also read about the artists and share information and content about them on associated links and blog sites on the web. Learning how to participate in social media may also give artists a chance to take advantage of new online tools, which would enhance their current projects.

The independent artist whose original music is self-produced may opt for marketing it himself in order to optimize control and maximize ROI. To engage in a self-promotion and self-distribution campaign additionally, would require time-consuming effort, energy and expenses. This means a lot of time spent that could otherwise be going into the creative process of making music. Outsourcing these aspects imply additional expenses that may substantially cut into revenues.