Promoting anything is a tricky endeavor, especially with music. Social media has allowed people to ditch the traditional means of promotion: touring, radio plays, and so on. I am certainly not an expert in this field, but my advice comes from the perspective of someone that creates and listens/consumes music.
Although these six things listed could be applicable to anything I was writing it with Twitter and music in mind.
As a consumer I feel this drives me away from your product:
1. Spamming your songs
There is a way to do this correctly. By using powerful apps. such as Hootsuite, you can spread your tweets throughout the day to cover all time zones. I think it's important people tweet about what they do, but if all I see in my time line is the same thing over and over reworded with a bunch of!!!! every 10 minutes... I'm not going to be inclined to click the link.
2. Asking people to directly promote you
When I see people asking(more like begging) people to #RT or RT to help them promote their EP, single, (or rarely) their album, I instantly look away. Nobody likes to have someone force them to do something especially if you're not offering any service in return.
3. Saying you're the best
Let's face the truth. You're probably not. If you were the best people would be writing about how amazing you are and endorsing you. Your goal should not be to "get famous." It's an extremely broad term and may not have all the rewards you think it has.Yes, there are people that are hidden in the world that have superior, amazing, raw, beautiful talent/technique/abilities...but telling me you're music is beautiful or the best means to me you have a lot of work to do on yourself. I believe the listener should decide for themselves what it is, not you. Humbleness and modesty mean a lot to me in the music industry. If you're a modest and humble musician I like you automatically
4. If I see the word EP I don't care for you
Okay, I'll probably get a lot of heat for this one, but I don't like EPs. Singles are completely different. Singles give me the taste of either what is to come or who you are and then makes me inclined to listen to your album, not just another 3 or 4 tracks. The EP was originally created to send out as demos to prospective producers or record labels so you can make an LP or what have you. Today people use it a lazy an excuse for an album. I say go all the way! When I see people make EPs and try and push them it means that they either are desperate, want attention, or lack content for a full length album. I understand a lot of people don't have the time to make a full album, but waiting is a virtue. An album to me is an experience and adventure. An EP is like the brochure that tells you about the adventure, but you don't actually get to go on it.
5. Interact with other musicians
Network. Network. Network. I can't stress this enough. You may not realize it, but when you tweet that you like a song, link it, and give credit to that person- I know it means the world to them. People generally return the favor. Do this more...especially if they are good, you've worked with them and they are reliable, and/or you think they have a lot of potential. Not only will you interact and connect with people and find new, awesome, and cool music, but you'll also without having to try promote yourself!
6. Listen and don't ignore feedback
I'm probably one of the few people that don't mind negative feedback. I want the criticism. If you can't handle it, then you're not ready. Obviously people have different tastes and may say it sucks because it's not what their ear prefers, but take the critiques from people you know and respect seriously and use it constructively to improve your work.
I welcome comments or additions to this post. I obviously am only one person and this is just what I gather.
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