#ARTISTTIPS - EVERYBODY'S TWEETIN' AND POSTIN'

Social Media is a HUGE platform for new artists. It not only allows you to get your music out there, it allows you to bridge that gap between you and your fans, bring you closer to the front lines and get to know them better and allows them to get to know you better. If you're not active and regular on social media , you're missing an important opportunity to expand your audience.

Not Sure What to Post?

People are hesitant about what they should or should not put on social media and that's a good thing because there are some things that just need to be left off your timeline, especially if your purpose is to GAIN fans. Stay away from inflammatory subjects such as politics, tabloid garbage, "personal" details, etc. There is such a thing as TMI.

Try These Instead:

- What Are You Doing???  - Are you working on a new CD? Tweet about it. Are you on the road and discovered a cool new venue? Tweet about it. Did you adopt a rescue animal? Tweet about it, people LOVE animals.

- What Is Coming Up? - Do you finally have a release date for your new video? Put it out there. What's next on your tour schedule? Upcoming TV appearance? Talk about it!

- Share Interesting Content - It doesn't always have to be music. Did you see a new movie that you really liked? Did you hear a song by another artist that you fell in love with? Share what interests you with your fans.

- Retweet, Re-post, Repeat - Simply liking a post isn't getting the word out. If someone tweeted something nice about you, complimented your new song, raved about your latest performance - like it AND re-post it so others can see the positive feedback you're getting.

- Ask Questions - Ask your fans what THEY want to hear, ask what their current favorite song by any artist is, ask for ideas. You could get an idea for your next hit single or video just by asking a simple question. You may also find out what fans DON'T like that you're doing which is always helpful and might make you rethink some things. You may even discover that your "team" isn't exactly doing what they should be doing like updating your website, posting as often as they should be, etc.

- Fun Stuff - Post funny videos that made you laugh, non-offensive memes, jokes ... make your fans laugh, let them see the not so serious side of you. Brett Eldredge, Mark Wills, Joe Bonsall, and Blake Shelton are some of the best at this and they know how to keep 'em coming back just by making them look twice and laugh.

- Recommendations - Thinking about seeing a movie or looking for a new book to read on the bus? Ask your fans for their recommendations. Want to try a new restaurant on your next tour stop? Ask the people that live in that area.

- Likes and Dislikes - Find out what your fans like or dislike about your new single, video, social media account, website, etc.

- Snapshots from The Road - People love pictures.They love anything visual and social media is big on visual content. Post pics from the road, pics of you with fans, pics of your new dog, etc. Give your fans the bigger picture.

- A Simple Acknowledgement Goes a Long Way - Acknowledge random tweets on your timeline. Respond unexpectedly and make someones day. Thank them for showing off your new t-shirt in their latest tweet, thank them for making the 5 hour drive to see your last show, congratulate them if you see they're celebrating something such as a birthday or birth of a new baby. Show them that it's not all about you. Show them that they matter.

- Take Part in Social Media Events - Answer questions in a Twitterview, live tweet from events, etc Facebook Live, Stage It and Periscope are great ways to bring yourself to your audience when they can't physically get to your show or when you just feel like doing something off the cuff. Imagine if Elvis had been able to Facebook Live from the Jungle Room at Graceland or if Merle Haggard just performed an acoustic Stage It show from his couch?

- Post Random Thoughts on Life - share quotes, advice or photos that have helped you through rough times. If they helped you, they may help someone else who really needs it.

Don't be afraid of social media. It's an advantage that wasn't around for artists until just a few years ago. It can be a machine that can move your career forward rapidly or if you use it wrong, it can move you in the wrong direction. Use it wisely, use it regularly ... just use it to your advantage!

- Jenn

Follow Jenn on Twitter at @Lovinlyrics

#SOCIALMEDIATIPS FOR ARTISTS - DO'S AND DON'TS FOR MAXIMUM POSITIVE RESULTS

As someone who is on social media way too much, I notice a lot of things that make me cringe and a lot of things that make me want to hug an artist's neck for nailing it. I'm not an expert by a long shot, but I am someone who pays attention and who conducts feedback with fans about what they see that makes them want to follow an artist or unfollow an artist. Here are a few tips that might make all the difference for your fan base.

DON'T OVER PROMOTE

Yes, promotions is a HUGE part of what social media is about, however it's not ALL that social media is about. A timeline that is full of nothing but your show dates, what number you hit on Reverbnation, and music release dates is boring, informative but boring. There's no need to post it daily or multiple times a day. Make sure it's on your website and refer your followers to your website for the most current and up to date info. Posting a couple of times a week is more than sufficient or you can post your latest show and "pin" it so that's the first thing that will be seen on your timeline when visited then when the show is over, "un-pin" it and "pin" your next show/cd release announcement/etc. This was it's in your timelines and showcased but not showing up in everyone else's feed multiple times a day. Over promotion tends to turn people off and even the biggest fans will get bored with constant pats on your own back and over promotion of yourself.

DO BE HUMAN

Don't let your Twitter become automated and sound like it's being run by the Rosie the Robot. Tell jokes, laugh, show emotion. Don't fill it with automated responses like "I had XX unfollowers according to TheyLeft.com". No one cares who unfollowed you and if you constantly show who unfollows you, it tends to make it look like you are more focused on your numbers than your actual connections. Post things that appeal to the human spirit. Go through your timeline and respond to posts you see a fan excited about something, having a hard time or they just need a smile.

DON'T GET TOO PERSONAL

We don't need to know about your gynecologist appointment, your possible STD that you might have caught from your latest groupie, your marital woes or anything else you wouldn't want posted on the news to the world. Twitter is your own newscast, keep it light and friendly, keep your dark side to yourself. Would you want your mom or your child to read it? If not, don't post it. Fans don't need to know everything about you no matter how bad they may want to.

DO BE PERSONALLY ACTIVE / DON'T RELY ON SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS

Social media managers are great, but don't rely on them to share YOUR thoughts, YOUR ideas, YOUR comments. It doesn't take 2 seconds out of your day to say something to your fans. No one likes to see a response from you with "Team XX" at the end or tweets that obviously don't sound like something you would post. Fans know the difference.

DON'T BE NEGATIVE

The world is negative enough, don't add to it. I get the whole political climate right now and how we all have our own thoughts, but don't be part of the problem. If you have a personal account, fine, go at it. bash and complain all you want to about this, that or the other, but your business account is for business and negative posts are never good for business. To add to that, don't engage the trolls. That's what they live for, or should I say don't live for because they obviously have no life other than to try to get a rise out of people ALL DAY LONG. Don't feed the fire. Block 'em and move on. Don't let negativity pull you over to the dark side.

DON'T EXPECT OVERNIGHT INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS

The only way your followers are gonna go to a gazillion overnight is if you go the crap route and buy them or create fake accounts and follow yourself. Don't do that crap. If you keep your posts interesting and post consistently, they'll come on their own. Be patient Grasshopper, be patient. Good things come to those who don't cheat the system and play the game honestly. Besides, don't you want followers who actually care about your music and not random BS accounts who are following you just for numbers sake?

DON'T FORGET TO USE TOOLS TO ENHANCE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERIENCE

Keep in mind that not everyone uses Twitter so post on other sites too. Use a "multi-post" app that allows you to post to multiple sites at once. Use schedulers if you need to, and I know there's a reason for them, but use them sparingly. You don't schedule your thoughts, why schedule your posts? When someone responds to you and you've posted using a scheduler and you don't actually get on Twitter for a week, think of how many chances to interact with fans you've missed.

DO HAVE A PLAN

Don't just haphazardly jump on social media without a plan to build a fan base. Think about the posts YOU like to see, what keeps YOU logging on, what keeps YOUR interest? How much do you want to post? A little? A lot? What is your end goal of starting a social media account?

DON'T DRUNK TWEET

Oh sweet baby Horace, don't do this. We'll just leave that there. It can just get too ugly and before you know it, you're all over TMZ looking like an ass. Just don't.

DO ACKNOWLEDGE AND PROMOTE OTHERS WHO ACKNOWLEDGE AND PROMOTE YOU

There is nothing worse then an artist who never responds to tweets. It's called SOCIAL media, be SOCIAL. You have to engage to build interest and you have to build interest to build your fan base. Rummage through your timeline a few random times a day, randomly say hi to a fan, show an interest in what they have to say whether their post is about you or not. Some tweeters post some great content if you pay attention. Just engage and show that you care, it's not time consuming and it only takes a few minutes.

Also, if you see a blogger, magazine, website or podcast that talks about you often, make a point to cross promote them and give them a little acknowledgement in return. It NEVER hurts to cross promote. If they're sharing you with their followers, share them with yours and combine your followers.

DON'T LIMIT YOUR FOLLOWBACKS / TWEETS AND RETWEETS TO OTHER ARTISTS OR CELEBRITIES

I see a lot of artists who only respond to celebrities and only follow other artists. Why? Don't leave your fans on the outside looking in and wishing they could be part of your party. Just because you follow fans back doesn't mean you have to become bosom buddies and share dog pictures. It just means that you took the time to check out their timeline and you find them interesting enough to follow. You can always mute them if they get a little overwhelming and you don't have to turn on notifications for all of them.

Retweet tweet from fans that you find interesting that you think your fans will find interesting too. Jump in a conversation that you see going on and give some feedback. Where's that word again, oh yeah, ENGAGE.

DO SAY THANK YOU

Two small words make a HUGE impact and can last the life of your career.  Randomly thank fans for taking the time out of their day to listen to, talk about and share your music. Thank them for driving hours to see you even though they have to work the next day. Thank them for buying your latest t-shirt that you see them wearing in a picture they posted. You might not consider this, but some people put off paying bills and spend their last dime to come see you or purchase your music. That deserves at least a thank you. At the very least, respond to a complimentary post with a thank you.

DO SOMETHING TO STAND OUT

Post webisodes, create funny memes that make fun of you or your band, run contests, post funny pictures of you with your kid, do something, ANYTHING to stand out above the other tweets on someones timeline.

If anyone else has tips that might help an artist combat the "Damn Your Twitter Sucks" blues. post them out there on Twitter! Fans are an artists best means of promotion so help your artist promote themselves in a good light and share your ideas!

- Jenn

Follow me on Twitter at @lovinlyrics.




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PHOTO: NATALIE STOVALL STRIKES A POSE AT KEITH URBAN'S INSTAGRAM PARTY

New artist Natalie Stovall attended an Instagram party hosted by Keith Urban last week where everyone had a chance to relax after the rush of the CMA Awards.  Doesn't look like she's in a rush to go home, does it?

Pictured Left to Right: Natalie Stovall, Keith Urban, Ella Mae Brown

CONTEST: WIN A DOZEN ROSES FROM ROSE FALCON FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

Rose Falcon is ready welcome in  Valentine's Day with her new "If Love Had A Heart" Instagram campaign.

Rose is asking fans to share a photo of who they plan on spending Valentine's Day with. Fans can submit their photos via Instagram by using the hash tag #IfLoveHadAHeart. She will choose one winner on February 11th to receive a dozen roses for them or their loved one on Valentine's Day.

Rose’s Entry!

"I'll be spending my Valentine's Day with my honey!!! Who are you spending it with? #IfLoveHadAHeart"

You can find highlights of all submissions in a photo album on Rose's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/RoseFalconOfficial 

Listen to Rose's song, "If Love Had A Heart" and the rest of her new EP "19th Avenue {The EP volume 2}" on iTunes now. http://smarturl.it/roseep2