With the proliferation of social media, you may have asked yourself: is it still necessary for independent artists to have a website? The answer is a resounding yes.
Why? Because your website gives you the opportunity to create a brand. It’s a chance to make an impression on your existing audience and create potential new fans. Your website should act as your calling card; it tells your fans who you are and what you stand for. So, take the opportunity to set yourself apart from the crowd.
When creating your website, think of it as a hub for all of your online properties. Your website should include a link or a stream to all of your social media content: your Tweets, your Facebook posts (or at least a link to the page), your YouTube Channel, your blog, and more.
Your website should also include the following:
- Upcoming show dates
- Your music, either streaming or downloadable
- Photos
- Video
- Social media links
- Contact info for you, your booking agent, PR contact, and management, if applicable
- A “where to buy” link so your fans can purchase your music online
- A sign up field for your mailing list
Remember that a key to your success, especially in understanding your fans, is access to stats that track things like web traffic, referrals, specific page hits, shares, etc. Any kind of data that gives you a look at your fans and their demographics will help you understand them better and adjust your marketing strategy accordingly. So ensure that when creating a website, you have access to this information.
You also must update the content of your website on a regular basis because new content is what will keep your fans engaged and coming back for more. Integrating a blog into your website is a great way to do this. Also remember to keep the messaging and images consistent with what you have on your social media pages. Your website should feel like it fits in with the rest of your online properties.
Ultimately, you should use your website to convey who you are as an artist, and to give your fans a place to find you, connect with you, and engage with you.
Do you have a website? Do you think it’s useful? What’s the main reason you have one?
Up next: What aspects of your music career really drive you? What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of your career?
The SongCast Crew
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