Week 8 - MKTG 347 - Boosting Your Page

There are many ways to boost your Facebook page, and you don't have to spend any money to do so! Firstly, you want to be personable with your fans. You want to build a relationship with them and create a fan community. One way to do this is with "fan love." You can share and comment on posts that fans leave on your page. This gives your fans an engaging experience instead of them just reading what posts are on your page. The use of images can be huge for your page. Using images that capture attention will most likely lead to someone reading your post, or clicking on your blog. However, sometimes keeping it simple with text-based posts can be better. By eliminating photos, videos, and links, you give the viewer raw content and all the information is right in front of them. They do not need to open any links or windows to see what you are putting out there. This makes it easier for them to comment or even share your post.

You can also spend money to boost your page. If you choose to promote your page, you can do that with text, images, or video. You will basically be creating and running a Facebook ad. Choosing the right demographics are important. You can choose to target males, females, or both, and their age. Location is huge for local businesses, but if you are posting content from a website or a blog, you can choose different areas and see what works best for you. Selecting interests will also target people with those interests. So if your page deals with digital marking, you could select interests such as business, entrepreneurship, or social media marketing. Lastly you'll want to figure out your budget and duration of the ad. Boosting your page may be easier with ads, but try some free ways to boost your page first.

Week 7 - MKTG 347 - Facebook Marketing Guide For Beginners

First things first, who is on Facebook? Well, the minimum age requirement for a user to create a Facebook profile is 13. The most popular age group on Facebook is around 18 to 29. Generally, popularity decreases with age. However, with the many people on Facebook, a general audience can definitely be targeted. An easy way to get your idea or product out there is with Facebook pages. These are simple to make and can be easily linked with your personal account. Users can "like" the page, comment on posts, and add insight to what you are marketing. People who like the page will get notifications when a new post is made on that page, so it invites them to check it out and possibly react on that post. Unlike a personal profile, pages can be liked by anyone. This eliminates the need for mutual connections for people to find and like the page. A huge advantage to Facebook pages is that they are free. However, the downside is that it can be difficult to build a following with natural likes. You can boost your page to gain likes, but we will get into that in the next blog.

For marketing purposes, you want to have a page with a clean cover and profile photo, as well as a detailed description of what you are trying to market. Simply, the profile photo should be your logo, and your cover image can be creative or tell some sort of story. Your description lets possible fans know what you do, or what you plan to accomplish. Here, you can explain why you are different and any other details potential followers might want to know.

Week 6 - MKTG 347 - Importance of a Band Website

With all the social media platforms today, bands often wonder if a website is necessary. Through all the discussion, in the end, bands need a personal website. In a way, it acts as a central hub for all of your information and content. It also serves as an easy way for people to look up a band. For example, if a fan, promoter, record label, etc. wants more information on your band, a website is one of the first places they will look for. The band has control of the layout, so displaying tour dates, bios, contact information, and music/videos is easy.

A website lets bands also build a consistent image. Basically, the band thinks about how they want to be portrayed in not only a live setting, but with what they want to include online. This can show the style of music the band plays as well as their level of ambition. In that sense, local cover bands do not need to worry about websites as much, as they can only get so big. For bands releasing their own content and want to make it big, a website must show those intentions. 

Week 5 - MKTG 347 - Building Facebook Fans

For many offline businesses, it is important for them to promote their page in their physical content. They should invite clients or customers to check out their page on contact details, flyers, menu, brochures, business cards, and even products and materials. Emails sent to clients can also have the Facebook page attached so that it can be easily accessible.

However, for companies with online profiles, cross-promotion can help gain fans. In the age of social media, people do not have just one social profile. Firms can get their message out on several platforms to reach these people. Having a common theme can get people to check out their Facebook page to like, comment, and share content. Not everything needs to be posted, it is all about posts that are worthy of sharing. Creating a new post to inform people about new material being released is a great way to let fans know that you have something new to offer. Posting too often can come off as being annoying, so it is important for companies to effectively spread out their posts.

Week 4 - MKTG 347 - How Smaller Companies Use Facebook

Social media gives smaller companies a way to advertise what they are all about. For many companies, it is more about having a personal conversation with people. Instead of creating an ad and then leaving it on their page, they want to react to people's reactions. Commentating on reactions give the consumer a more personal connection to what they are involved with. It shows that the company cares what people think.

A great way for these companies to promote what they are selling is by using Facebook Deals. This service offers bargains and coupons to consumers who stop into physical stores via their smartphone. Facebook Deals can offer loyalty programs, premiums and other promotions.

Advertising with Facebook is something small companies should consider. Companies can target potential customers based on what they like. A budget can also be set so that no unnecessary spending occurs.

Week 3 - MKTG 347 - Music Promotion Tips With Social Media

Choosing a social media can be difficult for a band/musician. They must keep in mind that certain platforms have different kinds of audiences. Facebook is about creating a diverse community experience, Twitter is all about quick, short posts in real-time, and Pinterest is about creating themed photo boards. However, no matter what platform you choose (maybe even multiple ones), there are three elements you need to include. These are: brand image, band bio with website link, and common purpose.

People want to see consistency when it comes to an image. If you use a red and black color scheme on Facebook, do the same for all of your social media pages. Also, the banners and background should have a similar look to them. You do not want to confuse your fans with contrasting content. By keeping things similar, you will create a recognizable style with your social media.

Your band bio should also be on your website. The website should also be linked with your social media pages. If your band does not have a website, take some time to work on one. Consult with some help on creating one if you need to, because your website should be your central hub for your online presence.

(example of band website with social media links)

Finally, you need to know what your purpose is. Are you trying to sell CDs? Are you promoting new material and merch? Are you finding and building a fan base? Whatever your goals are, they need to be implemented across all your social media networking platforms.

Week 2 - MKTG 347 - Band Presence on Facebook

Facebook is known as the flagship social media format when it comes to bands. If you have a band, you probably have a Facebook for that band. In today's media world along with the expenses bands have, Facebook is great way to generate fans for your band for free (if you can market your band the right way). Sure, you can pay to boost your band page or a specific post, but there are other options.

One of the key ways bands can use Facebook is to connect with other bands. Just how opening for a bigger band can help boost your fan base, networking with other bands can work the same way. You can see if other bands would be willing to post one of your new songs or a new line of merch you just released. You may have to do the same for them, but overall it's a great, cheap way to get your band name out there.

Probably one of the best advice for bands would be to post about anything and everything. As a band, fans look up to them for not only what they create, but what they think about any topic. Think of it like this, your lyrics reflect a certain story or opinion, posts can do the same. Post something crazy or controversial. You're a band, it's what you do.