Social media provides millions of teenagers and adults with a platform for communication and self-expression and is a leading outlet for up-and-coming musicians. According to a study by MusicWatch, nine out of ten people on social media partake in activities involving music.
Not only are users scrolling to find trending music, but music industry professionals are using social media to benefit their clients. Social media isn’t just for college students and teenagers these days. It’s also for professionals to market their businesses and, in return, increase their audiences.
As a music industry graduate, you will keep building on this knowledge so you can fully understand the relationship between social media and the music industry, including the impact of social media and other technology on the business of music.
Why is social media knowledge important?
Whether we like it or not, social media is a huge player in the music industry world–as well as in our personal lives. Even if you don’t have a social media profile, you’ve probably consumed some kind of entertainment or news linking back to a social platform. Social media continues to evolve and transform to meet the constantly changing needs of society.
These changes also include shifts in the music industry.
There are a few major reasons why social media knowledge is important in the music industry today. For students entering the music business, knowledge of social media and music may be necessary before walking into your first few classes.
Engagement
Interaction. Connection. Engagement. Social media is known for its ability to connect viewers to the specific content they’re looking for. On top of social media engaging visitors, it also is able to put new music right into the hands of those who are most interested. The algorithms social media uses truly are impressive. After a short period of time, platforms begin to understand what a user wants to consume. If you’re interested in a specific genre, algorithms may show you new artists or songs that sound similar. If you want news about your favorite musician, related accounts and posts will start popping up on your feed. Those entering the music industry must work alongside the algorithms so their musicians can be heard, followed, and talked about.
Trends
Trends come and go in the blink of an eye. This holds true in the music industry; if anything, trends move quicker in this business. Social media finds trends before they take off and each platform is unique when it comes to catching these trends. While Instagram and TikTok are more focused on visuals, Twitter and Facebook may see more written content. When you work behind the scenes in the music industry, you must stay on top of these trends so your musical team can benefit. Being able to scope out budding interests and new sounds can make all the difference in your line of work.
New talent
Going off of the above statement, rising artists dominate almost every social media platform–specifically Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. For those working in the music industry, exploring social media for new talent may be as beneficial as finding someone during an audition. More and more artists are being discovered through social media outlets after their posts–and talent–go viral. Knowing how to navigate different social platforms so you can find the next big star or the next professional to collaborate with is crucial to finding success in the business.
