Ah, social media – the necessary evil of the modern musician. One minute, you’re posting a heartfelt song snippet, and the next, you’re contemplating your life choices because your cat photo got triple the engagement.
Welcome to the digital circus, where algorithms rule and engagement is the currency of the realm. But don’t worry – I’m here to help you navigate the chaos while keeping your sanity intact. Let’s talk about how to create social media content that actually connects with fans – without turning into a full-time influencer or, worse, a desperate self-promoter.
1. The 80/20 Rule: Because No One Likes a Walking Billboard
Imagine you meet someone at a party, and all they do is talk about themselves:
“Hey, have you listened to my new single? Check out my merch! Stream my album!”
You’d fake an emergency exit in five minutes.
The same principle applies online. The 80/20 rule is your new best friend:
-80% of your content should be engaging, entertaining, or personal. Think behind-the-scenes clips, funny tour stories, music memes, or even your hot take on pineapple pizza.
-20% can be promotional. Yes, you need to tell people about your music – but in a way that doesn’t make them feel like they’re being sold to.
For example: Instead of “New song out now! Stream it!!” try “Wrote this song after my neighbor’s dog barked through every recording session. Hope you enjoy it as much as he did.”
See? Still promotional, but human.
2. Post Like a Person, Not a Brand
The best artists on social media don’t just promote their music – they invite people into their world. Your fans don’t just follow you for music; they follow you because they like you.
Some ideas:
-Share behind-the-scenes studio moments (yes, even the outtakes where everything goes wrong).
-Post a video reacting to an old demo of yours – cringe and all.
-Show what life as an artist really looks like (hint: it’s not just red carpets and sold-out shows).
The more personality you put into your posts, the more fans feel connected to you.
3. Video > Everything Else
We live in the age of the scroll. Static images are fine, but video content is king. If you’re not using short-form video (Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts), you’re missing out.
Some quick, easy video ideas:
-A stripped-down acoustic version of your song in a weird location (bathroom acoustics hit different).
-Reacting to a fan’s cover of your song.
-Answering a ridiculous question from your DMs.
You don’t need a high-production setup. Your phone + good lighting + a little creativity = engagement gold.
4. The Algorithm is Not Your Enemy (But It’s Also Not Your Friend)
Yes, social media platforms are unpredictable, but understanding a few basic rules can help:
-Post consistently, but don’t burn out. A few times a week is fine; daily if you have the energy.
-Engage with comments and DMs. Fans love feeling acknowledged.
-Use trending sounds, but make them your own. Jumping on trends works, but originality wins long-term.
And if the algorithm is giving you a hard time, that’s where CentPourCent can help strategize ways to actually get your content seen.
5. When in Doubt, Be Entertaining
People come to social media for three things: entertainment, information, or inspiration. If you can give them one (or all three), you win.
-Got a funny story from tour? Share it.
-Have a weird songwriting ritual? Let fans in on it.
-Got a hot take on a music industry trend? Start a discussion.
The best engagement comes when you stop thinking “what should I post?” and start thinking “what would my fans actually enjoy?”
6. Promote Without Feeling Gross About It
At the end of the day, yes, you do need to promote your music. But here’s how to do it without feeling like a used car salesman:
-Tell a story around your release. What inspired it? What’s the behind-the-scenes struggle?
-Get fans involved. Run a poll on what your next single should be, or let them pick your setlist for a show.
Make it interactive. Challenge fans to create TikToks using your song, or ask them to guess lyrics before you drop a track.
The more you make promotion feel like a conversation instead of a sales pitch, the better the response.
Final Thoughts: Social Media is Your Playground
Social media is meant to be fun. If you treat it like a chore, your audience will feel it. So experiment, take risks, and don’t be afraid to be a little weird. And if you ever feel like the social media beast is too much to handle, remember: CentPourCent is here to help you make sense of it all.
Now, go forth and create content that actually makes you excited to hit “post.”