There have to be like infinity social networking sites… or it’s getting to be that way. The funny thing, actually, is how they all seem to go in and out of style from one season to the next. (Does anybody even use Friendster anymore?). Work this to your advantage!!

First thing’s first. Make all your profiles look good and look like your band. You want these to be graphically well branded. NO FREE PROFILES FROM WEBSITES THAT ADVERTISE THEIR OWN COMPANY IN YOUR PROFILE. This looks tacky and kills your credibility as a professional music group. It makes you look 13. There’s nothing wrong with being 13… until you try to be taken seriously by those who sit at that adult table. Be professional and you’ll be more likely to be treated as such.

In their competition with one another, social networking sites are making it possible to sell mp3 downloads and band merchandise, poke, tickle, add widgets, add photo albums, and more. Use this to your advantage! One of the brilliant things behind these sties is that they put you within the reach of everybody you know, all their friends, all your friends’ friends and on and on. Duh. That’s kind of the point, right?

In a previous blog entry (Website or Myspace) I mention how it’s necessary to have BOTH a myspace AND a website; and while I agree with that still, I might go so far as to say that you probably need a profile on more than one social networking site. This gets you exposed to that many more friends of friends, but what it does is functions as a constant reminder for people to go to your shows, buy your merch (whether on your website or through your social networking site –or ideally both), listen to/download your music and become familiarized with your brand, as well as build the perception of momentum.

In the more business/academic sense, having several social networking pages (and maximizing their potential) gets your name and product out there where people normally hang out (this is something that big companies normally pay BIG money to be able to do). This is called “opening up marketing channels” –or using places and kinds of marketing interaction to find your customer where they live, spend time, and spend money. The added benefit to having multiple profiles floating around the internet (assuming you keep them current) is that when you link them all to your actual website, they will help to boost your search-engine rankings too. That way when someone searches for your band name, you’ll have facebook, myspace, virb.com, etc. all pop up in addition to your website. –this makes it way easier to find you and will also help new fans, venues, and booking agents stumble across your site.

The Moral(s) of the Story:

1. Get your name out there on as many websites as possible (and keep the info current)
2. Networking sites are in competition with one another and thus add really good features to their sites all the time. Stay up to date on the offerings and use all the marketing and selling features to cash-in on extra music and merch sales.
3. Making it easier for your audience to find you and to buy your stuff is the best way to gain popularity and actually make some money off of your music. (or at least break even)
4. Customizing your profiles (not with free profiles that advertise another company on your page) is a great way to further cement your image.