Social media has become an essential part of marketing strategy for businesses today. As an indie record label, you should never downplay the role of social media marketing. You want to know why? The reason is that your prospective clients, independent artists, are waiting for you on social media. Interestingly, their audience also spends a good portion of their day on social media.
While there may be dozens of ways to promote your indie record label, being on social media will get you closer to your aim. You may not have realized, but your social media profile is one of the first few results when anyone searches you up on a search engine. This is why we advocate for the proper set-up of your social media profiles to achieve your marketing objectives.
In this section of the guide on how to start an indie record label, the focus will be on setting up social media accounts, the type of content to be posted, the frequency of posts, and best practices for these channels. Attention will be on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.
How To Set-Up a Facebook Business Page For Your Indie Record Label
There’s no better way to connect with your clients as an indie record label than through a Facebook business page. As described by Entrepreneur, it’s a non-paid opportunity to increase brand awareness. Here’s how to set up a Facebook Page;
Login and Sign-Up
To create a Facebook Business Page, you’ll have to log into your personal Facebook profile. Look for create a page and select the type of page to be made. For your indie record label, you should click on get started on the “Business or Brand” column.
You will have to input your business information. We’ll advise that you use your registered business name. Up next is the category in which your business falls; we’ll suggest Arts and Entertainment.
Add Pictures
This is where you create a great visual impression by uploading a profile and cover images for your Facebook page. At this point, Facebook will prompt you to upload both a profile and cover picture.
For the profile picture, the ideal size is 170px by 170px. It would be best if you put it in a square dimension. In the end, Facebook will crop it into a circular shape. As for the cover picture, this will appear at the top of the page. The cover picture should be 820px by 462px.
To create a stunning image, you can hire a graphics designer or use Canva.
Fill Out The Page Information
To make it easy for you, Facebook will provide you with directions on inputting your business and page information. This ranges from the business description, contact information, categories, location, hours, and others.
In the end, this information will reflect in the About tab of your Facebook page. There’s also room to add more information such as business stories, awards, etc.
Page Customization
Facebook further allows you to change the look and feel of your Indie record label page. Go to page settings; you’ll find “Templates and Tabs.” From here, you can decide which tab you want your page to have.
For ease of use, there are ready-made templates that you can choose from. You can choose these templates based on the services rendered.
Add Collaborators
To run a Facebook business page, you’ll need other collaborators; the page admin and the page editor. Others include the moderator, advertiser, and analyst. Add collaborators by locating the “Page Roles” section under the page settings.
This can be added by typing the person’s name on Facebook or the email address associated with the Facebook account.
With this, you are ready to publish your first post on your Indie Record Label’s Facebook business page.
How To Set-Up Instagram For Business For Your Indie Record Label
Every month, over 1 billion people use Instagram, and about 90% follow a business. In a bit above a decade, Instagram has grown to become a business hub from being a photo-sharing platform. Here’s how to set up Instagram for business;
Download The Instagram App
Depending on your preferred operating system, download the Instagram app on iOS, Android, or Windows. While you can use Instagram on Desktop, the features are limited.
Therefore, we’ll advise that you focus on the mobile app rather than the desktop version.
Create An Account
There are two ways to create an Instagram for Business account; an email address or phone number and a Facebook account.
You can link your existing Facebook account to your Instagram account.
Connect To Facebook
To use Instagram for Business, you will have to connect your account to a Facebook business page. This is why you should create a Facebook for Business page first.
You will also be granting Facebook access to your Instagram for business account.
Fill In Your Business Information
As part of setting up your profile, you will have to enter your business information; email, phone number, and address of your business. At any time, you can always change the details of your business information.
Edit Your Profile
This is where you’ll add a photo (this should be your indie record label logo, bio, and website link. Use the bio to brand your business with links and hashtags.
Invite Followers
It’s time to build followers for your Instagram for Business account. You can invite followers from your Facebook, Gmail, and even phone contacts.
The number of followers you have affects your credibility.
Upload Pictures to Your Gallery
To thrive on Instagram, you need to share quality visual content. This is why you should start adding images to your gallery as soon as your account is set up.
How To Set-Up Twitter For Your Indie Record Label
Due to the millions of daily active users, Twitter has become a powerful tool for raising awareness about business. However, setting up a Twitter is quite simple; what is not simple is getting the most out of it. Here are easy to follow steps to creating a Twitter account for your Indie record label;
Join Twitter
Creating a Twitter account is straightforward; all you need to enter is your Business name, email, and a multi-user password. Once you are signed up, you can then go ahead to enter other details about your business.
Note that you can always change your Twitter username.
Add Profile Details
It’s time to add flair to your Twitter account. If you don’t add images, your account will look abandoned. To add pictures to your profile, click on “Edit profile.” You’ll be adding a profile picture and header image.
Ensure that your profile image and header are clear and distinguishable. The only way to engage your followers is to add appealing photos.
How to Set-Up YouTube For Your Indie Record Label
It’s a smart move for you to want to set up a YouTube. You know YouTube is one of the most visited websites in the world today. As an Indie Record Label, your brand should have a presence on YouTube. Here are the five steps to creating a YouTube channel;
Create a Google Account
You are likely to have an existing Google account; then, you can stick to that and skip this step. In case you don’t, sign up for a new Google account.
Create a YouTube Channel
Through your Google account, you can go ahead to create a YouTube channel. However, since you’re a business, you’ll need to set up a brand account. From your YouTube account page, click on “Create a channel” and enter your Indie Record Label name.
With a YouTube Brand Account, there’s room to grant access to multiple people as admin. The YouTube Brand Account also allows you access to YouTube Analytics.
Customize Your Channel
This is where you get to tweak the new channel to suit your taste and brand styling. Right from the channel dashboard, you will have to click on customize channel, then work on Layout, branding, and basic info.
In filling out your Indie Record Label description, consider SEO by using keywords that are likely to be used in searches.
Upload Your First YouTube Video
We’re at the point where you become a YouTube content creator. Look for the create button wherever you find it and upload the video.
How to Set-Up TikTok For Your Indie Record Label
Without exaggeration, we can say that TikTok is the hottest social media right now. With TikTok, you have the platform to introduce your business to a large audience. Imagine if you can capture a portion of the 689 Million daily active users for your indie record label.
Considering the explosive growth experienced by TikTok, it’s a social media account your indie record label should have. You have the option of creating a TikTok Business account called the TikTok Pro. Here are the steps to follow;
Download TikTok
The first step to setting up a TikTok business account is downloading the app either from Google Playstore or Appstore. Once download, click on “Me” and then “Sign Up.” You can register with your phone number or email address.
Set-Up a Business Account
Right within the app, click on “Me” and then “Manage Account” and then click on “Switch to Business Account.” You can then go ahead to pick the categories that align with your Indie Record Label.
Create Content
You are ready to create contents to be shared.
8 Social Media Best Practices For Businesses
As a business, there are best practices that are expected of you. Here’s a couple of them to adhere to;
- Maintain a single name across all social media. Regardless of the number of social media you have a presence on, all should be in the same name.
- Develop a comprehensive social media calendar. This helps your business to plan, post, and create strategic content.
- Have a strategy for all social media. Know that what works on TikTok might not be applicable on Instagram. That’s why you should identify what is to be achieved through individual social media.
- Choose the best channel for your business. You don’t have to be present on all social media. Instead, focus your attention on what and where works best for you—no need to be everywhere.
- Adopts a unique voice across all social media. Check out Wendy’s on Twitter; you’ll discover how distinct the fast-food chain has been. This has made it go viral countless times.
- Engage your followers at all times. It’s not about sharing content alone but going personal with your followers.
- Handle negativity with sincerity and humility. Apply empathy when criticism comes your way.
- Schedule your content ahead. Don’t share content only when you have the time.
