The Artist Rise #030
Welcome to your weekly resource for all things branding, release strategy, and overall artist development.
Every week I'll help you strengthen your artistry through sustainable strategies that will help you build your career rather than force you into burnout.
Let's get into it.
Profile "Optimization"
Something simple that artists don't do enough is update or "optimize" their profiles.
Spotify, Instagram, you name it.
Sure, it gets updated when a new release is on the way, but other than that profiles are just left stagnant.
So today we're going to dive into what "optimization" really looks like and why it matters.
Profile Photos
When it comes to social and streaming platforms, having an updated photo is the key to a clear artistry from the first moment.
That's the first thing anyone sees on your profile, so it would make sense to have it up to date, right?
Which is why my best rule of thumb is to update that every time you get new artist photos.
The most current photo you have is what you should use, and it should align with your brand as a whole.
Bios
Your bio is touchpoint #2. That fills out more of the picture that a profile picture can't.
I think what varies from platform to platform is the character count, which then means you have to have a few versions in your arsenal.
Here's what I mean:
Instagram/TikTok
For socials like IG and TikTok, you're limited on space. So the kind of bio you need for a page like this is something short and sweet that gives off your artistry's vibe.
This is the place for what I like to call the "Artist Statement".
If you're struggling to sum it up within the space you have, just approach it like this:
If you could only say one thing with your artistry, what would that be?
YouTube/Spotify/Facebook
On platforms where you have more space to work with, I'd recommend using more of your press-release-esque bio.
This is where you can give a little background, describe your sound, and speak to your overall message as an artist.
These platforms are a little more engaging than Instagram and TikTok in terms of profile retention, so utilize the space you're given to make that connection.
Links
Links are probably the most used but sometimes easily forgotten about pieces of a profile.
Of course you update your Linktree with your latest release the day it comes out, but in most cases that's the only updating these sorts of pages get.
Then, 6 months later, you go back to your links and realize that it's been out of date for so long that you have to do a full facelift to bring it up to speed.
But truth is those updates should fall at a more monthly frequency than they typically do.
You might not feel like you have anything to add to it or pin to your page, but it's good practice to check in every so often.
Some suggestions on what you can highlight in a Linktree are:
- A new YouTube video
- An interview or article about you
- Your email list (with a special goodie upon sign-up)
There might not always be something natural to use like a release, but we can find ways to get creative and stay active.
Bottom line is, the links on your profiles are your one form of engagement that goes beyond what that platform offers, so it's important to keep it relevant and use the space you have to engage potential fans in the way you want.
Other Platform Features
Of course, each platform has their own features that can be tools for artists, so let's break those down as well:
Pinned posts (TikTok/Instagram)
Your pinned posts are also something you probably forget to update from time to time, but definitely can use to your advantage.
A pinned post is the first piece of content someone sees if they go to explore your profile further.
The best things you can highlight here are:
- A new release
- A video sharing your story
- A noteworthy moment or highlight
- A forecast of the project you're working on
The options aren't limited, but look at your page like you're a potential fan and think what you could pin there to lock them into becoming a real fan.
Artist Picks (streaming platforms)
Similar to your pinned posts, this is the first chance you have to put your best (or newest) song or project in front of someone.
The best part is you can add a little comment or caption on there as well to say more about the release.
It's free real estate to showcase your work.
Where it's under-utilized is between release cycles, and my best advice for optimizing it when you're not pushing a new release is to highlight an old one that's relevant.
Got an old love song? Pin it around Valentine's day.
Got a project celebrating an anniversary? Shout that out there.
It's a tool, and while it might not seem like much, every little bit helps paint a clearer picture.
All in all
At the end of the day, optimizing socials and streaming is one of those things that you can do to set yourself up for success in ways that you can control.
In the age of algorithms, you can't determine who is landing on your posts or finding your music, but what you can do is make sure that you give them the best experience possible once they get there.
This isn't about the discovery in itself, but the journey of the potential fan.
The clearer you make it for them, the more they can understand you.
Then it's up to them if they're joining along with you or not.
Hopefully this gives you a good place to start, but if you aren't really sure where to start, let's talk. I'll help you figure it out.
Until next time,
-Ava
That's it for this week! Hopefully this helped you take the next step in developing yourself as an artist and a brand. Stay tuned for more next week.
If you have any topics you want to see more of or any questions you'd love for me to answer, simply reply to this email.
Keep learning and growing,
Ava Rose Lynch
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