Help Your Fans Help You Market

Social media can be such an instant communicator that it allows people to immediately share the good time their having with not only their friends, but the world. The problem is that artists and bands don't often take advantage of this during a show. Consider the following ideas for your next gig.

• Display a live feed. How about displaying a live Twitter or Instagram feed on a monitor near the stage. Even better, if you use a projector in your show, put up the feeds at specific times during your set. An even better time is before the show actually begins, since there's already built up tension as the fans wait for the main event.

• Have clear written instructions on what you want people to do. Your fans will engage since they're already on their phones, but you have to have a clear call-to-action so they understand exactly what they're being asked. Then they need the instructions easily laid out for them. They're at a event trying to have a good time and don't want to think.

• Collect the data. Be sure to collect and analyze the engagement data so you can spot any trends, such as boredom, excitement or an intense reaction for a song.

• Turn it into user generated content later. Pictures and videos can later be used as social media or YouTube content, just ask permission first. Most fans will be only to happy that you've chosen their material.

A live gig is an underutilized tool that with a little additional effort can turn into a social marketing event with the help of your audience.

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