If you’re a musician looking to grow your audience, the next logical step is to plug in, press record, and start showing up online.
Social media might feel overwhelming at first—especially with so many platforms and trends—but the truth is, it’s one of the most powerful tools you have to connect with listeners, collaborators, and the wider music community.
Let’s talk through some tips here before starting your journey:
Choose your platforms wisely
Not all social media is created equal, and not every platform is going to be a good fit for you. I still remember when I first decided to try becoming a TikTok creator. Honestly, I didn’t overthink it—TikTok was the app I used the most, and I was already spending hours on it every day. So I figured, why not create instead of just scroll? It felt like the natural place to start, and it became the first platform where I really showed up and made my mark online.
Read all the latest product & music industry news here.
Before that, I had some experience with Facebook—long before TikTok was even around—so I knew Facebook had its strengths, especially for long-term presence. That’s why I gave both platforms a shot. But TikTok took off for me. In less than three months, I gained nearly 4,000 followers, while Facebook just kind of sat there with a handful of likes.
See, every platform plays by its own rules. They each have different ways of working, different audiences, and different levels of support for creators. The key is being willing to experiment and figure out what fits—not just with your personality, but also with your content, your style, and most importantly, your audience.
If you love performing live and keeping things quick, Instagram Reels and TikTok are perfect for you. Are you more into telling longer stories or sharing behind-the-scenes looks at your music? YouTube is your friend. If you want to connect with a more niche audience or dive into blogging, Facebook and Threads could be the way to go.
Show the Reel you
There’s no need to pretend you’re someone you’re not. In fact, authenticity is what grabs attention in the scroll. People want to see real musicians doing real things—writing, messing up, improving, and getting excited about a new riff or lyric. Whether you’re recording a cover in your bedroom or jamming with your bandmates in a sweaty rehearsal space, that honesty resonates.
Don’t worry about perfect lighting or studio-level production, especially just at the start. All you really need is your phone and a space with, admittedly, decent lighting. Start by sharing short, simple clips: a verse of a song you’re working on, a practice session or even a goofy moment that shows your personality. Sometimes, the magic is in the messy moments—not just the polished ones.
Script, scrip, script
Don’t confuse relaxed with flustered with careless. Before jumping into something new, take a moment to plan out a script. It’s not just about what you’re going to say—it’s about having a clear idea of what you want to get across. What’s the point of the video? What’s the message? Is it something your audience will care about?
Once you know that, you’ll have a solid foundation to build on—whether it’s crafting your dialogue, looking at video formats you like, or figuring out how you want the video to flow when it’s time to edit.
If you’re not sure where to begin, don’t stress over the title or the fancy details. Start with the message. Just like writing a song, the core idea is everything. From there, let it all come together. Write it out, even if it’s messy at first. You never know where those random thoughts might lead—you might end up with something way better than you expected.
Stay consistent without burning out
You don’t need to post every single day to “make it”—this isn’t a race, and burnout isn’t the goal. What matters more is showing up consistently in a way that feels sustainable. Think of it like playing music: you don’t rehearse for 10 hours a day, every day—but you do show up, tune up, and keep the groove going.
After I dipped my toes into TikTok, the next big question was: okay, cool… But when do I post? I fell into the classic scroll spiral, testing out mornings, late nights, weekends—you name it. It took a bit of trial and error, but eventually I found a flow that fit both me and my audience.
So here’s my shortcut for you: borrow the “recommended posting times,” sure, but don’t treat them like gospel. Try them for a week or two. Watch what happens—not just likes, but real engagement. When are people commenting? When do your DMs spike? That’s your audience waving back. Use those moments to build a schedule that doesn’t drain you but fits you—your energy, your style, your people.
Track progress (but don’t obsess)
It’s totally normal to want growth—followers, views, likes—they can all be useful signals. But they’re just part of the picture. What really matters is how your content connects. Are people commenting, sharing, or coming back for more? That’s the stuff to pay attention to.
Let those numbers guide you, but don’t let them define you. The most important thing is that you’re making music, sharing your journey, and staying true to what lights you up. Making social media content is a lot like writing a song—if you get too caught up in perfection or structure, you lose the soul. So loosen up. Treat it like you’re sharing with friends, not pitching to a boardroom. That’s when the good stuff happens.
So plug in, hit record, and start where you are. The world is waiting to hear what you’ve got!
