The Facebook timeline requirement for pages has been looming for a while and now that it is a requirement, many artists have been wondering how to take advantage of the new features. While I won’t go into the detailed steps about it (there are plenty of other blogs that do that), I did want to offer some unconventional advice. Creating a niche marketing approach through a unique experience for your fans is the best way to grow your audience organically.
Here are some of my tips:
Adding Milestones:
To add a milestone event, hover your cursor over the “timeline” itself until it becomes a plus sign. after that click and a small menu will pop up of things you can add. Select “milestone.” Of course, you should add the obvious major accomplishments such as the band forming, opening for a huge act, or a new album release, but you should mark some other occasions as well. Here are a few suggestions:
- Major tours: You know how many national acts add tour dates to the back of their shirts? It’s because fans like to remember that experience and saw “I was there when…” It’s no different with timeline, you are not restricted to posting milestones that fall on one specific day.
- Controversial Stuff: They say any press is good press. These are events that get people going. Ever been arrested? Kicked out of a club? Stand up with the Occupy Movement? Think of events that get people emotionally charged.
- Your Biggest Fans: If you can remember the exact show (or general time) when you met some of your biggest fans, surprise them and show your appreciation by posting that as a major milestone on your timeline. They’ll definitely get a kick out of it!
- Major Press: Your fans love to celebrate your success with you. Did you get a major review or award? Post it with a link and photo so that they can remember that moment with you.
- An example of a timeline milestone from The Slants.
- Big Disaster: Remember, you want to have a strong emotional connection. It’s OK to remember the bad times as well. Think about the rougher patches and when your biggest supporters were rooting you on. Did your tour van break down to the point it had to be put down? A major lineup change?
- Significant Community Event: Many artists support local charities and organizations by performing at fundraising events or donating gifts. Did you help raise a substantial amount of money for an important cause? Celebrate the success here!
These are just a few ideas to get the juices flowing. You have your own special connection with your fans that you know best. What would they be interested in? What events would make them smile, laugh, get angry, or love what you do more? If you have some ideas or have experienced some success, post in the comment section below!
Just one final reminder: When you make a post on timeline, it appears in the news feed so make these posts when the majority of people are online. If you do this during off-times, there’s a good chance that few will see your major milestone because it will get obscured by other updates.
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Simon Tam is owner of Last Stop Booking and author of the forthcoming book, How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements. He has helped hundreds of bands through booking and consultation services. Simon’s writing on music and marketing can be found at www.laststopbooking.com