5 Ways Social Media is Killing Your Career

5 Ways Social Media is Killing Your Career

Dear Nigerian Artistes,

Just in case you didn’t know, Social media is killing your career.
Your productivity, growth and career has been stunted by your use of social media.
Here’s how:

IT’S MAKING YOU PETTY

You’re beginning to pay attention to the things that don’t matter, and it’s beginning to cost you. Time, energy, positivity… you’ll find these things being sucked out by the constant barrage comments and opinions. You see some comments and it’s clear these people don’t know what they are talking about! It is your job to correct them!
Back in the day, artistes would take their anger and angst and channel it through their music. They’d make money, the fans would have new music- everybody would win. Nowadays, artistes go after each other on social media. The entire world heaves a collective sigh every time this happens.

WHAT TO DO: Realize that nobody cares. Really. People who come online to comment about you, your career, or your art care more about how their statements make them look (smart, witty, knowledgeable) than how you feel or how it affects you. Realize the best argument you can have is a successful career full of great songs.

 

IT’S DILUTING YOUR BRAND

Social Media gives artistes access to millions of fans. But it also gives millions of fans access to you. It’s easy to forget that part of your appeal lies in what people don’t know about you. It’s human psychology 101.
So, flooding your timelines with a running commentary about your life and ‘retweeting’ EVER SINGLE mention you get is a sure way to get people to slowly lose interest in you. Be interesting. Let the things you say and do online matter. Have an angle. Bring some value. Be interesting. Please.

WHAT TO DO: Have a plan and some discipline about the things you post. Socially media for others is just fun. For you, it’s an investment. Above all, Don’t be boring.

 

IT’S DISTRACTING YOU

How many hours did you used to spend working on your art before social media?
How many hours do you spend now? Think about it.

We know exactly how it is. The infinite memes, jokes and videos you just HAVE TO see right now, the conversations you just HAVE TO join. The noise, the excitement, the passion- all clamoring for your attention.
But ask yourself this, when was the last time you heard or read something on Social Media that truly changed or
More importantly, social media causes you to focus on the numbers, rather than the quality of your relationships. 500,000 followers are a waste if you can’t get up to 10% of them to support your music meaningfully.

WHAT TO DO: Focus on creating and marketing your music. Recognize the distractions for what they are: distractions.
Ask yourself: “what value am I getting from social media? How is it helping me grow?”

 

IT’S MAKING YOU LAZY

If someone asks you: “How are you planning to market this song?”
And your answer is “social Media”… Sit down, we need to talk.

Despite what a lot of people assume, “social media” is not a marketing plan or strategy. It should be part of one. Tweeting about your recent release is not enough. putting the song art on Ig is not enough. Reposting everyone who puts it up is not enough.
You ought to always have a grander strategy that involves as much resources and creativity as you can manage.

WHAT TO DO: Treat each song or release like a product you need to sell. Begin working on a marketing strategy while the song is still in the studio. It’s extremely hard to get people’s attention these days. You’re going to have to work for it.

 

IT’S FEEDING YOUR EGO

There’s nothing wrong in having a bit of ego. Heck, to be an artiste you have to have a bit of ego in the first place. You have to believe you are creating something people would want to listen to. Which is fine, but exhibiting ego for most artistes is a huge pitfall. And social media is the easiest platform to do so. Arrogant displays of ego will affect your fanbase and relationships.
Also, social media is a hype machine, and the worst thing you can do is believe it. You’re bombarded with tons of adoring fans begging for retweets and follows and eager to tell you just how great you are.

WHAT TO DO: Don’t believe the hype, especially yours. Stay humble. Stay focused. Remain grateful.

If what you take away from this is that you do not need social media as an artiste, please read through again.
There are examples all around of artistes who have mastered the social media machine and are getting real value from it. You should be one of them.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
Let us know.

*5ive Music is a music publishing company. We’re working with Nigerian artistes to help them exploit music publishing rights in Nigeria and beyond.
Say hello:

Twitter and Instagram: @5ivemusicgroup
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5ive Music Presents: is our column geared toward helping artistes figure out paths to success and making the most of their talents in the music business.
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