Introduction: Harnessing the Power of Micro-Content for Musicians

Haven’t you heard?

Organic reach is back baby.

And I want you as music artists to be able to take full advantage of it!

The key to growing a music fanbase from scratch is MICRO-CONTENT! This is great because it means you spend less time creating content and more time making music.

This is one of the music industry trends you really want to be paying attention to, especially as an up-and-coming music artist in the music industry.

Why Should Musicians Focus On Micro-Content on Social Media Platforms?

Times have changed.

Instant gratification is at an all-time high, and we can’t ignore that when thinking about content ideas for artists.

If you are ‘unknown’ and don’t have a plethora of existing fans yet, it is better to take to smaller frequent music marketing jabs in your music career over big punches with nothing in between. It’s all about consumption habits.

The rise of TikTok is no coincidence and it speaks to wider consumption habits when looking at digital marketing in general, not just for bands and musicians.

Music lovers consume content differently now and have much less patience.

You need to stay relevant and keep delivering bite-sized pieces of content so people start paying attention. Play the consumption game with your content.

If you can go viral with micro-content, that’s A LOT of eyes and ears on you and your music.

It is the number 1 way to get your music out to new audiences and build your fanbase right now.

But how do you come up with good content ideas for artists, for your band or own music profiles?

 A good place to start is by going through some artists/band pages that inspire you.

Save some of their content. Later on, you can go through it and brainstorm over it, adapting it to your identity and personality.

If you’re still stuck, here are loads of good content ideas for artists that bands and artists can use on social media right now!

15+ Engaging Content Ideas For Artists On Social Media

1. What People Think I Do vs. What I Actually Do

This is a great social media trend, especially on TikTok where your audience can gain valuable insight into what it’s actually like in your music world.

Here’s a good example of this trend in action on TikTok videos. You set it up with an expectation of what people think it’s like when you’re making, then make a transition and show off the reality!

2. Your Writing/Production Process

Often, the journey is more interesting than the destination.

All those hours, blood and sweat, and tears that you pour into your new song or latest release. You need to document this process and split it up for fans to see. Think about your favourite artists. Wouldn’t you love to see behind-the-scenes content of how they actually compose their music?

3. Your Biggest Achievement

It’s okay to talk about the things you have achieved on your social media channels.

The music industry is tough and if you’ve achieved something music-related that is truly incredible, you should share it with people! Think about creative ways to share your achievements but remember, short form video is key when putting together micro-content as a musician.

4. Singing In The Car

When thinking about content ideas for artists for your song remember this.

Your song doesn’t die. It just stops being managed.

You need to think outside of the box on different ways you can attach your song clips to something that either an existing audience or a new audience can enjoy. Singing to your own tracks on a car journey is the perfect way to do this easily and creatively! When promoting your music online, be creative about how you can include your song in your content.

5. Re-Write A Verse On A Popular Song That Already Exists

This is super popular for musicians and is one of the more popular Instagram content ideas and TikTok content ideas that musicians use.

Look at popular songs by other artists and re-write a verse. Record it in short form and post it as micro-content on your social media pages so your fans can understand your style in an instant with a frame of reference they are familiar with. It actually works better when you do this to songs outside of your genre!

6. How It Started vs How It’s Going

This is such a quick and easy win when it comes to content ideas for artists. You can do this in micro-content video form, or even in an Instagram carousel with a before and after.

Carousels, in particular, are a great way for musicians to get more traction on Instagram.

Try pairing with this an inspirational or motivational quote to show how far you’ve come and inspire your audience with supportive posts.

7. Your Story So Far

Talking of how far you’ve come, don’t take it as a given that your followers know your story.

Tell them where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you are planning on going. This allows them to join in on your journey and feel like part of the ride!

8. Sneak Peek of Your New Song

Whether it’s 15 seconds on your Instagram story or a short song post on social media, you can promote your new release ahead of time by sharing a snippet online.

These promotional posts feel like an obvious thing to do, but you’d be surprised how many other independent artists aren’t doing this and jump straight to their song release without any build-up. Your release should be part of a bigger plan which you can see here.

9. Behind The Lyrics

For many musicians and songwriters, your song lyrics are where you pour your heart and soul into.

Not all musical content has to actually involve hearing the music. For those interested in your songs, you can tell them what the lyrics mean and the general story behind the song’s existence.

10. A Day With The Band

Whilst you could vlog this and put up long-form content on YouTube, you can also do this as micro-content.

Pick a day you are going to document with your band, (preferably while you’re doing something interesting), and film bits on your phone. Edit these bits together into a small video and schedule it on your social media calendar!

11. What Inspires You

Where do you get your inspiration from as an artist?

It might be other bands and singers that you follow, or it could even be movies, books, and role models you looked up to when growing up. Share your biggest musical influences with your audience so they can learn more about you.

12. The Hardest Moment So Far

Succeeding in the music industry is tough and your fans should know that it’s not all roses.

Share your struggles and be open and honest. What have you found hard so far in your musical journey and can you think of an interesting way to share your story?

13. Share A Childhood Picture

While musicians are used to the idea of having to share photos of them in their current state, throwback posts are perfect for shaking things up.

Allow fans to connect with you and share something from your childhood, bonus points if you were a younger musical prodigy and you can find a shot of you rocking out at age 6!

14. Tutorials & How To’s

Widen your audience online by teaching something. You could make a tutorial on how to re-string your guitar, how to use a specific music production software, and much more.

This type of tutorial content is really shareable online and can even work for SEO on YouTube and other social media platforms.

15. Showing Off Your Workspace/Studio

Have a cool studio space at home?

Give fans an ‘office’ tour by showing them where you make your magic and what equipment you use! Pictures are an easy win but again, look to short-form video as it’s more engaging overall.

Conclusion

In conclusion, social media offers an incredible opportunity for musicians to connect with their audience, showcase their talent, and grow their fanbase. By leveraging micro-content and utilizing a variety of engaging content ideas for artists such as behind-the-scenes glimpses, personal stories, tutorials, and more, musicians can effectively capture the attention of their followers and attract new listeners. The key is to remain authentic, consistent, and creative in your approach to content creation. So, whether you’re a solo artist or part of a band, don’t underestimate the power of social media in amplifying your music career. Embrace these content ideas, experiment with different formats, and watch as your online presence flourishes, bringing you one step closer to achieving your musical goals.