I can’t tell you how many times I’ve debated over this with DJs. Many get very comfortable with social networking such as MySpace and FaceBook. And why wouldn’t they? It’s easy to use, you can interact with friends, fans, promoters, other artists and even record labels…and most of all…IT’S FREE! But what happens when the hype dies and the thrill is gone?
I strongly believe that anyone who strives to be at the top of their game should have their own .com (ie: http://www.yourdjname.com). It’s your official online “corporate” headquarters that is strictly about YOU. No comments, no advertising, no friends promoting other events…just you and what you do along with you biography, photos, up-to-date schedule, high resolutions photos, contact info, maybe even some video and a podcast, and surely downloadable media kit. Certainly feel free to add links to your MySpace and FaceBook pages as well.
For those of you who have lived on MySpace for the last couple of years I ask you…have you been on it much lately? or have you moved on to FaceBook liek the rest of us? Personally, I used to be a MySpace junkie and now I live on FaceBook. MySpace has become “EmptySpace.” It’s like a ghost town over there. I know plenty of people still use it, but the interactive features of FaceBook are superior and as users adjust to the learning curve the migration will continue.
Now that you’ve found most of your MySpace contacts on FaceBook and have updated your bio and contact info there and have even moved most of your photos albums, I ask those of you who ONLY use social networks….What will you do when the next big social networking site takes over? Are you going to move all of this yet again???
Well the answer is…of course you will! I’m sure I will too. They don’t call it “the next big thing” for nothing. Whatever it is I’m sure it will be worth it. However, the more you move the harder it becomes to find you. It’s still going to be a hard and painful moving process. Let’s not forget, the more of these sites we have, the harder it becomes to keep them all up-to-date.
Your own .com will stay with you as long as you pay the bill. Web hosting is so inexpensive and there are too many website services out there that are low in cost or free…so no excuses.
Here is my .com as an example: http://davidsabat.com
David Sabat
DJ Marketing 101 
Tight work I like this shit–its on point. I was actually having this discussion with my boy from SOBE. I got a lil something up my sleeve for the end of summer and even though I have been around since medusas and shelter–I have never promoted–and I refuse to do a half ass job–I actually had it planned for July 4th and pulled back for more time to study the market.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Social Networking pages are tools to enhance your web presence, and should never be relied on as your sole marketing scheme.
So many times I get promos from DJ’s that have nothing but a MySpace page and my first reaction is always the same, “Really ? You don’t have your own website ?”
It does seems less than professional.
On the other hand, many DJ’s (and their managers) send out incomplete profiles and promotions, leaving out social media addresses like My space, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube Channel etc.and some send out promos with no links to anything at all.
How are people supposed to check you out if you don’t include any links to yourself ?
My advice…if you send an incomplete profile or promotion to the press,and rely on the editor to hunt down your Social Networking address, any videos, and sometimes even a promotional photo…they will probably leave your promo in their email inbox and move on to the next one that is complete with all the information that readers want to know.
David, you should do a post on how to properly put together and send out promotional material.
Harold…your ahead of me…lol. Pleanty of posts are comming on media kits. Can’t give it all away at once 🙂 Thanks again for your comments and I fully agree with you that social networking is a tool that should be in addition to your own website, which should be considered your “corporate home base”…is what I like to call it.
Outstanding article it is really. My boss has been awaiting for this information.