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7 Powerful Facebook Features That Bands Overlook

10/20/2014

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Here is some good advice from our friends over at sonicbids.

 Every band knows having a Facebook page is essential to reach new fans and have a healthy online social presence. For many, their Facebook page even replaces an official website. Beyond the lure of accumulating likes, the platform can be a powerful tool if you make it work for you. Here are seven oft-ignored features that bands need to use, now.

1. Ads that creatively target audiences

The most popular way to target fans is geo-targeting, which allows you to find users by geographic location including country, state, city, and town. You can even target people within a given mile radius. Don’t forget, however, that you can also target fans using other criteria.

Factors like age, gender, education, place of work, likes, and interests are all viable options you should take time to explore. What do these factors mean for your band? Consider key players and organizations in your city that are music influencers and tastemakers. Target local booking agents or media outlets in your town. Endless possibilities are at your doorstep if you think outside the box.

2. Page pins and boosted posts

Facebook utilizes a very specific algorithm: if your post receives little to no comments or likes, it will sink to the bottom of the news feed and become virtually invisible. If the opposite happens, your post will remain at the top as more and more activity rolls in.

Bands use many strategies to capture attention, but sometimes even the best creative ideas don’t yield the desired results. If you think your content is engaging, but it's just not seeing the response you want, consider pinning a post to the top of your page or boosting it. For a small price, your Facebook post can be "boosted" to reach a wider audience, or can be freely "pinned to the top" of your page's timeline for a maximum of seven days. 

3. Profile photos and cover photos

The cover photo and profile picture are the only two areas where Facebook users can manipulate the appearance of their page and go “all out.” Develop this space with different photos per section: real life photos and promotional photos.

Real life photos of the members of the band should always be prominently featured. These photos can be live performance shots, behind the scenes moments, or press-worthy looks from photo shoots. Promotional photos vary across the board, but they must provide information to fans and promote your band. Focus promotion on newsworthy events and branding designs. Examples include graphic logos, album artwork, a band photo that includes a list of upcoming tour dates, etc.

Think creatively and constructively about which photos to use so that your cover photo and profile picture are not in the same category. For example, if your profile photo is your album artwork, your cover photo should be a picture of the band.

4. The "about" section and contact info

Include an active email address that you check regularly. If a promoter is looking for your band online, one of the top results in a search engine query will likely be your Facebook page. You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity because you forgot to include youremail. 

Make sure all band links are present, including your band’s official website. If someone visits your Facebook page, they should be able to click and link directly to all of your social media accounts and your site. 

5. Effective content updates

Bands should focus on sharing four kinds of content: new music releases, upcoming events, behind the scenes candids, and glimpses into their personal, everyday life.

It goes without saying that bands should share new music releases and tour dates, but don’t oversaturate your Facebook page with only these kinds of posts. Now more than ever, fans want to feel personally connected to their favorite bands. They want to know where you're playing next and what you ate for breakfast. Make sure the content you share on Facebook is of a wide variety, but keep it within the realm of your artistry. No one wants to see a timeline full of selfies, memes, and cat photos.

6. Tagging venues and festivals

Perhaps the biggest mistake made by bands is not tagging venues and festivals in their posts after being booked. When you tag any Facebook page, your post will appear on their timeline, which helps you connect to the event and possibly their built-in crowd.

Have you seen the phenomenon where bands turn their backs to the audience to take selfies with the crowd? One big benefit is that fans can tag themselves in the photo and then share it with their friends on social media. Win-win!

7. Responding to fans

As stated before, music lovers don’t only want to read about bands and watch them perform. Fans champion a personal connection and want to feel like they know the person behind the music. Take the time to respond to your fans when they write you messages or leave comments on your Facebook page. Set aside at least 30 minutes of your day to monitor your social media sites. As your career grows, you probably won't have time to respond to everyone, but there are ways to combat volume. For example, set up a Q&A onTwitter and let your fans know ahead of time that you'll be available for a live chat. 

 

Kaylee Bugg is an account coordinator at Sonicbids. She is a singer, songwriter, pianist and actress from Atlanta, Georgia. A graduate of Berklee College of Music and former talent buyer for the Red Room @ Cafe 939, she also helps manage an independent band from Boston and produces musical theater events.

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Manta Ray Records in Autumn 2014

10/1/2014

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Well l Folks, its fall! Our favorite time of the year.  Lots of great music happens in the fall, from outdoor festivals to Halloween bashes , it’s a great season for music! Here’s what has been happening at Baltimore’s best little record label.

BIG NEWS!!!

Big news!! …Manta Ray Records has merged with Distrophonix to become one company. Distrophonix which has been providing distribution and business solutions to record labels and artists since 2006 , will now be working as a division of Manta Ray Records. 
Mike Diamond president of Manta Ray records said “With the acquisition of Distrophonix’s marketing , reporting ,press and distribution channels , this makes Manta Ray Records the dominant player in the Mid- Atlantic area.”


 Distrophonix was voted best music company in Baltimore in 2012 by the City Paper and one of their artists was nominated for a Grammy in 2010. This team up is very exciting for the label, as Manta Ray Records artists will now have access to a slew of features and services normally reserved for major label artists.
The company will operate separately from Manta Ray Records, for now , and will still do business under the name Distrophonix, until further notice.

Top Artists this month 

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Former Baltimore club star BLAQSTARR came out on top this month as the most downloaded artist in our network. They are closely followed by Baltimore hard rockers “KILL BETTY “  and our international dance artist from the Ukraine “MEILLY MEE”.. Also we had heavy airplay for “THE GODZ”, “KAORU YAMAZAKI” and first timer southern rapper “BABY A”.

The Amount of international airplay that Manta Ray records artist have received have been staggering.  Every month our artists receive tens of thousands of plays from networks and stations, all over the world, and the numbers grow every month.

With the new merger we will be able to offer things like custom press kits and various fan building apps that will allow our artists to be in better touch with fans and be able to get music out to the industry connects faster and with better presentation. Schedule a meeting to discuss how these changes in our structure can help you call 443-447-4325



YELLA JESUS LOVES YOU!

Manta Ray Records recording artist “YELLA JESUS” wants to share his message with you…. You can hear it in his new single WALKIN’ GOD. This song clarifies the YELLA JESUS philosophy for all his followers.   

This project is produced by our own AUDDIO VIDDEO and is great 1st record by this soon to be hip-hop superstar… look for it soon.


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Walkin’ God available on Halloween 2014


Rehearsal space now open!

We have been working on a space for our Hip-hop clients and small, indie type bands to rehearse for the last 5 months. Well, it is finally finished and ready for you! The room is equipped with PA and drums for bands  or a PA and a open room for rappers. It is sound proofed and available.

If you are doing a show or showcase and you are not rehearsed, you are wasting your time. Come on in and polish up your act!



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OPENING SPECIAL - 90 mins for just $20.00 ,,, Call 443-447-4325

RAPPERS - New tour opportunity!!
 NEXT TO RISE TOUR  (THE DMV TOUR) DC, MD, VA tour

 A.) Tour Description: 

-"Next To Rise Tour" is a Reality Show Promo 3 day tour . 
-Four artists, all living and spending time together  will be performing at 3 venues in 3 different cities. 
-The tour is recorded for Comcast TV, so by agreeing to go on this tour you are giving " Next To Rise Tour" all the rights to the footage. 
-Travel and hotel are included
- Artist take care of their own food, male and female will not share a room.

 B.) Thing that will happen on tour:
1.) Radio Interview
2.) Photo Shoot
3.) Studio Time
4.) VIP
5.) Site Seeing
6.) Mall Shopping
7.) Music Video
8.) 10 min set at 3clubs
9.) Visit Night Club if over 21
10.) Street Sale or Given out of CD


Because all of the extra activities, all artists will need to pay $200 per person when they get to the bus pick-up or hotel
 
 C.) Please email:

 3 pictures, 4 songs, facebook, twitter, and IG to rcradle219@aol.com 
Please put Tour Info in the subject in email. 
We need all this info 2 weeks before the tour
  
 D.) Tour is only for the main artist no Hype man, Dancers, Band, only the artist on tour. They may  come to the club and perform with you or travel with you  however they are responsible for any club fees, travel expense etc
  
 E.) Tour Dates:

 Sept 30th -Alexandria VA -CLUB ONE 8786 Richmond Hwy, 
October 1, Baltimore MD- EL DORADO'S 4100 Lombard street, 
October 2, Washington DC -DA LUFT 1242 H street NE 
Stage time is at 11pm sharp at all 3 venues
  
 F.) Fights are not allowed. Any artist fighting will be   put off the tour and will need to provide your own way home, no weapons are allowed if you are found with a weapon you will be sent home, Drugs is your business but there will be no drugs in the tour vechicles at all.
  
 G.) Travel is by van and we will be staying at Days Inn and Suites 9860 Washington Blvd N Laurel, MD, 20723,  for 3 days                  

 If tour is cancel for any reason you will be place on another tour.


 If you made a deposit and we cancel the tour for any reason,  your deposit will be returned.
  
For more information please contact - Next To Rise Tour CEO ........Riley Cradle 443 621 4200


THE GODZ BACK IN THE STUDIO AND LOOKING AT FESTIVALS

Larry Kessler and the GODZ band are back in the studio to make new tracks for an EP due out next spring … They are in talks with various festival organizers about doing some select dates this spring to promote the new E.P. 

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Larry promises that this will be some of the most introspective material that he has ever released . The current GODZ band includes Larry and longtime collaborator Rick Sambuco, with Mike Cerri on Horns , Doug Gussio on Drums and Mike Diamond on Bass. They are playing select shows now.

Catch them at their next show at Baltimore’s DEPOT lounge on November 8th with Noble Animals and Bootleggers and Baptists.



DJ BLAQSTARR now just BLAQSTARR
Going from a position that everybody knows and likes you for , to do something new and unproven is the true mark of an artist. BLAQSTARR knows this all too well. After reaching notoriety for being one of the breakout stars of Baltimore Club in the early 2000’s and working with people like Mos Def , Rye Rye and others , most people would play it safe and stick to what made them popular.
BLAQSTARR has come out with a new release on Manta Ray Records that turns that upside down … Check out Trinity 1.5.


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This release shows the artist in a new light and new direction , which is leaving audiences and critics amazed at the versatility of this gifted performer . On sale now worldwide through the Orchard and Manta Ray Records


Happy news in the Manta Ray Family –

Noble Animals band mates Kelli and Kyle are now life mates as they exchanged wedding vows this past August. Their new single “ Shake it out” drops next month. Congratulations. 

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Something Complex frontman Josh and his lovely wife Jenn Mack (Then be lions ) , brought little baby Alex into the world this week . Mother and baby are doing just great and we are so happy for them.

 


Download Cards 

If you are in a band or a rapper and you are performing , you must have download cards!.

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If you are playing shows and the people there are not leaving with a download card in their hands you are losing potential fans. As a Manta Ray records artist you get a 50% discount off the regular price for Download cards… There is no excuse , call your manta ray rep today !


PUNK POWERHOUSE  “DOGHOUSE SWINE” TO JOIN THE MANTA RAY RECORDS FAMILY

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 Hard hitting punkers DOGHOUSE SWINE is joining the Manta Ray family of artists and will be in Baltimore to record their next release with legendary punk producer J. Robbins. After the release of the record they will begin a tour that will culminate with a spot on the SXSW stage in Texas… These heavy hitters have toured all over the country and are ready to do it again with their new record and single on MANTA RAY RECORDS… stay tuned!



Look for new music this fall from NOBLE ANIMALS, PSYKOTIC MELODY , AUDDIO VIDDEO , YELLA JESUS, THE GODZ  and others... Have A Great Fall !

IF ITS BALTIMORE...IT'S ON MANTA RAY RECORDS.
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