Musicians writing columns in a local music magazine can be a powerful tool for their career and brand. Here are some key reasons why musicians should take advantage of this opportunity:
1. Increase Visibility and Build a Personal Connection
Writing a column in a local music magazine provides musicians with consistent visibility among readers. It allows them to reach a broader audience beyond their usual fan base, giving people who may not have heard their music a reason to explore their work. By sharing insights and personal experiences, musicians can connect on a deeper level with readers, turning casual readers into dedicated fans.
2. Establish Expertise and Credibility
A regular column can position musicians as knowledgeable and experienced in the music industry, enhancing their credibility. Whether sharing tips about songwriting, touring stories, or thoughts on the industry, musicians can present themselves as leaders in their field. This can lead to further opportunities, such as speaking engagements, workshops, or invitations to contribute to other media outlets.
3. Strengthen Their Brand and Voice
Writing a column allows musicians to showcase their personality and values, helping to build their brand. It gives them a platform to express their opinions, highlight causes they care about, or promote upcoming releases and shows in a more personal and impactful way than traditional advertising. A well-crafted column can make their voice distinctive in both writing and music.
4. Engage the Local Community
Writing for a local magazine helps musicians stay connected to their local scene. They can support other local artists, venues, and music initiatives while also creating a community-oriented image. This connection can be especially beneficial when playing local shows or organizing community-driven projects, building goodwill and fostering relationships with fans and industry professionals.
5. Promote Music and Upcoming Projects
A column provides a subtle way to promote music and projects. Instead of a direct ad, musicians can discuss the process behind their latest album, the inspiration behind a song, or share exclusive behind-the-scenes stories. This creates excitement around their releases while avoiding the overt feel of self-promotion.
6. Develop Writing Skills and Creative Outlets
Writing regularly allows musicians to develop a new creative outlet. Many musicians already enjoy writing lyrics or personal reflections, and contributing to a column can refine their writing skills. Plus, writing in a different medium can inspire new creative ideas for their music.
7. Networking Opportunities
By writing a column, musicians may catch the attention of other industry professionals, including promoters, managers, or collaborators who read their work. It opens doors to collaborations or invitations to events and panels. Their written content can also be shared widely, boosting their reach within the industry.
8. Content for Social Media and Online Presence
Columns provide musicians with valuable content to share across social media and newsletters. Posting excerpts or linking to the full article helps keep social media feeds active, engages their audience, and drives traffic to both their platforms and the magazine, which can increase their overall digital presence.
By writing columns, musicians can develop a richer, multidimensional career and engage with audiences in ways that go beyond music, creating lasting connections in the process.
