How to Get My Designs Out There

The Digital World

We are so lucky to have so many methods of sharing our work today. Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok are used by almost everyone and can be a great starting place to share short form content with each other. Scrolling through these apps is so popular that big media companies now see them as a threat for viewership. In marketing it's important to know where the eyes are, and currently it's these apps.

If you're trying to get your designs in front of eyes it's best to use the platforms mentioned above, however each platform will have a slightly different users and ages. From what's been found, Facebook is the platform that has the most directors. These directors often use Facebook and will look through band director groups, asking questions, posting info and keeping in touch with the rest of the music education world. This is how Marching Mapper originally was advertised. Joining these groups and posting your designs can be a great place to advertise yourself IF you do so branding yourself as a resource. Most of these groups are very strict about what's posted, so instead of posting yourself as a service to buy, post yourself as a resource to use. Use language such as "We want to help your program grow with fun and award winning drill" rather than "Drill writer for hire." Frame yourself as someone who wants to help the program, not someone who wants to help yourself.

Facebook is the platform where you'll need to link either a website or your own page. Use LOTS of text, talking about your design process and how you want to elevate programs. This is different from other social media platforms where you need to have a "clickbait" approach.

Instagram, TikTok and YouTube

When referring to YouTube I'll be referring to YouTube shorts. I lump these platforms together in this section but keep in mind their slight differences. TikTok is usually a younger audience, great for exposure and future directors. There are band directors on there, but the amount is smaller compared to the other platforms. TikTok works best with softer more emotional content. YouTube shorts is often an older demographic. Lots of directors will use this platform but the conversion rate from viewer to someone wanting to use your design services is very low. It's recommended to use YouTube shorts just to get eyes, don't expect many new clients. Instagram is the gold mine, full of a wide audience of musicians usually aged ~14-35. There are many young band directors on this app who need design work done.

The approach for making content on these platforms differs from Facebook where people will randomly find you rather than look for you. It's imperative to make content that catches the eye instantly. Post your most unique high energy parts of your design on these platforms. If the start of the show you're design is low energy with not much to note it won't hook many users. Be bold, be unique, show the best parts of your design.

Post Often

Posting consistently and posting often is basic math. More content = more eyes. By posting often you can build up an audience and gain new followers. If you plan on utilizing all forms of social media don't be afraid to upload the same content to different platforms. Our Instagram, Facebook and TikTok have duplicate posts and it works out great. If you're running low on content don't be afraid to repost old content of yours, or even better, go in depth with or old content, adding a voice over.

Add Your Personality

When making content be yourself. Not only does it add a uniqueness to your content but it also shows the potential client who you are. When we make content for Marching Mapper we inject lots of humor because that's who we are. If you're a funny person, show that in your content. Don't be afraid to be who you are.

If you'd like to get started designing try writing drill through Marching Mapper. Licensed are as low as $7/Month and we have a wide array of tools for designing and showing off your work.