Facebook just announced a slew of new features, some which will change the way people discover new music. This video from their keynote illustrates how listening to a song can become a viral experience:
How will this impact musicians?
To start, let's breakdown the message that people need to click to hear your music.
Friend(s) is listening to Song by Band on App
Friends
Figuring out how to reach the folks that influence the music their friends listen to is even more important. The good news is that you don't need to get those people to "share" your music. Simply listening to a song passes it along to their friends. The bad news is that a single listen is fleeting. You need to get several people listening at the same time or 1 person listening again and again to get someone's attention (and hopefully a click to listen).
Songs
The song title and your band name are the only things displayed in the ticker, so they better be good. There's no room for photos, press quotes, videos, logos, or any of the other things you'd normally include when pitching your music to potential fans.
Apps
Facebook users need to authorize each new app they use to publish information about what they're listening to. Because of this, you're better off promoting your music using apps which fans are most likely to be sharing with Facebook already. The early leader here is Spotify, but that could change as time goes on.
Do people even care about this?
When I saw the first Spotify mention in my Facebook ticker I was really excited about it. I noticed, however, some of my friends who aren't quite as obsessed with music as I am saw it differently.
I personally think people will get used to the new level of sharing Facebook is pushing for, but there's always the possibility of a user rebellion that makes all of this a moot point.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Lou
Follow @LouPaniccia
