B09 - Social Media & Education
Social Media - Facilitating Education & Knowledge Sharing in Music & the Music Industry
Social media has become a major part of education and knowledge sharing, especially in creative industries. Through platforms like Instagram/TikTok/YouTube, aspiring musicians and music industry professionals alike can access a wealth of free tutorials, live masterclasses, and educational content from educators and colleagues around the world. Whether it's learning how to play an instrument, using a digital audio workstation (DAW), or understanding music theory, the accessibility of this content lowers entry barriers for many creatives.
In regards to music marketing and industry knowledge, social media allows artists and professionals to find/share strategies and trends in real time. Independent artists can learn how to distribute music, promote releases, and build a brand directly from others navigating the same space. Communities on Reddit and Discord facilitate peer-to-peer learning, where users trade tips on things like playlist pitching, show booking, and monetization strategies. Easier access to this knowledge helps level the playing field, especially for those without traditional music education or industry connections.
Social media also enables direct interaction between fans and artists, allowing creators to gain instant feedback and understand market demands from the source.This accessibility can also lead to the discovery of misinformation, as with any online research endeavor. Social media platforms see the over saturation of music industry content, where in-experienced voices may spread ineffective advice. Sometimes the over saturation of methods occurs, when certain methods become trends and lose effectiveness.
Can Social Media Enhance Education?
Social media platforms have transformed traditional education by fostering interactive, community-based learning that’s immediate, affordable, and widely accessible. For music education, platforms like YouTube and TikTok allow musicians to teach and learn creatively, using visual, audio, and written formats. YouTube Shorts allow for short form content similar to TikTok tutorials. Tutorials are available for things like mixing vocals, learning specific piano compositions, even curating an artist image. Artists and professionals can choose what, how, and when to learn based on their goals, budgets, and timelines.
Social media can also act as a portfolio for artists/educators, where content creation doubles as teaching and self-promotion. A producer explaining how they made a beat can educate viewers while also showcasing their skills to peers, potential clients or collaborators. Sabrina Seidman is a creator who gives tips on Logic Pro, song composition, and being a woman in the music industry. She posts across multiple platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, posting consistently and interacting with the community. Social media platforms also break down geographic barriers. Artists in remote areas can access the same tutorials or communities as those in music capitals like Los Angeles.
Determining the Accuracy of Information
In the context of music and music marketing, information accuracy becomes especially important—misleading advice on copyright, promotion strategies, or platform algorithms can hurt emerging artists and cost them valuable time and resources.
There are a few strategies to assess accuracy. First, checking the credibility of the source—whether the person is a verified artist, industry professional, or recognized educator. Accounts with a history of sharing reliable content and transparency about their own experiences are often viewed as more trustworthy. Cross-referencing tips or tutorials with other sources or consulting official platforms like Spotify for Artists or ASCAP is another good method. Engagement metrics (likes/comments/shares) can help build community trust, though they can also be misleading due to viral content that prioritizes entertainment over substance.
As always, remain critical and curious about the information you’re consuming. Social media thrives on speed and virality, not accuracy. This short-form-educational-content often lacks the peer review or editorial oversight of academic or traditional sources. That’s why creators and consumers alike benefit from cultivating digital literacy—being able to recognize bias and question motivations, aka sniff out sponsorships.The music industry evolves quickly, with shifting algorithms and trends, so being able to vet information is just as important as accessing it.
