Building a presence on social media as a guitarist can feel overwhelming — should you post technique videos, behind-the-scenes content, gear talk, or something else entirely? Sophie Burrell has navigated this in the real world as a working musician, and in this livestream she walks us through what actually moves the needle for guitarists online.
What you’ll get out of this lesson: A practical, experience-grounded overview of how guitarists can approach social media — what to post, how to think about platforms, and how to build an audience authentically without burning out.
Finding your angle as a guitarist on social media
There is no single formula that works for every guitarist online, and that’s actually good news. Your playing style, personality, and the music you make are all points of difference that no one else can replicate. The key is being clear about what you want to communicate and who you’re trying to reach. Are you a teacher, a performer, a gear enthusiast, or some combination? Getting specific about that focus makes every content decision easier.
Consistency and content strategy
One of the most common mistakes guitarists make on social media is posting sporadically — a burst of activity followed by weeks of silence. Consistent output, even if modest in frequency, builds trust with an audience and signals to platform algorithms that your account is active. It’s better to commit to one or two posts a week that you can sustain than to go all-in for a fortnight and disappear. Think about batching content: film several short clips in one practice session and schedule them across the week.
What actually performs well for guitarists
Short, punchy playing clips tend to outperform long-form content on most platforms. Hook the viewer in the first two or three seconds — lead with the most impressive or interesting moment rather than building slowly to it. Teaching content (a quick tip, a cool technique breakdown, an unusual chord voicing) tends to attract shares and saves, which are the engagement signals that most platforms weight heavily. Behind-the-scenes content — practice sessions, gear setups, the process of learning a new piece — builds the personal connection that turns casual viewers into loyal followers.
Platform differences and where to focus your energy
Different platforms reward different content formats and lengths. Short vertical video dominates on some platforms, while longer horizontal content still performs well elsewhere. Rather than trying to be everywhere at once, it’s more effective to choose one or two platforms that suit the kind of content you enjoy making, do those well, and then repurpose material to secondary platforms. Quality and consistency on one platform will always beat mediocre presence on five.
Taking it further: Once you’ve established a consistent posting rhythm on one platform, explore collaborations with other musicians or educators — duets, reaction videos, and joint live sessions are a proven way to cross-pollinate audiences. You might also look at using social media as a driver towards a deeper engagement point, whether that’s a mailing list, a membership, or a course.
Your homework: This week, film three short clips of yourself playing — aim for under 60 seconds each — and post at least one. Don’t overthink it. The goal is simply to get comfortable with the process of filming and sharing, because that confidence grows with repetition.