This guest post was written by Brian Casel, a songwriter, composer, and web designer. He runs the blog, Serve The Song, where you can find articles, tips, and videos about the craft of songwriting, music production techniques, and online music promotion tips. Follow Brian on Twitter @Casjam. If you would like to help the next generation of musicians, send an email to us and we’ll get you in touch with the Rock Stars of tomorrow.

(photo by Wim Mulder)

I must admit, I’m not a fan of the term “Web 2.0″. It’s just so over-used, and usually by folks who haven’t tapped into it yet. But there’s no denying that the second wave of web culture is in full swing. I’m talking of course about the social web. Everything has gone social, and that certainly includes online music promotion for songwriters and bands. But what about the good ol’ craft of strumming and scribbling up a new song? Well, I’m here to say that this can have it’s place in your social networking efforts too.

Songwriters, Get Interactive!

So you’re already tweeting away morning, noon, and night about everything from how much you hate your day job, to plugging Friday night’s gig. You’re already knee-deep in rock-star online music promotion. Haven’t stepped inside the Twitter-sphere yet? Check out this article to get you up to speed.

But lets take it a step further. You already interact with your fans by engaging in twitter conversations, promoting links your website and social profiles, sending out email blasts with event invitations, and selling merch online. Now lets invite your fans to peek into your songwriting process. Give your devoted online following the goods they crave. Your music. But more than your music, a look at your produce that music.

Creating Intimacy in Songwriting

The key to writing a great song is the same today as it has been forever. That is to let your true emotions break through your walls and touch the listener’s soul. You have to let yourself go, and let your creative juices do what they do best. Incorporate your real life experiences, personal thoughts and opinions, stories about your relationships, and anything else that exposes who you really are.

The new culture of the social web doesn’t change what makes a song great. But it can enhance that intimacy between you, your music, and your fans. Today’s web technology gives you all the tools you need to let your fans in on your creative process.

Ideas for Interactive Songwriting

Video is where it’s at in today’s online music scene. If you’re not broadcasting your band on YouTube, then you’re so “Web 1.0″ (sorry, couldn’t help myself). If you are on YouTube, well don’t stop there! Check out this article for more online video resources.

Aside from posting your concert videos online, how about posting rehearsal videos too? Keep a video blog going to show the progress you and the band is making in tightening up your set. This could be a cool idea when you’re gearing up to debut new material. Break the new songs to your fans with online video of your rehearsals, then let the anticipation build until these new gems really come alive on stage.

Just came up with a great rough idea for a song? Get it out there! Yes, before you finish it. Tweet a few of your lyrical ideas. Lay down a rough recording and post the mp3. Get feedback from your online audience as your song is a work in progress.

Blog about your songwriting efforts. Write in depth about your creative decisions as you make progress with your latest songs. You can do this alongside your in-progress videos and recordings. Why did you choose to go with this chord progression? What is the meaning behind your lyrics? How about proposing two different solutions to your songwriting task? Kind of a choose your own adventure, but for your fans to give feedback on how they want your song to turn out. There are lots of different directions you can pursue with this idea.

Songwriters and Fans: It’s Two Way Conversation

As always, supplement your songwriting blog with twitter updates to keep the conversation moving. Open up your blog and social profiles for comments. But don’t just sit and watch as your feedback comes pouring in. Respond! Engage your audience. Pose questions. Create real relationships across the web, all centered around your common love for great songwriting. That’s the type of intimacy that will create fan loyalty and encourage your fans to spread the word.

Don’t just blast out promotional links. Truly embrace the social web for your entire songwriting process, and the social web will embrace your music.