Luke Bryan grew up in Georgia, helping on his family's peanut farm and learning to sing and play guitar from a young age. Though he had early success performing locally, tragedy struck when his brother died in a car accident, causing Luke to put his music career dreams on hold to help his family. Years later in Nashville, he found success as a songwriter for other artists before breaking through with his own hit debut album in 2007. Today, Luke Bryan leverages social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and his own website to heavily promote his music, tours, and charitable causes to his large international fan base.
2. +
Growing Up Country
Born Thomas Luther Bryan in Leesburg, Georgia
on July 17, 1976
He grew up helping his father on their peanut
farm
Luke got his first guitar at age 14
His mom encouraged him to sing when she
drove him around town
3. +
Long Road to Success
By age 15 Luke, the youngest
child in his family, was
entertaining small crowds
He was spotted by two local
songwriters once while
singing at a local club
The songwriters wrote for
Nashville artists and asked
Luke to write with them
When he graduated high
school he looked into moving
to Nashville for a recording
contract
4. +
Tragedy strikes
The day Luke was going to move out to
Nashville his brother died in a car accident
He chose to stay back and help his dad
with the family farm and business instead
of pursuing a recording deal
His father threatened to fire him if he
stayed because everyone knew that was his
calling
5. +
Famous over night
Once in Nashville Luke got
a deal writing for other
artists, like the song “My
Honky-Tonk History” for
Travis Tritt
Then in 2007 he started
recording his own songs
His debut album “I’ll Stay
Me” was in the Top 10
He is currently signed to
Capitol Nashville
6. +
Social Media: the Twitterverse
Reacts to Luke Bryan
With the handle @LukeBryanOnline Luke posts information about:
upcoming shows
Studio work
And endorses up and coming artists
7. Twitter
•
Twitter users can used the
tag #lukebryan and upload
pictures or videos from
concerts
•
Luke can also upload
personal pictures to twitter
for public viewing
•
They also give commentary
on concerts/performance
•
The more those following
Luke tweet the more popular
the hashtag becomes
meaning more people can
see what’s being said
+
8. +
Facebook
•
Luke’s Facebook account allows him to
post new music videos
•
Fans can then give immediate feedback
on or tag other friends
•
There is a lot of marketing that happens
on the Facebook page
•
Main goal is to drive as much publicity
to events Luke will be attending
9. +
Luke Bryan Online
Luke
also has an online
page that:
Sells merchandise
Gives tour dates
Keeps fan updated
about tour dates and
cities
Promotes music
purchases
10. +
Fan base
Luke is in the pop-country
genre
His fan base is everything
from die hard country fans to
teenage girls who also love
Justin Bieber
He attracts a wide range of
fans due to his dashing good
looks and his love of the
outdoors and hunting
11. +
Luke Bryan
and online
communities
The majority of the media
Luke puts out is to promote his
career
There are Facebook fan pages
for people to express their
love from Luke Bryan
Radio station websites also
promote events at which Luke
performing
12. +
Connecting with His Fans
Social media also gives those
who can’t afford VIP tickets
“backstage access” through
pictures or videos posted of
pre-concert antics
Twitter is the most effective
way Luke interacts with fans
Tweeting out how amped up
he is for a concert in a certain
city in turn pumps up his fans
13. +
Pinterest as a fan forum
Fans turn pictures of Luke
turned into works of art on
Pinterest show their devotion
His fan base is huge and they
love him for his down-home
country attitude (and good
looks!)
14. +
Life:140 characters
at a time
Luke posts regularly on social media
whether it is on Facebook, Twitter or
his official fan page.
He heavily promotes himself and his
events but is not beyond posting
Staying on top of his social media
accounts lets fans know what hes
been up to and give Luke instant
feedback on shows and singles
It’s a win win situation
15. +
Giving back
The untimely death of his
siblings has given Luke the
opportunity to speak out about
his own personal grief
Although he tried to keep his
private life as private as
possible he knew talking
about his grief would be an
example for those going
through the same issue
He puts on concerts at the
YMCA in Leesburg in his
siblings honor
He also does charitable work
for St. Jude children’s research
and Make-A-Wish