Platform Comparison Guide

Where you post your audition ad matters. This guide compares platforms for finding bandmates and helps you choose the right ones.

Platform Overview

General Music Platforms

BandMix

• Type: Dedicated musician finder
• Reach: International
• Cost: Free + paid options
• Best for: All genres, all levels

JoinMyBand

• Type: Dedicated musician finder
• Reach: International
• Cost: Free + paid options
• Best for: Rock, metal, alternative

Vampr

• Type: Social network for musicians
• Reach: International
• Cost: Free + paid options
• Best for: Networking, collaboration

Social Media Platforms

Facebook Groups

• Type: Community groups
• Reach: Local to international
• Cost: Free
• Best for: Local musicians, specific genres

Instagram

• Type: Visual social network
• Reach: International
• Cost: Free
• Best for: Younger musicians, visual content

Reddit

• Type: Forum communities
• Reach: International
• Cost: Free
• Best for: Specific genres, advice

Classified Platforms

Craigslist

• Type: Classified ads
• Reach: Local
• Cost: Free
• Best for: Local musicians, all genres

Local Music Stores

• Type: Physical bulletin boards
• Reach: Very local
• Cost: Free
• Best for: Local, traditional approach

Professional Platforms

LinkedIn

• Type: Professional network
• Reach: International
• Cost: Free + paid options
• Best for: Professional musicians, session work

SoundBetter

• Type: Professional services
• Reach: International
• Cost: Free + paid options
• Best for: Session musicians, producers

Detailed Comparison

BandMix

Pros:

• Large user base
• Dedicated to finding bandmates
• Search filters (location, genre, skill)
• Profile pages with audio/video
• Messaging system
• Mobile app

Cons:

• Paid features for best results
• Some inactive profiles
• Quality varies widely
• Can be overwhelming

Best for:

• Serious search
• All genres
• All skill levels
• Willing to pay for premium

Cost:

• Free: Basic profile, limited messaging
• Premium ($9.99/month): Unlimited messaging, advanced search

Tips:

• Complete profile with audio/video
• Use specific search filters
• Check last login date
• Premium worth it for serious search

JoinMyBand

Pros:

• UK-based but international
• Active community
• Good search filters
• Profile pages
• Free messaging

Cons:

• Smaller than BandMix
• More rock/metal focused
• Less active in some regions

Best for:

• Rock, metal, alternative
• UK/Europe
• Free option

Cost:

• Free: Full access
• Premium (£4.99/month): Featured ads, priority

Tips:

• Strong in UK
• Good for rock genres
• Free version works well

Vampr

Pros:

• Modern interface
• Swipe-based matching
• Social networking features
• Collaboration focus
• Active community
• Mobile-first

Cons:

• Younger user base
• More casual
• Less traditional band search
• Limited search filters

Best for:

• Younger musicians
• Networking
• Collaboration
• Modern approach

Cost:

• Free: Basic features
• Pro ($9.99/month): Unlimited swipes, advanced features

Tips:

• Great for networking
• More casual than BandMix
• Good for collaboration

Facebook Groups

Pros:

• Free
• Large user base
• Local groups available
• Genre-specific groups
• Easy to post
• Can see profiles

Cons:

• Not dedicated to musician search
• Posts get buried quickly
• Quality varies
• Spam/scams
• Privacy concerns

Best for:

• Local search
• Specific genres
• Free option
• Supplementing other platforms

Cost:

• Free

Tips:

• Join multiple local groups
• Join genre-specific groups
• Post regularly
• Engage with community
• Check profiles before responding

Recommended groups:

• "Your City Musicians"
• "Your Genre Musicians"
• "Musicians Wanted"
• Local music scene groups

Instagram

Pros:

• Visual platform
• Large user base
• Hashtag discovery
• Stories for updates
• Direct messaging
• Free

Cons:

• Not designed for musician search
• Hard to search effectively
• Requires active presence
• Time-consuming

Best for:

• Younger musicians
• Visual content
• Building presence
• Supplementing other platforms

Cost:

• Free

Tips:

• Use relevant hashtags
• Post regularly
• Engage with local scene
• Use Stories for audition posts
• Link to other platforms

Hashtags:

• #YourCityMusicians
• #YourGenreBand
• #MusiciansWanted
• #BandAuditions
• #InstrumentWanted

Craigslist

Pros:

• Free
• Local focus
• Large user base
• Simple posting
• No account needed

Cons:

• Spam/scams
• Quality varies widely
• Posts expire quickly
• No profiles
• Safety concerns

Best for:

• Local search
• Free option
• Supplementing other platforms
• Reaching non-musicians-platform users

Cost:

• Free

Tips:

• Post in "Musicians" section
• Repost weekly
• Be specific in ad
• Screen carefully
• Meet in public
• Watch for scams

Reddit

Pros:

• Free
• Active communities
• Genre-specific subreddits
• Local subreddits
• Good discussions

Cons:

• Not designed for musician search
• Posts get buried
• Smaller reach
• Varies by subreddit

Best for:

• Specific genres
• Advice and feedback
• Supplementing other platforms
• Reddit-active musicians

Cost:

• Free

Tips:

• Post in r/FindABand
• Post in genre subreddits
• Post in local subreddits
• Follow subreddit rules
• Engage with community

Relevant subreddits:

• r/FindABand
• r/YourGenre (e.g., r/Metal, r/Jazz)
• r/YourCity
• r/Musicians

Platform Selection Guide

Choose Based on Your Needs

For serious, wide search:

• BandMix (Premium)
• JoinMyBand
• Facebook Groups
• Craigslist

For local search:

• Facebook Groups
• Craigslist
• Local music stores
• Instagram (local hashtags)

For specific genres:

• JoinMyBand (rock/metal)
• Genre-specific Facebook groups
• Reddit genre subreddits

For professional musicians:

• LinkedIn
• SoundBetter
• BandMix (Premium)

For younger musicians:

• Vampr
• Instagram
• TikTok

For free options:

• Facebook Groups
• Craigslist
• Reddit
• Instagram
• JoinMyBand (free version)

Multi-Platform Strategy

Recommended Approach

Primary platforms (invest time):

1. BandMix or JoinMyBand
2. Facebook Groups (local + genre)

Secondary platforms (supplement): 3. Craigslist 4. Instagram 5. Reddit

Optional platforms: 6. Vampr 7. Local music stores 8. LinkedIn (if professional)

Posting Strategy

Week 1:

• Post on all primary platforms
• Post on secondary platforms
• Engage with responses

Week 2:

• Repost on Craigslist
• Update Facebook posts
• Continue engagement

Week 3:

• Repost on all platforms
• Refresh ads
• Evaluate results

Week 4:

• Focus on best-performing platforms
• Drop non-performing platforms
• Continue until filled

Platform Comparison Chart

Safety Considerations

All platforms:

• Meet in public first
• Tell someone where you're going
• Trust your gut
• Watch for red flags
• Don't share personal info immediately

Higher risk platforms:

• Craigslist (no profiles)
• Facebook (fake profiles)
• Instagram (fake accounts)

Lower risk platforms:

• BandMix (verified profiles)
• JoinMyBand (established community)
• LinkedIn (professional profiles)

Key Takeaways

1. Use multiple platforms - Don't rely on just one
2. Primary + secondary strategy - Focus effort wisely
3. Match platform to needs - Consider genre, location, budget
4. Free options work - Don't need to pay
5. Paid can be worth it - For serious search
6. Local matters - Use local platforms
7. Stay safe - Screen carefully, meet in public

The right platform depends on your genre, location, budget, and timeline. Use this guide to choose the best platforms for your search.