I haven't played one, but here are some strategies I came up with after looking them over. Friend is playing one and asked for some strategies.
He had decided that he was going to use a bow and pick up some bow feats, so the spell picks reflect this. He was creating a 12th level character.
0
Doesn't really matter, although I would make sure to get Detect Magic, Read Magic and Light. I would probably also take Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, and Mending.
1
Feather Fall
Grease: Allows me to cut off one flanking position.
Identify
Message: You are a bard, isn't it all about communication?
2
Glitterdust: Blindness in an Area with a will save, plus it neutralizes concealment and invisibility.
See Invisible
Silence: Good way to cut out enemy spellcasters
Cat's Grace: Good enhancer, one that Clerics don't get. Improves your chances of hitting with a bow.
Mirror Image or Blur: Defensive spell
3
Haste: Best way to pump up the melee people. Improves their AC and increases the number of attacks they can get.
Fear: Think of it as crowd control. It can cut down the number of peons you have to deal with.
Greater Magic Weapon: This is what you would use against creatures with spell resistence, such as a dragon. Cast it twice, once on your bow and again on your ammo. Gives +8 bonus, which will definately be felt. Lasts hours.
Greater Magic Circle: Defense, especially against summoned creatures. Not critical since other classes can take it as well.
4
Improved Invisibility: The uses are obvious, although the duration is rather short.
Legend Lore: For when that Bardic Knowledge just isn't quite enough.
Cure Critical: Third level is too crowded with great spells, wait til here before picking up a cure.
Hold Monster: Useless against a dragon, but for others it is basically a save or die spell.
Break Enchantment: Good utility spell, although not strictly required. Clerics get this spell as well.
5
Greater Dispelling: Wait until here before getting any sort of dispel. Until then, buy a wand of Dispel Magic. It will last a long time, and just about anyone can make one.
Probably only one one or two curative spells, you don't get enough spells per day nor memorized spells to do a lot of curing.