By now you may know that we’re all about the DIY approach to the music business. Heck, why else would we have created a portable storefront for your fans to purchase directly from you? But while we’re working hard to provide all your merch needs on-demand, there are other companies out there helping you build and manage your fanbase in order to market your music. Take, for example, Fancorps. These guys are working hard to help artists, labels, etc. with their street and viral marketing.
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If you’re stumped about how to build a relationship with your fans, you can actually learn a thing or two from Katy Perry. What!? Well, according to Digipendent, Katy is using a service called SayNow that allows her fans to pick up their phone and call her. Once they do, they hear a voicemail by Katy herself with some current news/updates and requests that her fans leave a message. Not only that, but she actually listens to them and even calls some of them back! Crazy stuff, but just the kind of thing more and more artists need to be adopting. Read the full review after the jump …
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May 27th, 2009 by: Greg Rollett
Greg Rollett is the author of Gen-Y Rock Stars, a site that hosts interactive education for DIY musicians. Greg spends his days and nights working on new media and Internet Marketing for Endagon Innovations and Rollett Marketing. He has worked with companies such as Miller Lite, Coca-Cola, Disney, Warner Bros and countless others on large operations and has also consulted for many indie bands around the world.
For more information on Greg, check out his personal blog at http://gregrollett.blogspot.com.
It’s no secret that Twitter is a monster. More and more artists are signing up to use the service to keep their fans in the loop. And what better way to build the Arist-to-Fan (A2F) relationship than by giving them a glimpse into your own personal lives? The following are 5 tips by Biz Stone, the co-founder of Twitter, on how artists can effectively use Twitter (via Digipendent):
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Last night was part 2 of the 8th season finale for American Idol. In case you missed it, we have the results here for you. Regardless of whether or not you like the show it’s probably helpful to know who won because they will likely be all over the place very soon. Plus, you can add it to your random pop culture trivia knowledge and be the next coolest kid on the block (maybe).
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If you have a habit of following music industry news, then you don’t need me to tell you that “DIY” is the new black. In fact, as far as abbreviations go, it may be the industry’s equivalent of texting teenager favorites: LOL and IMHO. Keeping this in mind, it is increasingly important to view yourself as an entrepreneur, and the music/merch you create as your unique contribution to the marketplace. In a seemingly oversaturated market, perhaps even trumping nail salons, coffee shops, and fast food joints, selling your music goods to consumers should be your #1 obsession…behind, of course, making music. » Continue Reading
We just came across this neat article at Digipendent on “The 10 Things an Artist Needs to Be Successful” and thought we’d share it with you. And it requires little to no money!
1. Heart – This is the single most important attribute that every “true,” great artist must have. Without it, great music cannot be felt, imagined or created. It is the essence and spirit behind one’s own art. It is the powerful force behind the drive, perseverance and originality that brings art to life and creates the charisma that bonds great musical artists with their fans. » Continue Reading
We are all particular about something. Some of us don’t like cheese, some of us have to have our clothes be color coordinated, and others, like our VP of Operations Darin Barton, is particular about the arrangement of objects on his desk. In fact, he is SO particular that he was able to describe everything on it in great detail without any mistakes. Here is proof: » Continue Reading
By now, you know how much we love to talk about social media and what a powerful tool it is for musicians. The catch, of course, is that it requires time. It’s not something that’s going to develop on your own. You can’t just create a MySpace page, rarely update it, and then expect that you will have thousands of fans all of a sudden purchasing your music. The key is remembering that these social networks aren’t just a way for you to engage your fans and build your fan base, but a means for you to then turn those fans into PAYING fans. » Continue Reading
In order to compete with Google’s YouTube, Hulu.com is negotiating with major labels to offer music videos on their site. No one is going public yet and nothing is set in stone but there will likely be some new partnerships forged with labels and sites such as Hulu and Vevo.com. Read below for the full article by Andy Fixmer and Adam Satariano at Bloomberg.com: » Continue Reading
