Know Your Fans, Don't "NO" Your Fans
60One of the biggest questions we are asked is “how do I get people to buy my music?”. The answer is simple: get to know them. Now I don’t mean to find out their life story but more so to let them know that you know they exist. MySpace is the new defacto standard for bands and fans looking to discover each other. Don’t waste it.
Here’s an example:
Band A signs up for a MySpace account and starts requesting friends/potential fans. The fans love their music and send them an email. Band A decides that they don’t have time to reply to the email let alone leave a comment thanking “potential” fans for adding them and taking the time to listen to their music. On top of that they leave an impersonal comment image saying “buy our music”.
Band B signs up for a MySpace account and starts requesting friends/potential fans. The fans love their music and send them an email. Band B not only takes the time to leave them a comment but also sends them a personal email thanking them for taking the time to listen to their music and oh yeah by the way ‘here’s a link to where you can purchase our album”.
Not only will Band B increase their fan base at a greater rate, but they will increase word of mouth exposure. Most people want to feel special. They want to feel like the band that they like appreciates them. Once they feel that they will do what they can to help spread the word of their newest find.
Even the biggest artists from Rod Stewart to Madonna, Metallica to U2 do this. It’s called Meet and Greets. Think of emails to your fans as “virtual meet and greets”. You may not be able to shake hands with each and every one of them but you will have done something just as beneficial.
Never take your fans for granted. They can either raise you to the top or sink you to the bottom. Ultimately the choice is up to you.
One more thing. When you’re leaving a comment for a new friend on MySpace DO NOT just post an image that says “thanks for the add” or an advertisement for your next show. Nothing says “impersonal” like a rookie maneauver like that. It’s ok if you post an ad for your next show IF you also include a written note saying “thank you for the add”. Show your fans that their support is worth your time.
