around for the independent artist. ReverbNation offers the new online musician
outstanding free statistics, promotional tools and other means of maintaining contact with your fanbase.
The promotional and statistical tools offered by ReverbNation are a real online highlights.
Supporter sign-up forms come in varying sizes with colours also being able to be
customised. They can be deployed on your website, pages that you have on other
sites blogs and other online areas.
Additionally, ReverbNation have an assortment of mini-players that can be similarly
deployed. These players can be set on 'auto-play,' as suggested by ReverbNation. I
suggest NOT doing this and the vast majority of online listeners will agree. They're just plain annoying.
Uploading your original material is a simple affair. Tracks are accepted at 128kbs and the
download bar let's you know when the job is done. Take some time deliberating your list order and attempt to keep it static.
• Track 1 should NEVER be changed!
As I recommend for all sites, upload no more than 8-14 tracks. Keep track 1 at the top
of the list as it greatly affects your statistics and continuity. It also helps you 'climb' as far
as Google is concerned.
ReverbNation keenly encourages artists to offer a track, or tracks, as “fan exclusive”
free mp3 downloads. I have had this conversation with everyone from D.J.s to promoters,
use this philosophy as a means of attracting followers. I find this extremely patronising towards listeners in general and statistics show that it DOES NOT boost a musicians true following.
• You want REAL followers, not transients.
IF you do opt to offer a free mp3 download, use it wisely. NEVER use what you consider to
be your best track or your most requested. The “free mp3 download” widget IS a handy tool forplacing on your website, and so forth but bare in mind there's a lot of people will be put off by the fact that they go to download the track only to discover that they have to sign up as a ReverbNation member. Even though it's free, people STILL feel that they're being roped in and roped in by YOU, not by ReverbNation.
• Don't try to dupe the public.
Once you have your ReverbNation page ready, launch it by making it known on other
music sites and social networking sites using the assortment of widgets and banners
provided. Word will travel quickly, believe me.
ReverbNation gives your followers the option to join your mailing list. To my mind,
when used properly, it's THE single most powerful in-line communication tool for
musicians. To see it both under-utilised and abused by musicians played a part in me
embarking on the writing of this book.
• CONTINUALLY check your mailing list activities.
Initially you will have a reasonably high percentage of followers who also sign up to
your mailing list. By checking the locations of who truly is paying attention via clickthrus'
audience, geographically & demographically.
Through human nature your mailing list numbers will drop over time. Don't be
disheartened by this. A mailing list of between 10% and 20% of your total followers is a
good figure.
Mailing your supporters is FREE. One paid service offered by ReverbNation is
professional templates for your emails with additional features. From my experience
this paid service makes no difference at all. Keep your credit card in your wallet & you will save almost $120 a year.
The most common mistake I've encountered is artists emailing supporters with news
that people aren't interested in. This is a sure-fire way of watching your mailing list
plummet. Paradoxically, make your followers aware of upcoming & new releases. Let
them know that you are still thinking of them.
• Don't email your list every time you hit a chord.
Emailing your list every 2-3 weeks is ideal. Ensure your emails are relevant, well laid
out and maintain continuity regarding previous mail. Spending a little extra time (not a
great deal) on these little thing really DO make a difference.
If you enjoy it, your supporters will too!
Get your 50% Discount on "Mean Business" by entering codeword: thistle
No comments:
Post a Comment