Times have changed. No longer are the majority of advertising campaigns focused on blitzing with million dollar ad campaigns or red carpet record launches. This is the time of “direct to fan marketing.” As we mentioned in previous blog posts, this direct to fan method is NOT new. In fact its been around in other industries since the cave man sold his first basket of bone tools to the guy in the tribe down the river.
Fast forward 50,ooo years we now have technology to build this relationship with email and autoresponders. So once you’ve managed to trap a lead into your squeeze page or opt in box now its time to build that relationship and trust with this person. If you do it right, this person will stay with you for life and buy your sh*t for as long as you have something to sell. So what is the key to building a relationship?
The key is to give, be genuine and entertain. People get bored easily so your job is to continue to be the entertainer and giver of great things. So instead of just giving away one or two songs right away to get people on your email list, think about giving away another song or video link. As they say “what comes around goes around,” and if you’re always giving not only will the law of cause and effect eventually come back to you in the form of a purchase or compliment, but psychologically speaking its a known fact that people who get stuff for free feel more obligated to buy something from you. So if you just keep giving, its only a matter of time before they buy from you.
How To Share and Build Trust
Below I’ve listed several ways to start giving to your fans once you’ve captured the lead. All of these items below can be given through an autoresponder like Aweber so you can set your giveaways to happen on autopilot.
- Songs
- Links to songs on soundcloud or other
- Video links on youtube
- Blog posts that you’re proud of
- Free tickets to concerts (first 5 people to respond)
- Thank your fans individually
- Have a local hangout for fans at a coffee shop just to shoot the sh*t
Keep giving then after you’ve given for a couple months ask for a sale. Chances are all those people you’ve been giving to will be much more likely to buy your music.
Feel free to share your ideas on how to build fan relationships.
Best of luck,
Kevin – Music Launch Pad – Contributor