The Buzz Factor (5 Simple Ezine Ideas) Bob Baker's "The Buzz Factor" Delivering music marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and more since 1995 - http://TheBuzzFactor.com/ July 9, 2003 - Vol. 9, Issue 20 In This Issue: 1. Getting Blown Away in Florida 2. Five Simple Fan E-zine Content Ideas 3. No-Cost Stuff That's Good and Good for You __________________________________________________ See the end of this message for details on how to get on and off the Buzz Factor mailing list. __________________________________________________ Welcome! => 1. Getting Blown Away in Florida Why didn't anyone tell me June and July are part of hurricane season in Florida? I didn't witness any hurricanes per se, but tropical storm Bill made sure I soaked up plenty of clouds and rain last week along scenic route 30-A in the Panhandle. But that didn't stop me and my sorry tan from hitting the beach at least a few times. Now that I've shaken the sand out of most of my britches, I'm still getting caught up on stuff from last week. I didn't want to make you wait any longer for another Buzz issue, so I swiftly put together this special edition just for you. In most of my live workshops, when I ask how many musicians have a web site, about 80% of the audience raises a hand. When I ask how many publish a free fan e-zine, only about 20% of the hands go up. That tells me that the majority of music people are missing out on a crucial marketing tool. Even the artists who do publish an e-zine sadly don't use it in the right way. That's why I'm running a short excerpt from my "E-zine Music Marketing" special report in this issue. Read it below and use the ideas to connect with more fans, draw bigger crowds and sell more CDs. The July 12 teleconference that I mentioned in the last issue has been postponed for a bit. I'll let you know about the new date and time soon. And now ... __________________________________________________ => 2. Five Simple Fan E-zine Content Ideas - Announcements of upcoming shows. In the old days, the best way to make the people on your mailing list aware of upcoming performances was to mail a post card or flier. But it took money to pay for the printing and postage. I'm not suggesting you do away with physical mailings, but the beauty of e-mail is that you can get deliver timely information to your fans for practically nothing. For active musical acts, plugging your upcoming shows should be one of the main thrusts of your e-zine content. In fact, it's often the reason fans become subscribers. They see you at a club and want to be the first to know when you're performing again -- so they can come back ... and bring friends with them. If you have shows booked, be sure to include details on the dates, venues, addresses, phone numbers, etc. Don't assume anything. Give your fans everything they might need to attend your shows. Also, let them know why certain shows are special to you. Describe the venue for people who have never been there or explain what will happen during a given performance. Paint an enticing picture that will get your fans excited about being there. - Excerpts from and links to recent reviews. When you get exposure in the media, share that success with your fans. Most of your subscribers are already enthusiastic about your music; they root for you. It makes them feel good when you get recognized and their positive opinions about you are validated by a media source. When you get a write-up in print, run a few of the best excerpts in your e-zine along with crediting the source. When you're covered by a web site, also run a short excerpt and include a link to the full review for those who want to read the entire thing. (Don't reprint an entire review or article without first getting permission from the writer or publisher.) - Sales plugs for your CDs and merchandise. Your e-zine is a promotional vehicle, after all. It should come as no surprise that I recommend you use your newsletter to boost sales of your CDs, T-shirts, posters and whatever else you sell. Don't make these sales plugs the main thrust of your content, but do include them. And don't be bashful about it. Remember, your fans enjoy you and what you create. Your music makes them feel good and enriches their lives. Don't deny them the chance of getting more of your feel-good CDs and merchandise. You can also boost sales and make your fans feel even more special by making special offers that are only available to people who subscribe to your e-zine. - Personal stories about music-related events. Music fans are rarely attracted to your music only. Fans usually feel a connection with the music maker, too. That means you. The more you can open up and let your personality shine through your e-zine, the stronger the bond will be between you and your fans. Let them get to know you through the stories you tell about life on the road, what happened before, during or after a recent gig, etc. Don't ramble on about nonsense, but do share your thoughts and feelings on your music, your personal experiences and other insights that relate to your musical life. - Notes that express your appreciation. As you should know, the purpose of publishing a fan e-zine isn't just to help you feel good about yourself. Your fans must regularly be reminded of how important they are and how much you appreciate them. After all, without them, you'd be playing your music to the basement walls (and, the last time I checked, basement walls don't applaud or spend money for CDs). The artist-fan relationship is a two-way street. Yes, their support and feedback make you feel wanted and appreciated. But for the transaction to be complete, you must also let your fans know how wanted and appreciated they are. Excerpted from "E-zine Music Marketing: Powerful Ways to Promote Your Music with a Fan E-zine." Learn more about this in-depth special report and how to get a copy at http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/quiz.html __________________________________________________ => 3. No-Cost Stuff That's Good and Good for You Here are just some of the hundreds of sites running my free music articles and excerpts from this Buzz Factor e-zine: www.getsigned.com www.musicdish.com www.galaris.com www.songplanet.com www.aandronline.com www.hitsquad.com www.guitarsite.com www.umbrellazine.com www.vocalist.org.uk www.musicianmp3.com www.aimcmc.com www.wonderdisc.net www.classicrockrules.com You can read 'em, run 'em and share 'em, too. For details, head to http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/articles.html Also, in the Buzz Factor Premium Content section, you can now access the first two chapters of my book, "Branding Yourself Online: How to Use the Internet to Become a Celebrity or Expert in Your Field." Get them and other free goodies here: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/zine/pc.html Have a great time making and promoting your music this week! -Bob __________________________________________________ => What They're Saying About ... "I just finished reading 'Branding Yourself Online.' You did a marvelous job of really spelling it out for the marketing- challenged, and the year-long list of marketing activities at the end is nothing less than inspired! I'm so charged up to go out and put many of your tips to use. So big thanks!" Suzanne Falter-Barns, author of "How Much Joy Can You Stand?" www.howmuchjoy.com More info: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/byo.html __________________________________________________ "I love the 'Guerilla Music Marketing Handbook' and recommend it to every musician I come across. Too many 'musicians' use a music 'career' as an excuse to not work and get high all the time. For those of us who are players because we believe it is a privilege to be a full-time musician, your book helps us get to the next level." -Cordy Lavery, singer-songwriter, Austin, Texas More info: http://bob-baker.com/buzz/music_marketing.htm __________________________________________________ "I have been reading 'Unleash the Artist Within' and it has been great. I have already had some success writing music beds for local commercials and now your book has inspired me to reach for a bigger market." -J. Cameron Weckerley, Talking Heart Music, www.talkingheartmusic.com More info: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/unleash.html __________________________________________________ "Some professionals hide their secrets. Not Bob. He's generously given independent music people the keys to the Publicity Kingdom. His 'Online Music PR Hot List' supplies the *exact* web site and e-mail addresses for submitting your news. Start here when you're ready to launch your online media promotion wave." -Jeffrey P. Fisher, author of "Ruthless Self-Promotion in the Music Industry" More info: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/music_pr.htm =========== Cool Music Stuff You Need =========== Killer Press Kits: The 29 Most Important Elements for Creating Sizzling Music Publicity Materials http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/presskits.html 197 Promotion Tips, Tricks and Resources for Indie Musicians - http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/197.html Grow Your Band's Audience: Six Steps to Success for Independent Musicians http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/grow.html How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet http://www.rainmusic.com/htpma/buzz.htm Earn Cash as a Buzz Factor Affiliate Make 40% on every title sold through your affiliate link! http://www.bob-baker.com/af/BuzzAfil.html Screaming Fingers Guitar http://hop.clickbank.net/?bobbaker/screaming Guitarists, learn how to systematically increase your picking speed without practicing and performing your mistakes. __________________________________________________ REPRINT PERMISSION Would you like to run some of the content from this issue on your web site or in your e-zine? You may do so for free as long as you add the following credit: "Reprinted from Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor, featuring free marketing and self-promotion ideas for songwriters, musicians and bands on a budget. Visit www.TheBuzzFactor.com for details." __________________________________________________ To START getting The Buzz Factor, send an e-mail to addme@thebuzzfactor.com with the words "Send Me the Buzz" in the Subject line. Or visit http://TheBuzzFactor.com/ __________________________________________________ The Buzz Factor is published by Bob Baker PO Box 43058 - St. Louis, MO 63143 Phone: (314) 758-7578 - E-mail: bob@thebuzzfactor.com http://www.TheBuzzFactor.com/ (c) 2003 by Bob Baker - All Rights Reserved |