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October 12, 2005
Still More Outrageous Music Marketing Ideas
In the first part of this post (which was actually a followup to an earlier post on creative promotion ideas) I shared a few "outrageous" ideas on music marketing. Here are a few more examples to get your mental wheels turning.
My pal Lee Mueller points out that more artists are releasing CDs with bonus material. "I know that Wilco featured a bunch of QuickTime videos, documentary stuff, live performances, as well as a launch to their web site with a code that allowed the consumer to download four extra songs," he says. "Kings of Leon and Flaming Lips both had similar multimedia bonus material."
Lee continues, "A nice treat would be for an artist to offer a 'guest list' pass. On the CD, there would be a web site launch that would take me to a page where I would put in a unique code -- verifying my purchase, of course. I would enter my name, city, etc., which would match my location with an upcoming tour, notify me of the dates, and then verify my name will be on the guest list. That would rock."
Indeed! Three more cool ideas:
Lynn Julian (aka Cookie Cutter Girl) wrote a song called "Get the Picture" that is basically an Internet dating ad. "I run a contest every gig to win a date with me," Lynn explains. "Fans must sign up on my mailing list. The single is on over 500 TV and radio stations, so they feel like it's a big prize to win too."
Jimmie Vestal has written songs that reference certain restaurants and tourist attractions in the southeast U.S., and even a gourmet steak sauce called Bald Head Diva. Of course, he makes these establishments aware of the exposure and tries to set up promotional opportunities with them.
Finally, Pixie from the band Cuir Bleu posted this blog comment: "My band does electronica with a fetish slant, so we're planning a corset fashion show for an upcoming gig." Great example. Find a way to add an extra dimension to your events -- a dimension that reinforces your identity and the type of music you play.
Lots of smart ideas here. So, are your wheels turning yet?
My pal Lee Mueller points out that more artists are releasing CDs with bonus material. "I know that Wilco featured a bunch of QuickTime videos, documentary stuff, live performances, as well as a launch to their web site with a code that allowed the consumer to download four extra songs," he says. "Kings of Leon and Flaming Lips both had similar multimedia bonus material."
Lee continues, "A nice treat would be for an artist to offer a 'guest list' pass. On the CD, there would be a web site launch that would take me to a page where I would put in a unique code -- verifying my purchase, of course. I would enter my name, city, etc., which would match my location with an upcoming tour, notify me of the dates, and then verify my name will be on the guest list. That would rock."
Indeed! Three more cool ideas:
Lynn Julian (aka Cookie Cutter Girl) wrote a song called "Get the Picture" that is basically an Internet dating ad. "I run a contest every gig to win a date with me," Lynn explains. "Fans must sign up on my mailing list. The single is on over 500 TV and radio stations, so they feel like it's a big prize to win too."
Jimmie Vestal has written songs that reference certain restaurants and tourist attractions in the southeast U.S., and even a gourmet steak sauce called Bald Head Diva. Of course, he makes these establishments aware of the exposure and tries to set up promotional opportunities with them.
Finally, Pixie from the band Cuir Bleu posted this blog comment: "My band does electronica with a fetish slant, so we're planning a corset fashion show for an upcoming gig." Great example. Find a way to add an extra dimension to your events -- a dimension that reinforces your identity and the type of music you play.
Lots of smart ideas here. So, are your wheels turning yet?
posted by Bob Baker @ 9:47 AM
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Bob Baker is an author, indie musician and former music magazine editor dedicated to showing musicians of all kinds how to get exposure, connect with fans, sell more CDs, and increase their incomes.
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- More Outrageous Marketing Ideas
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- Stupid Mistakes Musicians Make
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- Make Money Selling Digital Downloads
- Help Hurricane Victims
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