DISQUS

Funky J · 9 months ago

Hey Greg, this post really hit home for me. I am one of those musicians that you are talking about who has to juggle time between school, a day job, recording sessions, and gigs for multiple bands. Your assessment that fans must be kept happy since in this day and age “there is no excuse, no communication gaps or barriers stopping you from developing relationships with every fan that wants one” could not be more accurate. There is no doubt that only the most successful bands open lines of communication with their fans. Interaction is a key factor in getting crowds to shows as well as enticing people to listen to your music constantly. As you said, “If you can listen to your fans, you are well on your way to keeping them happy.” If people do not feel like they know about a bands members and their personalities they can only care about buying your music and showing up to gigs so much. Personally, it has not been my responsibility to promote the bands that I play for (I am a sideman), but from my experience responding to fans MySpace messages or e-mails is the absolute least you can do. The Canned Response feature from G-Mail is something I am going to tell my current gigs and all my future ones about. The fact that fans feel attended to after they send you without you, the time crunched indie-musician, having to spend the time to write them a personal message is awesome. Also, your point about directing your fans to interact with you in specific ways like meeting from 7-9 on Twitter is an excellent way to grab attention. Then combining your automated response from Canned Responses or messages you have saved to guide fans to interact with you tells the fans that as an artist you care about them. This way even though they may know that the response is automated, at least fans are informed of ways they can get in touch with you in a more intimate environment. This is a great post to help bands begin to learn the art of promotion and keep fans interested in the music you are creating.

Adrian Fusiarski · 9 months ago

Will make sure Greg gets to know about your feedback (he was guest writer), he'll be pleased you got so much out of the article, as I am!

Be sure to root around the blog when you get time as there's a bunch of stuff you may get something from.

Thanks for taking time out to comment!

Adrian (Editor)

Greg Rollett · 9 months ago

@Funky J - Great to hear that you learned a little from the post. As a sideman you have a great opportunity to alleviate pressure from your bandmates by taking on some extra responsibility in the communication areas. Keep us posted on your communication efforts, we'd love to know how your fans respond.