Web 2.0 Strategy - What Are Other Artists Doing Right, That You Are Doing Wrong?
Perusing through my daily blog sites I frequent I came across an awesome post by Moe Arora. We actually interviewed Moe a little while back to pick his brain on online music promotion. You can check that out on our blog.
Moe points out that one of the biggest questions every artist, manager & label rep asks themselves on a daily basis is, “how can we further connect with our fans?”
Amongst all the teams out there, one of the best examples I can think of (and one whom I mention in nearly every meeting) is Ryan Leslie.
From his initial YouTube videos, to his MySpace push, to his Twitter profile and blog - he’s consistently shown that he’s one of the very few, that truly does “get it”.
Last night, R. Les posted a message on Twitter, telling fans he would purchase & autograph an iPod for any fans that met him at the 24-hour Apple Store in NYC in the next 15 minutes.
And he kept his word.
http://www.ryanleslie.com/feels-good-to-give/
Lets take a step back and evaluate some of the steps that have been taken in the Ryan Leslie Online Strategy
1. Youtube Videos - Ryan Leslie Launched RyanLeslieTV in 2006. Since starting he has posted several “behind the scenes” videos, music videos, as well as favorited to other artists youtube pages and have started a community just around RyanLeslie TV.
2. Myspace Push - From his Myspace page you can see that he blogs whenever he was featured on any online site with links back to where his fans can view the interviews. He has also posted several “exclusive” tracks for fans to check out.
3. Created the “My Blackberry” Newsletter Campaign - Ryan Leslie’s “My Blackberry campaign is so simple but ingenious. If you scroll through pasts articles Ariel and I both have written you will see that fans now-a-days don’t want to just be your fan but also be your friend! Ryan Leslie started a blackberry campaign where he gives out his number and email address for fans to sign up to his email list to keep in contact with him. But check out how he words it!:
“People ask me all the time why I give out my phone number (917-720-7507) and e-mail address (holla@ryanleslie.com). The answer is simple - so you can reach me and I can reach you. Friends have each other’s contact info. This site is for my friends and family. If you see me in the street, or the airport, or at the club, or in a store and want to talk but don’t get the chance, just put your info in my phone and I’ll reach out to you from time to time just to check in:
* I can let you hear new music as I’m working on it.
* I can share my experiences with you as I’m going through my day.
* I can let you know when I’m performing or throwing a party near you!
* I can listen to your music and collaborate with you or give you my opinion
...and so so so much more“
Remember it’s always about what’s in it for the fan once they reach your site.
4. Used his Social Networking Sites to connect with fans - If you check out his twitter he is actually in CONVERSATION with everyone. Its not just tweeting about buying his CD or coming to his show but an actual dialog before he his asks for anything.
I agree with Moe completely that Ryan Leslie is an artist that “get’s it”. Of course many would say he is a HUGE artists and fans will automatically flock to him, BUT do understand he and his team has to work at retaining fans just as hard as you. All of what he has done here are still things you can implement into your own online strategy as well.
Leave your response!