Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 Engaging the Community Engaging the Community
Sometimes what makes a great band can be as little as being engaged in the community.
Here are some ideas on how you can engage the community.
Video Journals - Keep your fans in the loop by doing a weekly video journal of the bands adventures. Everything from band practice, videos from the tour etc.
Blogs - Besides having a band blog each member should have a blog that is open to the public.
Photo Journals - Like the video journal, photos should be taken and shared with fans. Encourage your fans to subscribe to your photo feed.
Your band and each member of the band should have their own identity that should be open to the public. Updates should be weekly and on a regular basis. Your fans should get used to logging in and checking up with the band each week to see what new content, blogs, photos are available.
Here are some great examples from bands around the web
Valencia
This band does a good job of releasing videos on a regular basis.
Here is a video they made of their favorite moments on tour.
Hellogoodbye
This band does a good job with a photo journal
Pictures are uploaded almost weekly and include everything from the band shopping, touring, and just having fun
http://www.hellogoodbye.net/photos/
All Time Low
Giving a tour of their bus
Promoting Community
Aside from being very open and engaging the community, it is also a good idea to create an environment where the community can meet each other and contribute.
Create a group or forum - This can be done via a Yahoo/Myspace/Facebook groups or even just the old fashion message board. Fans like to share their experiences and like to meet others who are just as excited about the band.
Here is an example of a great group
Patrick Wolf Facebook Group
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2205072310
Fans share their favorite lyrics and have uploaded over 200 fan photos
You can help encourage this kind of community engagement with contests. Have your fans submit their favorite pictures of the band from the recent tour. Let them know you will pick your favorite and give them a free shirt.
Or have a contest and encourage them to make their own band shirt and post pictures to the group.
One band that has done a great job of this is Motion City Soundtrack
http://www.myspace.com/motioncitysoundtrack
Watch their myspace to get some ideas. They are currently doing a test quiz contest and earlier this summer they ran a huge contest where fans had to create their own music video for their next single.
Got any questions on marketing? Email me at alex@isound.com
