{"id":321,"date":"2010-10-04T20:32:12","date_gmt":"2010-10-04T20:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skylight.gr\/administrator_wordpress\/index.php\/2010\/10\/04\/10-ways-to-show-fan-appreciation\/"},"modified":"2010-10-04T20:32:12","modified_gmt":"2010-10-04T20:32:12","slug":"10-ways-to-show-fan-appreciation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skylight.gr\/index.php\/2010\/10\/04\/10-ways-to-show-fan-appreciation\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Show Fan Appreciation"},"content":{"rendered":"

10 Ways to Show Fan Appreciation<\/h3>\n
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They come to your shows, they buy your albums, and they wear your t-shirts.\u00a0 They are your fans, and you love them as much as you need them.\u00a0 Show how can you show them that you appreciate their support and dedication?\u00a0 Here are ten ways!<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. Give Out Free Music<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Everybody loves free music, and your fans would love a free MP3 or two that they can download from your website.\u00a0 You may even make brand new singles available before your CD release to your dedicated fans who register on your site.\u00a0 This is a great way to show appreciation and find out what the interest is in your upcoming album.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t have a website yet, consider handing out CD\u2019s or even mini-CD\u2019s with a couple songs on them at your shows or other venues.\u00a0 Music is what it\u2019s all about, after all.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. Make a Badass Website<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Give your fans a home on the internet to come and find out everything they need to know about you and your music.\u00a0 Your website can be interactive, informative, and fun.\u00a0 Include links to your blog, music and video from your shows, a place to buy your CD\u2019s and merchandise, a press kit, band member profiles, and pictures.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t have to cost a fortune\u2014there are lots of ways to get a website going up and running even if you\u2019re not a web developer\u2014but the more you are able to put in to your site, the more benefit you (and your fans) will see from it.<\/p>\n

3. Online Forums for Interaction<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

There are message boards for every possible subject you can think of\u2014from dirt bike racing to religion to Chinese cooking.\u00a0 These forums allow people with a common interest to meet up online and \u201chang out\u201d together online to discuss their favorite subject as well as other topics of interest.\u00a0 These forums take on a real community feeling and can be a great asset, keeping your fans entertained.\u00a0 You\u2019ll also be able to read conversations between fans and find out what they like\u2014or don\u2019t like\u2014about your music. Most people feel much more confident posting their opinions anonymously on a message board and you\u2019ll have a chance to read some really honest feedback.<\/p>\n

4. Respond to Fans Who Write and Email<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Unless you\u2019re a platinum selling artist, you probably don\u2019t have millions of fans.\u00a0 This gives you the opportunity to really connect with the fans you do have, especially the ones who take the time to send you an email or post on your MySpace page or blog.\u00a0 Set aside an hour or two each week to respond to your people who contact you online.\u00a0 They will be thrilled to have a personal response from you\u2014even if it is just a quick one line message like \u201cThanks for your support!\u201d<\/p>\n

5. Free T-shirts<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The power of a free t-shirt is the stuff of legends.\u00a0 It is incredible what people will do for a free shirt, and giving them out to your fans is a great way to show them how much you appreciate their loyalty.\u00a0 Not only will they enjoy having a new addition to their wardrobe, but if it looks great they will wear it everywhere and advertise your band for you.\u00a0 It\u2019s really a win\/win situation.\u00a0 Put as much effort as you can in to making it cool\u2014something people will want to put on and wear around in public.<\/p>\n

6. Offer to Play an Event for Free<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Consider having a contest and offering to play a party for free for the winners.\u00a0 Who wouldn\u2019t love to have a live band at their next block party or birthday?\u00a0 A contest is a great way to generate interest in both your band and your website\u2014and playing a personal show for a loyal fan is just about the ultimate prize for someone who loves your music.\u00a0 You can also play a local charity event or fundraiser as a way to contribute toward the success of an organization you care about.\u00a0 You\u2019ll have a place on all their marketing and advertising which is a great way to get your name out in public eye, too.<\/p>\n

7. Give Out Free Passes to the Show<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

For every show you play, keep a pocket full of free passes and make sure you hand them out liberally.\u00a0 Give some to DJs to give out to their listeners, and offer some in a random drawing on your website.\u00a0 Free passes give your fans extra incentive to show up at your performances, and you may even gain a few new fans, too.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t have a cover at your show, offer a special table that is reserved for your guests or consider planning a \u2018dinner with the band\u2019 promotion.<\/p>\n

8. Do Interviews<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Taking an hour out of your week to sit down with a loyal blogger or reporter can show your appreciation for the people who promote you for free.\u00a0 Giving a blogger the \u2018inside scoop\u2019 on your next CD or show is a great way to help them help you\u2014they will be able to offer information that no one else has, and you will get plenty of publicity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

9. Hang Out After the Show<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Spend time after the show meeting the people who have come to watch you.\u00a0 There\u2019s no need to make it a formal event; just grab your beer and walk around.\u00a0 A simple, \u201cThanks for coming to see the show\u201d will suffice and you never know who you will meet.\u00a0 This is a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with your fans and make your show memorable\u2014something they will go to work and tell all their friends about the next day.<\/p>\n

10. Say Thank You<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s simple, but effective.\u00a0 Say \u201cThank You\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 When you are finished playing, when someone emails you, when someone writes a blog post about you, and when someone volunteers to hand out flyers.\u00a0 Having the attitude that you are grateful at all times is the key to showing genuine appreciation to your fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Source: MusicMarketing.com<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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