Four More Ways to Boost Your Music Sales
In part one of this series, Bob covered Four Things You Can Do to Generate More Music Sales. In part two he offers four more actions you can take to increase your money-making potential with music. This post is adapted from Bob's book, The Five-Minute Music Marketer: 151 Easy Music Promotion Activities That Take 5 Minutes or Less.
1) Gather positive comments from fans
Have you ever heard the term “social proof”? It’s a reference to the power of the herd mentality. Human beings feel more confident about taking action on something (including spending money) when they know that other people are doing the same thing and raving about it.
That’s why you need to always collect positive comments from fans and share them with other fans. If someone posts a favorable comment on social media, and they have done so publicly, it’s a pretty safe bet they wouldn’t mind you using that comment elsewhere.
What I like to do is grab screenshots of such comments – an actual image of the person’s post on Facebook, Twitter, etc. If you’re not sure how to do that, search for “screenshot” followed by the device you are using: PC, Mac, iPhone, etc.
When someone sends you a personal message or email that would make a great quote, ask the person for their permission to use the comment. It would probably be a good idea to ask for permission in the social media example above too, just to be safe.
Whenever you get these raving comments, take a minute to capture them, ask for permission, and add them to any sales pages you have on your website.
2) Seek out testimonials from music pros
In addition to gathering positive comments from fans, you can beef up your “social proof” by getting raving quotes from people in the music industry. While it’s great when these respected individuals give you unsolicited compliments, most of the time you’ll need to ask for them.
So, spend five minutes making a list of music biz people you can approach for a comment. This list might include venue owners, producers, radio disc jockeys, journalists, local mini celebrities, etc.
Once you’ve compiled this list, the next time you have a few spare minutes, send a quick email to one of them. Or send a text or make a phone call to one of them and ask. Let them know how much it will help you connect with more fans – and how they’ll get a nice public plug at the same time.
3) Make your sales material shine
Here’s another great way to spend your energy the next time you can devote several minutes to marketing: Look over a piece of sales copy or promotional text.
Is there a sales page on your website that promotes your music? Or a social media update that promotes an upcoming gig? Hopefully you answered “Yes.” Pick one and take a good, hard look at the wording.
Now count the number of “I/We” references compared to the number of “You” references.
“I/We” references read like this:
I’m playing Saturday night at Joe’s Bar. I’m really hoping for a good crowd, so please come out and support me!
“You” references read like this:
Are you looking for a great way to spend this Saturday night? Joe’s Bar is the place you wanna be! I’m playing from 8:00 to Midnight. You’ll love the retro vibe and the beautiful people you’ll hang out with. Hope to see you there!
Notice the difference? The “You”-oriented version is much more compelling. It speaks directly to the fan and what they’ll get out of it. The “I”-oriented version is all about the artist. Who cares?
Make sure your promotional text has a lot more second-person “You” references than first-person “I/We” references. If you’re first draft is out of balance, take a few minutes to rewrite it now.
4) Identify how your music makes people feel
Along with transforming your sales and promotional copy into “You”-oriented statements, you must also tap into your fans’ feelings and emotions. You must regularly remind people how your music, merchandise and events will make them FEEL.
Do you know exactly how most people feel when they experience your music? Is it pumped up or chilled out? Is it sad or inspired? Is it about love lost or satisfaction gained?
Make sure your descriptions tap into the feelings and benefits that touch your fans the most. Take a few minutes to look over some existing sales text. If one of your sentences reads …
“You’ll really enjoy this album …”
Consider changing it to something like …
“Owning this music will put a dance party at your fingertips. Your body will groove whenever the spirit moves you!”
Use these four tips to entice your fans and put them in a state where they'll be more likely to make a purchase and financially support you.
- To learn more about the The Five-Minute Music Marketer book, visit http://bob-baker.com/buzz/five-minute-music-marketer/
Bob Baker is the author of three books in the “Guerrilla Music Marketing” series, along with many other books and promotion resources for DIY artists, managers and music biz pros.
You’ll find Bob’s free blog, podcast, video clips and articles at www.TheBuzzFactor.com.
Bob: have you ever sold a single CD of your own music? Let alone make a decent profit from music sales? Please, stop promoting your shit for everyone’s sake.
I read your book, it’s a complete bullshit. As all your posts.
Sorry, I’m just fed up with these self-appointed music marketing “gurus” like you. Stop promoting something you never ever tried or succeeded in. Thanks
Des, as a musician I’ve sold hundreds if not thousands of albums of my original music over the decades. I’ve been an active player for 40 years and still make money at it to this day. It’s obvious you know very little about me, so I won’t justify your comments any further than this. I’m sorry you feel the need to lash out at me without really knowing my background. Nevertheless, I wish you well.
Yea, right… show me your artist website and FB page.
That’s what I thought… no artist page. Bob, why don’t you show us your successful artist page? You are full of bullshit.
Oh no! I’ve been pulling the wool over people’s eyes for 25 years. Finally, it took you to come along and reveal me as the fraud that I am. My career is over. The horror!
http://soulmassagemusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SoulMassage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Naf7f1ilIUw&list=PL839E1C5A50E4908F
https://www.facebook.com/gatewaytoagape
LOOOOL Sure, you sold thousands of albums for those 288 fans on your Facebook page 😀 😀 😀 You are a JOKE man. No, your career is not over, you NEVER HAD a music career, and now you just proved it.
Gaining 288 fans in 25 years… great achievement. You are a really successful musician Bob! PLEASE, tell us how to reach these amazing levels of success. Teach us master! 288 fans.. unbelieveable.
Hypebot should have at least some kind of filtering or they will loose their credibility with these self-appointed FRAUD marketing “experts”.
What a shocker! You asked for links to my music activities and you still found something negative to say about them. Never saw that coming 🙂
Look, dude, I have never based my reputation on being a chart-topping, full-time musician. I’ve never claimed to be one. NEVER!
What I have built my reputation on is being a curious musician who wanted to help other artists by compiling best practices and sharing them with anyone who could use them. I’ve interviewed hundreds of truly successful artists and share their stories through blog posts, podcasts, books, courses, and more.
I do all of this from the perspective of a longtime working musician who continues to perform, record, and make money from music every month.
This is my final comment in this ridiculous exchange. Post as many stinging replies as you want. I’m going to go back to educating and inspiring the many thousands of people who appreciate my work and support me. You can go back to doing whatever it is that you do.
Peace
I bought one of Bob’s book when MySpace was still #1 for independent musicians as I am. I have been reading Bob’s blocks but after years of being independent musician I know 99.9% of the “business” inside out and know exactly what to do.
Bob won my trust when he was invited a few years ago to TAXI rally and when being honest started telling the truth angry Laskov (owner of TAXI) took away a microphone from him. TAXI employs songwriters who seek publishing deals for themselves so it is obvious that there is a conflict of interest when they review your submitted material, also I bet often submitted songs by members may serve as an “inspiration” to those who review them.
Henry
It wouldn’t matter if Bob was not even a musician. It wouldn’t matter if he never recorded a single song. If a man’s ideas are good then they are good. I don’t buy into the idea that teachers teach because they cannot do. Some may be guilty of that, but there are many who are not. Some teachers don’t actually do the thing that they teach, but that in itself does not make their ideas bad or wrong. Lot’s of “non-participating” teachers have great ideas and offer tons of helpful advice to their students. Do all authors participate in the topics that they teach on? Of course not. Good responses Bob. You held yourself together admirably in the face of an unnecessary storm.
I like these fake comments Bob. How pathetic.
The Guerrilla Music Marketing book contains a mass of good solid advice and ideas. Over the years I’ve read most of Bob’s output and he is at the top of the game when it comes to music marketing.
Keep up the good work Bob.
I have been reading Bob Baker’s books, blog posts and newsletters for about 3 years now. I have found Bob’s materials to be very helpful for myself and for artists seeking to take charge of their career. I also follow other marketers, in the music business and in other fields. I do not subscribe to the viewpoint that one has to be a success as a recording artist or performer to provide valuable content to those who are. I also believe in transparency, so why don’t you disclose your name, Des, instead of hiding in anonymity? What have you contributed to your fans or others in your field of endeavor or to anyone else? If you have, then let us know some internet links, so we can benefit from your expertise. If you have bought or read Bob Baker’s materials, my guess is that you have not implemented much, if at all.
Michael Frank, Earwig Music Company CEO, Keeping the Blues Alive Award Honoree by the Blues Foundation, and manager of 2 time Grammy Winner David Honeyboy Edwards.
I, too, have been reading Bob’s books and blogs for nearly four years. The key is to put the information into practice in the way it applies to your particular situation. Not everything has been useful–A Christian rock band will have different needs than a secular deathcore group–but you use what you need and move on. Bob’s Guerilla guides and other books and videos are also helpful in that you can keep the information to go back to as the band encounters success and use it to continue to build. The practical info has been great–the inspiration has been beyond measure.
Thanks, Bob!
More fake comments. “Nice”.
Bob, is “Des” in fact the only fake user here? If so, then that is some ingenious marketing! I can see how a bit of friction would generate more curiosity about your work. If Des is real then he’s practically doing your PR for you with his “bad cop” attitude!
All the best,
Lewis Benzies