1) WOM (Word Of Mouth) Advertising:
- SuperFans recruit new fans.
- SuperFans promote upcoming events with posters & flyers.
- WOM advertising prior to events (school website, personal MySpace page, emails...)
- SuperFans post info about Northern State on other bands' blogs & sites.
- Develop a website with special features for SuperFans.
- Online contests to pick the town of next venue.
- Collect market research from fans on website (polls, surveys, suggestions).
- Online feedback forum.
- Request advice/opinions from fans via SuperFan intranet.
- Encourage speaking engagements coupled with concerts (music stores & book stores...)
- College campus visits: concerts & speaking events (similar to Owen visit).
- Emphasize important messages in lyrics, cover art etc. Be transparent about inspiration.
These are just a sampling of our ideas, but you can see the thought process. And yes, they have a web designer at their disposal who works for very little cabbage.
Among your three ideas, I like idea #2. At this point, it is most important to put the NS community together by developing on-line place. As for on-line community,you'd better focus most on maintaing the quality of contents. I don't exactly understand what the idea #3 is. Best luck!
ReplyDeleteThe 3rd solution is the most active tactic. With the effective and smart composition of group, you can achieve your goals in your business.
ReplyDeleteI worry about what #3 might do to their image. I know they like to think of themselves as feminist and semi-political, but I worry if actively marketing themselves as pro-feminist might affect their ability to grow to nationwide fame(not sure if thats a goal of theirs).
ReplyDeleteI like your third proposal for a few reasons. One, I personally would not have listened to this band nor downloaded (for a fee) several of their songs had I not heard them speak. I don't know how many college campuses they play, but it would seem logical to incorporate that sort of interaction on any campus they visit. It exposes them not only to new fans, but also exposes a new side of themselves to existing fans. In conclusion, I recommend more speaking functions done in conjunction with concerts.
ReplyDeleteAs a new NS fan, I think the online community will be a tremendous asset. I was a little disappointed that the NS girls only had a myspace page with the samples of their music. It would be great to be able to join an official fan community where I get emails about new albums and tour schedules. Easy to implement too!
ReplyDeleteNorthern State should hit the college setting hard spreading their music and views. The college arena is open to different ideas, sounds and characters. Musicians originating from the college music scene have been able to translate their instant success to the mainstream. However, despite their own perception of themselves, I believe their recent music could actually appeal to a younger, more impressionable crowd. Their lyrics and melodies have hints of pop and could easily be marketed to 15-18 year olds. At this time, there is a need for something slightly different than Pink, Fergie and Britney, why not Northern State.
ReplyDeleteIf your first idea is meant to help organize and implement a "street team" (that is what I have seen most other bands call them), then I would definitely suggest going with that one. In my experience, street teams are an effective way to empower your loyals fans and help them feel like more of an insider. This creates a type of brand loyalty. The best part about a street team too is that they do it for nothing. Free advertisers!
ReplyDeleteYou may want to check out www.echomusic.com; they have a mechanism for facilitating communication with superfans. it's a local company and we have students who work with them every year who might be able to tell you how best to work with them.
ReplyDeleteI also like idea #3 as do several others. I would not have gone to a show, but would definitely go to a talk.
Maybe T-Love could describe what he did to get them here and you could develop a "process" that would allow them to do it again on their own. Maybe as part of that you could help them develop (or develop for them) a ppt. presentation of talking points from the talk and a clip or two of video to help them make it a consistent and repeatable experience.
Also, this would help potential hosts understand what they were getting in to (teachers are VERY risk averse when it comes to putting a class session at risk).
Idea two definitely has alot of potential. A few recent bands have gone with the online tactic and it has worked well for them. The contest to pick the next venue is a great idea! That would let them know where their fans are and really go after those that are most interested in the band. This would still allow for a grass roots movement similar to idea 1.
ReplyDeleteI love the ideas, esp. #2. If they can build their online community, have their fans talk about them on their blogs, pick the next venue etc. I think this will be rocking!
ReplyDeleteThe college campus visits are also pretty solid. Maybe connect with the bloggers on college campuses before the visit and have them blitz the blogosphere. Why not use OwenBloggers in some way? ;)
Nice work y'all!
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ReplyDeleteThank you for all your comments & feedback. I'm curious if anyone is part of a band's "street team". If so, tell us about it. What are some of the ways the band uses you to spread the word?
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
K-Lex!
You mention hitting college campuses, but did you also think about a way to reach the high school age and middle school age peeps? That's a powerful market due to the size of their disposable income and they are typically looking for new trends. Also, to my knowledge, this age group spends a lot of time on the internet (which Nat claims is going to be huge one day) . . . so maybe extrapolating some of your ideas into those that can reach a younger group would have a big impact. . .
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have contacts (professors, students, etc) at other university campuses who you think might be interested in helping the girls kick off their college tour? Let us know! I'm sure NS will reward your efforts with free merch. If not, I'm sure Nat will share his hoodie!
ReplyDeleteGet the Buzz going. What Northern State needs most is buzz from their already loyal fans. And their current fans should be the most likely people to evangelize the Northern State Message.
ReplyDelete