Here’s 5 ways that you can make it easy for your fans to share your reggae band or music with their friends. “Word of mouth” and “viral” marketing are the easiest ways to spread news about your reggae band and increase the number of attendees at your shows.

All of this information assumes that you have a band website (if you have questions about how to set one up, post a comment and let me know) where your fans can find information about you. If you do have a band website, make sure to let your fans know, at shows, on posters, in your album liner notes, and everywhere else that you communicate with them.

 

Tell stories about yourself

It’s amazing how many new artists think their fans only want to hear the music. They often forget that many people attend dub, reggae, and dancehall shows to be entertained, expand their consciousness, and live a larger life. All of those things are about more than the music: they are about the message behind the music and about the band’s “story,” the whole experience that your band embodies. This might be as simple as forgetting their daily cares and having fun or as deep as rediscovering their roots and defining their role in this world.

Your fans want to connect with you through your story.

So tell your story on your website or blog, in your emails, Twitter stream, or Facebook account. Have a cool new concert poster? Share it. Took a goofy backstage video with your phone? Share it. Same with pictures, critical reviews, and anything else that tells your story.

This could be as simple as a Tumblr blog or as complex as a professionally-designed website. The important thing is that you share all of the things that go into your art. Your fans, especially your most dedicated fans, want to hear your whole story, hear about life on the road, learn how you write your songs.

Help your fans feel connected and they’ll be more likely to bring a friend to your show or hype your latest album.

Start small and grow over time. Make sure you do it yourself, to keep it real (some people try to outsource the storytelling, but an inauthentic story is often worse than silence).

Encourage your fans to share the news

Want someone to share your info? Ask them to do it! Again, this is something that sounds obvious, but I’m always amazed that people don’t take this simple step and ask their fans to take action and spread the word. The more specific your request is, the more likely your fans will respond. Continue reading “Have a bigger audience: how to get your fans to share your reggae music” »