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Have
You Asked
Your Friends for
Help Lately?
by Bob
Baker -
The
Buzz Factor, Posted
Jan. 2004
Back to The
Academy
Asking for the things you need.
It seems like such a simple
concept. But you'd be surprised by the number of people who
don't use it. And even if you do ask for things, you probably
limit your asking to a small range of requests: You ask club
owners for gigs, ask radio jocks to play your songs, ask
writers to review your band, etc.
What about your fans?
Do you ask them for things? Of course,
you should be asking them to sign up on your mailing and
subscribe to your free fan e-zine. You should also ask them
to attend you shows and buy your CDs and merchandise -- in
a way that's enticing to them and spells out the benefits
they get when they respond to your requests.
Nashville singer-songwriter Christene LeDoux obviously understands the power
of asking. In an e-mail newsletter she sent out last year,
she made the following request when planning a multi-state
tour:
"I am seeking help with appropriate venues for my music and
places to stay, as well as radio shows, etc., from Nashville
to California."
Instead of leaving it there, she further spelled out exactly
the kinds of venues and situations she could use help with:
- Sharing a bill with like artist
- Opening for like artist
- House concert
- Clubs
- Cafes
- Public/college radio shows
- College venues/cafes
- High schools
- Bookstores
- Record stores
But she didn't stop there:
"Do you know of a place you think would be a good fit for my
music? An artist in town that I'd fit well with? A radio show
that would feature my music? Anything and everything helps!
And if you are an artist, I am happy to exchange your help
for help with booking your shows, places to stay, etc.
"I'm a singer-songwriter in the contemporary but
'storytelling' vein. People always ask who I sound like ...
well, I say me, but others have said Dar Williams, Susan
Vega, Patty Griffin, Nanci Griffith and Judy Collins."
With this call for help, Christene did more than just say,
"Hey, if you can help me with my upcoming tour, let me know."
She explained in detail what she was looking for, what she
could do in return (for musicians) and even what she sounds
like (for those subscribers who were new or just needed a
reference) to make sure fan suggestions were right for her.
What do you need help with?
Your fans may very well be able
to help you. All you have to do is ask.
----
Reprinted with
permission from Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor, featuring
free marketing and self-promotion ideas for songwriters,
musicians and bands on a budget. Visit
www.TheBuzzFactor.com for details.
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