Author David Meerman Scott made a honest and realistic quote, “if you want 20,000 fans you must do 2000 different things that each generate 10 fans.” This was my favorite quote from 2010 and I am going to take this on as a challenge for 2011 for an ambitious project to give you 2000 different things you can do to generate 20,000 fans.
I am defining generating fans in a few different ways:
- A brand new fan who has never followed you before.
- Engaging with existing fans to get them to participate.
- Engaging with existing fans to get them to convert on an action.
Some of these items will apply better for larger acts, some items will work for any act. Some may work for you, some may not… not yet. Some these can be done with little effort, some will take some web development, some might even require some significant development. Some of these have successfully worked for me over the years. The point is to create a list of items that would cover a wide range of acts and abilities.
Of course the most important part of the project is your involvement! If you have questions about an item leave a comment or send me an email. Even better, if you have a suggestion for something to try please leave a comment or send me an email. I want to hear what has worked for you.
The end result of all this will hopefully be more Facebook likes, Twitter followers, email list subscriptions, more sales and more traffic to your website… more fans!
Be sure to visit this page weekly as new ideas are added.
2000 Things to Generate 20,000 Fans Challenge
- Reply to every Tweet that mentions you.
- Let your fans lead you – What did you get for KISSmas.
- Ask your fans to submit photos of their tattoos.
- Select a fan of the week.
- Share what is on your iPod.
- Share the stories behind your songs.
- Get your crew involved.
- Do a Twitter interview.
- Submit show ads.
- Submit ticket stubs.
- Submit radio ads.
- Wish Your Fans a Happy Birthday
- Create Regional Fan Discussion Groups
- Write or blog about your experience in the music business.
- Press Some Flesh.
- Inside the Studio
- Get a Looxcie and Become a Reality Star
- Create a eTour Book
- Real time show updates
- Twitter After Show Party
- The Girls of KISS, Find a New Segment of Your Fans
- Promote Yourself at a Twitter Hashtag Event
- Create a Daily Paper.li Paper of Your Twitter Followers
- Submit Your Experience Getting the New Album
- Give a Musical History Tour
- Create a Monthly Fan Meetup
- Ask Fans to Share Download Codes
- Rock Band/Guitar Hero Contest
- Design a Shirt Contest
- Offer Branded Email Address
- Question of Da Day
- Post on Radio Station Walls
- Fan Signs
- Volunteer at Your Rock School
- Giveaway Google+ Invites
- Create a List of Fan Websites
- Take Your Cues from Daily Life
- Fan Club Cards
- Add Social Networks to Your Email Signup
- Create Flyer Notepads for Clubs
- Pickup the Phone and Call Your Fans
- Use Your Email Signature
- Hold a Fan Expo
- Ask Fans for Show Reviews
- Search for Your Song on Twitter and Facebook
- Create a Fan Loyalty Program with Square
- In Studio VIP Package
- Eat and Greet with Your Fans
- Radio Station Twitter Followers
- Create & Share a Spotify Playlist
- Create Facebook Timeline Covers
- Follow Friday Fan Love
- Ask This or That Questions
- Create a Show Flyer Board on Pinterest
- Create a Venues Board on Pinterest
- Create a Gear Board on Pinterest
- Create a Lyrics Board on Pinterest
- Create a Board of Bands You Like on Pinterest
- Create a Collaborative Spotify Playlist Game
- Create a Fan Video Board on Pinterest
- Where Am I Photos
- Let a Fan Tweet the Debut of a New Song
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Looks like a great challenge, I’ll definitely will be following this one:-)
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I really Like your ideas And i will be making this effort!
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Love this, I will definitely be following it and trying out as many of these ideas that I can. Thanks!
Great Idea! Will be staying tuned. Always open to learn!
Comment on each blog post that mentions you.
Thanks Michael for keeping this meme alive. I plan to blog it when I reach 50,000 Twitter followers which should be in a month or two. I will mention this post.
David
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This is so awesome! What a clever idea. Another thing you could add is “Write on music related blogs and mention your website.” ::hint, hint::
Hey Drew,
I totally agree with your idea! This tip it’s big. I’m going to visit your site now! I may even become a fan. Thx
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@michaelsb 2000 Things to Generate 20000 Fans. Solid #Music #Business advice- Well written http://bit.ly/f1ZMuI
@michaelsb we’ll be following ’2000 Things to Generate 20,000 Fans Challenge’ http://bit.ly/f1ZMuI definately trying out these ideas
@JennaSG Check this out … http://bit.ly/f1ZMuI
@ImMattGiraud A great article … http://bit.ly/f1ZMuI … I still think we should have lunch. Ha!
RT @FTL14HollT: @ImMattGiraud A great article … http://bit.ly/f1ZMuI … I still think we should have lunch. Ha!
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Follow @michaelsb as he comes up with 2000 ways to get 20,000 new fans! Awesome list so far: http://bit.ly/f1ZMuI #artistadvice
RT @BerkleeBrianJ: Follow @michaelsb as he comes up with 2000 ways to get 20,000 new fans! Awesome list so far: http://bit.ly/f1ZMuI #artistadvice
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Hey Michael, this is awesome! I’ll keep dropping by for new tips.
My Tip… I create a blog post with photo’s for every gig I perform. I play a lot of corporate gigs with company’s from around the world and It’s a great way for fans to see behind the scene’s what it’s like performing in some very cool venues every week.
This is also giving my blog and web site great new content based on new corporations and my guitar performance for them. I use a plug in that helps me generate lot’s of great keywords for each post.
I also create these posts from my blackberry while I’m on my breaks, before and after the gigs.
Since I began with this I have seen my web traffic triple!
John thats great! Showing behind the scenes, especially of events that fans can’t normally attend such as corporate and private performances is always great content. Isn’t it great to find something like this that has a great impact on your traffic.
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I like the ideas and how you are consistently adding new ideas. The twitter hashtag campaign is creative.
2000 things you can do to generate 20,000 fans. Keep checking – there are some real gems! http://tinyurl.com/285u6by
RT @TheMusicHookUp: 2000 things you can do to generate 20,000 fans. Keep checking – there are some real gems! http://tinyurl.com/285u6by
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@bennetton RT @TheMusicHookUp: 2000 things you can do to generate 20,000 fans http://tinyurl.com/285u6by
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Love this sure very new at this and could always use new ideas for my artist 5th Orphan. Now if you could post something about finding music investors, things would be perfect.
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Thanks for the exhaustive list micheal! There is no excuse for the “i dont have anything to say,” explanation.
Hope you find a couple tips that work for you.
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