I am working on a article about band websites and fan clubs and would love your input…you don’t need to answer every question, would be great if you did, answer whatever you can.
1. When you visit a official band website what are the most important things you look for?
2. What will make you come back?
3. What turns you off so you don’t return?
4. What does it take for you to pay to join a official website?
5. Have you paid to join a band website and gotten everything promised and more? Provide whatever details you care.
6. Have you paid to join a band website and never got what was promised or felt like you were ripped off and never rejoined? Provide whatever details you care.
You can either leave a comment or send me a message at me(at)mikebrandvold.com. I am not going to use any names in the article.
Thank you!
1. How often they update, and also WHAT they update with (photos, ausio/video).
2. Frequent updates
3. When a site hasn’t updated in at least a month – especially when the band has something to promote (album/tour/appearnce).
4. Exclusive content (ausio/video), advance tour info, pre-sale tickets.
5. & 6. I have never paid to join a band’s website after hearing so many horror stories from folks who have, and felt that they got very little out of it.
Thanks for the quick reply David!
its important for a band website to look fresh with regularly updated content. If the last entry was a while ago, it looks like the artist doesn’t care enough (or isn’t busy) enough to keep my interest. I’d rather see lots of short snappy entries rather than the occasional long one. A twitter feed on the front page can do this job easily and simply.
(oops, having said that made my realise that our own website desperately need updating!)
Like David, I’d never pay to join a website – why would anyone do this? Pay for product, pay for gig tickets, yes, but a website?? No thanks!
I looke for social media which means you can see the bands up to date with twitter, facebook etc. I also look for a clean looking page that isn’t crazy buzy. I also look for a sign up list for email marketing. One thing I really like on an artists website is a EPK already online. This is great for checking out some of the meat of the band. A website that is unique and catches your eye. Something that if mentioned makes you think of that specific artist.
As for coming back I’d come back if they seem to updating their page a fair bit.
I get turned off when a page doesn’t work. It’s links aren’t working and things aren’t up to date. When it looks like the band isn’t really active. Good high quality photos, with some good youtube videos of good quality.
I usually don’t join official websites but if I like what the band is doing I am totally down for signing up for their newsletter. This is a way I can keep up to date and see what the bands up to. As a fan I think this is great to keep the fans active and up to date with the artists.
Thanks for your comments Dani.
1. When you visit a official band website what are the most important things you look for?
I don’t visit many or any at all. I feel like all the info you need from a band is available through the band’s social media handles i.e. twitter and Facebook.
2. What will make you come back?
I would visit a band site for tour dates and perhaps some exclusive online listening party or other goodies like unreleased footage or music.
3. What turns you off so you don’t return?
The biggest turn off for me is lack of professionalism. If the website looks like crap, it means that the band doesn’t care to much about the their brand
but that’s real only a concern for some very niche-base indie band. Generally, I’m annoyed if there are no updates and no media.
4. What does it take for you to pay to join a official website?
I’d never pay for the official site unless the money went to charity. I shouldn’t have to pay for media or access to my favorite band or artist. Paying to see their show or buying their record should be enough.
5. Have you paid to join a band website and gotten everything promised and more? Provide whatever details you care.
Nope and I’d never do it.
6. Have you paid to join a band website and never got what was promised or felt like you were ripped off and never rejoined? Provide whatever details you care.
See above.