Do you want to see how to fail at social networking and fan engagement? I am sure many of you may have no idea who I am talking about but, former KISS lead guitarist Vinnie Vincent has just announced the grand opening of the new Vinnie Vincent Forum. Vinnie was only in the band for two albums in the early 80s.
The idea of a forum is great, it is a old school way for fans to hang out together and interact with each other. And the fact that Vinnie says he will be involved is even better. The failure occurs when he says his fans need to pay him $500 to join the forum.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME! You want your fans to pay $500 to be able to use a forum? To talk with other fans and talk with you? A action like this deserves all the negative feedback you will receive on the internet. Vinnie you have absolutely no clue about how to interact with your fans. I promise you this idea will fail.
Your fans are all you got. Without them you have no career. You have no customers. Treat them with respect. You do not charge fans to speak with you online.
Note: Vinnie is not in KISS and KISS has nothing to do with this forum or offer.
Below is a excerpt of the letter Vinnie sent out to fans.
WELCOME VINNIE VINCENT FANS
Congratulations and welcome!You are just in time to attend the Grand Opening of the brand new Official Vinnie Vincent Forum located at http://www.vinnievincentonline.forumco.com.Your pending membership status at http://www.doublev.forumco.com has put you at the head of the
line for entrance to Vinnie’s new Official and authorized interactive Forum, vinnievincentonline.forumco.com.
Register at http://www.vinnievincentoline.forumco.com and you will be able to share the Vinnie Vincent Experience and for the first time ever, you will take part in live on-line conversations with Guitar God Vinnie Vincent himself.Don’t miss the September 24, 2011 Grand Opening of the new http://www.vinnievincentonline.forumco.com forum because Vinnie will be making an unprecedented special 2-hour personal online appearance at 7:00 pm CST and not only will you be able to converse on-line with Vinnie, but you will also meet and get to know others who share an interest in All Things Vinnie Vincent.Vinnie will share his insights and opinions, and perhaps a little history of his time in Vinnie Vincent Invasion and in KISS, and Vinnie will try to answer as many questions deemed suitable and appropriate as time permits, and we reserve the right to refuse communication with those deemed unsuitable or inappropriate.Your membership will include many future announced and unannounced live on-line appearances by Vinnie Vincent, giving you an opportunity that has never been had before to interact with the Wizard himself on an intimate level.By our sending you this email notice, your Registration Process has officially begun.Please take the following steps to complete your Registration and let your Vinnie Vincent Experience begin: To continue your Registration Process, within 7 days of the date of this email, or September 13, 2011, you must:
1.Register at the new site: http://www.vinnievincentonline.forumco.com/; and
2.Make your $500.00 USD annual membership fee payment in full to our PayPal account located at order1@vinnievincentmodelguitar.com.You must include your full name, physical address, valid email address and username along with your PayPal payment.
You can read the entire letter at http://www.kissfaq.com/forum11/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64956
Obviously, Vinnie’s unemployment and welfare benefits must have run out.
The guy, described as “a rocker-turned-Rutherford-County-recluse,” is not a well man. http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2011/06/22/vinnie-vincent-update-former-kiss-guitarists-court-date-for-domestic-assault-charge-retired-ordered-to-attend-anger-management-course
What a nut job. I guess he’s trying to make up for lost money while not in Kiss again. Can’t stand watching the prices of meet and greets for Kiss, but $500 for an online membership for a chance that he is actually the one on the other end. PFFFT!!
Have another drink Vinnie.
Wow.
Good luck with that dude…
Who the hell is consulting for this out of touch ludite anyways?
Hold on you guys, there is a lot of value in this membership.
First, it’s on the web! This thing is world wide.
Second, Vinnie looks like the mother of a teen mom. ADDED VALUE!!!
He’s also here on Facebook, and posts a LOT. But I wonder if iit’s REALLY him ??
dont think so.
Great points you make Mike!
Granted he was on 1 album and contributed to a few things after that but why would you charge to talk? 500 bucks heck ill tack on another 500 bucks and go meet Gene and Paul.
Mmm, Vinnie Strikes again. Similar to the last attempt of getting money out of fans, by pre-ordering his box set. Fans paid, and had nothing in return.
The link above goes direct to the hosting company, so it looks like this venture has already fallen over.
Vinnie, give up already. Isn’t it about time you tried to sue Gene & Paul again??
What a tool. He still doesnt get it. This is one guy who is in it for the money. I have met KISS many times and never had to pay a penny. This is a freaking joke. And who is it to say it will really be Vinnie Vincent answering your questions? He is the type that would proably hire someone off the street to answer his questions for him. Sorry Vinnie, I enjoyed your times with KISS but you were also a thorn in there side and I resent the fact that you sue them any chance you get. If you cant do the rockstar thing right than I am sure you will be a fine Wal Mart Greeter. Give me a break, this guy is pulling straws out of desperation.
ha! fans, what fans? guitar god- not even a minor rock dietiy.