Michael Brandvold Marketing is testing out a new marketing tool FanTexter in order to write a future article. FanTexter is to mobile text messaging as MailChimp is to email messaging. I like to actually use a tool before writing about it so I can provide a true review on the usefulness. You can help me with this review by clicking the link below and joining the Mobile Music Biz List. This is a SMS text message list. At this time it ONLY works in the United States. No cost to join, other than possible carrier fees for a text message.
I PROMISE to send no more than one message a week for the next few weeks as I test out the FanTexter service. The messages will be related to music marketing and music business. You are free to unsubscribe from the list at any time.
Join the Michael Brandvold Marketing Mobile Music Biz List »
just signed up
Thanks Greg.
I just started using Fantexter. Here’s a couple things I found as far as band marketing goes.
You only have one keyword, so it makes it difficult to put this as a general signup on your website to market to people for specific shows in a city. (You don’t want to be sending texts about shows that people can’t attend.) However, you could put an autorespond message that says “Reply with your city”. I haven’t tested this out, yet, and I’m a little hesitant because you have limited messages you can send per month.
A great thing that just got a few signups for me, I post an update to facebook about an upcoming show. At the end, I tell people from that city to sign up for the text to be reminded about upcoming Seattle shows.
Last, which I’m about to try, is have this listed at the bottom of flyers in the club combined with the QR code Fantexter gives you a QR code that automagically generates the text message for them.
I’ve segmented my list into the cities I am playing, and I quickly generated the automated texts to followup with people the day of the show to remind them. Set it and forget it simplicity.
I only wish there were more keywords with the account. I need at least two for my marketing. However, until I get more results, I’m not paying the additional $10 a month for another keyword.
One other caveat. You should have a mobile friendly site setup. Any links you have in your texts should display easily on a smart phone. For this, I’ve signed up to http://getsharesqaure.com. This service generates a mobile version of your site for free.
Hope this helps from a band perspective!
Thanks Chris, appreciate the feedback.