Week 7: How to Build Your Mailing List

My biggest challenge right now at this stage in my career is getting new listeners.  I do have some very dedicated friends, who are the best supporters ever -- As I look at my mailing list, I personally know almost everyone on it, which is a great thing.  BUT, at the same time, I need to get the word out.

In last week's newsletter, I asked everyone to forward my email to a friend who might enjoy my music.  In return for the contact, they would get a free download off the new album.  I'm not sure it was the most effective Call to Action because I only have a couple new sign-ups.  Will have to get back to the drawing board on that one.  I did, however, get a lot of positive feedback on the tune.

Nina Simone (hard to do her justice

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Another idea I had to snag new 'listers is to perform cover songs and post them on the major video sites, and offer them as free downloads on my website.  Maybe if someone is searching Nirvana's "Come As You Are" on youtube, or Nina Simone's "Feeling Good" on Vimeo, they'll find my covers in the search results, enjoy them, and then go to my website to download the tune.  OR, better yet, and far more likely, a friend or family member on my mailing list will recommend it to someone else who is not on the list....and so on, and so on....  That is the hope anyway.

I really like the idea (mentioned in MSiNW) of a raffle at a live show.  This got me thinking that at my album release 9/23 at Cameo, I'd like to raffle a copy of the album.  AND, I'm planning on personally sending everyone who  leaves me their email address, a download link for the live album (which will be recorded at the show).

I'm not quite ready to offer any email list "shoutouts" for similar artists, but it's a good idea, and will pursue that when I have more of a following.  In the meanwhile, I'll be on the hunt for more contacts, more listeners, to add to the awesome ones I already have.

Until next time,

Jess Braun: Dream Rock Songstress
www.JessBraunMusic.com