Cherry Suede – Bon Jovi Contest Page

Posted on 10 April 2010 by gregrollett

Disclosure: Cherry Suede is a Label 2.0 member. They have some kick ass music and are one of the most forward thinking groups I have had the opportunity to work with in the indie music space.

Many musicians enter contests. Whether its to open for another band, play a festival, get on radio or to win some free gear or something. The promotional strategy generally goes something like this:

  • Get link to share with your fans to enter contest.
  • Send out as many Myspace bulletins as possible.
  • Crowd th Twitter timeline with requests to go vote.
  • Same on Facebook.
  • Maybe an email that is nothing more than asking them to vote with no WIFFM.

Sounds about right, right?

I was reading on Shoemoney’s blog about how he enters competitions and wins and its not from doing any of that above stuff (Shoemoney is one of the dopest Internet Marketers in the game and has a really cool free course that shows you exactly how to get started).

Essentially it was a referral competition. Whoever sent over the most referrals for a new product was to win $5,000 in Apple products. Pretty cool prize.

Now, Shoemoney is a household name in Internet Marketing and has more Twitter followers and blog readers than many people can imagine. And they are loyal. When he won the contest many called it unfair, like he obviously should win because he has bigger numbers than the rest of the people that entered.

Shoemoney is not one to let this slide so he responds:


What he basically said was – yea, I have more stuff going on that you guys, but I also tried really hard to win. And everyone else just went through the motions.

The Cherry Suede Version

Cherry Suede

Cherry Suede

Cherry Suede has done something similar for a recent (ongoing) contest in their quest to open for Bon Jovi. Instead of begging their fans to go and vote for them (which has been made a little harder than it should be – fault of OurStage), they have created a fun and innovative way to get their current fans involved as well as reach out to new fans.

First is a video that shows their fans how to vote:

Next is a custom landing page (that they paid someone to build and code) that features a really personable video, an opt-in form and requests to join their Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Cherry Suede - Bon Jovi Contest

How This Page and Contest Works:

Fans are sent to this page via press releases, local press and blogs, social networks, videos and other promotional pieces that Cherry Suede is working on and has released already. The page is not a build it and they will come. There is an entire promo piece to get them to the promotion.

Once on the page the fan can watch the video and get the scoop on the contest. From there they enter their name and email, agree to the terms and can opt into Following them on Twitter and joining their Fan Page on Facebook.

Next they click to share this “right now” on Twitter or Facebook and the fans network is immediately notified. The message on Twitter looks like this:

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The fan is also directed the contest page. This is genius. In working with them to get this page live, I am really impressed with how seamless and powerful and application like this is.

Even if they don’t win the opening spot (which they have a really good shot to do), they are building their email list, their Twitter followers and their Facebook Fan Page.

What are you doing to avoid spamming your fans and just going through the motions? Let us know in the comments.

If you want to learn how this came together and get access to similar templates, consider joining Label 2.0. This is the kind of education and assistance you get from not only Eric and myself, but also the creative minds of the other members.

I encourage you to check out Cherry Suede, listen to the music and consider voting for them. I would love to see them play the guitar on stage with Bon Jovi and then give that thing away to a lucky fan!

-Greg

Email Marketing Example

Posted on 18 February 2010 by gregrollett

picture-2

Earlier this week, I received an email from Label 2.0 member Andrew Hand. I joined Andrew’s list for a few reasons. One, I wanted to see if he was implementing some of the course material on email marketing and two, I am genuinely interested in his career. I was really amazed at the email he sent out that I asked him if I could share it with the readers here at Gen-Y Rock Stars. He said yes, so here is the email below:

Subject: A Brand New Song Is Here

Hey Greg,

I hope that you had a very enjoyable V-Day yesterday. Hopefully there were some yummy chocolates involved! I do love chocolate.

Anyhow, I wanted to share my new song with you…it’s called “All I Want’s To Be With You” and I’m trying to get a pulse on it. You can take a listen Here and then just fill out the brief 4 question survey.

As I get ready for my big music conference in LA, I need to find the best tunes to present to the industry folks I’ll be meeting and I trust in your input more than anything, so please don’t hold back! :-)

I am wishing you my very best and would love to hear what you’re up to.

Cheers,

Andrew

P.S. Thanks so much for taking the time to give me your feedback on my new song

Thoughts on Andrew’s Email Marketing

This is a great email. It’s short, personal and directs the reader to do something with assertive and friendly calls to action.

Andrew is doing a great job engaging his fans and getting them involved in the progression of his music career. When you are writing your emails to your fans, are they delivering a clear message? Do you have a purpose and a call to action? Do your fans feel like they are a part of your culture?

If not, now is the time to do something about it.

Shoot your thoughts on this email in the comments below. Oh, and sign up for Andrew’s mailing list here.

-Greg

Introducing Label 2.0 Tools

Posted on 27 January 2010 by gregrollett

When we started Label 2.0 a few months back our intention was to first educate, then create a community of musicians that were working towards obtaining their goals in the indie music industry and then give them the tools and resources they needed to succeed. Today is the day we embark on the 3rd part of the journey.

Eric has just installed the first of many Label 2.0 Tools.

The first tool in the dashboard is the Blogger Press Release Generator. Essentially it allows you to add all the nooks and crannies of a multi-media press release and spits it out into HTML code that bloggers can just copy, paste and post in seconds with no additional coding.

Why This Is A Cool Music Marketing Feature?

As a blogger I am hit with press releases everyday from musicians, PR people and music services that want some coverage here on Gen-Y Rock Stars. Most of them end up getting archived in GMail in a few seconds even if the content is good and newsworthy. Why?

I don’t have time to gather all the data, reformat and learn about every product that comes out. My posts are generally information packed and involve multi-media – text, a picture or 2, videos, charts, etc. If I need to hardcode all of that to let people know about your service that my readers may or may not like, then I am going to pass.

Press Release Generator From Label 2.0

With this new press release generator, you can add things like:

  • The Band Name
  • Press contact email
  • Website (or even better a squeeze page)
  • Band Bio
  • Press Release Title
  • Images and captions
  • YouTube Videos
  • Reverbnation players and widgets
  • Press release text
  • More info
  • And more!

When you have entered all the information you needed, just hit submit and save it as a .html or a .txt and you have a press release that is instantly formatted for bloggers.

The blogger is able to quickly copy and paste it into their editor, check out the look and add or delete anything they want in seconds and “BAM” your release is now online, the blogger has quality multi-media content on their site and their readers can see your stuff and click through to your opt-in page and give you their contact info.

Hear what Eric has to say about the Musician Press Release Maker.

More Tools To Come

We are working on gathering some really cool tools for musicians over the next few months from music optimized WordPress themes to Band Management solutions to expense and sales calculators.

If you have an idea for a Label 2.0 tool that would be beneficial to your band or your career let us know. If we pick your idea we will send you a complimentary Label 2.0 subscription. (put any ideas in the comments or send them to marketing@genyrockstars.com)

Why Join Label 2.0?

Honestly, it is making better musicians and better players in the music business. From the educational pieces to content promotion to the forums, live calls and tools there is no other online system that is teaching musicians how to promote their music through online channels like Label 2.0. Call me biased, but I think its true.

So here is a quick run down of what a membership includes:

Training Modules – In depth modules on fabase growth and management, email campaigns, how to launch a product online, social media, how to utilize wordpress, writing content, creating products and so much more.

Content Promotion – Through our networks and the networks created by Label 2.0 members you now have a direct channel to promote your videos, blog posts and promotions to an expanded network and community.

Live Calls – Twice a month we get our members on the phone and have live discussions on music business issues and host guest callers from label A&R’s to product managers to booking agents to record promoters. Most members say these live calls are worth the membership fees alone.

Forums – Have a question? Get an answer. You have direct access to our staff 24/7/365 for marketing, technical and music industry questions, concerns or problems. Have a question about a campaign you are about to launch? Have some more eyes take a look and get you on the right path to maximize everything that you do.

And Label 2.0 Tools – Easy to use tools that will help you explode your progress in everything we are teaching in Label 2.0. This is a really exciting new development.

So, take Label 2.0 for a test drive today. No long term contracts, cancel anytime with no pressure.

More meaty music marketing and online music stuff coming tomorrow folks.

-Greg Rollett

P.S. If you join Label 2.0 you will have FREE access to the New Music Economy, a new product I just finished that will be coming out really soon. It will cost more than one month in Label 2.0, so you will recoup your cost easily just by checking out this course!

Reverb Nation + Label 2.0

Posted on 21 October 2009 by gregrollett

I’ve had some exciting news to share with you all for a long time coming and today is the day I get to let all of you know and experience what we’ve been working on for a long time now. Label 2.0 is now in the middle of its 3rd month on music marketing training and the members are seeing some great results already and new members are taking action to change their career. (If you are not a member, now would be a great time to join the Internet Music Marketing Community)

When we launched Label 2.0, we wanted to come out with a backbone and reach as many musicians as possible. Not just to get them inside of Label 2.0, but to let them know that they need to take control of their own career, manage their online business and look at working on the business and marketing of their music as much as the music itself (disclaimer: your music always comes first – without hit songs, all the marketing in the world can’t save you – kinda).

Check out this walk through video on what’s inside of ReverbNation from Label 2.0.

(Internet Music Marketing from ReverbNation and Label 2.0)

ReverbNation has been a leading source of tools, information and innovation for musicians since going online a few years ago. With their free music widgets, email software, distribution, online stores and stats programs, you’d think they’d run out of free things for musicians to use to spread the word about their music.

Not so. Over the past few weeks, ReverbNation has added several new things into their artist “Resources” section of their control panel, including information about several well known music industry consulting groups for bands to contact should they want outside promotion.

And as of last Thursday, ReverbNation unveiled the free “Advanced Tips” training module for users to learn how to fully utilize their ReverbNation memberships. This module has been crafted by Eric Hebert from Evolvor and the other half of Label 2.0. The training was created for Label 2.0 members and gives musicians a great resource that will help them use the tools and resources that ReverbNation has to offer.

It will also give indie musicians (about 450,000 of them) a chance to see the advanced and step-by-step training that Label 2.0 has to offer. This is the type of partnership that we envisioned when Label 2.0 launched and going into the 4th quarter and into the new year.

Here is a screenshot that shows you how to access the Label 2.0 ReverbNation Module.

Label 2.0 Integrated in Reverbnation - DIY for Indie Musicians

If you are not a member of ReverbNation, you are really missing the boat. Eric breaks down what they have to offer with the following tutorials:

  • The Power Behind ReverbNation
  • Control Panel Intro
  • Setting Up Your Profile Correctly
  • Using Reverb’s Widgets, Apps and Download Tools
  • Understanding Stats and Analytics
  • Using Reverb’s Tour Widgets, EPK and Gig Finder
  • Using Reverb’s Street Team Application
  • FanReach and Fan360
  • Using ReverbNation for Digital Distribution
  • ReverbNation’s Ad Revenue Share and Paid Download Programs
  • Integrating ReverbNation Into Your Website, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, and Press Kit Promotions

We are looking forward to working with the Reverb Team as we integrate their tools with the artists inside Label 2.0, give them inside tips and help musicians through tech problems in our forums.

Thanks for sticking it out with us this long and I look forward to talking to you guys in the comments and inside of Label 2.0. Join the musicians who are Taking Advantage of the New Music Economy

Label 2.0 is your personal road map to building your music business and living the dream you envision every time your write a song, perform live or meet a fan.

-Greg Rollett

P.S. ReverbNation members have a sweet deal to test drive Label 2.0. Go to ReverbNation’s Resource Center now and see what I’m talking about.

Label 2.0 Is Now Live – VIP Pricing in Effect

Posted on 03 August 2009 by gregrollett

Well, it has been over a year in the making and now I am proud to say that Label 2.0 is now officially live. Eric and I have been pouring blood and sweat into this thing and now you can see what all the fuss and buzz is about.

Label 2.0 is essentially marketing school for musicians, where you get to go behind the scenes on real marketing strategies that we use on local, indie and major label artists on our roster. Every month we will be launching 2 new modules as well as 2 live calls and presentations on the material.

We are launching with the following modules:

  • The Fan Filter Project
  • Video for Search
  • Advertising 2.0

I don’t want to spend too much time going over it, I really want you to check out the sales page, where there is a ton of info on what you are getting and what is to come!

Label 2.0

If you act fast, we are offering 50% off the monthly price for those that signup before midnight on Tuesday, August 4th.

If you have any questions or want to know more, please shoot me an email at marketing@genyrockstars.com and I will do my best to get back to you with an answer!

It has been way too crazy for the last few days and I can only imagine what is going to happen when people get through the door.

Get Label 2.0 Now!

-Greg