Why You Should Forget Your Email List

Folklore 08: in concert

Photo Credit: marfis75

They days of collecting email addresses from fans to send information out to are long gone. There are many reasons for this, but most of all it’s due to the declining number of email users (more on that in a second) and the typical use of email lists by bands.

As little as a few years ago every band was peddling their email list. Back then it was probably the only method for a direct connection to your fan. Everyone had a list, and at every gig on the merch table there was a piece of paper for you to sign up on.

This list was very valuable, as it represented a direct connection to your fans. It was the only cheap method of getting a message out to your loyal fans. Many bands also used snail mail and SMS, however to reach a mass audience (excluding mainstream media outlets) email was the only way.

The Problem

Nowadays though, email is not what it used to be. Typically it is either filled up with spam from social networks, or a closely guarded. Your email has a very real chance of being lost. Especially as you can only send one every now an then, unless you want to be blacklisted as a spammer.

Many people don’t even check their email. In fact many people I have surveyed in the 14-20 age bracket outside the tech/geek niche almost never check their email. Instead they check their Facebook, MySpace, etc

First off, MySpace seems to be losing its place in the web now. People have been leaving it in droves. Nevertheless MySpace is still an excellent page for artists to showcase their music. (More on this in a future post)

A Better Way

Social Networks provide a much more mutually beneficial method of connecting with your fans. The act of communication has changed greatly however, instead of selling a product as was the way with email, you must now sell yourself.

Back in the day of email, bands would send out emails maybe a few times a year, some more than others. They all had a similar goal though, to sell a product. Each was advertising a new song, or video. Perhaps it was a concert tour. Either way the goal of these emails was to sell a product.

Social Networks provide a much more mutually beneficial method of connecting with your fans

If you jump on a social network now, fill up your friend list, and do nothing but promote your latest [insert song/video/tour here], you are doing yourself a massive disservice. This is largely due to the sheer amount of advertising we are bombarded with every day, your message will most likely become lost in it, or worse be ignored.

Instead of trying to sell a product, you should focus on selling yourself. Or to be more accurate promote yourself, as opposed to promoting a product. By sharing parts of your life, that a related to your music, or things you believe you fans with find interesting.