The Value of Aweber for Online Musicians
I recently switched over to Aweber as my solution for my mailing list. When I began blogging, I settled for a simple opt-in Wordpress plugin that would add some value to my subscribers.
The problem for me was the free plugin was limited and sometimes would have problems with random updates. I’ve been researching mailing list solutions and found some reasons why it is very important for your development.
Test For Yourself
I signed up for multiple mailing lists of websites that I enjoyed and found interesting things. I analyzed what I liked and didn’t like about their mailing lists: frequency of updates, or just too damn pushy and salesy.
My music operation is a business. I have made that distinction and its time to treat it as one. Reading some great posts by internet entrepreneur David Risley got me thinking about not just purchasing business tools but applying them.
If you don’t find ways to market your music with business tools then you are hurting yourself.
The view of the mailing list changed for me. I used to work crappy sales jobs and everything was about leads. I don’t want to be “that guy” because I have been on the receiving end of some horrible practices. This form of labeling made me not take my subscribers for granted, but reward them. Build relationships.
Aweber To The Rescue
I signed up for Aweber and was mad I didn’t do it earlier. The main reason early on I didn’t get it was I didn’t want to spend any money. I was just cutting corners and settling for passive email subscription services with limited features, such as Feedburner, just to save a buck.
Some of the features include:
- Videos explaining the different ways you can use their multiple features to improve
your business. - Sign Up forms are easy to customize and install on your blog
- Email Web Analytics allow you to track if people are actually clicking and reading your
emails or clicking on your products - Email Newsletters are easy to assemble and there are html templates to make your
newsletter shine if you choose - Follow Up Autoresponders are a great way to send a sequence of emails personalized
for your subscribers - Publish your email newsletter to Twitter
The service runs about $19 a month, with some low introductory offers for new subscribers. Paying for a high quality service like this is worth it. It is also the kick in the ass most musicians need. If you are paying for something, you want to get your money’s worth. Get active!
Reasons I See Value For a Musician Blogging:
- Welcome Message: Send new subscribers a welcome message with some articles you think they will enjoy. Introduce subscribers to your website, or some aspect of your site you think they may have missed. Cover your ground
- Autoresponders to the rescue: sending a sequence of emails that can introduce every
subscriber to your music catalog. Old albums and new albums can receive the same
attention - Newsletters can be sent on whatever timetable you like: daily, monthly, weekly. Test the
right timetable that won’t annoy your subscribers - Split Test Messages: see which subject lines people are clicking more, or which messages
are being opened. Maybe your music is great but your headlines suck. - See Sales Generated By Subscribers
- Create Anticipation: while music is being created you can build anticipation for the
future release in hopes of stimulating sales and blog visits. - Everyone has an email account: building your reach and not just relying on passing
social networks
I like to promote services that I actually use and Aweber is one of them. It’s never to late to improve and I learned my lesson. Build your list as your traffic rises and don’t wait. Your mailing list is your asset that needs to be developed.
On that note, (shameless plug) feel free to sign up for Hip Hop Distribution’s monthly newsletter. The Sign up is located on the top right sidebar.
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