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Music Marketing Lessons (from a Furniture Store)

If you're wondering how companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google are kicking ass and taking names, even in a "down" economy, here's the answer...

User experience.

This stuff isn't just for the supernerds who program iPhone apps and websites; it's something you can use in your music marketing and it's a lot more simple than people make it out to be.

For example, take a look at this letter I received in my mailbox yesterday...

It's a simple letter, which probably took all of 10 minutes to write, address, and send. Yet it says something very important to the customer-- you've made the right decision by purchasing from us and you should feel good about it.

If you've never been to a high-end hotel, restaurant, clothing store, or shopping center, you should go, if for no other reason than to observe. In general, everything a customer experiences at these places gives a similar message.

• You deserve this.
• You made a smart move.
• You should feel good about this.

In addition, everything you'll experience at a high-end provider is designed around these two things:

• Ease
• Comfort

Postal mail worked 100 years ago and it still works today. If you're looking for a good way to have your message cut through the noise of voice mails, emails, and text messages, think about using it.

This post isn't about the power of postal mail though; it's about the power of comfort, ease, and reinforcing the good decisions your customers make. You can do this any number of ways, from a mobile phone that needs no instruction manual, to a search engine that finds you exactly what you're looking for, to a free toaster when you open a new checking account.

How will you do it with your music business?

Need a Cool Music Video? Try This!

This is an example of a great way to get content for your video, build connections with fans, and spread the word about your music...

Why it works...

1. Fans provide the content for your video. This means less work for you...except for editing, of course.


2. Because fans are part of the video, they'll feel even more of a connection to it.


3. Because fans are part of the video, they'll tell their friends about it.

The idea is not limited to just dancing. You can do it with any action. Driving, walking, running, playing with dogs, climbing stairs, hammering nails, etc.

Want to know more about Butterfly Boucher? Listen to her interview on Music Business Radio.

Is Somebody Telling You to Give Up Music?

This question was recently asked to Andrew WK...

"I’m dating a guy who refuses to give up on his dreams of rock stardom. While it’s admirable in a way, I need a little bit more stability if we’re going to make this work. How can I gently break this to him?"

His answer:

"Don’t you dare say anything to him about giving up his dream. You’re not the right person for him. Never ask someone to give up on their dream just so you can feel more stable. It’s his choice and his choice alone, no matter how ridiculous his dream may seem to you, or to society, or even to himself. Dreams make humans into self-realized individuals. Your only responsibility is to love everything about him, including his dreams. The idea of 'making this work' sounds more like a way to make his life more boring and predictable. At worst, it’s a genuine sadistic desire to control someone else because your own life feels out of control — or a cruel need to dominate and break someone’s spirit for the sake of your own peace of mind. Look for stability and peace of mind inside yourself, and not in your relationships or the dreams of others."

More advice from Andrew WK...