But It’s Still Not Happening (Part 4)
“It’s easy for you to keep blogging. You have six or seven hundred readers a day, the pressure is on to keep those readers. I only have twelve people reading my blog.”
Here’s where the actual interaction comes in for you musicians. I suppose it’s just like anything else. If you want people on your blog, you need to figure out how to get them there. If you want people to your shows or to buy your albums, you need to figure out a way to do that. You need to interact with them. You want to be approachable to your fans? Then be personable on your blog. We have already seen that it’s possible to blog everyday things, and there are almost thirty comments of people confirming that it is what they want. But what if people are still having a hard time finding your blog?
Step one: Go to blogs that you think are interesting, post comments, communicate with people. You know…. interact. When you take the time to comment on something someone else has written, unless it’s John Mayer, or Seth Godin, they will click on your name and check out your blog. I have never had anyone comment on my blog that I didn’t try to click on their name to see their blog. That’s traffic and potential readers.
Step two: Link to other blogs. When you see something you think is entertaining, funny, thought provoking, or interesting and want to talk about it on your blog, link to where it came from. When you link to someone else, if they are paying attention, they will notice. They will see that you have linked to them, visit you, then most likely link back to you. That creates traffic. Once again, actual interaction. You can also put links in the side bar. Links that you read regularly, and think others should visit. Several people will do a “link to me, I will link to you” campaign, but the potential of linking to something you don’t recommend is always there.
“How do I tell who is linking to me?” There are a million different ways, but the two that I use, are the built in dashboard option on WordPress, and Technorati. Both will tell you the site and the context of what is linking to you. For instance, I noticed on Technorati, that Spence and Shaun had linked to me which is giving me traffic, and also causing me to visit them (as if I didn’t already). Technorati has some sort of “authority” thing that I don’t really understand, and not sure I really care to, as long as I know where the links are coming from. Linking to people and getting links is the quickest way to spread your blog around, but again, frequently updating is key here too. If your blog sits for a while people are going to stop clicking on your name and eventually take you off their list.
Step Three: Comment on the comments. Here’s the tricky part for you artists. A lot of artists are used to saying what they want to say and walking away. Interview style. They answer their questions, smile, shake hands and forget all about it. There is no “checking back” or interaction from that point on. Blogs are different, because they have comments. They have people asking questions, people responding to what you have said. It’s only common courtesy that you engage in the conversation. After all, you started it. “But super-freak-fans control every conversation with thirty comments per post.” Then post something else and ignore them. Here’s what they are doing. They are trying to use your status or your popularity to get themselves attention. If you continue to post things that you want, eventually they will realize that you are not paying attention to them if they aren’t contributing to the actual conversation. They will get that, and either stop commenting, or start commenting something constructive. Not to mention the people that are actually involved in the conversation will usually take care of the trouble maker and get them in line.
If you aren’t commenting on the comments, it feels like you are posting something and never checking back. That’s what you are doing right? And you wonder why your blog doesn’t have traffic. You wonder why people don’t comment. It’s because there is no point to them commenting. They know you won’t answer questions, or say anything back so why would they comment? Again, actual interaction.
I know, it’s hard, but guess what? It’s work. It’s your job. These are the people that (1) are interested enough in you to find your blog, (2) most likely are the ones that are going to buy your albums and (3) have blogs of their own and can and will help spread your music around via the internet. These are the people you want to interact with. These are the people you want on your side. And these are the people that can add unbelievable amounts to your career. Interact with them.
Another way to find out who’s linking to you (or to any other site): In the Google search field, type in “link:” and then the URL you’re interested in. No space after the colon. That’s a pretty quick and simple way to do it, especially since most people use Google all the time, anyway.
My biggest problem with blogging is that not many of my friends do it, and since I’m not a musician or anything like that, I don’t have much purpose in it except that I think it’s fun.
I have actually started updating mine again, though, so maybe after a few more entries I’ll actually start giving the URL to my friends haha.
A while back a friend of mine mentioned that he wasn’t sure he wanted to continue with his blog because he only has two readers. He is a photographer/aspiring musician. At that time our “circle of friends” who blog or care to read blogs was very small.
However, all these suggestions, Brody, are very helpful. Now we have more friends starting blogs in order to express and connect more. Bloggers, don’t get too discouraged! Even if you only have two readers, that’s a start.
I’ve been encouraging my sister-in-law to blog as she is a mother of two young children and needed a way to connect with the adult world when she had breaks. Whether you are a musician or mom or student, I think that blogging can be a great encouragement and communication tool.
Blog on!
Good post Brody. I appreciate you pointing out (the point) of actual interaction via “commenting on comments.” lol
That is what can really set a blog apart. Especially, in regards to artists. You can “post” your stuff all over MySpace, Virb, YouTube, and your home site. Having a blog is for so much more than “the post.”
Interaction can be bread and butter (and blessing).
Brody, in your opinion, based on your experience, do you see a correlation between artists’ willingness to interact with people after shows and their willingness to interact with people on-line? Or, if not willingness, maybe ability?
Shaun.
From my experience I see artists interacting with people after a show, or before a show, because they (A) genuinely want to meet the people that come to their shows, and (B) know that “fan interaction” is what is keeping their career going.
Labels and management know this too. That’s why there are special contests for fans to win “Meet and Greet” passes to go back and shake hands and take a picture with the band.
While the band, I think, truly likes to “meet and greet” people most of the time, they are still looking at it as “part of the job”.
I think that’s where it switches from willingness to ability. Most artists are “willing” to hang out after a show, if they are told to or something is set up and they need to. I think the reason most artists don’t interact online with people is because no one is saying they “have to” and there aren’t contest winners signed up to interact.
Nothing is “making” them interact, and that’s what artists are used to. I think most are used to being told they need to be at this table or that table, shaking these hands, smiling for this camera, standing in this line. When these artists are on the bus or at home the last thing they think of is, “How can I interact with people”. And rightfully so.
The problem is that without the internet an artists career can’t be everything he or she wants it to be. That’s something that managements and labels aren’t even getting yet.
Did that answer what you asked? I can’t tell if I just started rambling.
I’m hoping you still have more to say on this. Well done.
I still want you to host a paid event for artists to learn the value of blogging, I would sent all the artists on my label. Even if I had to pay to fly them there.
Richard, I’m available to consult/teach/push on that topic. I have no degree in computer science or anything but I can share my experiences and some staggering statistics that make it seem plain silly not to get on-line and mix things up.
I’m actually meeting with a manager in the next little while to “teach” their artist how to do this stuff and why. Would love to help you out with the same. And I’m sure Brody could to.
shaunfanmail@bellsouth.net if you want to get in touch.
And, yes, Brody, you did answer the question. You know I don’t hang out with many artists these days, and really haven’t for the last few years that blogging and other on-line stuff has become so prevalent. I was wondering why artists who interact with “fans” at shows won’t do it on-line. Makes sense that it’s not pushed on them, set up for them, taught to them as important. (Very diplomatically put, btw.)