| I was never a very "great" marketer. I remember in | | | | it's only $10." |
| the sixth grade we had a Social Studies project | | | | She bought THREE CDs! |
| where we could sell whatever we made. I made | | | | Wow! Where did that come from? I wasn't even |
| some chocolate chip cookies, threw them in cheap | | | | *trying* to sell her a thing, and she bought THREE?! |
| sandwich bags. My base cost may've been low, but it | | | | So it got me thinking. Maybe I need more such |
| was no good when no one bought any. Not when | | | | closers. |
| there were delicious homemade lollipops for sale as | | | | Check out Bob Baker's "Guerrilla Music Marketing |
| well. | | | | Handbook" as an example. |
| So I got creative! I added one old baseball card to | | | | Not only is the book packed with music promotion |
| each baggie. Sure, I neglected to remember that the | | | | tips that'll greatly benefit your music business, but he |
| average 6th grader really doesn't have much interest | | | | offers SEVEN, count em' SEVEN Free Special |
| in vintage baseball cards. | | | | Reports, including: "Killer Press Kits: The 29 Most |
| I forgot to think about "value". | | | | Important Elements in Creating Sizzling Music Publicity |
| Not in terms of what I consider valuable,but what | | | | Materials", "Advertising Your Music: How to Make It |
| does the buyer consider valuable. | | | | Pay (and Avoid the Most Common Mistakes)" and |
| Ever watch infomercials? They barrage you with | | | | lots more. |
| things you really have no interest in. Then there's | | | | Go read the list yourself. |
| that great line. | | | | So what can YOU offer that'll add value to your |
| "How much would YOU pay? Well, don't answer | | | | deal? How about a homemade bonus CD with some |
| yet..." | | | | live tracks, or even just MP3s, burned on it? Not |
| That's Marketing 101. Give 'em an offer then | | | | good enough? Let's add a sticker or even a T-Shirt |
| sweeten. Yet, even they typically offer absolutely | | | | to REALLY sweeten the deal! |
| worthless bonuses. They might as well give away | | | | Oh! Here's one. How about, if they buy a CD and join |
| baseball cards. | | | | your mailing list, you'll email them to give them |
| But I seem to be getting better at it. At Opus | | | | Exclusive access to a webpage that offers free |
| Fantasy Arts Festival last weekend, a vendor was | | | | MP3s. That'll also help you gain new subscribers! |
| there looking at our CDs. Vendors were feeling the | | | | As you can see, I'm still working on ideas. |
| economic blow. Sales weren't good. | | | | But maybe you can help? |
| The vendor wasn't sure she could afford our $15 CD. | | | | What do you offer to your fans to |
| Unwittingly, I gave her the closer. "Well for vendors, | | | | "sweeten" the deal and sell more CDs? |
