5 Effective Ways for Musicians to Build A Mailing List

If there's one platform that's still solid and long-lasting in reaching out to your client base or fan base, it is the e-mail.

E-mails have been around and people still use them for personal and business communications.

The nice thing about e-mails, it doesn't change as often as social media accounts. The e-mail address of a person usually sticks around for quite a long time. I know I have the same e-mail address (which I still use today) since I was 12 years old!

This is why indie musicians who are building their music business and brand should consider tapping into the power of mailing lists.

Receiving a personalized letter can be more heart-warming and intimate than a quick scroll or emoji response on social media.

I learnt all of this on my own with my music releases. Here are 5 effective ways to build a mailing list:

1. Build a Website

A website or a landing page of some sort where the public can access your music, news and merch items without having to create (yet another account/profile) is very valuable and attractive.

The most important thing to realize about building a website is the advantages of search engine optimization (SEO) to boost your visibility online.

When you create a website, all your keywords (yes including your name and location) shows up on search engines. So if someone is looking for a music service, guess what they are typing in to search in their location?

When you start to think of your mailing list as a funnel to your website, you are directing the message that you are a business, and you mean business!

A lot of websites have features that allow you to do e-mail marketing as well, that have great analytics on its performance.

Some are paid features, but you can set your own up using a service like Mailchimp for free (with limitations), and still build an effective mailing list to connect with your fans.

2. Have a Business Card

This is a small investment that will give big returns. When you have necessary information that you draw anyone who picks up your card to scan a QR code, bringing them to a link to "sign-up", it is one step closer to success.

Besides, when you play your music live at venues, having these handy is always great. Give them out to fans, other musicians, etc.

At least for me, I've found that people actually like to look at the design art on my business card when I pass it to them. It also helps with branding you as a musician and what you offer.

You can easily set it out with your tip jars, leave it at venues (i.e. for me I always leave 3 cards on top of the piano once I'm done my gigs.)

Anyone can pick it up, and head to your link or website and check out you and your music.

3. Giveaways & Freebies

People love FREE stuff. This is the reality of the consumer world.

So whenever you are giving out free merch or doing a giveaway when promoting your services or music, be sure to direct people to enter their e-mail address.

This is the most common way to collect email addresses and get consent from the customer who is interested in what you have to offer. There is proven psychology to this and it is no secret!

Look around you as you shop, every time you sign up for something, a business or a company is ALWAYS collecting email addresses!

4. Use a QR Code for sign-ups

There are many ways to collect email addresses, and depending on the type of event you are doing, you can benefit from the traditional pen-and-paper collection or using a digital avenue such as a QR code.

You could also have a jar out and have people put their business cards in, So it really depends, try everything and just keep learning what works best for each situation.

When I first started out with my solo gigs, a simple pen and paper worked great.

Then, I decided to use a QR code that will bring my potential customers directly to my website page to sign up (and receive a freebie when they do!).

With a QR code, and the same template for a poster to put up at venues, I don’t have to worry about pen and papers as much. This also gives people a chance to check out my website after they’ve signed up.

Always think about how you can direct (or re-direct) people to what you want them to know more about you and your business!

5. Use Social Media

Never underestimate the power of social media when it comes to marketing. These days, the online world is constantly at people’s fingertips, and so you want to really learn to tap into the online presence.

You can use social media to promote your marketing campaigns and direct people to sign up for your mailing list, especially when you run online giveaways or freebie events.

You can use a third-party mailing list such as Mailchimp or you can try to integrate it into your website hosting services if they do offer it. For me, I just create a page on my website (hosted by Wix.com) , added a sign up form on the page, and voila! I can also change and edit the page anytime as I like.

When you sell tickets online and promote your music concerts on social media, this can be a great way to get people to sign up when they buy tickets.

Summary

Of course, collecting e-mails comes with a responsibility on your part to. Be sure not to spam your list with unnecessary mails. Ensure you are providing value to your followers and it will be a rewarding community that you’re building for people who support your business.

I hope these tips have been helpful for you. These methods have been proven and effectively used by businesses for years. It can be nerve-wrecking to ask for people’s emails.

Just remember, you are a legit business and you can do so with the right tools and ways to ask for consent. You can always give clients the option to unsubscribe at anytime.

There’s also room for creativity, so keep exploring what works!

Speaking of a FREEBIE… I am currently promoting a new song which releases on 11th April!

Cheeky Wind was wonderfully premiered live in concert by the Grande Prairie Junior Boys Choir and I’m happy to hear it brought joy to the children learning the song and to the families who watched their amazing performance.

I’d like to spread that same joy with this song with my own production of the song!

Join my mailing list where I share exclusive content and early access to my new music works in my monthly newsletters. I will be revealing the cover art of Cheeky Wind in my April newsletter!

And I’m giving away a free download of the song on release day.