John Legend on Music Marketing

I've been saying it for years. A direct connection with fans is crucial to your survival as an artist. That's why a mailing list is all important.

BUT ... don't just ask people to sign up for your email updates. That's bland, boring and full of "who cares?" Instead, ask fans to join your special club. That's what rising star John Legend does.


On his fan club web site, the R&B singer-songwriter asks people to join the John Legend Network. Here's the text he uses to promote it:

Members of the Legend Network Fan Club enjoy exclusive access to the following:

Advance access to concert ticket pre-sales for premier seating to John Legend's tours.

Ticket giveaways, meet and greets and concert ticket upgrades! Keys to the Legend Network store, where all items are 10% off in the official John Legend Store and limited edition merchandise will be offered.

Members-only Website - www.johnlegendnetwork.com - an unprecedented resource of John Legend news, tour information, interactive behind-the-scenes multimedia, an extensive collection of photographs, monthly contests and giveaways (for US residents only), interviews along with a members-only message board and chat room.

John Legend Membership Kit - Includes an unreleased live CD, John Legend: Live at the Tin Angel, and an exclusive laminate that gets Legend Network members special perks when they attend John Legend shows.

We welcome you to join the Legend Network, as we bring members closer to each other and closer to John Legend.

I beg you to read this and understand the importance of it. Saying, "Hey, we got a mailing list over here if you wanna sign up" is dropping the ball. Connection and interactivity are key. Create special perks and incentives for people to join your inner circle. Then regularly interact with and deliver those perks (and more) to your fans.

That's the best way to promote yourself in this new era of music marketing.

-Bob