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Originally published at Internet.com
The competition for attention on MySpace is intense. Many artists want to stand out from the crowd, but with so many pages (and more being added all the time), it can be difficult to break through the clutter.
Some artists on MySpace have started to discover the benefits of building a mailing list. They do so by placing a signup box on their profile and let their fans, friends and family sign up to receive email newsletters, notifications of new releases, show dates, etc. Once they've gotten their fans to sign up, these artists can send targeted email campaigns that can take place outside of the MySpace universe.
With the right email marketing software, this can be simple to accomplish. Most email marketing applications require little or no technical skills, so anyone can dive in and start creating professional email marketing campaigns within minutes.
The key to success for MySpace artists is to build a large list. One tip for doing so is to place the signup box higher on their profile instead of burying it deep on their pages. Also, many artists have started including tag lines, with messages such as: "Join my MySpace Mailing List by visiting our profile." Since many artists on MySpace haven't realized the value of a mailing list, this is your opportunity to get an extra edge. When you couple that with email marketing software that offers template options, you have an opportunity to move ahead of the competition.
Once you've built your list, you can send out a variety of messages. As an example, a band could send out a marketing blast announcing a new song they've released. This can boost the amount of "plays" it receives on their profile. A MySpace mailing list can also be used to pack a concert crowd, since most email marketing programs will let you send out invitation-type emails, where you can invite all of your mailing list subscribers to attend your event - whether it's a concert, comedy night, art show, etc.
Some artists have started to promote their merchandise through targeted email campaigns. If you have an online store, you can use your messages to showcase your latest product offerings and give your subscribers a simple link to make a purchase.
About Spam
Anytime you're launching email marketing campaigns, the issue of unsolicited email (UCE) must be addressed. Most email marketing applications have an option to confirm your subscriber's intent to join your mailing list, so a large part of this is handled automatically for you. With this option, when fans fill out their information on your profile, they receive a confirmation email with a special link they must click. Once they click this link, this is confirmation that they want to be added to your mailing list. (This is referred to as "double opt-in" or "closed loop.") If you don't have permission to add people to your list, you can run into trouble. As a case in point, just because your bass player knew someone 10 years ago in high school, this that doesn't give you the right to automatically add them to your mailing list.
Conclusion
MySpace provides an excellent platform to get exposure on an international scale. When your profile is coupled with a mailing list and email marketing software, you can rise above the crowd and get more time in front of your fans. This leverage can go a long way towards achieving your goals, whether this is increased traffic to your page, more plays of a song, more people attending your show, etc.
About the Author
Robert Burko is President of EliteEmail.com, email marketing software that is used by businesses around the globe. Robert has been featured on TV, radio and print publications across North America for his email marketing expertise.
This article originally appeared on WebReference.com.< i*<#
Author: Robert Burko
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