That\u2019s right, on average, 75% or more of your fan base won\u2019t make it out to a show on your next tour. Proximity. Sold out. Cost. \u00a0All factors which can keep your most loyal fans from attending your next killer show. I guess they\u2019re SOL, right? \u00a0Wrong.<\/p>\n
With the proliferation of social media sharing, we\u2019re seeing bits and pieces of the live show experience being shared by fans, in real time, straight from the pit. \u00a0There is a huge opportunity to engage the non-attending fan with this content. \u00a0Have someone on your team monitor social media services and curate the best fan photos, video clips, etc. from your shows and highlight them on your web site, Facebook fan page, etc. This is a guaranteed way to engage your non-attending fans by giving them a sample of your shows through the eyes of the fans on the ground.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t have anyone to do that for you? Use an aggregator service like\u00a0Fliptu<\/a>\u00a0(free while in beta; specializes in music, entertainment & lifestyle; disclaimer: I\u2019m a co-founder),Rebel Mouse<\/a>\u00a0(free\/premium upgrades), or\u00a0Postano<\/a>\u00a0(not free) to do the work for you. \u00a0Have fans Tweet or Instagram their pics with your tour or band hashtag, then use a tool like\u00a0Fliptu<\/a>\u00a0to aggregate all those #SuperRadTour pics in one spot. Embed a copy on your web site. \u00a0Boom \u2014 you now have a fully interactive concert social hub for non-attending fans to vicariously experience your shows. \u00a0Pretty much the next best thing to being there. \u00a0100% of your fan base now engaged and happy.<\/p>\n Other ideas to engage your non-attending fans:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1)\u00a0Live stream<\/strong>\u00a0your show (Stageit<\/a>,\u00a0EVNTLive<\/a>,\u00a0uStream<\/a>,\u00a0iRocke<\/a>)<\/p>\n 2)\u00a0Live song requests<\/strong>\u00a0from non-attending fans (Use Twitter to solicit requests – let them choose the next song you play!)<\/p>\n 3)\u00a0Social media take-over<\/strong>\u00a0– Select a fan before each show to co-run your Twitter, Instagram, etc. account. (Try services like\u00a0HootSuite<\/a>\u00a0to manage your social media efforts more efficiently. Or, see\u00a0BandSosh<\/a>\u00a0if you actually need someone to help run your accounts full or part time.)<\/p>\n 4)\u00a0\u201cFansource\u201d an extra show<\/strong>\u00a0– Inspire\/encourage fans to bring one of your shows to their city by contributing to a crowdfunding campaign. The city that dontates the most $ gets the show (Make sure you set a \u201cminimum\u201d that covers your costs for the extra show!). Try a crowdfunding site like\u00a0Pledge Music<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Indiegogo<\/a>.<\/p>\n 5)\u00a0Limitied edition merch bundle<\/strong>\u00a0just for non-attending fans (Set up as a pre-order; no out-of-pocket cost. If you need help with fast, low volume merch, check out\u00a0Zazzle<\/a>(DIY),\u00a0FlashMerch<\/a>\u00a0(Custom),\u00a0CafePress<\/a>\u00a0(DIY))<\/p>\n