I used to be cool. Now I geek out over JavaScript Frameworks. 🤓
Some of you may know that I have a background in the music industry. I can’t say that I’ve ever had backing from a record label, but I have played in several different bands over the years with people way more successful than I ever was. This is what I learned from observing them.
Many bands, from the local level to touring level acts, don’t know how to operate the business side. Plain and simple.
Having the talent is only a fraction of what it takes to do this as a part-time source of income, let alone as a career. I’m not going to sit here and claim to be a music industry expert, or claim to know how to blow up on Instagram or TikTok.
However, I am a web developer, so I understand modern web technology. I have seen first hand how it can launch a business from being ‘meh’ to scaling outreach and generating real revenue.
Yes, even your obscure, underground hardcore band can be making some money with just a little bit of creativity and understanding of the modern web.
Hindsight is always 20-20, and had I known what I know now, this is how I would leverage web technology in 2024 to scale my brand, drive engagement, and reach more people quickly.
(Oh wait, I am in a band in 2024. More to come on that. 👀)
Website
A website is more than just a group of static pages. It is a content powerhouse.
You don’t need to be a developer to create a standout website. Platforms like Webflow and Wix Studio are designed for everyone to get started quickly with their intuitive interfaces. They offer beautiful templates and built-in Content Management Systems, making it simple to update your site with fresh content whenever you want.
What I like most about these platforms are that they are constructed on and utilize the best of what the web has to offer in 2024, so they scale with you.
Built with growth in mind, they seamlessly integrate with tools like Shopify for merch or the Spotify API for showing off your latest listener stats. These platforms are also developer-friendly, so custom code can be integrated easily. The possibilities for expansion are limitless.
Now’s the time to do what you do best — get creative! Instead of a static EPK or traditional project portfolio spread across separate pages, think about how you can craft interactive experiences for your users that engage them in new ways.
All of this executed correctly, and you are setting yourself up for a valuable lead funnel that will convert to more fans, more bookings, and more sales.
Want me to do a deep dive into the power of modern websites for creatives? Reply to this email and let me know.
I also help creatives, musicians, and entrepreneurs grow their businesses with custom websites and apps. Jump on a call with me today, and we’ll come up with a plan to take your business to the next level.
So you’ve got engaging content on your socials, you’ve got a powerful website, and your fans are engaged — now let’s keep them engaged.
How many times have you bought something because of an email campaign from your favorite brand — or even your favorite band? I sure have.
With email campaigns, you can set up awesome email experiences to engage with your fans outside of the DM’s. By setting up a simple subscribe form on your website, or even a standalone link to the form, you’ve now tapped into a gold mine for outreach.
Let’s use Jelly Roll’s website as the example here. When you go to his website and scroll down, you are met with a simple pop-over with a subscribe form.
A simple popup modal can yield massive results.
SMS Messaging from Jelly Roll’s marketing campaigns.
When I subscribed, I immediately received an email and a text message on my iPhone, connecting me directly with the artist. Now, I’m in the loop for the latest merch drops, new music, upcoming shows, and more. Jelly Roll is staying connected with fans worldwide, all thanks to the power of email and SMS campaigns.
The best part? You can do this too—for free!
I personally recommend using Sender.net for email campaigns. It’s incredibly easy to set up, and their drag-and-drop editor lets you design beautiful emails without any hassle—at no cost. You can even set up automated campaigns where your fans receive a series of emails like I do with my agency’s welcome campaign.
Even the simplest email campaign keeps your fans engaged and keeps you top of mind. More informed fans mean better turnouts at shows, increased merch sales, and overall growth for you as an artist.
Bonus tip: Want more engagement with your emails? Give away something small for free to bring more value to your audience. Maybe it’s an exclusive merch code, phone wallpaper, midi drum pack, or a new single teaser.
That’s all for part one. If you’d like to learn more about some of my favorite tools and tips for crafting better web experiences, reply ‘UNLEASH’ to this email and I’ll send you my free “Unf[…]ck your tech stack” guide.
Rock on, unleash your art,
Paps.