mailing lists

[Joe Nerve]

I've been playing with a few new groups lately and I watch some of them battle with the idea of passing around a mailing list. After years of doing so with The Nerve, I think I've come to the conclusion that this is not only a waste of time - it more than likely puts people off and pushes them away as opposed to helping you develop a fanbase.

I have a lot of thoughts regarding this, but before I convince you that I'm right - I'd like to hear your thoughts. There's always that ever so slight chance that I'm wrong. What are your thoughts on passing around mailing lists.

 

[Phalex]

We just used to put comment type cards on the tables at the bar. If people wanted to fill them out, they gave them to the sound guy and presto! they were on the list.

Our list these days is friggin huge, so we don't do the cards on the tables thing anymore, we just push the website and if people want to log on and sign up they do.

 

[DblG]

We (sometimes) announce that if somebody wants to sign up on our mailing list, to do so in our notebook at the stage. That would lead me to believe that they like you and want to know when and where you're playing again so they can come see you again. I don't see how that would turn people off and push them away. If they don't want a flier every month or so, they won't sign up, right?

gg

 

[billm]

What are your thoughts on passing around mailing lists.

I wouldn't do it, and I wouldn't like it if I signed up for a band's mailing list and suddenly started getting stuff from other bands.

Also, I believe that per the federal CAN-SPAM law you have to tell people before they sign up that their email address will be passed to 3rd parties.

billm

 

[DblG]

I wouldn't like it if I signed up for a band's mailing list and suddenly started getting stuff from other bands.

Ohhhh. I guess I misunderstood what was meant by "passing around" a mailing list. If this is what you mean, I wouldn't send flier to another groups mailing list. My feelings are send them one only if they ask for one.

 

[Nino Valenti]

I wouldn't do it, and I wouldn't like it if I signed up for a band's mailing list and suddenly started getting stuff from other bands.

Also, I believe that per the federal CAN-SPAM law you have to tell people before they sign up that their email address will be passed to 3rd parties.

billm

What are you talking about?!?!? LOL He's saying passing around a mailing list at a gig for Group A and discussing his past experiences with mailing lists with Group B.

There is no 3rd party involved.

 

[cosmicevan]

harassing with a mailing list (aka forcing it into people's hands) is a bad idea, but notifying the crowd once or twice during the set is a no brainer. there is nothing i hate worse than seeing a band, digging their sound, and not knowing how to find out about future shows. some bands don't even announce their name during their sets.

 

[Zappstorius]

Why not? I think that every band has a myspace page, or some sort of website. It's all voluntary (the people have to sign up themselves), so where is the harm? And what effort does it take? Printing out a templete form and having a clipboard and pen available?

 

[PalaNIN]

I'm going to be having a mailing list thing at my bands first gig in a few weeks; I was planning on just having a clipboard with a pen and paper by the stage if people feel like putting their name down, hopefully a few people put their names down.

Also, a cool resource to have is Invalid Link Removed, a mailing list service aimed at bands. For free, you get 400 e-mails per month or you can upgrade to paid plans for more e-mails. If you're looking for something nice and organised, this seem like the way to go.

 

[AdlerAugen]

what about hotmail and yahoo? aren't they free to begin with?