Crowdfunding - We're on to Something Big for Artists

When Adva Mobile undertook our Crowdfunding exercise, we knew we were testing a new idea. Raising money for a project by convincing a large group of friends, family, business partners and even total strangers to contribute a small amount of money wasn't a totally new idea, however past successful efforts were oriented towards cultural, philanthropic or creative projects. Crowdfunding for a commercial project was indeed testing a new idea.

Now we have the Crowdfunding Bill, part of the Jump-Start Our Business Start-Ups, or JOBS Act, through Congress and signed by the President. For those of you who haven’t been following the JOBS Act, it is a bill that will make it easier for startups and small businesses to raise funds, especially through online Crowdfunding.

The Crowdfunding exercise we underwent using IndieGoGo (like KickStarter) differs from those contemplated by the JOBS Act bill because, under the JOBS Act, we can now reward investors with equity. I believe Equity Based Crowdfunding  will fundamentally alter, in positive ways, small businesses, including those small businesses known as "Artists".

Touring Bands and Recording Artists should watch the early efforts of Artists who attempt Equity Based Crowdfunding projects very carefully. While fans may be willing  to donate small contributions for a nationwide tour, SXSW concert, or studio session, the significant money needed for large marketing campaigns, previously only available from large labels, may now be available to a much larger pool of Artists. Crowdfunding without equity through campaigns with KickStarter and IndieGoGo are still available to the Artist, so Equity Based Crowdfunding represents an alternative when more significant capital is needed.

The "crowd" also provides benefits beyond capital to Artist businesses. For example, a touring band that raises money via Crowdfunding may now have 150 new passionate fans as shareholders, who can serve as a great sounding board for new ideas and as brand evangelists -- a critical asset in Artist promotion.

Equity Crowdfunding will go a long way towards alleviating Artists' capital access needs, and benefit investors in the process. The capital markets have finally entered the 21st Century and the future for Artists looks bright.

Design for Our Times - The Adva Mobile Portal

Many of you know we're working on an entirely new User Interface to our mobile marketing CRM Portal for Artists, to make it even easier for Artists to take advantage of everything mobile has to offer. Over the past few months, as we've been building out the system and tying it in to our existing database, we've provided a "sneak peek" at the design and some of the back end pages that will help artists manage their online mobile presence. We're ready to show you even more, as we're preparing to launch our new portal and unleash Adva Mobile to the mobile industry.

We're big fans of Prezi - it's an online presentation tool that a big step up from PowerPoint. Video is great for an overview, but if you want to stop and study the details of what you're looking at, video doesn't cut it. Prezi is great because, like PowerPoints, you can move at your own speed.

We've built a Take The Tour Prezi, it's at http://bit.ly/advatour. Have fun checking it out, and let us know if you have any questions about how to use the service to connect to fans on mobile.

Adva Mobile Artist Natalie Stovall Voted Entertainer of the Year

 We couldn't be more proud to announce that Natalie Stovall has won both Entertainer of the Year and Female Entertainer of the Year by Campus Activities Magazine®. We've seen her perform at campuses up here in Boston and the audiences love the flavor of country she brings to her performances. Campus Activities Magazine® echoed this sentiment when they wrote:
"Well, she's finally done it folks. After just a few short years in the campus market, Natalie Stovall has been named the Entertainer Of The Year by the voters of Campus Activities Magazine® in the Reader's Choice Awards. One of the most common comments about this performer is "I don't even like country, but I like this country. It almost didn't even seem like a country show." Put it this way, when she rips "The Devil Went Down To Georgia," it's in a medley with some Metallica. Her's is a show bred for wide audiences, and this year that mainstream popularity paid off with her winning the big one."

Natalie is a pioneer using mobile technology from Adva Mobile to reach and engage her fans, and hundreds connect with Natalie on their phones - she has iPhone App, Android App and Mobile Web to reach the largest audience. Download her Apps, or text GETFIDDLE to 88704 to check out Natalie on your phone and download some of her terrific music.

You can read a great article about Natalie and why she won the award at:
http://www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com/articles.php?articleID=227&button=Go

Congratulations Natalie! 

New SMS Text Rules from the Phone Companies that affect you

Many of you actively promote your mobile site to your fans on your desktop web sites or Facebook pages. We see callouts to Text GET(bandname) to 88704 all the time. That's great!

When you see this on TV - for example, when you see the instructions to text in to vote on American Idol - you might notice the small print under the text in the call-out. "Data and Message charges may apply" is the most common small print. We've received a notification that this language is now required whenever you put GET(bandname) to 88704 in print.

What happened was, one of the wireless carriers did an audit and found a band promoting their mobile site with their shortcode (88704) and keyword (GETbandname) without this required language. So they wrote to us and told us to fix it.

The carriers are pretty strict about these things. So, until it got fixed, we had to disable this band on our system. Because, if we're not compliant, they can shut down 88704, and that screws everybody.

Here's the new language you need to show if you promote your mobile site in print (on your website, Facebook Page, handouts, posters, etc.)

Text GET(bandname) to 88704 for a Free Download
Terms at http://www.advamobile.com/Terms.aspx
Privacy Policy at http://www.advamobile.com/Privacy.aspx
Max 4msg/mo. Text STOP to 88704 to Stop, Text HELP to 88704 for Help
Message and Data Rates may apply

The part in RED is optional, of course. It can say Text GET(bandname) to 88704 to join our mobile site, or anything else.

The band that got audited chose not to add the language. Instead, they told their fans to scan a QR code to get to their site. (We gave them the code. Get in touch if you want one.) Almost as good as Text - (we get phone numbers automatically for your fan database when they text in. We have to ask fans to enter this info when we use QR codes.) Either way works.

Promoting Your Mobile Web Site

So you have a Mobile Website and maybe an App with Adva Mobile and now you're wondering "What's Next?" Here are some easy steps that will help you get traction to your  mobile site:

1. At the shows - Tell your fans. There are two good opportunities to tell your fans about your mobile site:

• If you've put a song up on your site for fans to download, after you play it, you can Shout Out "Hey, if you like that song, you can get it for free. Take out your phone and text GET(bandname) to 88704."
• When you're telling your fans they can get your music at the merch table, also tell them to stay connected on mobile by texting in. If you have an App, you can tell them to download your App also.

2. On social media sites: Don’t be afraid to use social networks to feature your mobile site in a post or two. Here you are targeting the news of your mobile site to existing followers who have already expressed interest in you, so they will be more inclined to join your mobile site or download your App.

3. On the homepage of your website: If you have a band website, it's one of the first places that interested fans go to learn about you. By telling fans to text in on your homepage, you will be taking advantage of this targeted audience. On Midnight Mirage's website, there's a call to action at the bottom of the pages.

4. In your blog: While the most popular social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have character limitations, your blog is one place to really talk about all the great features your fans can get on your mobile site and Apps. It’s your chance to present users with a compelling case on why they need to join your mobile site or download your App.

5. On traditional advertising: You hand out download cards and make posters that promote your shows. It makes sense to market your mobile site and App through online channels, but it's also a good idea to market your site on your physical promotions. For example, you could include text like “Text GET(bandname) to 88704 to connect with us on mobile" or "Download a free song when you text GET(bandname) to 88704".

Another idea is to include a QR code or Microsoft Tag that, when scanned, automatically brings the user to your mobile site. Reggae site Vital Vibes uses a Microsoft Tag code on their website home page that brings fans to their mobile site (see below for example).

6. Through Fan Engagement on your mobile site and App: Word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful marketing tools that doesn’t cost anything. One way to do this is by hosting buzz-worthy giveaways or contests on your mobile site. Uploading great content and exclusives on your site is another way.

Mobile is here and you've taken the first steps to connect with your fans on their mobile phones. Next, it’s a good idea to have a marketing plan ready for your new mobile site and App. Follow these quick, inexpensive tips to make your mobile launch an even bigger success.



Hitting on 1,400

I love announcing milestones. We now have over 1,400 Artists using our service as of this week. Amazing since we do so little promotion. When our new portal launches in a few weks, we'll undertake a larger marketing effort. For now, it's all word of mouth from our existing Artists, and people who find us through search.

Some of the recent Artists that have joined are bigger names:

• Ariana Grande created the role of Cat Valentine in the American sitcom Victorious, which is still running on the Nickelodeon channel. Universal just signed her and we'll help her use mobile with her music launch
• Santa Leja is a British Electro-Pop Songstress playing out of Miami. You've probably heard her hit Let The Beat Don't Stop 
• Lauren Light’s style is like a mixture of Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and Fiona Apple all stirred together.
• Jon Wolfe, country star from Austin, has a new single out I Don't Dance

Many more, of course, as more and more Artists discover that mobile is the best way for them to connect with their fans.

Texting In is Checking In

Are your fans Checking In? If they are using Foursquare, they are telling their fans where they are. Same with Facebook. So it's all about location. Where they are - physically.

What about mentally? That's where Texting In lives. When your fans Text In to your mobile presence, they are telling you where they are - mentally. They are connecting with you.

Sometimes they'll do that on their own, and sometimes you have to prompt them. With a text blast, for example. Or, run a contest. Tell everyone that the person that has the most page views on your mobile site on a particular day is your "Mayor" of the day. Acknowledge them on your blog and Facebook page. Send them a discount to buy a T-Shirt.

The Adva Mobile reports engine helps make this kind of contest simple:

Use mobile to be innovative and connect with your fans with thse simple fan engagement campaigns.