NEED TO SELL MERCH? HAVE NO MONEY?

NO FEAR, FAN TO FAM IS HERE with ''UTAH BAND MERCH" a website that will allow  every musician in UTAH to sell merch to their fans all in one place.  What makes it really great is that whether you already have tons of merch, or have none at all and no money we can still get your merch out there for your supporters. For those of you who have MERCH and would just like to have another outlet to sell we will post your items absolutely free.

However, if you are just getting started, a new band, or just a struggling artist with no merch in hand, we will offer you as much help as you need.  We can do anything from just selling your merch, with you shipping directly to fans, to storing merch and using our shipping service, all the way to designing, printing, and shipping directly to your fans with NO UPFRONT COST to you.  FAN TO FAM is dedicated to helping musicians every step of the way. So if you would like to get a jump start on your "merch game"  contact us at:
fantofam@gmail.com

A WHOLE NEW GAME PLAN

After years of touring the same city is same then use same types of shows and having pretty much the same outcome I have realized that is there must be other ways. 

I'm going to go over a few ways for you to reach fans without the typical use of playing the same washed up shows. 

FOCUS ON FANS OF A DIFFERENT GENRE: 

easy. book as many shows outside of your genre as possible. It does not matter what kind of music. If your a rapper, play rock shows, dubstep shows, jazz shows, raves, bluegrass festivals etc. you can usually find a way to connect with the fans such as freestyle while the band they came to see plays the beat live. 

MASSIVELY EXPAND YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE : 

We tend to narrow our target audience down and think that you will be wasting money or time by spending energy contacting people out of your comfort genre.  This is a very very big mistake, one that if changed can change your career. out of the people who have supported me as I tour, whether it be booking, supporting shows, giving me a place to sleep, buying merch, anything I would say 97 percent of them are not ''hip hop fans'' (my genre).  Support will be given for many reasons, so just treat everyone nicely, talk to everyone, and offer your art and heart to everyone. 

IF MUSIC DOESN'T DO IT FOR THEM, GIVE THEM SOMETHING MORE: 

Some of my biggest supporters not only are out of my genre, but don't even particularly have a music bug at all. They may just be supporting because they are excited to see someone pursue a dream. Lately I have been trying to come up with new ways to reach out to them besides the typical band merch that I load onto every one of my best supporters.  Be sure to take photos with them, it might mean more to them than a cd or shirt that they wont listen to or wear. The truth is a lot of them just want you to see them as a friend. So be sure to treat them that way, not like a fan. If you have the means pick up a tiny little item to give those most important supporters along the tour, even if its a 50 cent item. 

MARKET EVERYWHERE YOU GO. EVERY DAY.  TO EVERYONE YOU SEE: 

Pretty self explanitory, I have been on tour with a guy who literally promotes himself to every person that he comes within reach of every day, every situation. Eating breakfast at a diner, and he would go talk to every table. Maybe thats a little much for you, but just make sure you always have STICKERS, BUSINESS CARDS, and FLYERS, every day, everywhere you go. And DO NOT BE shy with it. Just talk to everyone you meet, tell them what you do, hand them a card, then immediately make it about them. Find something that you two have in common, DO NOT just talk about your music the whold conversation. 

CAN'T BRING LARGE CROWDS TO YOU?  GO TO THE LARGE CROWDS:

Lets be honest, most of you are not packing venues nationwide. INFACT most of you probably have a hard time getting people to come out to most shows on your tour.  So ask yourself this, Would performing in front of 15 people at YOUR OWN SHOW, THAT YOU ARE HEADLINING be more affective than showing up at an event that already promises 1000s of people, even if to only pass out flyers?  NO. Every day in every city some sort of event takes place that brings together huge crowds, so instead of playing the same washed up weekly's, open mics' and empty bars, go the the people. Really want to take it to the next level? Show up where there are public crowds and put on an impromptu live show. Whether it be acoustic guitar, or a small PA that you set up and rap with. 

REMEMBER DO NOT BE AGRESSIVE BE AVAILABLE!!!.

  Don't be like those guys selling cds on venice beach or vegas blvd. Forcing your music on people, Just be polite, hand them a flyer, tell them about the tour, make sure you repeat your name a few times for good measure, then switch it up and ask about them.  

THERE ARE 7 BILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, AND IM SURE IF YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT YOU COULD FIND A WAY TO CONNECT WITH EVERY ONE.  MUSIC IS A SMALL PART OF WHAT YOUR TRYING TO PUSH AS A WHOLE.  CREATIVITY IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN POSSESS TO CAPTURE NEW CROWDS, BE CREATIVE, THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, AND YES, WE BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN FIND SUCCESS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS!!!!!

Useful resources

Click the link below for useful resources

http://fantofam.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/useful-resources/

Once you land a show, your work is not done

Once you land a show, your work is not done.

PHONE CALLS

This is a very simple thing that i learned that is really easy to do, however most people out of ease or whatever reason ignore this. If you are trying to book a show, or really get anything done in the music business, PICK UP THE PHONE.. Alot of times nowadays we tend to contact people via facebook, twitter, and email. Which can work, and for some it may be the primary way of contact. However, i have always found a phonecall will get you so much further. So next time you want to contact that rapper about getting you a show in chicago. Just give him a call instead of using social networking.

Build a foundation

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QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. This one is a slippery slope, while it seems the more content you have      out there the better. However, if you really focus on quality in everything you do whether it be the music. Your web design. Your Blog. Your Merch.   The music biz is way over-saturated  So take the time to put out a good product, something that will stand out.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS .  Building relationships is the most important part of this whole dang thing. But this is so much more important and serious than you know. I am not just talking about meeting some rappers, some fans ,and some promoters. I mean you need to talk to and build with every single person you come in contact with. Sound guys, Bartenders, Coat check girls. I really hope that you are still not in the mindset that you need to act like a superstar and not mingle with people. And do not get in the mindset of you being to good to associate with other musicans, Juggalos  Hippies, Ragers, Ravers, Cool Kids, Hipsters, Club Djs, Rockers, Backpack rappers, I have gotten help from someone in every one of those categories.

ASK QUESTIONS  This one is important mostly because it is very underutilized. As you play shows, and tour, you suddenly tend to find yourself in the company of “famous” or what i like to call Successful musicians, which is great.  The problem is that everyone tries to impress instead of learn. Its hard to learn from someone when your busy trying to convince them that you already know everything. I hate to be this guy but ” NOBODY CARES”. Nobody cares about  how famous you think you are, but more often than not they are glad to share the information that they have worked so hard to get. So next time you are opening for that band that you grew up listening to, when you are in the green room say “Hey man,  do you guys have any tips on how to connect with fans better after the show” or  ”Hey man, bar owners usually dont return my calls or emails, what has been successful for you when dealing with promoters, and bookers?”  INSTEAD OF ” Yeah Eric Clapton saw me play and said I am better than Johnny Lang”  or ” Oh yeah, Kendrick Lamar? he is like basically my best friend, were going to be doing a tour together blah blahh BLAHH BLAHHH”

How do I get started?

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

I feel like it all kind of happens in steps. But the first one sometimes stumps a lot of musicians. Not knowing how far you are, i will assume. You are brand new. You are just now finding out that you have talent. Now what to do with it? here are 5 easy first steps that can get you going right away.RECORD AN EP. you just need a few tracks to get things going. If you  cannot find a friend with a studio, then just look around for a cheap one. They usually start at about 20 an hour and it should only take a few hours.GO TO OPEN MICS. maybe you or your band are not in a position to start booking a ton of shows. Open mics are a great way to get your music out there, and start to meet all the other people in the music industry in the area.GO ONLINE. as well as local, get right on top of getting yourself out there in every way. Start a website, blog, facebook page, twitter, and PRESS KIT. Put a lot of time and effort into all of them. You want them to be accurate, complete, and uniform. But do not forget to add your own flavor to all of it. and by uniform I mean whatever your name is stick to it. Dont have a bunch of different site names that seem to have no relation to each other or you.MAKE SOME POSTCARDS OR FLYERS.  You have no music to give away or sell yet. However you can still really make a presence, If you are at Every show, every open mic, every where your fan base goes and your presenting them with material. They are going to get the idea that you guys are making a name. Make sure to add all of your web content to the flyer/business cards and then just give them to everyone you can.MAKE SOME YOUTUBE VIDEOS, even without that studio quality music, you still have the option to make videos to post to youtube, You can do Live blogs about upcoming shows or open mics. Little comedy bits. Show off your musical talent. there are all sorts of things you can do to catch the eye. And people love watching videos. If you cant access a really nice cameral use your iphone.If you do all of these things, and really commit. The shows will start booking themselves. You will find yourself in the middle of your local music scene very quickly. It does not take long for everyone in your city to start saying. HEY that  guy is really doing stuff. I know you see other people touring selling merch booking big shows etc. and  you want to jump in as fast as you can. But keep in mind, if you go too fast you will get burnt out. There will always be a fanbase waiting for you to come to them.BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOULL BE  OUT OF THAT SMALL TOWN.