Enjoy Hip-Hop Responsibly

Did you know that 8 out of 10 people who view an online ad will never click on it? Media Post just released some statistics on user behavior when it comes to online ads.

6% of all internet users are “heavy clickers” and they account for a whopping 50% of all ad clicks.

This got me thinking… are my ads conveying enough information to appeal to only the 6%? Am I completely missing on the rest? Do your ads all say “click now”?

It’s something of an epidemic in our scene.

In hurrying to get information out on what you’re doing as an artist… you’re forgetting the very people you ought to be serving info to first – media. Somehow (almost always without permission = bad form) I end up on “fan” email lists from artists. There are a few things wrong with this:

1. You should be getting your announcements and news sent to Media first. Why? They are your lifeline to millions and millions of people who aren’t likely to ever visit your web site/Myspace/Facebook etc. You’re foolish to not take advantage of such an opportunity. Sometimes it sours me on wanting to cover an artist. It’s now old information and for how much effort goes into supporting you already, the least you could do is get us info early.

2. Sloppy. I keep using the phrase “almost always” because it fits. Presentation is pretty important even when it comes to delivering your updates to fans much less media. Clean it up and for goodness sakes hit “spell check”. It’s not that hard.

3. Relationship. Artists/labels should know this one by now. We’ve all heard that “it’s about who you know”. I’ll let you in on a secret… those artists that take 2 minutes to check in with me and personally deliver information are far more likely to find support. Those that send impersonal communication, never respond to my questions/requests and aren’t very thoughtful of providing me with material… well, you can guess the result. In the mainstream scene this is hardly an issue at all. Unfortunately in the Christian scene it is the norm.

For those that wonder and cry about being slept on… maybe it’s your fault because you haven’t done any ground work to not be slept on. Be okay with that or do something to fix it.

4. Opt in. There is a spam problem in our scene. Adding people to your email list without their permission isn’t ok. It’s annoying and a quick way to turn more people off than win them over. Set up your email lists to make it easy for people to opt in. If they want to be removed, comply right away. I’ve been hassled so many times about wanting to be removed from some Christian artists email list that I never signed up to be on in the first place!

Hopefully a few light bulbs turn on after reading this.

We broke the 1,000 barrier about 2 weeks ago. Thanks for the support.

Help Sphere of Hip-Hop get to 1,500 fans on Facebook. If you’re on Facebook, all you need to do is visit the Sphere of Hip-Hop Facebook page and click “Become a Fan” at the top of the page.

You can also Recommend the Page to your friends.

Interesting thing I’ve observed over the last few weeks…

Christian cats offering “respect” to fallen music artists publicly but not to their own living brethren. These same folks happen to also be the ones who trumpet the need for unity.

In case you’ve been snoozing… the newest feature at Sphere of Hip-Hop is a hot one. Almost every day of the week a new song is featured in the Daily Download. You can scope out the updates each day in the Sphere of Hip-Hop news section and also via subscription options such as iTunes or RSS.

It’s a great way to discover some new music and re-discover some old favorites. Check out a recent favorite of mine below. Let It Go! is my jam.

Upon release this was one of the most popular tracks on the album at radio. It quickly climbed to the #1 spot on over 50 stations across the USA and even more abroad. Real catchy track.

Artist: Cookbook and Uno Mas
Song: Let It Go!
Album: While They Slept
Label: ILLECT Recordings
Year: 2006

Purchase at: Sphere of Hip-Hop Store, iTunes, Amazon.com

Download: Cookbook and Uno Mas – Let It Go!
Subscribe to Daily Download via iTunes – RSS – direct download – stream

This email both cracked me up and made me shake my head.

Hi_____,

I swear my name is Josh and not ______.

*removed* is considered one of the major breeding grounds of hip-hops finest artists and continuing this trend is up and coming artist *removed*

Really?

*removed* is a rapper/producer, with a style that has the nostalgic feel of hip hop’s “golden era” combined with today’s modern sound. I have read your page and I absolutely love the format, I feel it fits his style. It would be great if you would consider doing a review or feature on *removed*, I think your readers will enjoy reading about him and his music.

Did you really read my page? If you did, how come you don’t know my name? *chuckle*

The lesson:
I know how hard it is to personalize a note for each and every spot you’re trying to promote to. I’ll admit that I use some copy in the same ways but I make every effort to personalize it to the point that you wouldn’t know it was the same info. Getting stuff submitted like what is above makes me reach for the delete button before I make it half way through the pitch… and I have much more patience for this than most. Learn from it if you’re promoting music.

Peep game!

My inbox is emtpy

Join the email list for Sphere of Hip-Hop Store updates. Why? If you were on the list, you will know about specials like this the moment they begin.

Subscribe to the Sphere Store email list at http://www.sphereofhiphop.com/email.htm

GET A BONUS ALBUM DOWNLOAD
We’ve run this special a few times in the past and everyone seems to dig it! For the rest of the month of August we’re giving away bonus album downloads with your purchases.

How it works…
1. Visit the Sphere of Hip-Hop store http://www.sphereofhiphopstore.com

2. Shop for CDs or Digital Music Downloads
a. Buy (3) album downloads and get (1) album download as a bonus. Buy (4) album downloads and get (2) album downloads!
b. Buy $30 worth of CDs (before shipping) and get (1) album download as a bonus. Buy $45 worth of CDs and get (2) album downloads!

3. Claim your downloads
a. Forward your Sphere Store receipt to store@sphereofhiphop.com
b. We’ll reply with a list of album downloads you can choose from
c. Make your selections by replying to that email
d. Enjoy the bonus beats and rhymes!

Easy!

In case you missed them, here are the last week’s worth of Daily Download features from Sphere of Hip-Hop. Sphere features many different artists and styles on the site and Daily Download is a new way to discover artists. Check each track out… you might find a new artist to love.

August 3 – 8

Monday: The Runaway – Good Times part 2
Tuesday: Peace 586 – Tree Trunx feat Propaganda
Wednesday: Cas Metah – Find Time feat. BC and Playdough
Thursday: Mr. J. Medeiros – Holding On
Friday: Illustrate, Spokin 11 and Minority – Let the Muzic Play
Saturday: YSG-Timothy – Bigger

Recently we featured tracks from many artists including:

4th Avenue Jones
Ajax Starglider
Freddie Bruno
Mars ILL
muzeONE
Rootbeer
Sareem Poems
Scribbling Idiots
Sojourn
Solseekers