Lately we seem to see more musicians and labels using ecommerce solutions like Wazala to better their online sales of both music and merch. The importance of engaging with your fans directly and allowing them to buy from you on your own website or blog has been proven successful in achieving better revenues. We caught up this week with Adam Sieff from Dune Music, to chat about their experience with online sales.
Tell us about Dune Music and what it is you do?
We’re a platform for promoting and recording some of Britain’s most talented jazz artists, all of whom have won a clutch of prestigious awards plus several nominations for MOBO, Urban and other music prizes. I’m they Communications Director and deal with all aspects of marketing and promotion, especially in helping our musicians keep in touch with their supporters and the jazz scene.
What types of musicians or bands do you work with?
Strictly jazz…..that swings! We’re proud that all the artists came up through our Tomorrow’s Warriors jazz development scheme run by our founder, the original Jazz Warriors double bassist Gary Crosby OBE.
What prompted you to start an online store?
We wanted to be able to sell more than just music, such as rare posters and artwork, and to be able to control pricing easily. And we particularly felt the need to attend to our customers in a friendlier way.
What social media tools do you use to promote your business and how?
Twitter and facebook are effective, as are monthly emails and constantly updated Posterous blogs. But just because new tools are effective it doesn’t mean one should forget old media – newspapers, radio and TV are still hugely important. But nothing is as helpful as great reviews (in any media) and word of mouth reports that spread the word where you can’t.
Do you have any advice or tips to musicians on selling their music or merch online?
If what you’re doing is really good, then as the movie says, people will come. But it’s not a race, it can take time for your message to spread, so don’t panic and hang in there.
Any gigs coming up that you would like to announce?
We have a prestigious Friday Tonic event at London’s Southbank Centre on Friday the 14th of October at 5:30pm in the Clore Ballroom. Our Yamaha Music Experience prize-winning Tomorrow’s Warriors Biggish Band and the16 piece Tomorrow’s Warriors Youth Jazz Orchestra will be performing along with some special guests. And it’s a free event!
To know more about Dune Music, visit their site at www.dune-music.com
