#NerdsUnite: Ask That Nerdy Chick ...
I get asked a lot of absurdly random things by you wunnerful wunnerful people everyday - so I wanted to just start posting some of them to see if anyone else can relate, or help out with info if I can't answer ... etc.
I don't really know where I'm going with this, but I have a feeling you guys will throw some cool shit my way. HAHA!!! Here's an email I just got ...
Hey Jen,
Hope all is well...saw that you're in CT this week...have fun!! So, as I told you before, my band is going to be going on tour in the fall. I was wondering what companies you contacted in order to get free stuff...some of my concerns are places to stay, gas, food etc...the necessities. Were there places that gave you free food or gas cards?...how did you work out ways to get from place to place? Just trying to get some ideas as we are starting to contact people to sponsor us starting next week. Any input or advice you can give me would be a huge help!! Our date is what inspired all of us to go for it and try and make this happen. Thanks in advance.
First off, it's all about your approach. I don't just look for "free stuff," because frankly, nothing in life is free; I barter social media and use it as currency.
Think about it, everything in social media right now is in sales what they call a "low hanging fruit." Everyone, everywhere wants in on it - and 99% of them don't know what to do. I ONLY approach people that I very genuinely like, or companies whose products I very genuinely use. If I just hoe-ed this brand out to everyone I'd for 1. lose my credibility and 2. stop liking what I do - that = no bueno.
What I did was figure out what my very very very basic needs were in life, and thought to myself, what brand do I use to provide those needs? I then would sit there and contact those people on twitter, or google like mad to get email addresses, or frankly, just find 'em on Facebook and drop a message (you'd be SHOCKED how easy it is to find someone).
I have people that follow what I do. Eyeballs = money. But your influence is dependent upon your credibility. You have to. have to. have to. like the products you are talking about, or posting on 'em in social media will come across as super lame. We're transparent in social media - you have to reflect that.
Don't approach this situation with - hey, I want some free shit; I've heard your music, it doesn't suck. That being said, focus on building your fan base and then go to ONLY THE COMPANIES YOU LIKE saying hey, I love you - this is our fan base on Facebook, and here are our twitter followers ... if I were to talk about your product to my network would you be interested in sponsoring us?
It's that easy.
I have no business plan, I have no business ... anything. I have a one sheet that has basic stats on the site, and I have a bio on my personal site - but that's it. Keep it simple. And ONLY TALK TO BRANDS/COMPANIES/ PEOPLE YOU GENUINELY LIKE!!!! That will shine through in your approach, and if they grill you on their product you can roll it off the tip of your tongue.
No one knows what your band needs better than you. Just break it all down, and ask yourself who do I use - and find 'em man. It's way easier than you can make it out to be. People in social media are Phenomenally friendly - but you don't G-E-T if you don't A-S-K!!
Hope this helps and keep on keepin on!!! xoxoxxoxoxoxxoxo times a trillion
#nerdsunite
Got something to ask?
Here's my twitter: @JenFriel
Facebook my butt: www.Facebook.com/jenfriel
Or get old school and email me: JenFriel@TalkNerdyToMeLover.com
