What I see most people doing is using mailing lists as "gateways" to gain access to a free product. I personally try to stay away from doing this because I've found that most people who usually sign up looking for "free" will only come back looking for more "free". Also, from my experience, the "free" people will usually just unsubscribe once they have received the free item.
Based off this knowledge, I have a
"soft sell" approach that I use that's proven effective for me. I simply include an opt in / subscribe form in a prominent area on my website that's non intrusive. (eg: sidebar - not a popup) The benefit of this approach is that about 95 percent of people who I direct to my website genuinely sign up without being coerced and typically have a genuine interest in licensing my music. This translates to more of a targeted reach when I send out an email blast.
$.02
Obviously a guy who knows what he's on about ^.
+1 this...
I noticed you have a sale on DAHTrump... Is it working?
In my opinion, I hate sales as much as I hate overly pushy sales people and people who look for FREE. I believe "Sales" devalue you & your brand. So instantly, I'd say STOP THE SALES!!
If it's working, then perhaps you should consider how it may effect your future business. Will the artists who buy today buy at full price tomorrow?
Will you require to do another sale to get the same people buying?
Would they have bought at your original price, without thoughts of a sale? Just because they wanted a DAHTrump beat? Probably.
I want a DAHTrump beat after listening to Rockets And Dreams. I don't even rap anymore.
In regards to mailing lists specifically, consider all of what SF said. It's all pretty spot on. I'm also trying out some ideas I've had on a clients site. I'll let you know how our experiments go when I can give it my stamp of approval.
Stick the mailing list widget in your footer and the top of your sidebar!
Thanks for reminding me. I had a pop up before set like that so when a person was reading an article it pops up after a while.
I have another question. What do you think about locking content in a way that people have to pay with a like, +1 or a tweet to read it? I just started doing that (not to all my articles, just my most read ones. I left some of my best articles fully unlocked and I only unlocked parts of the text with the "pay with a social" feature. Thanks I'll try and find a way to make my mailing list more available.
I personally hate those +1 things. I usually shy away from anything with that and just don't read it.
Also, I believe building a social media following to be pretty worthless. You obviously are starting to believe this too, as you are creating a mailing list. Anything with a follow button should be low on your list of "important things".
Make your mailing list your number one priority. You blog for producers right? But you sell (mainly) to rappers? That's a big no-no. Start blogging for rappers. Build some resources for rappers. Informational. Inspirational. You know.
I noticed the soundbank in your shop. You tried adding a deluxe and a limited version? At different prices, of course.
Most people don't want to be cheap... But don't want to spend for the deluxe product, so they go the middle ground. It may even increase your conversions too.
Proven psychology works!
Also... What's with the rewards? Reward people for buying... Not logging in lol...
If I've helped, feel free to sign up to my mailing list @
www.frofresh.com...
Going to be setting up a separate website up soon for marketing after I've finalised my research and launch the record labels site. You may like the former more than the latter. There'll be an e-mail soon for you to switch over to a specific list once the business plan is done.