fan – Metaverse Musician

secret to convert facebook friends to fans with a Fan Badge on your profile linking to your page

It is hard to underestimate the impact that social networking has had upon the music industry. With over 350 Million active users, and a six month growth of 70% in the first half of 2009, facebook is destined to be the dominant social media site for some time.

Most bands and musicians are probably aware of the value of facebook pages as opposed to profiles. Accordingly, most musicians maintain pages in addition to their personal profiles. But facebook does not automatically make others aware that a personal profile may also be related to a fan page. But how does one create an awareness of a page’s existence?

The process I describe herein will allow the artist to permanently and prominently display a link to a given page from their profile. Further, this link will appear in the profile’s sidebar, so it can be seen whether the Wall tab or the Info tab is currently being displayed. Better yet, the link will also contain the page’s ‘profile’ picture, leading to recognition for your page’s graphical brand.

By making it easier for people to find your page, you should collect new legions of fans.

It is hard to underestimate the impact that social networking has had upon the music industry. The entire market is being reinvented with the demise of traditional record companies, and the ascendancy of direct band-to-fan marketing. While a successful marketing campaign would use multiple outlets, it seems clear that the most important social media site at this time is facebook. With over 350 Million active users, and a six month growth of 70% in the first half of 2009, facebook is destined to be the dominant social media site for some time.

Personal Profile vs. Band Page

Individuals register a personal profile with facebook. Publicly-known brands, companies, figures, and most germanely musicians, can also register a Page. A Page is similar to a profile, but comes with some additional benefits. Among these benefits are the ability to advertise the page, and a relatively unrestricted number of fans (as opposed to the hard limit of the number of friends any given profile accommodates). Other benefits of the Page include:

info tab tailored to your business type
additional widgets such as a music player
review section
ability to share page administration tasks
analytics on page interactions

Making others aware

Most bands and musicians are probably aware of the value of pages as opposed to profiles. Accordingly, most musicians maintain pages in addition to their personal profiles. But facebook does not automatically make others aware that a personal profile may also be related to a fan page. How does one create an awareness of a page’s existence? A person can become a fan of a given page. In doing so, facebook will by default display this linkage upon the Pages section of the Info tab of the profile. However, there is no way to force facebook to display an artist’s own page in preference to the other pages which are displayed therein. What is displayed there is a small random selection from all the pages of which one is a fan. As such, there is no guarantee that the artist’s own page will be selected for display at all.

The process I describe herein will allow the artist to permanently and prominently display a link to a given page from your profile. Further, this link will appear in the profile’s sidebar, so it can be seen whether the Wall tab or the Info tab is currently being displayed. Better yet, the link will also contain the page’s ‘profile’ picture, leading to recognition for your page’s graphical brand. You can see an example of this on the left sidebar of my personal facebook profile.

Two elements

There are two elements to pull together to obtain this benefit. The first is that we need the ability to place arbitrary content on our profile’s sidebar. The second is to create the desired linkage to place in the sidebar. The former we will accomplish with an application called Custom Profile Box. The latter we will accomplish with a native facebook tool called a Fan Badge. The following is a step-by-step tutorial on these objectives.

Custom Profile Box

Our first objective is to add the application ‘Custom Profile Box’. This application will create an element that we can fill with arbitrary content. We will later fill this element with our page link Fan Badge, and then move it to our profile sidebar.

From your personal profile, on the lower left select ‘Applications’, then select ‘Browse More Applications’.
In the ‘Search Applications’ field, enter “Custom Profile Box”.
Click on the desired ‘Custom Profile Box’ application in the search results.
From the application’s Fan page, click ‘Go To Application’.
Click the ‘Allow’ button.
Go back to your profile wall.
Below your status entry box, click ‘Options’, then click ‘Settings’.
Click the link ‘applications settings page’.
On the list of apps, a drop down ‘Show’ menu select ‘Authorized’ to show all the apps authorized to access your profile data.
Click on ‘Edit Settings’ link next to ‘Custom Profile Box’.
In the pop-up window, make sure the ‘Profile’ tab is highlighted. *
Next to the “Box” item is the word ‘Add’. Click on this to add a box to your profile for this app.
Decide and modify the Privacy — I suggest setting this to “Everyone”.

You are done setting up the app.

* There have been reported cases where there is no ‘Profile’ tab on the popup at this point. Further reports indicate that this may be alleviated by editing the Box, and adding some content, then returning to this step of the process. More as it develops.

This problem, and its solution, are now more fully understood. The issue is that the Custom Profile Box application will not have a ‘Profile’ tab on the Edit Application Settings popup until such time that some data (any dummy data is sufficient) has been added. The solution is to place some data in the Custom Profile Box as per steps 1-5 of ‘Place the Fan Badge in the Custom Profile Box’ below. After that, return to this process. Note that any data is sufficient — it does not yet need to be the code for the Fan Badge, and it does not need to be entered in ‘Source’ mode (though it will need to be later, as described below).

This also applies to the sister application ‘HTML Profile Box’.

Generate a Fan Badge

We have so far installed the ‘Custom Profile Box’ into our profile. Next we need to generate a Fan Badge for our page. Later we will place this Fan Badge in our Custom Profile Box and move the Custom Profile Box to our profile sidebar. Oddly, to make a Page Badge, you need to travel through your (personal) Profile’s Profile Badge link. The code for the Fan Badge will be copied and pasted into the Custom Profile Box’s editor. Accordingly, it may be easiest if you open another browser tab for this next bit.

Go to your personal page’s Info tab.
Near bottom left is a link entitled ‘Create Profile Badge’. Click it to go to the Profile Badge page.
On the Profile Badge screen there is a column where you can choose what type of badge you want. Choose ‘Fan Badges’. This will take you to the Fan Badges Widget screen.
On the Fan Badges Widget screen, find the dropdown entitled ‘Select a Page’. From that dropdown, select the page for which you wish to create a badge. Note that you must first be a fan of that page.
From the 2nd field on the Fan Badges Widget screen, copy the HTML code for your Fan Badge.

Place the Fan Badge in the Custom Profile Box

At this point, we have installed the Custom Profile Box application, and created a Fan Badge for our destination page. The code for the Fan Badge is in out buffer. We next need to paste this into the Custom Profile Box. Later, we will move the Custome Profile Box to our profile’s sidebar. Go back to your earlier browser tab.

Click on the ‘Applications’ status bar menu and select the app from the pop up window.
An editor will load, and takes 30 secs or so on busy connection.
On the editors toolbar, click the button named ‘Source’. This allows you to enter raw FBML code.
In the editor window paste the (FBML) code for the Fan Badge, which should be in your buffer from the earlier objective.
To save your creation to the app box, click on the ‘Update’ button. If all is well your box should appear in the boxes section of your profile.
Click on your profile, and select the boxes tab. See your app box and your creation in it.
You can drag your box to any desired location on the page by left clicking the box and dragging around.

Move it to the profile sidebar

OK, we have added the Custom Profile Box application, generated a Fan Badge for our destination page, and placed the fan badge in the Custom Profile Box. The last step is to move our Custom Profile Box from our profile’s Boxes tab to the sidebar.

Go to your profile
Select the Boxes tab
Locate the Custom Profile Box on the Boxes tab
There is a pencil at the upper right corner of the Custom Profile Box. Click it.
Select ‘Move to Wall tab’.
Go to your wall. You should see the Custom Profile Box, with your Fan Badge linking to your artist page, in the sidebar. You can change the location of this sidebar element by left-clicking and dragging it where you want it. There is however, the restriction that it cannot appear higher in the sidebar than the standard facebook sidebar elements.

Collect more fans!

That’s it. Now all visitors to your personal profile will be met with a graphically branded link to your artist page. By making it easier for people to find your page, you should collect new legions of fans.

Got a facebook topic you would like to see covered? Let me know in the comments section!

becoming a Fan of your favorite band on ReverbNation

In addition to hosting Bands, ReverbNation also has Fan profiles. By becoming a Fan of a given Band on ReverbNation creates a new link between your profile and the band’s. This Two Minute Tutorial demonstrates how to create the link between you and your favorite band.

OK, so you’ve joined ReverbNation as a fan. As it so happens, you want to become a Fan of a particular band that is a member of ReverbNation as well. This will allow you to have expedited access to that band’s RN profile, and build a closer relationship with that band. Here’s how to go about doing so.

First, open a browser and navigate to ReverbNation.

Then enter your ReverbNation profile name and pasword, and click the ‘login’ button:

This should take you directly to your profile page. This is where you enter what others would see when they look you up by name. We’ll cover some of that in a future installment. It’ll look something like the following – though the fan profile used for this example is ltb-rn-example – not you.

ReverbNation Fan Profile

Now we need to find the band of which you are interested in becoming a fan. Enter the band name in the ‘search’ box, and click the ‘GO’ button:

You should be taken to a list of likely matches for your search:

Hmm… there’s a likely match. I wonder if it is the band I’m interested in? The photo looks like it could be them. Hey – there’s one of their songs. I’ll click on the ‘play’ button and see if it sounds like them. (Go ahead – click on it). A new window opens with the ReverbNation song player, playing the sample song:

Cool! It certainly sounds like them! And now you have something to listen to while you complete your registration.

Click on the band name, and you will be whisked to their profile page:

ReverbNation band profile

Hey look – up near the top – they have another song available! Click the play arrow next to it, and this second song will cue itself up in the song player. Now when the first song ends, this second one will start.

OK – now to do the deed. Below the band’s photo is a set of buttons:

Click ‘become a fan’. This creates the link between you and your band in the ReverbNation servers:

Awww – we love you too!

Note that in this example, both the ‘become a fan’ and ‘join the street team’ buttons have been clicked. This also gives you a quick way of checking if you are a fan or street team member of a given band. Note that you may be a Fan without being on the mail list, or on the mail list without being a Fan. Likewise, Street Team and Fan are separate relations.

Well, that completes that. However, maybe you need something to do while the songs are still playing. How about leaving a comment on the band’s profile? Click the ‘comments’ tab, then click the ‘add comment’ button:

This will open a new window for you to enter a comment. Fill out the form, enter the captcha, and click OK:

You’ll get a confirmation:

Your comment will be put in a queue for review by The Moderator (the band’s RN page maintainer). Upon approval, it’ll be posted on the band’s profile for the entire world to see!

Well, that’s about it! I hope this brings you and your band to a new level of intimacy. I am most certain that they are grateful for your support. And both your act of registering as a fan and your playing of their tunes contribute to their rankings! You are helping your band achieve international fame and fortune! Doesn’t that just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?

singing up on ReverbNation as a fan

ReverbNation is a wonderful site for discovering new music, and helping to promote bands in which you are interested. This is a Two Minute Tutorial explaining how to sign up to the service as a fan.

First, make your way to the ReverbNation website (you can click on the image below to navigate there):

Click the ‘signup’ on the upper right:

This will navigate to a new page where you will specify what type of signup you wish to do:

Assuming you select ‘fan’, you are met with a form into which you can enter your data:

Note that the form provides a shortcut if you are a member of Facebook or MySpace. Essentially, this will use your profile info on these sites to fill out this form. This is merely a minor convenience. In order to keep this general, we will ignore these shortcuts. The long form process works whether or not you are a member of one of these social networking sites.

It appears that much of this information is optional. However, it would be encouraged that you fill in as much information as you are comfortable in yielding. In this manner, it is unlikely you will receive a concert announcement for a Nome gig when you live in Sarasota. Also, ReverbNation implies that the Birthdate is required – likely in order to ensure the signee is at least 13 years of age. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that singup works just fine without this information.

After filling in the form, click the ‘sign up’ button. You will be directed to a confirmation screen:

Within moments, a confirmation email should arrive at the inbox corresponding to the email address you entered in the signup form. It should resemble the following:

From: reverbnation@reverbnation.com
[mailto:reverbnation@reverbnation.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:38 PM
To: ltb-rn-example@LeeThomasBand.com
Subject: Welcome to ReverbNation.com

ltb-rn-example,

Welcome to ReverbNation.com!

Here is your log-in info:
    LOGIN: ltb-rn-example@leethomasband.com
    PASSWORD: ******

Please click on the following link to confirm your registration:
http://www.reverbnation.com/<inscrutable key>

If you didn't sign up, please click the following link to deactivate this account
 http://www.reverbnation.com/<inscrutable key>

Sincerely,
Your Friends at http://www.reverbnation.com

________________________________________________
You can view our privacy policy at http://www.reverbnation.com/c./cms/PrivacyPolicy.  Physical inquiries can be sent to: 501 Washington St. Suite J, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.

Click on the confirmation link to complete the process. This will send you back to ReverbNation. You will be prompted with the optional step of entering a profile photo:

ReverbNation profile photo prompt

All done! Enjoy your ReverbNation membership!

using a ReverbNation Fan Collector widget to sign up for a band mailing list

One of the features ReverbNation provides is an integrated mailing list, with widgets that allow interested parties to opt themselves in. This Two Minute Tutorial explains how easy it is for a fan to sign up for a band;s email list, using the Fan Collector widget.

OK! You’ve run across a Fan Collector widget for a band you really like. You would like to join their mailing list, such that you can stay informed as to their doings. Here’s how easy it is to sign yourself up.

First, an example of a webpage, with the widget embedded within. The widget is the item outlined in red:

To sign up for the mailing list, simply enter your email address…

…and click the ‘submit’ button. After a few moments, you should receive a confirmation:

If, rather than simply receive the postings from the band, you would also like to help to promote the band, then you probably would want to join the Street Team while signing up for the mail list. This can be accomplished by clicking the ‘join the Street Team’ checkbox after entering your email address and before clicking ‘submit’:

Again, this should lead to a confirmation after a few moments:

Whether signing up for the mail list, or both the Street Team and the mail list, your enrollment is not active util you acknowledge an opt-in email. Within moments, you should receive such an opt-in in the inbox corresponding to the email address you entered on the form. Here’s what to expect in that email:

From: Lee Thomas Band [mailto:joe@LeeThomasBand.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:23 PM
To: ltb-ml-example@LeeThomasBand.com
Subject: Verify your email to join the Lee Thomas Band mailing list

ltb-ml-example@LeeThomasBand.com,

Thanks for joining the mailing list!  To complete the signup process, click on the link below
http://www.reverbnation.com/<inscrutable key>&action_code=opt_in

If you didn't request to join the mailing list, please click the link below and we won't bother you again.
http://www.reverbnation.com/<inscrutable key>

Thanks again for joining the mailing list!

Lee Thomas Band
Longmont, CO

Privacy Policy: http://www.reverbnation.com/c./cms/PrivacyPolicy
More Information: http://www.reverbnation.com/fanreach.
Physical inquiries can be sent to: 501 Washington St. Suite J, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
Unsubscribe: http://www.reverbnation.com/<inscrutable key>
Report Abuse/Spam: http://www.reverbnation.com/<inscrutable key>

Click on the link in order to complete the signup process. If you are already logged into ReverbNation, that’s all there is to the process. Yay! You’re done!

If you are not logged into ReverbNation, your browser will be opened, and it will navigate to an information entry screen:

It appears that all this information is optional. However, it would be encouraged that you fill in as much information as you are comfortable in yielding. In this manner, the band is unlikely to spam you with a concert announcement for a Nome gig when you live in Sarasota. Also, ReverbNation implies that the Birthdate is required – likely in order to ensure the signee is at least 13 years of age. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that singup works just fine without this information.

Note that this is another opportunity to sign up for the Street Team.

That is all there is to it! The next time your favorite band sends a notice to their mail list, you will receive a copy!