3 Ideas on how to use Facebook to increase album sales

Key Considerations

• Fan Motivations– Privileged Access– Confirmation and Promotion of Identity– Love the Music

• Obstacles– Piracy– A la carte downloads of tracks

Concept: “Facebook Editions” of an album

Facebook Editions (aka, the Super Album)

How it could work

• A “Facebook Edition” is a special album page containing the album (both streaming and downloadable mp3s)

• Additional Premium Content is key element of each “Facebook Edition” of an album• Music Videos• Bonus Tracks/Remixes• Behind the Scenes Videos/Photos• Commentary• Access to Special Events• Live Chats with the artists• Games• Contests

• These special pages are sold through a commerce platform on Facebook

• Purchases are reflected in the news feed

Benefits

• All purchasing and interacting is done through Facebook, so all activity is reflected in the fan’s news feed

• Selling direct to fans via Facebook cuts out middlemen such as iTunes

• Provides incentive to buy the album versus pirating it

• Facebook platform allows for unprecedented 2-way interactions with the artists, unlike any other storefront such as iTunes, Amazon, Wal-Mart, Best Buy

• Upsell opportunities on the page itself – merch, tickets, etc.

Concept: Turn your die-hard fans into your sales force

Fan Sales Force

How it could work

• Fans Register as Sales Agents (Affiliates)

• The Agents promote the album through their Facebook influence

• Fans could buy the album through a Facebook commerce gateway or via affiliate links to iTunes and Amazon

• Like any traditional sales force, the best agents are rewarded with perks and bonuses (e.g. $$, meet the band)

• You could tie in a cause-related benefit (i.e. buy this album and Arcade Fire will donate 5% to charity)

Benefits

• Your die-hard fans are already your biggest evangelists

• Piracy Control – This is tied to generating new album sales

Concept: Proof of purchase unlocks privileged access

Proof of Purchase unlocks privileged access

How it could work

• Fans buy a digital copy of the album from iTunes, or a physical or digital album from Amazon. They forward the confirmation email to a special email account, which gives them access to a special area on Facebook

• Inserts are included in the physical album, which could be paper inserts, QR codes, alphanumeric codes, any of which gives them access to a special area on Facebook

• This special Facebook area would have to be compelling enough to warrant people to pay for the album

Benefits

• Provides incentive to buy the album versus pirating it

For Example

2. Fan forwards the confirmation email to facebook@arcadefire.com

5. The contest is announced via Arcade Fire’s news feed, and all their fans can come and vote on the best photo

3. The email unlocks a special page on Arcade Fire’s Facebook site, presenting the fan with a contest

6. The fan wins the contest! She is flown to Hollywood, given front row tickets and back stage

passes to Arcade Fire’s concert and gets to meet the band!

1. Fan buys the new Arcade Fire album on iTunes

4. The fan enters the contest, which in this case is to upload your best photo of you recreating the album cover

7. The video footage of her meeting the band is then posted on Arcade Fire’s Facebook page for all their

fans to see

By Jeremy Belcher

Co-FounderFoxyMelody Digital Distribution – foxymelody.comThink Like a Label – thinklikealabel.com

jeremy@foxymelody.com@foxymelody

Please Steal these ideas, all I ask is that you let me know!