Assuming your band is at the stage of trying to turn a passion into a profitable venture, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the tried and true “merch” – the band T-shirt. Depending on your design, this approach can prove to help you capitalize on your audience as well as help gain exposure for your band. However, if you’re in search of ways to leverage the latest in promotional products and strategies, flash drives are experiencing rapid growth in the music scene.
Fact is, among the Gen X, Y and Millennial audience of music consumers, large quantities of flash drives already exist. The main reason flash drive usage is strong in this demographic is because flash drives serve as a mobile, reusable device for storing digital information. And it comes as no surprise that the younger generation virtually lives and breathes in a digital world.
When people think about blending the technology of a flash drive with the music scene today, mp3 files automatically come to mind. But storing audio-based content only scratches the surface when it comes to using flash drives as a part of strategic band promotional campaign. Music videos, behind the scenes photos, hyperlinks to online websites offering additional band info and merchandise are all easily achieved on a flash drive. In fact, some online companies such as MusicFlashDrives.com work with bands to develop a customized interface or user menu to allow for a website-like navigation of the band’s preloaded files (music, videos, photos, links to myspace and web-based band info).
With newer vehicles showcasing standard usb ports, it’s clear that flash drives are more than a simple trend in the music industry. Chris Wagner, Flash Drive Guru at CFgear.com, an e-tailer of branded flash drives, says “We’ve been at this for several years now, studying flash drive technology and finding ways to make it more feasible to offer large quantities of branded drives for the music scene. The automobile industry’s decision to start offering usb ports inside newer vehicles validates what we’ve seemed to know all along…that flash drives are here to stay.”
As the demands and expectations from music consumers increase, the industry will be wise to leverage proven technologies like flash drives to help rekindle interest in a tangible music product. It’s no doubt hard to compete with the instant nature of a digital music download, but sometimes once a consumer purchases the download, they find it hard to mobilize or transfer their download to another one of their computers or maybe in the case of what’s to come, to their vehicle. Of course, iPods and other portable mp3/music players offer the mobility younger consumers demand, but even in that scenario, flash drives still provide a nice tool to a) store music in the event their music player capacity is full b) back up music files c) feed consumer’s need to tote along things that bear a desired brand…in this case, the brand of their favorite band.
Whether you’re a band manager or the band itself, the reality is the music scene is extremely saturated, making it difficult to get your sound out to the masses. However, strategic marketing and promotion can help transform your music from unknown to on the charts. Additionally, working with established promotional agencies can help give you the edge you need to start capitalizing on the many opportunities the music industry has to offer.
Leave a Reply