Dear Friends,

There are so many fun things that can be done online and in your local community to help reach out to new fans. After all, there was a dark and scary time when you weren't familiar with the wonderful music that has become part of your life now, and hopefully for years to come.

Here's a list of suggestions that are often very fun and help immensely.


BOBBY LONG OFFICIAL STREET TEAM

First and foremost, sign up for the official Bobby Long mailing list and street team through ATO Records to show support and help coordinate with others to promote.  To get involved, sign up using the form below and follow the street team on twitter at @BobbyLongSTteam. 

Questions about the street team can be directed to streetteam@bobbylong.info.  Update your street team profile at any time here.

SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Become a fan, follower, and friend on Social Networking sites.  Not only official Bobby Long sites, but also sites belonging to other fans.  It's a great way to meet others who share the same musical passions. 


MySpace
Use widgets from Eventful to add Bobby Long Tour dates to your Myspace page.  Also, post your favorite YouTube video for others to see when visiting your page.  Post comments on Bobby's MySpace and other people's pages.  Post bulletins to help get the word out about upcoming shows, but also about Bobby's music in general.  Routinely play the songs on Bobby's playlist to increase the play count.


Facebook
Post comments on Bobby's Facebook wall, as well as your friend's and yours!  Share YouTube videos with your friends on Facebook and add Bobby Long as a favorite artist on the iLike application.  Use iLike to send dedications to friends and let other fans know which concert you're attending.


Twitter
Retweet posts by @BobbyLongNews on Twitter and use #BobbyLong in your own tweets to increase the visibility in trending topics.  Retweet useful links to articles so others may see them as well.


Photo Sharing Sites
Upload your pictures from shows to Flickr.  Tag "Bobby Long" in the pictures to appear in the photo slideshow here on the Fans page.  Upload the photos to other websites such as Photobucket, Picasa, MySpace, Facebook, etc. so others can see them no matter what photo service they use.


YouTube
Upload videos you've taken at the shows to YouTube and share the news via the various social networking sites.  Send us your video for consideration in the playlist on the Fans page.


Blip.fm
Become your own DJ on Blip.fm and play songs and videos to share with other listeners.  Follow other DJs who also play Bobby and give them props!


The Forums on MusicBobbyLong.com
Share your thoughts on Bobby's music and connect with other fans in our very own forums.  It's where the cool kids hang out. 



MUSIC INDUSTRY SITES AND BLOGGERS

Post comments to online articles, interviews, and music industry websites.  Pollstar,  VH1, Fuse, and MuchMusic are just a few of the important sites for musicians.  Fan activity in comments and forums will show that Bobby Long is an up and coming artist that is here to stay.   

Comment on articles written by national and local music bloggers in support of their efforts.  If you come across a blogger who you think may be interested, recommend they check out Bobby's music on his official MySpace page.  Why not become a blogger yourself?  Blogster and WordPress are two sites that make it quick and easy to share yourself and your interests.



ON THE TOWN

Opportunities to introduce people to Bobby's music are everywhere so keep your mp3 player handy.  Local concerts, music festivals, dining with friends, or even walking your dog at the local park are places where casual conversation can turn to favorite musicians.    It's fairly easy to recognize when someone displays a genuine interest so don't be pushy.

Here are some additional tips for hitting the streets of your town:          

• Download the flyers and/or posters below

• Check out the TOUR page for show details & fill in the important information (date, venue, price, ticket site, times, etc)         
   
• Print (and cut, if flyers)

We know that professional printing can be expensive, so feel free to print them anyway you can.  Print one and make copies.  Just don't get in trouble sneaking in the office late at night to use the copier.  We can't post bail.  That also means we cannot reimburse individual printing expenses, but we do really appreciate your help!

• Take posters and flyers to local hang-outs and all the cool stores

For example, coffee shops and book stores have a wonderful array of interesting folks just like you. Of course you know you‘ll find music lovers in record shops and you might as well hit thrift stores and indie movie theaters, too.  Heck, just make a day of it!  Don’t forget trendy neighborhoods and those music loving college campuses too.  You know your local area better than we do. Where are you most likely to reach potential Bobby Long fans so your efforts aren't wasted? 

• Be sure you're not littering or vandalizing anyone's store or property

Be respectful!   If you're leaving the materials at a place of business, or the student center of a college campus, check with someone there to find out where you are allowed to hang posters.  Most places that attract music lovers are owned by (or employ) music lovers, so ask for permission and advice.  Ask if you can put a stack of flyers at the register.  Even better - ask if the cashier can put a flyer in each bag that leaves the store!

• Know the laws about posters and flyers in your community

Some areas of your community will allow posters to be stapled to telephone poles, etc.  Many others won't!  Be aware of the restrictions in your area.  When in doubt, don't do it!  Stick with the businesses and colleges that have given express permission.


Mostly have a lot of fun sharing your love of Bobby's music with others.  Keep us updated by EMAIL.  We'd love to know what's going on!  If you send us a photo of your promoting activities we might just feature you on the site so everyone can bow down to your awesomeness.


Cheers x

The MusicBobbyLong Team

Posters and Flyers