Comments on: Initial Reflections on Bum Rush the Charts http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/ Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:30:07 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bryan Person, Bryper.com http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Bryan Person, Bryper.com Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:37:05 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-150 Chris: If I had some commentary to offer, it would be that there should be a more direct path to take users to the song (through the affiliate link). For example, if you directed someone to BumRushTheCharts.com, that re-directed to the Blogspot page. The user then needed to click on the link to go to your FAP.com/BumRush page, and then click another link there to get into iTunes. Cut down those steps next time, and I think it will help. So pleased to see this campaign did well! Chris:

If I had some commentary to offer, it would be that there should be a more direct path to take users to the song (through the affiliate link).

For example, if you directed someone to BumRushTheCharts.com, that re-directed to the Blogspot page. The user then needed to click on the link to go to your FAP.com/BumRush page, and then click another link there to get into iTunes. Cut down those steps next time, and I think it will help.

So pleased to see this campaign did well!

]]> By: Amy http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-141 Amy Sat, 24 Mar 2007 02:34:59 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-141 Chris, fantastic lessons here. Thanks for summing them up because I can apply them almost immediately to projects in my own life. <blockquote>"That tells me that we did a great job of reaching our audience, but our audience may be ourselves - the movement didn’t exhibit any exponential characteristics, as you’d normally see from a chain reaction of word of mouth."</blockquote> That may be the problem with being at the end of the long tail, so to speak. When the producers and the consumers are the same people, you have to work extra hard to generate new growth. A challenge of new media is that we don't just need new consumers we need a constant stream of new producers in order to grow. Chris, fantastic lessons here. Thanks for summing them up because I can apply them almost immediately to projects in my own life.

“That tells me that we did a great job of reaching our audience, but our audience may be ourselves – the movement didn’t exhibit any exponential characteristics, as you’d normally see from a chain reaction of word of mouth.”

That may be the problem with being at the end of the long tail, so to speak. When the producers and the consumers are the same people, you have to work extra hard to generate new growth. A challenge of new media is that we don’t just need new consumers we need a constant stream of new producers in order to grow.

]]> By: The BumRushTheCharts Social Media Experiment - Update » Keeeeez - A Social Media Evangelist http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-140 The BumRushTheCharts Social Media Experiment - Update » Keeeeez - A Social Media Evangelist Fri, 23 Mar 2007 20:14:31 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-140 [...] If the measure of success for this campaign was to achieve the goal of boosting a music artist to the top of Itunes, then the campaign was not successful.  If the goal was to use the power of social media in order to increase awareness and get people to buy records, I think it was pretty successful. There are lessons to be learned with this campaign, which Christopher S. Penn writes about. [...] [...] If the measure of success for this campaign was to achieve the goal of boosting a music artist to the top of Itunes, then the campaign was not successful.  If the goal was to use the power of social media in order to increase awareness and get people to buy records, I think it was pretty successful. There are lessons to be learned with this campaign, which Christopher S. Penn writes about. [...]

]]> By: Lynette Radio http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-139 Lynette Radio Fri, 23 Mar 2007 18:12:53 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-139 Chris, I just wanted to THANK YOU for being one of the most visable faces of BRTC and completely kicking ass in the process. Thanks for believing in bloggers, podcasters, and indie music. Thanks for being such a strong role model for people in this biz and thanks for everything you do to better both podcasting and the podsafe music scene. You are very appreciated. - Lyn Chris, I just wanted to THANK YOU for being one of the most visable faces of BRTC and completely kicking ass in the process. Thanks for believing in bloggers, podcasters, and indie music. Thanks for being such a strong role model for people in this biz and thanks for everything you do to better both podcasting and the podsafe music scene. You are very appreciated. – Lyn

]]> By: Jason @ Insomnia Radio http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-138 Jason @ Insomnia Radio Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:01:34 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-138 Our UK host just recalled a similar campaign that happened in January: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=430598&in_page_id=1773 Our UK host just recalled a similar campaign that happened in January:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=430598&in_page_id=1773

]]> By: Jen Pirante http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-137 Jen Pirante Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:48:06 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-137 I have to say that this was really interesting to witness and read up on all the information. I read as many articles I could find about iTunes, music gatekeepers, and tried to count up all the tactics used to get the word out about the event. Aside from the fact that I liked the song, I was really curious to see what would happen and I guess we have yet to see if iTunes will reveal any unknown success. I have to say that this was really interesting to witness and read up on all the information. I read as many articles I could find about iTunes, music gatekeepers, and tried to count up all the tactics used to get the word out about the event. Aside from the fact that I liked the song, I was really curious to see what would happen and I guess we have yet to see if iTunes will reveal any unknown success.

]]> By: John Wall http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-136 John Wall Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:11:35 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-136 I predict that by noon eastern it will crack the top 20 in rock. I'll also give it a 50/50 shot of making the top 100 overall. I predict that by noon eastern it will crack the top 20 in rock. I’ll also give it a 50/50 shot of making the top 100 overall.

]]> By: Reflecting and Looking Forward http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-135 Reflecting and Looking Forward Fri, 23 Mar 2007 11:46:43 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-135 [...] the day after we all Bum Rushed the Charts and Christopher Penn has some great reflections on it. Right now I’m going to hold off on my thoughts because I have many and I think it’ll [...] [...] the day after we all Bum Rushed the Charts and Christopher Penn has some great reflections on it. Right now I’m going to hold off on my thoughts because I have many and I think it’ll [...]

]]> By: SuzyiMac http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-134 SuzyiMac Fri, 23 Mar 2007 10:51:02 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-134 Chris, Great insights and congratulations on the successes! I think you are bang on when you say that the podcasting/blogging culture still exists in a bit of a bubble. I work in high tech/new media and I bet that if I polled everyone in the office, very few would know anything about things like RSS, Twitter, Google Reader, etc., or the issues that surround independent artists and "big media". Events like this serve to create awareness, and this event did just that. The more we can get the word out and educate the average consumer about the power of new media, the more people will start to understand it and use it themselves. Keep up the good work, everyone! Susan Murphy http://wordpress.suzemuse.com Chris,

Great insights and congratulations on the successes! I think you are bang on when you say that the podcasting/blogging culture still exists in a bit of a bubble. I work in high tech/new media and I bet that if I polled everyone in the office, very few would know anything about things like RSS, Twitter, Google Reader, etc., or the issues that surround independent artists and “big media”.

Events like this serve to create awareness, and this event did just that. The more we can get the word out and educate the average consumer about the power of new media, the more people will start to understand it and use it themselves.

Keep up the good work, everyone!

Susan Murphy
http://wordpress.suzemuse.com

]]> By: Chris Hambly http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-133 Chris Hambly Fri, 23 Mar 2007 10:20:22 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-133 Chris Thank you for the positive summary I think the points you make are on the money. I would like to emphasis the importance of language use in such endevours in the future. As an example when I mentioned "Bum Rush" to my students in UK, most were very confused, thinking it was some kind of dodgy back-street practise, we simply so not use that phrase over here in UK. So there needs to be transparency in the semantics used also I would say. Yes I also think building a mailing list is essential, sure subscriptions to an RSS inform a user when a new episode is ready, but still, as you say, e-mail is immediate, it contacts the client personally, it sells the idea on the day right when you need it. I imagine massive numbers were lost right there. Cheers Chris Hambly http://twitter/audio Chris

Thank you for the positive summary I think the points you make are on the money.

I would like to emphasis the importance of language use in such endevours in the future. As an example when I mentioned “Bum Rush” to my students in UK, most were very confused, thinking it was some kind of dodgy back-street practise, we simply so not use that phrase over here in UK.

So there needs to be transparency in the semantics used also I would say.

Yes I also think building a mailing list is essential, sure subscriptions to an RSS inform a user when a new episode is ready, but still, as you say, e-mail is immediate, it contacts the client personally, it sells the idea on the day right when you need it. I imagine massive numbers were lost right there.

Cheers

Chris Hambly
http://twitter/audio

]]> By: Matt Searles http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-132 Matt Searles Fri, 23 Mar 2007 07:03:09 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-132 Well it certainly sounds like a win win sorta thing to me.. to be a part of this, to have the experience of it.. what it adds to your brand.. Not to mention what it adds to the social media space... It's pretty clear to me that amazing things are possible, amazing things that people don't really recognize as possible.. to see this truth, and to act on it.. Well that's how the big boys play ball.. as we used to say in little league good game matt Well it certainly sounds like a win win sorta thing to me.. to be a part of this, to have the experience of it.. what it adds to your brand.. Not to mention what it adds to the social media space… It’s pretty clear to me that amazing things are possible, amazing things that people don’t really recognize as possible.. to see this truth, and to act on it.. Well that’s how the big boys play ball..

as we used to say in little league

good game

matt

]]> By: Bernie Goldbach http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-131 Bernie Goldbach Fri, 23 Mar 2007 05:30:45 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-131 We needed to get traction on campus radio throughout Ireland because the strongest uptake for the campaign in Ireland came from a tight circle of podcasters and active listeners. More indie media (pirate radio and campus radio) would have boosted the results. We needed to get traction on campus radio throughout Ireland because the strongest uptake for the campaign in Ireland came from a tight circle of podcasters and active listeners. More indie media (pirate radio and campus radio) would have boosted the results.

]]> By: Indie. Music. 24/7. » Aftermath: My thoughts about Bum Rush The Charts http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-129 Indie. Music. 24/7. » Aftermath: My thoughts about Bum Rush The Charts Fri, 23 Mar 2007 03:40:32 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-129 [...] posted an important blog about the lessons he learned from this grassroots campaign.  What I learned from viewing the many [...] [...] posted an important blog about the lessons he learned from this grassroots campaign.  What I learned from viewing the many [...]

]]> By: Ben Downing http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Ben Downing Fri, 23 Mar 2007 03:31:47 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-128 the song peformed well in australia imho - the aussie music market is localised.. somthing like 70% off all music sold here is australian so to get to no 35 on the rock chart is a great effort the song peformed well in australia imho – the aussie music market is localised.. somthing like 70% off all music sold here is australian so to get to no 35 on the rock chart is a great effort

]]> By: Christopher S. Penn http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Christopher S. Penn Fri, 23 Mar 2007 03:20:29 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-127 Many thanks, Jason. I've been giving thought to the whole thing, and I think I might have a formula that could do some interesting stuff next time around. We'll see if there is a next time, and if I'm invited to be on the organizing team. Many thanks, Jason. I’ve been giving thought to the whole thing, and I think I might have a formula that could do some interesting stuff next time around. We’ll see if there is a next time, and if I’m invited to be on the organizing team.

]]> By: Jason @ Insomnia Radio http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/comment-page-1/#comment-126 Jason @ Insomnia Radio Fri, 23 Mar 2007 03:17:53 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/03/23/initial-reflections-on-bum-rush-the-charts/#comment-126 Chris, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. The lessons learned can be applied much more widely than just BRTC, that's for sure. I pored over the comments on digg, and while I won't reflect on how stupid the general population seems to be (everything is a conspiracy theory???), a common complaint was the use of iTunes. It seems like a lose/lose situation, obviously you can't please everyone. BUT - I talked to more than a few people who would have BOUGHT THE TRACK even if they couldn't listen to it. . . Would eMusic have been a better choice? No, because iTunes is the benchmark of digital music sales...I'm sure it was a tough choice to make. You guys kicked major butt though, really a victory. I'd love to be more involved in BRTC #2. Cheers; jason @ IR Chris, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. The lessons learned can be applied much more widely than just BRTC, that’s for sure.

I pored over the comments on digg, and while I won’t reflect on how stupid the general population seems to be (everything is a conspiracy theory???), a common complaint was the use of iTunes.

It seems like a lose/lose situation, obviously you can’t please everyone. BUT – I talked to more than a few people who would have BOUGHT THE TRACK even if they couldn’t listen to it. . .

Would eMusic have been a better choice? No, because iTunes is the benchmark of digital music sales…I’m sure it was a tough choice to make. You guys kicked major butt though, really a victory.

I’d love to be more involved in BRTC #2.

Cheers;
jason @ IR

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