In today’s music scene, there are artists who really know how to hit you right in the feels, and Patrick Agile is definitely one of them. His music isn’t just something you listen to; it’s an experience. Each song takes you on a journey through your own thoughts and feelings, making you reflect and wonder about life.

Agile’s music is like a melting pot of different sounds and influences. You can hear hints of indie, folk, and alternative rock all mixed together in this beautiful blend that’s both familiar and completely fresh. And his lyrics? They’re all about the stuff that makes us human: love, heartbreak, hope, and resilience.

But what really sets Agile apart is his voice. It’s like honey for your ears—smooth, soulful, and utterly captivating. Whether he’s singing a soft, haunting melody or belting out an uplifting anthem, his voice draws you in and makes you feel like you’re right there with him, experiencing every emotion firsthand. Plus, his guitar skills? They’re top-notch, adding even more depth and richness to his already incredible music.

So if you’re looking for an album that’s not just music, but a whole emotional journey, look no further than Patrick Agile’s latest masterpiece. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Where To Follow

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Album Review

Discovering the Unique Artistry of Patrick Agile: A Journey Beyond Sound
In the vast realm of music, there exists a spectrum of artists whose work transcends conventional boundaries, challenging listeners to delve deeper into the essence of expression. One such artist who has recently captured our attention is none other than Patrick Agile.

1. “5ever”
   Ever heard of “forever”? Well, let’s take it a step further. “5ever” ventures into uncharted emotional territory, challenging conventional notions of eternity. This title suggests a love that transcends time itself, stretching beyond the bounds of infinity. Perhaps it’s a testament to the enduring power of connection, where love knows no limits and persists even in the face of adversity.
2. I Don’t Know”
   Sometimes, uncertainty becomes the melody of our lives. “I Don’t Know” echoes the sentiments of confusion and indecision that often accompany matters of the heart. Through its candid lyrics and raw vulnerability, this song invites listeners to embrace the ambiguity of life’s journey, acknowledging that not every question has a clear-cut answer.
3. “How not to fall in love with you”
   Ah, the eternal struggle of the heart. “How not to fall in love with you” is a poignant reminder of the delicate dance we perform to protect ourselves from emotional vulnerability. Yet, despite our best efforts, love has a way of defying logic and taking us by surprise. This song explores the bittersweet tension between attraction and self-preservation, capturing the exquisite agony of resisting the pull of affection.

Agile’s music, as showcased in his latest release, invites us into a world where sound becomes a canvas for experimentation, and the boundaries of conventional melody are boldly redefined. While some may describe his vocals as unconventional, there’s an undeniable rawness and authenticity in his delivery that beckons listeners to explore beyond the surface.

What sets Agile apart is not just his vocal style, but also his creative use of visuals. In an era where music videos often prioritize glossy production values, Agile takes a different approach, incorporating what some might call “horrible” stock images and ambient sounds. However, in doing so, he challenges our preconceived notions of aesthetic perfection, prompting us to question the very essence of artistry.

1. “Beyond Forever”
   Beyond the confines of time and space lies a realm where love flourishes eternally. “Beyond Forever” invites us to contemplate the infinite expanse of affection, transcending the temporal constraints of our mortal existence. It speaks to a love that endures beyond the fleeting moments of life, reaching into the depths of the soul and beyond.
2. “i’m all yours”
   In the symphony of love, surrender becomes the sweetest melody. “i’m all yours” embodies the spirit of devotion and commitment, declaring an unyielding dedication to another. This song celebrates the transformative power of love, where two souls merge into one harmonious union, bound by an unbreakable bond of intimacy and trust.
3. “2holdyou”
   Sometimes, words fail to capture the depth of our emotions, and all we can do is hold on tight. “2holdyou” encapsulates the tender embrace of love, offering solace and reassurance in moments of uncertainty. Through its gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics, this song reminds us of the healing power of human connection, where a simple embrace can convey more than a thousand words.
   In conclusion, these songs serve as poignant reminders of the multifaceted nature of human emotion, inviting us to explore the vast landscape of the heart. Whether evoking feelings of longing, uncertainty, or unwavering devotion, each melody weaves a unique tapestry of experience, resonating with listeners in profound and unexpected ways. So, let the music be your guide as you navigate the intricate pathways of love and emotion, for in its depths, you may discover the true essence of what it means to be human.

Be sure to give this album a spin if you are looking for some new music.

To experience the enchanting sounds of Patrick Agile for yourself, visit his Spotify page and embark on a musical journey unlike any other.

Other Resources

Local and Livestream Shows

Featured Artist

Featured Artist 2

The post Unveiling the Soulful World of Patrick Agile appeared first on Afton.

We’re all just waiting at home: waiting for things to change, waiting for things to get better, waiting for that push to get us back on our feet and hopefully past 2020. 

When I was little, my parents were notorious for saying, “Ryan, the laundry’s not going to do itself.” Or, “Hey Ryan, your room wants to know when you’re going to clean it?” The point is, we can wait, and wait, and wait for things to change, or we can be the ones to change them ourselves. Now that Afton has a LiveStream Platform, it’s up to you to get that ball moving, but don’t worry, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Click Here for Afton’s LiveStream. 

Planning your LiveStream is like sitting down to start a drawing, or a song, or any new project: the hardest part is the-getting-started. Once you’ve done that, the question becomes, “How far out should I schedule my LiveStream?” 

Before constructing a tower, a person sits down and figures out the costs. The worst thing you can do is half-build a tower only to realize you didn’t save enough funds to finish it. Don’t put in all the creative sweat, and the artistic blood of planning your LiveStream, only to find that nobody showed up to it. 

A Good Rule for any RSVP is the 2 weeks-notice (fortnight). If you send out a scheduled LiveStream a month before your show, many people forget about it, and worse, they get less excited about it as the days drag on, especially during this pandemic.

Scheduling your LiveStream show is like Goldilocks and the three bears: Not too hot, not too cold, but just right. In your case, it’s not too soon, not too far away, but just long enough in advance that people can plan for it, and still be excited about it as the days draw near. A Fortnight is just Right!

In today’s age of social-media, especially with the Pandemic, everyone’s already connected. That’s the good the news. If you let your fans know about your upcoming LiveStream with 2-weeks notice, it’s a good set amount of time for them to make sure that they are around to support you. A Fortnight is long enough to give people notice, but not so long that your fans become disinterested. As the days count down, you can begin to count down with them.

 Scheduling your LiveStream may include considering the following:

A). Good Internet connection – If you plan on LiveStreaming, you need to make sure it’s at a time that is optimal for internet connection. For example, planning your LiveStream on Election Day may lead to a crash of your internet, or your fans’ internet!

B). Be aware of other things going on – If there are a ton of rallies, or live shows going on the same night, it might be worth planning it on a night that seems to have more downtime. The more people who don’t have plans yet, the better it is for you.

C). Lights? Camera? Action? Make sure you get all your ducks in a row. Planning a Successful LiveStream requires some work. That’s why We’ve got you covered here at Afton. We’re here to make sure you’ve got everything you need, and make sure all the boxes have been checked. 

D). Have you utilized Social Media? Created a Facebook Event? Advertised your LiveStream on Instagram, or SnapChat, or Tik Tok? Utilize what you have in advance to make sure people are aware of your show.

E). Have a good time! Don’t stress so much about it. Your Fan’s 2 week countdown is also YOUR 2 week countdown. Enjoy it. Celebrate yourself, and Celebrate your accomplishments.

Just Remember, when it comes to scheduling a LiveStream in Advance: A Fortnight’s Just Right!

Other Resources

Local And LiveStream Shows

Promotion 101

Different Types of LiveStream Shows

The post How Far out Should You Schedule Your LiveStream? A Fortnight’s just right. appeared first on Afton.

Independent artists ask me every day, “Are my live streams and virtual concerts something my fans should pay for? Or should I give away my live stream shows for free?” I talk to thousands of independent bands, rappers, and musicians each week who are members of our MyAfton booking and live stream platform. So I think about this question a lot.

Should You Charge Fans for Your Live Streams?

Do you live stream on Facebook Live or Twitch for free? Or, are you missing out on huge revenue potential, in-stream tips, and in-stream merch sales by not charging $5.00 or $7.00 to watch your official live stream performance?

When I was asked to be a guest on The Business Side of Music Podcast, I was stoked for the chance to talk about this topic. I’m a big fan of this podcast that Bob Bender brings to musicians each week. So when he asked me to join him to talk about virtual concerts and live streaming I said – “hell yes Bob.”

As a musician myself, I experienced firsthand that the Music Industry as a whole just doesn’t give a ton of support to the unsigned indie musician. There doesn’t seem to be many resources for artists to learn how to better market, propel their career, or how to overcome obstacles and roadblocks that they’re facing. Trying to “make it” in our Industry is not just hard to do, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to even start!

What Was the Key Takeaway?

Bob and I talk on the podcast about many aspects to live streaming. But the key takeaway from our conversation was this:

Your music and content for your live stream virtual shows is not necessarily something you should give away for free.

There is a time and place for doing the free Facebook Live session for your fans. But don’t give away all of your streaming content for free. Your fans LOVE you and want to support you, after all, they are YOUR fans. So don’t underestimate their willingness to support you.

But is There Any Money in Live Streaming?

We’ve seen smaller indie artists using our MyAfton LiveStream platform who are making $130+ per live stream, and they’re only selling 10 tickets. Most of their income comes from in-stream tips from fans and fans tipping during ticket checkout. Artists that market their stream a bit better are seeing $250 to $500 per stream with just 30 tickets sold. More established artists selling 200 tickets per live stream are walking away with $5,000 per stream.

So don’t miss out on learning how to produce fun live streams and how to market them well – especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic and the live events ban. Fans are dying for that live music connection.

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode

Bob and I covered a lot of ground during our episode, and I believe it can help a lot of artists out there who have the capability and drive to succeed with live streams but may not know where to start.

So plug-in those headphones, go for a run, walk the dog, or just chill out on the couch and take a listen to some of the ideas we came up with. I hope this helps you as much as it’s helped the other artists I’ve talked to that have listened. They’re already putting these tips to use to make their next live stream concert the highest payout yet. You can do the same.

LISTEN NOW: EP #137 – In the Virtual World, You’re Worth Watching & Getting Paid For It

Leave a comment below!

The post In the Virtual World, You’re Worth Watching & Getting Paid For It. appeared first on Afton.

World Wide Booking

The MyAfton booking platform and MyAfton Live Stream platform now supports bands, rappers, and musicians worldwide. No matter which country you live in, you can now utilize all of our virtual concert live stream features. You still get all of the same great support, a Booking Rep for 1-on-1 help, and full use of all of our features.

Since 2004, MyAfton has helped book over 200,000 musicians on real-world shows at music venues and clubs. It’s easy to see just how big of a positive impact we’ve made on our artists, take a look. Until now, our musician platform has only been open to musicians living in the United States and Canada. But as of Nov 2^nd 2020, we can now help support every musician on the planet. MyAfton is still free to sign up, with no membership fees, and no up-front costs.

“Our goal has always been to help independent musicians succeed in the music industry,” explains co-founder Ryan Kintz. “Now with our virtual concert live stream platform we can help indie acts make money and connect to fans even during the COVID-19 live events shutdown.”

You can take a look at some past live stream concert footage from various MyAfton artists here, and some footage from this virtual showcase at Afton Studios in Miami.

We believe that helping and supporting unsigned artists is the key to cultivating the next generation of major artists. After all, every major artist started out as a local artist. Not everyone in the Music Industry is quick to help independent musicians. The focus tends to lean towards major acts, signed acts, and established touring artists. But the reality is, the next big artist to break out is most likely an independent musician who is right now grinding it out to try and make a name for themselves. That’s where we come in, to give that extra support that you need.

We can’t wait to broaden our reach globally. If you’re a musician and would like to find out more about MyAfton and our live stream platform, click here to get started.

If you’re a musician looking for strategies, promo tips, and help with marketing checkout our Blog.

Other Resources

Local And LiveStream Shows

Different Kinds Of LiveStream Shows

The post MyAfton Live Stream now supports artists from every country. appeared first on Afton.

Growing up, my dad used to tell me, “Ryan, don’t be the guy drinking a pineapple mojito when everybody else is drinking IPAs. Don’t be the guy who shows up to a rainstorm in a t-shirt, and flip flops.”

…I’m pretty sure my dad was borrowing from a Malcolm X quote, and butchering it badly, but I get what he was saying: be prepared for what’s coming next. During this uncertain time, the only thing that’s certain is the music has to keep playing. As a performing artist myself, I miss the stage. I miss the vibrations, the sweat. I miss the warmth and aliveness of the crowd.

It’s a hard time to be a performer when all of your fans are staying in, and hunkering down in their living rooms, but I assure you the show can go on. This Pandemic has definitely been a rain storm for all musicians. Fortunately, here at Afton we’ve got an umbrella for you: Live Streaming. Many musicians don’t live stream because they think it’s too complicated, or they don’t know how. That’s why we built the MyAfton LiveStream platform. No streaming experience is required. We teach you how to live stream, how to setup your gear, and we show you how easy it is to get on the virtual stage and perform for your worldwide fan base.

Live Streaming helps you practice for the real thing, because it is the real thing. Remember the good old days when you and your best friend Bernie had nothing to do on a Friday night, so you dropped a green screen in front of your computer and dressed up in Hawaiian shirts, and coconut bras, and sang karaoke songs until your uncle Dan came in screaming at 1 AM to turn the damn music down? Thanks Dan! For nothing!

Live Streaming is like that… but 1000x better.

MyAfton LiveStream

With MyAfton Live Streaming, Uncle Dan’s not going to be yelling at you to turn the music down. On the contrary, Uncle Dan’s going to be passing out pineapple mojitos to random strangers and screaming at you to turn the music up. And this time, there are 500 Uncle Dans cheering you on from their own private living rooms, in their own Hawaiian shirts and coconut bras.

So, how do you live stream? How can you be effective in your live streaming?

We’ve decided to provide you 5 Tips for live streaming:

  1. *STD *- (it’s not what you think!)

*Save The Date:*

It’s very important to send out as many Digital Flyers as you can. At Afton we’ve got digital Flyer Templates you can download and create for free. Click here to get your own Afton Digital Flyer (insert link). Send out the Flyers as early as you can.

Always include promos with your flyers. For example, maybe you tell your fans that if they invite 10 new people to the Live Streaming that you’ll give a shout out to those fans in the middle of your set. Remember, the earlier you send out your flyers, the more effective they’ll be.

  2. *Perch the Merch! *

What do we mean by this? There’s never a better time to showcase your own merchandise than when you’re live streaming. By Perch your Merch, we mean put it out there for people to see. You can give PROMOS like: 25% off all merch during live streaming, or once in a lifetime Live Streaming T-Shirt: *Live Streaming and Live Dreaming!* Sell Beads. Or mugs with your bass player’s face on it, or maybe even Uncle Dan’s face on it. Get weird and have fun with it.

Live Streaming is the perfect time to show people how much time and energy you’ve spent on Band merchandise. Make sure your fans see it, so your fans can wear it.

  3. *SIR, yes SIR! (Step into the Role & Stories Ignite Readers)*

First, Step Into the Role:

You’re a performer. Whether you’re a rapper, an acoustic act, or a classic rock band, you’re a performer, so step into that role and own it. You have the stage. You have the audience. If you have the people’s attention, what are you going to tell them? Live Streaming is the best time to step into that role.

Second, Stories Ignite Readers: During Live Streaming, you’re the storyteller and everyone tuning in is your audience. They are your readers; tell them a story they’ll never forget. Maybe between songs, you tell them about the time Uncle Dan decided to take you see the Space Needle in Seattle for your 11th birthday, but of course Uncle Dan missed the exit because he didn’t know how to use SIRI, so you ended up at a Seven Eleven instead.

…However, It just so happened that your favorite band MUDCRUSHER was driving through Seattle at the same time, and they just happened to stop at a Seven Eleven to fuel up on Slurpies before the show. Next thing you know, you’re getting your photo taken with the lead singer and backstage passes. Thanks Uncle Dan… for being Technology challenged.

It’s true, stories can inspire nations. When you’re live streaming, what story are you going to tell?

  4. *Theme your Stream: *

You might not be an 80s cover band, but you can still dress like one!

Create a theme for your Live Stream debut and invite everyone else to dress up for the occasion. It could be a decade theme, or maybe even Lord of the Rings Themed. How great would it be to look out there and see 500 Hobbits, smoking in their hobbit-pipes and jamming out to your music?  If you’re not sure what Theme might grab the attention of your fans, just ask them. Use your Social Media and create a Survey. When you involve your fans in the live streaming experience, by giving them a say in how they want the experience to go, they’re much more likely to show up.

And finally, the best for last:

  5. *Grandma Letty! *

Whose Grandma Letty? Grandma Letty is the sweetest 80 year old Grandma in the world. She bakes you cookies, and tucks you in, and she’s your biggest fan. Most importantly, tonight Grandma Letty is your mascot. Invite Grandma Letty into the living room, have her dance, have her sing, have her show your fans that you’re real, that you’re human, and that you know how to have a good time.

In Real time, we hold onto the things that grab our attention and don’t let go. We grab onto symbols. Grandma Letty is the symbol that will last even after the Live Streaming ends. Find your Grandma Letty, whoever she may be. Heck, Grandma Letty could be your Uncle Dan! Invite this person in and show them what you’re doing. It might even be at the beginning of your show. Try this out for example,

“Hey Everyone, this is my Grandma Letty. She’s been my biggest fan, and tonight I want to showcase her and let her know how much she means to me. Grandma Letty’s going to be dancing, rocking out, and having a good time with all of you, so why don’t you say hello to Grandma Letty.”

Believe it or not, Grandma Letty invites you into the experience, even if you’re 1,000 miles away, and all you have is a 2004 Ibook Computer monitor with lag video and slightly pixelated images. Grandma Letty invites you in, and brings you closer.

So find your Grandma Letty, and ask them if they’ll be willing to participate in your Live Stream Experience. Maybe they even know how to play an instrument or sing. Maybe they can be a surprise musical guest. There might be fans that have trouble relating to your “Performer” lifestyle; Grandma Letty might just be their way to relate to who you are.

At Afton, we support your Dream to Live Stream. We support you during this unsettling time. We encourage you to check out our Afton Live Stream Platform. The show goes on. The music goes on. We go on.

Other Resources

Boosting Your LiveStream Promotion With Facebook Ads

Facebook Ad & Promo Tips for LiveStreams

Local and LiveStream Shows

The post Live Streaming and Live Dreaming appeared first on Afton.

This is the definitive guide to selling live stream tickets and maximizing your virtual show’s viewership, payout, and fan tips.

Not sure where to start? Are you having a hard time figuring out the best promo plan for your live stream show? Today I’m going to show you exactly what to do.

As the founder of MyAfton LiveStream, I’ve talked to hundreds of rappers, bands, and independent musicians that have booked a virtual live stream gig with us this past month. Some artists are killing it and selling a lot of tickets, but some artists are struggling. I’ve identified what promo steps those struggling artists are forgetting to do – and they are such simple steps.

Here’s some good news: Selling live stream tickets is much easier than selling tickets for a real-world show. Here’s why:

• Live stream tickets are cheaper than real-world shows.
• Fans can buy a live stream ticket no matter where they live! Sell tickets nationwide and worldwide!
• Facebook ads are much more effective for live stream tickets.
• All the promotion is digital: social media, email, texting, etc.
• Fans watch from home – perfect during COVID-19.
• Fans don’t need to hire a babysitter, find a ride to the venue, get stuck in traffic, or spend $100 at the bar!
• It’s easy for fans to buy online instead of meeting up with you to buy physical cash tickets.

BUT IS IT REALLY WORTH THE EFFORT?

You tell me. We just had an artist sell a small number of tickets (23 tickets), and they walked away with over $280 between payout and artist tips. Another act sold 33 tickets at $5.00 each, and walked away with over $380 including payout and fan tips! Even smaller artists than that are moving just 10 tickets and making $120+ between tips and payout. Larger acts are selling 500-1,000 tickets and making $5,000 to $10,000 per live stream plus fan tips.

Remember, MyAfton LiveStream payout is 70% to 90% of ticket face value, with the higher tiers easily reachable for indie artists because selling just 20-50 tickets gets you in the 75% to 85% payout range. Indie acts that move 75-100 tickets for live streams get upgraded to our major artist live stream platform for 100% ticket face value payout and a dedicated account manager.

So the question is: How much promo effort are you willing to put in? To make $200, $300, or even $500 to $1,000 per stream?

If you put this live stream promotion guide fully into effect, you’ll quickly be selling 50-100 tickets and earning anywhere from $500 – $1500 including fan tips PER SHOW.

LIVE STREAM PROMO ACTION STEPS… LET’S GO!

We wrote another article about the RULE OF 7 HERE. Basically, studies have found that, on average, a fan needs to see your Live Stream promotion at least 7 times before they take action and buy a ticket. So FOLLOWING UP with fans and constant reminders are the key. You can’t just post the “buy tickets here” on your Facebook page 2 times or blast your email list 1 time.

STEP 1: PRIME THE SOCIAL MDIEA ENGINE!

You’d be surprised how many artists DO NOT fully utilize all of the promo mechanisms on social media. Do this for every single show:

• Create a FACEBOOK EVENT.
  • Then invite EVERY friend of your personal Facebook page and all followers of your band/musician Facebook profile.
• Post regularly about the show with the Buy Tickets link clearly listed in each post:
  • Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linked In, Reverb Nation, Twitter.
• I highly recommend you run Facebook Ads and also do paid boosts to your posts. Facebook is pay to play, meaning they only show your posts organically to about 3% to 5% of your followers unless you pay them to BOOST your post.
  • See How to Boost Facebook Posts Here.
  • Learn How to Run Facebook Ads Here.
• Mix up the content for your show promo posting. The best results come from VIDEOS. Create a video of you talking about how cool your live stream is going to be and why it’s important. Post a video of you performing 1 minute of one of your songs as a teaser and at the end talk about how to buy tickets. Be creative!
• CONTESTS! Create some contests and incentives so your fans SHARE your posts on Facebook and leave comments to organically boost your post.

STEP 2: DIRECT MESSAGE EACH FAN 1-ON-1.

If all you’re doing is posting on social media about your shows and you’re NOT directly messaging every single fan and person that you know – then you basically cut down your ticket sales for the show by about 70%.

Have you ever posted about your upcoming shows like crazy on Facebook, but nobody bought a ticket? Then you see your friend at a party and ask them to buy a ticket to the show, and they buy one right away? Even though they have seen your Facebook post multiple times already and never bought a ticket until now?

You need that 1-on-1 interaction with fans – or else they won’t buy. Posting is a good “reminder tool,” but 1-on-1 direct messaging to each fan is the key to actual ticket sales.

YOU MAY NOT REALIZE IT, BUT YOU KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE.

Look at how many Facebook friends and Instagram followers you have. The average musician has 304 friends/followers in their social network. Multiply that by the 4 rap members or band members in your act – that’s over 1,200 people. Utilize that huge existing network of people who already know you.

During COVID-19, we can’t see friends face to face as easily as we used to before the pandemic. But you can STILL initiate 1-on-1 conversations with each fan and person you know through direct messages on Facebook, text messages to their phone, and emails.

Make a list of everyone that you personally know. This is well worth it because you will use this list anytime you are promoting future shows!

• Fan email list and your personal email contacts list.
• Friends from your personal Facebook account.
• Followers from your band/musician Facebook page.
  • Don’t have one? What are you waiting for? Create one now, and invite all of your friends to like the page.
  • You can’t run Facebook Ads without a band/musician Facebook page!
• Linked in profile followers.

Next, send a direct 1-on-1 message to every person on your list:

• Email
• Direct Message on Facebook
• SMS Texting their phone works so well.
• Use every messaging mechanism you have.

If you’re not directly messaging EACH person in your social and personal network then you’re ticket sales will be 70% lower than they could be. This isn’t just about making money, it’s also about sharing your music and growing your fan base.

STEP 3: DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW UP!

But wait, you say, I posted on social media just like you told me to, I made a list of everyone I know, and I sent 1 direct message to all of them. Am I done?

Not quite yet. You are now off to a great start. In fact, statistically speaking, if you did everything I’ve talked about for your show you probably have done MORE promo than 85% of indie artists do for their shows.

However, if doing the above promo tactics have gotten 70 fans to “promise” they’ll buy a ticket for the show – probably less than 1/3 of them actually will buy a ticket.

FOLLOW UP IS THE KEY. If you forget this last step – you are going to drastically hinder your ticket sales for this show.

When I promote my band’s shows, I typically follow up with each fan 1x per week. The key is following up with a clear CALL TO ACTION. You want them to REPLY BACK so you know what their plan is.

If they don’t want to buy a ticket? That’s good to know, now you can stop following up with them.

If they are busy during your live stream performance date/time? That’s good to know, so you can cross them off of your list!

If they say they’re going to buy soon – ask them if they can do you a favor and buy a ticket now real quick so you know they’re good to go and can spend your promo time getting other fans to show up.

By taking this kind of confident, result-oriented action with your follow up – you’re fans are going to see that you take your music VERY SERIOUSLY and they will respect that. If you don’t show your friends and fans that your show is IMPORTANT TO YOU – then they are not going to spend their time and money to support you.

HOW TO TRACK FOLLOW UPS.

If you set up a great promotion strategy now, it will pay off for every future show you play. I track my fan follow-ups on a google docs excel spreadsheet. I copy/paste over all my email contacts, phone numbers from my phone, Facebook friends’ page URL’s, etc. so that I have a MASTER LIST of every fan and every person I know on social media.

This helps me easily direct message them on Facebook or shoot them an email or text.

But more importantly, it helps me create a duplicate of my master fan list for each show and when they buy a ticket, say maybe, or say they can’t go I mark that off on this spreadsheet.

This helps me see WHO I need to followup with again.

TURN THE “NO’S” INTO TICKET SALES.

Don’t be sad when a fan says they don’t want to attend or are busy that night. Thank them and tell them how much you appreciate their support and that you hope to see them at the next show!

But then, ASK THEM if they’re willing to do you a small favor to help your music career. Ask if they’re willing to SHARE your Facebook post about the show, and text or email any of their friends who they think would enjoy your music.

I can’t tell you how many times I had a friend or fan say they can’t go to my show – and after I ask them for this small favor they end up connecting me with 4 of their friends that I had no connection to, and those 4 friends bought a ticket to my show.

Every fan counts. Every ticket sale counts. Every action you take in your promotion efforts count.

TIME TO GET STARTED!

If you haven’t already booked a live stream gig then head over to MyAfton LiveStream, sign up for free, and create your first live stream to put these action steps into a huge payday.

If you already have an upcoming live stream, it’s not too late to implement these strategies RIGHT NOW!

It might “seem” like it’s a lot of work. But it’s not. Most artists can do everything I went over in this guide in about 2-3 hours or less. I know, I know, some musicians don’t want to “work hard” and they just want to make music and get famous.

But if putting 2-3 hours into this promotion guide for your live stream is the difference between you selling 2 tickets for your show and making a very small payout, OR making $200, $300, or $500 for selling 20, 30, or 50 tickets including fan tips – isn’t that well worth it?

There are thousands of new fans waiting for you on social media. But they’ll never become fans if you don’t put in the work. At least now you see how easy it is to attain your goals. Each month, thousands of artists are using our promo strategies to sell more tickets, grow their fan base, and to achieve that next level of success.

OTHER RESOURCES:
HOW TO SELL MORE TICKETS FOR YOUR LIVE STREAM
MAKE YOUR LIVE STREAM SO UNIQUE THAT FANS PAY FOR IT

WHAT PROMO STRATEGIES WORK BEST FOR YOU? POST BELOW!

The post The Definitive Guide to Selling Live Stream Tickets appeared first on Afton.

Artists ask me all the time, “How do I get my Fans to keep coming back for more Live Stream performances?”

The first mistake most artists make is, they see Live Stream performances as a novelty. So they do one, and then move on and never Live Stream again. Think of Live Stream gigs as a new part of your live show offering. You want to create unique Live Streams so that the same fans tune in and pay to watch your new shows on a consistent basis.

By doing that, you can make Live Streams a source of continuous extra income. Plus, you build more and more engagement with Fans every time they buy a Live Stream, which creates “super Fans” and grows your reach even more.

You also don’t want to sell pay-per-view tickets to your Fans for your Live Stream gigs and have them only watch 1 of your Live Streams. The goal is to build up fan loyalty, and get the majority of your Fans to buy tickets every time you Live Stream.

It’s All About Being Consistent

Create an ongoing Live Stream series! Every month, every 2 weeks. Whatever you can successfully pull off. This allows you to build traction and snowball your viewership. Fans will tell their friends about you and more and more tickets will be sold each and every show. That is the ultimate goal.

By looking at it like this, an ongoing Live Stream series, it also allows you to invest the time and energy to get really good at this. It lets you create unique shows with different set lists and themes so your Live Streams never get stale.

Most artists will try to Live Stream and sell 11 tickets and quit. But if they had KEPT GOING, they could have grown to 20 tickets, 30 tickets, 50 tickets, by the 3rd or 4th show.

Another huge advantage of an ongoing Live Stream series is that you now have a reason to invest more money into Facebook & Instagram ads! Because every ad you run is growing your ongoing series following. It may not be worth putting $300 in ad spend to 1 Live Stream gig… But if you do 1 Live Stream every month it is definitely worth putting $300 in ad budget towards social media ads over 3, 4, or 5 months.

This also lets you capitalize on SUPER FANS. Even if you only have 12 super fans, if they are all buying tickets to EVERY Live Stream you do, that really pays off over time. As you continue to grow your fan base overall, the number of super fans will also increase until eventually you have a constant revenue stream of virtual ticket sales and fan tips from your die hard fan base.

Don’t Treat Live Streams Like Normal Club Shows

As musicians, sometimes for real-world shows in music venues we tend to do the “same show” every time we play. The same songs, the same setlist, etc.

But for Live Streams, we need to mix it up completely. If you want fans to buy a Live Stream ticket every 2-4 weeks and watch all of your streams, you’ll have to make sure each and every show is different, special, and unique.

Here are some great ideas on how to accomplish that, and how to make your Live Streams something that fans are happy to pay for over and over again.

Other Resources

Local Shows

The post How to Keep Fans Coming Back for More Live Stream Performances appeared first on Afton.

Wait, what did Ryan from Afton just say? Free Live Stream performances can actually hurt independent and major artists in the long run?

Yes, you read that right. Each Live Stream performance should have a specific goal in mind. There are times when incorporating a free Live Stream may be a good idea. But it’s not always the best route to go.

Even if you are doing a Live Stream and donating all of the donations to a charitable organization… You probably could make that organization much more money in donations if you had a pay-per-view ticket price.

Free Live Streams Can Devalue the Artist’s Performance in the Fans Mind.

Why is your real-world concert $10 or $20, but your Live Stream is completely free? If your live concerts are $10 or $20, why isn’t your Live Stream $5 or $10?

The perception of a “FREE” event subconsciously devalues the event in people’s mind. Why is it free? It is not good? Is it not worth people paying for?

Fans will assume you’re not planning to put much effort into your Live Stream – because the price of “free” makes them think it’s not something you think is worth paying for.

Fan Retention Throughout Live Stream is Much Lower for Free Streams

Free Live Streams typically have Fans hopping in for a few minutes and then they leave.

For example, the Dave Matthews Band has done a few Live Streams on Facebook Live (and I’m a big Dave Matthews fan). However, it wasn’t on my calendar since it was free, so when it came on I was on the go, jumped in for 2 songs, and then left. If he had done a $9.99 or $19.99 pay-per-view show, I would have bought a ticket, put it on my calendar, and blocked off that night to watch it on my big flat screen TV with a drink in hand on my couch. Did I tip Dave Matthews Band during their Live Stream? No, I was distracted, on the go, and only watched a couple songs – I didn’t even think to tip.

Remember, the retention of viewers during the stream is extremely low. But, if fans pay $5.99 or $9.99 for the Live Stream they tend to put it on their calendar, they are ready to watch it, and they STAY THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THE SHOW.

This Can Lead to Far Fewer Fan Tips

Free shows generally have far less Fan Tips than a pay-per-view Live Stream show. I believe it’s because any “mild” fans that hopped in because it was free are not into you enough to tip you. Whereas the type of fans that will tip you during a Live Stream, are the very same fans that would have happily paid $5.99 to $9.99 to buy your Live Stream ticket.

Not only that, but when Fans watch your entire Live Stream and are committed to it, they tip more, and tip more often. Most pay-per-view Live Streams see the same fans tip multiple time throughout the set. The artist thanks them, gives them a shout out, they feel good about it, and 3 songs later they send the artist more money.

This is the power of pay-per-view Live Streams. You make money off of the ticket price and your fans are much more likely to tip you throughout the performance. This all equates to a more engaged crowd – and more money in your pocket.

You can get 1,000 fans hopping into a free stream, not committed to it, and then they’ll leave after a few minutes without even being engaged enough to remember to tip you.

What Habits are You Forming for Your Fans?

When I was in a band, I had some friends that I would always give a free CD to every time we released an album. After our 3rd album was released, we spent 3x the recording budget on it. But my friends who were “trained” to expect my CD for free in the past, now had a hard time understanding why they should pay me this time for my new CD.

Don’t form bad habits with your fans. Be gracious to them, connect with them, do nice things for them – but don’t train them to expect your music and your live performances as a “freebie” not worth paying for!

This is why many times you’ll see a local band put on a FREE show in a park have much lower attendance than a paid concert in a music venue with a $8 or $10 ticket price. A flyer that promotes a “free” show in many ways tells the person this event was not worth paying money for.

Anytime you offer your live performance to fans for free (Live Stream or in the real-world) you’re training them to get used to not paying to see you perform… That’s a dangerous habit to put your fans into.

If you promote your Live Stream effectively and plan out your Live Stream to be unique, special, and an event not to be missed you can easily get your fans and friends to spend a few bucks and buy a pay-per-view ticket!

So When Should You Live Stream for Free?

Good question. The MyAfton LiveStream team believes that a full performance FREE Live Stream should be rarely given.

A better idea is to use short Free Live Streams on social media (Facebook Live, YouTube Live) as a PROMOTION MECHANISM for your upcoming pay-per-view Live Stream. It’s like a teaser. Play a song, then engage with your viewers and tell them why your upcoming pay-per-view Live Stream is not to be missed. Play another song, or a medley of songs. You don’t want to give them your whole show – just a taste.

Show your fans, this is just a taste of what to expect in your upcoming paid Live Stream. This is where you tell them about your contest, that they get to help vote on your set list, why this next Live Stream is special and COMPLETELY WORTH the $5.99 or $9.99 price point.

Short Live Streams can be good for marketing purposes or to gain new fans. But again, don’t give them the whole show for free. Give them a taste, get them interested, and then promote your upcoming pay-per-view Live Stream.

Another time you may want to Live Stream is if you are just doing it for fun for a charitable organization. If you are not promoting to your fan base and a charity wants you to perform for them to help raise money for their organization, that could make sense.

But think about what the goal of your Live Stream is. There is so much money left on the table by artists that are continuously Live Streaming for free. Their hearts are in the right place. But if you think about it – fans of an artist don’t want to milk the artist for freebies. Real music fans of an artist WANT to give them money, support them, and keep fueling their music career.

Now that you have the confidence to start charging for your Live Stream performances, and now that you’ve seen some of the disadvantages to performing full Live Streams for free – let’s get you paid. Head over to MyAfton LiveStream and let’s see what you can do!

The post Why Free Live Stream Performances Can Hurt Artists Long-Term appeared first on Afton.

Live streaming is not a new thing, but Covid-19 has exploded the demand for these types of services like never before. Here at Afton, we are adaptable and scrappy; as the music industry requires. The day our first event was canceled because of the corona virus, we began the planning and development of our Afton LiveStream platform.

But WHY use it? WHY trust our platform is the best to serve your needs as an artist? Here are some key reasons:

• Like all of our myafton.com software, creating a LiveStream show is FREE to the artist!
• Our LiveStream is fully integrated with our myafton booking platform, so set up is streamlined and easy!
• When you work with Afton, you get 1-1 email support from your booking rep.
• Our staff has created tutorials, FAQs, and videos to help you create the perfect LiveStream from start to finish! Teaching our artists best practices continues to be a priority for us.
• Our staff handles 100% of your fans questions or customer services needs when purchasing their virtual ticket
• Afton LiveStream PAYS the artist MORE than any other company out there
• We offer Live Chat so you can connect with your fans in real time during your set
• We offer a virtual tip jar so you can make more money while you perform
• Before your set you will have the opportunity to do an advanced sound check so that you can create a professional sounding LiveStream everytime
• With developers on our team, we will be adding and creating features our artists want on a regular basis – we always welcome your feedback!

So with absolutely NO RISK to you, what are you waiting for?! Create your first LiveStream today and join us in once again revolutionizing the industry for independent artists!

Other Resources

MyAfton LiveStream Virtual Performances

Why Afton Shows is Primed to Lead

Local Events

The post Afton LiveStream: Built by musicians, FOR musicians! appeared first on Afton.

Recently, artists of all sizes have ramped up their free livestream performances on Facebook for donations only. But what if you could design a unique, special, and interactive LiveStream performance that you could sell virtual pay-per-view tickets for? How much more money could artists be making to help support their music career if they used their marketing skills and existing fan base for a pay-per-view LiveStream plus tips/donations?

This is the big question the Afton Shows and MyAfton founders, Ryan Kintz and Amy Kintz, asked themselves when COVID-19 hit in mid-march.

“Suddenly, within 3 days, all of the 250+ music venues we work with started contacting us to say, “our state is forcing our venue to cancel all live concerts for 2 months or longer due to COVID-19. We had to reschedule almost 200 shows,” recounts Amy Kintz.

In addition, there are serious ongoing talks that live events could NOT come back until December of 2020. With major concerts/tours postponed into 2021. Or even worse, a 2nd or 3rd wave of COVID-19 outbreaks when concerts resume that forces live event industry to shut down again.

So how can independent bands and rappers support themselves financially while staying connected with fans? How can artists satisfy the innate desire to perform live and share their music with the world?

We believe the MyAfton LiveStream platform is the answer.

The MyAfton LiveStream Platform launches soon, and artists can join the rapidly growing waitlist below for the chance to be some of the first performers.

MyAfton LiveStream Offers the Highest Artist Payout.

We made the decision to give a lion’s share of the revenues back to the artist for LiveStream.

MyAfton LiveStream offers artists 70% to 90% of LiveStream revenues, plus artists keep tips and donations after the card processing fee. It is our goal that the higher payout tiers are easily reached by the local acts we book.

With the starting MyAfton LiveStream payout tier at 70% (a majority of the revenue to artist), it only takes 20-34 virtual tickets sold for a 75% payout, 35-49 virtual tickets sold for an 80% payout, 50-74 virtual tickets sold for 85%, and the top tier of 90% comes in at 75+ sold. This means the average local artist’s fan base can easily make that artist 75% to 85% of revenues (the artist picks the ticket price).

This is great news for independent musicians, considering that other platforms such as Twitch are taking 50% of revenues, and the starting payout tier for Stageit is only 63%.

However, to reach even the next payout tier on Stageit of 70%, an artist has to sell $1,000 worth of tickets, breaking down to either 100 tickets at $10, or 200 tickets at $5 – which is out of reach for many local musicians.

Wait, So What’s the “Catch?”

There is no catch. Sign up to the MyAfton.com platform is completely free, membership is free, and it’s free for artists to setup and create their LiveStream performances.

For LiveStream, there are no ticket requirements. An artist can choose to reschedule their LiveStream at anytime if needed. We even provide 1-on-1 support with a Booking Rep, promo tips and strategies, and marketing advice to help our artists succeed.

How Does it Work?

Once you have a free MyAfton account and have setup your Artist Profile, you simply click the Create LiveStream Gig link from inside your account.

You set the date and time for the LiveStream and you set the virtual ticket price.

We handle all encoding, bandwidth, the technology, the virtual ticket sales platform, your sound check portal, and provide you with a dashboard to track your sales.

When it’s time to LiveStream, you login for the final sound check and go live. During your performance you can live chat with fans.

How Much Money Can I Make?

Let’s use a few examples. Remember, the more virtual tickets you sell, the more Fan Tips you’re going to get. Historically, we see that Fans tip generously during online checkout for our live shows. Plus, with LiveStream Fans can tip/donate during your performance.

Local act sells 21 virtual tickets at $7.99
Artist takes home $88.20 + Tips

Local act sells 50 virtual tickets at $6.99
Artist takes home $297.07 + Tips

Local act markets their LiveStream like crazy and sells 110 virtual tickets at $5.99 each.
Artist takes home $593.01

The possibilities are endless. Established local/regional acts with a large fan base could be making $1,500 or $2,000+ per LiveStream with 200-400 virtual tickets sold depending on the ticket price they set.

How Do I Get Started?

Head over to www.myafton.com/livestream and create an account or login to your existing account. Setup your account and start creating your LiveStream gigs.

We can’t wait to put you virtually “onstage!”

Other Resources:

Are Shows Still Being Booked?

So Shows Aren’t Happening… What Now?

Local Events

The post MyAfton Live Stream Virtual Performances Can Help Artists Make Money During COVID-19. appeared first on Afton.