PIXIES + Topspin Direct-To-Fan Ticketing

Posted on December 13, 2011 by bobmoz

Just before Thanksgiving, the PIXIES played a sold-out show at the intimate Music Box Theatre in Hollywood. Were you there? Did you know about it? Every single ticket to the show was sold by the band, via Topspin, direct to fans. There were no service charges, no print-at-home fees.

There was also no marketing budget to promote the show, since the band used Topspin to target SoCal fans via a single email, and directed them to a special URL (http://lalapixiesmusic.com). Fans found out about the show once tickets were on-sale (no lead up marketing, no advertising, no pre-sales), and quickly and easily purchased digital bar code tickets. If you aren’t on the band’s email list (or very close to someone who is), you probably didn’t get tickets.

At the show, the door staff (in this case Topspin folks doing some live testing!) validated all 1,200 tickets with the Topspin iOS ticket scanner, running on a couple of iPhones and an iPad. Easy. Accurate. Super low cost.

We made the video above so you can see exactly how it was done. Want to download that video and use it for inspiration? No sweat. CLICK HERE.

This is a great example of the true power of direct-to-fan marketing. PIXIES started with literally nothing more than a Topspin widget giving away a four-song EP in exchange for an email address. And now they have the power to control the economics, marketing and fan experience at their live shows. Being directly connected to your fans creates some serious opportunity. And leverage. :)

Stay tuned as the new version of the free ticket scanner hits the App Store next week!

Thumbs up for rock-’n'-roll,
-bob
@bobmoz

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Neon Indian Launches Tour Pre-Sale Using Topspin

Posted on December 7, 2011 by rafael

NEON INDIAN just announced their upcoming Spring ’12 Tour with Purity Ring as the opening act for the first ten shows. They chose Topspin as their direct-to-fan ticketing solution in order to be able to sell their tickets directly from their website and offer their fans lower service fees. Every ticket comes with a tour laminate that will get fans a 10% discount at the merch booth at any show on this tour. Fans can also bundle their tickets with a new exclusive Neon Indian T-Shirt. To purchase tickets or check out the dates for this tour click here.

- Rafael R

Interested in having Topspin Creative Services help set up a campaign like this for you? Email me here.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Hooray For The UK: Integrated Fulfillment and Chart Reporting

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Shamal

Topspin is pleased to announce a couple of major advancements in our UK operations.

Beginning this week Topspin customers now have further choice when it comes to integrated fulfillment. Your products can now originate from our warehouse in the UK. We’ve heard the feedback from users who want to take advantage of the benefits of Topspin Fulfillment but do not want to ship products from our US warehouse. Now we’ve made that possible with the addition of our UK warehouse. Once you’ve chosen Topspin Fulfillment UK and set up offers, we’ll automatically calculate shipping, process orders, package goods for delivery, apply postage, and handle all customer support issues. No additional percentages means you probably can’t afford not to use Topspin Fulfillment. In short, we’ve got it. And that means you can focus on the things that matter most.

Whether you’re a current customer or are looking to start using Topspin soon, take a moment to download our new Topspin Fulfillment Instructions (direct .zip link containing a PDF and CSV). If you’re a new customer and want to get started immediately, simply create your account and follow the instructions in our Knowledge Base for Topspin Fulfillment. You’ll also want to read through those instructions if you’re a current customer using one of the other fulfillment methods but would like to switch to Topspin Fulfillment. If you’re a current customer and would like to switch from our US warehouse to our new UK warehouse, please contact support and we’ll help make sure the migration is smooth and you don’t miss an order.

In another exciting note for all of our customers, but especially those that have been asking about UK chart reporting, Topspin is now reporting all physical and digital music sales to the UK Charts. We’ve been reporting digital sales for more than a year and recently added physical, home delivery chart reporting through our newly launched Topspin Fulfillment UK. Please make sure to follow the instructions here to ensure your music sales are qualified and properly processed to report to the UK Charts. If these instructions are not followed, we can not guarantee that your sales will be chart eligible. We’re excited to offer UK Chart reporting to our customers as we’ve long recognized its importance in the UK music industry.

Posted in Topspin International | 1 Comment

Using Topspin’s Download Anywhere to Drive Traffic to PledgeMusic

Posted on November 29, 2011 by ccarlson

Do you collect email addresses and wish you could drive traffic to anywhere you want on the web when fans confirm? Well now you can with Topspin’s Download Anywhere tool. If you already have a Topspin account and an email for media widget, you’re ready to set this up. Go here to get started!

For inspiration, here’s is a killer example of how to use it from our good friends at Music Geek Services:

One of Music Geek Services’ newest clients is Rhett Miller (of the Old ’97′s). We just signed Rhett up to Topspin as he launched a PledgeMusic campaign for his next studio solo album project to be released on his own label. We wanted to make sure that during the pledge campaign we were taking advantage of all opportunities to drive traffic to the PledgeMusic project page.

So, when you use the email4media widget to sign-up for Rhett’s mailing list on his web site:

…and you confirm your sign-up, we use the Download Anywhere customization features to display a message from Rhett about his PledgeMusic campaign and deliver the fan to the actual project page on the PledgeMusic web site. You can also choose to share the news on your Facebook or Twitter feeds.

- Chandler, Music Geek Services

If you you’re digging Download Anywhere please let us know! We’d love to highlight your story here.

Chris
@CLCmusic

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Topspin 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

Posted on November 23, 2011 by iancr

Give The Gift of Music

Every year at this time I ask myself the same question: “People still go to stores?” No offense to our friends at physical retail but I’ll be honest, I haven’t felt like braving the mall parking lot since I was ten years-old. One of the things I’m most thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday is The Internet for allowing me to purchase from the comfort of my pajamas. I don’t miss the days of braving crowds to not find what I’m looking for and settle for something decidedly un-unique. Thank you, internet, for allowing me to quickly get something extra-special, not mass-produced, to make my loved-ones smile tree-side each year since the late 1990s. I love you.

I’ve been opening vinyl from people who know and love me since I was five years-old and my mom gave me the first 12″ gift of music I can remember. In 2011 vinyl sales are as high as they’ve been since Soundscan started counting in 1991 and there’s more cool music products than ever before thanks to the efficiency of direct-to-fan sales making it possible to build and sell things which simply wouldn’t have made sense in traditional retail. When looking for gifts please start by visiting the web sites of the giftees favorite artists and see what’s available! Hopefully you’ll be surprised by their dream gift.

To prime your proverbial present pump, here are some great buy-direct-from-the-artist goodies for you to buy from the comfort of your home on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or any day, really. Select “This is a gift” when you check out and we’ll send your purchase direct to your friends or loved ones.

JB

Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe
I know I know you already bought this on CD twice (one for house, one for car) and MP3 (iPod, gym, natch). But this is the DELUXE version and your niece and nephew will (literally) cry (with joy!) when they open this on Christmas day. Buy now and give early, this one comes with an Advent calendar and Holiday ornament!

MJ

Michael Jackson – Immortal (& Fan Fest!)
Cirque Du Soleil is recreating the Michael Jackson live experience Cirque style, and Immortal is the soundtrack. Remember how awesome The Beatles LOVE show soundtrack was? Here’s the Michael Jackson version. This is a MUST for pretty much any music fan this holiday season (my copy shipped yesterday and I’m hoping to find it waiting for me when I get home tonight). But you can go one level further and get a real Michael Jackson fan a ticket to the Cirque show itself plus Michael Jackson Fan Fest in Las Vegas in December! What’s more, your CD or ticket purchase comes with special Michael Jackson items for use inside of Zynga’s Cityville!

PM

Paul McCartney – The Love We Make
Speaking of The Beatles, get the Beatles fan on your holiday list something new and touching, Paul McCartney’s feature-length documentary, “The Love You Make”, following Paul through NYC in the aftermath of 9/11. Grab the Blu-ray or DVD as a gift, both of which come with a digital download you can watch immediately!

SP

Smashing Pumpkins – Gish and Siamese Dream Deluxe
Shipping Monday: two of the best rock records of all time, Smashing Pumpkins’ Gish and Siamese Dream, get remastered and the deluxe treatment for the first time ever. Not only does this remaster SOUND amazing it includes bonus tracks, never-before-seen video, track-by-track annotation from Billy Corgan, and much more. AND it’s all only $30 per deluxe edition. These albums sound even better today than they did when originally released — truly a must for any lover of rock music.

BB

Beastie Boys – Dolls, er, Action Figures, and Shirts
Speaking of the 90s, if you want to go all-out for a Beastie Boys fan there is only one option: the long-fabled never-released Action Figures created by Nigo of Bathing Ape fame. Expensive, yes, but VERY limited and the proceeds go to charity so pony up, make someone happy, and feel good about your philanthropy. Looking for something less pricey? Check out the new Beastie Boys t-shirt lineup; you know you have a Beastie Boys fan or three on your holiday shopping list.

MY

Matisyahu – Miracle
Looking for that extra-special Hanukkah gift? Then you’re looking for the deluxe edition of Matisyahu’s Miracle with the remix EP and infinity t-shirt. I’m getting one for Jason Kay who first turned me on to Matisyahu what feels like 300 years ago.

GR

Gruff Rhys – Atheist Xmas
At the other end of the spiritual spectrum you can pick up a signed 12″ vinyl album of Super Furry Animal’s Gruff Rhys’ holiday EP, Atheist Xmas for only five pound ninety-nine. If you’re not familiar with Gruff’s prolific career the holidays is an incredible time to get to know all things Super Furry Animals, Neon Neon, Gruff Rhys solo, and oh so much more. I’m a long time fan.

KU

Keith Urban – Limited Edition: LIVE
You can buy the ultimate gift for any country fan right from Keith Urban’s Facebook. An autographed copy of his latest record, Get Closer, plus Live DVD, t-shirt, and wristband, this is a true limited edition. Just visit Keith’s page on Facebook to see which of your friends and family “Like” Keith Urban — this is the gift for them.

WD

This Warm December, A Brushfire Holiday Vol 2
Fans of Jack Johnson, G Love, Money Mark, Rogue Wave, and many others will love this holiday compilation from Johnson’s Brushfire Records label. The deluxe comes with limited edition vinyl and collectible postcards in addition to the digital download. 25% of the profits will go to charities supporting musical education for kids — another all-around feel-good gift!

Finally, we have some really special gifts for the live music fan in your life. If you know someone who loves live music, get them something unique:

Near Minneapolis? If so there is but one gift for the music-lover in your life this year:

FA

The classic Minneapolis venue First Avenue is using Topspin to offer Gold and Platinum Club membership! Give the gift of VIP access to the best club in MN!

UM2

If your giftee is in one of Boston, Oakland, Philly, or Denver, give them a VIP experience with one of the best live bands on the planet today, Umphrey’s McGee.

BS

If none of those cities work, go with the at-home game: Blackberry Smoke Live At The Georgia Theatre. Throw in a t-shirt and/or a signed poster to go along with the live DVD featuring special guest Zac Brown.

RW

But I’m sure there’s at least one pesky person on your list who “isn’t that big a music fan”. I’m always surprised to find those people, but they do exist and they like presents, too, so what to do? They like to laugh, right? Get that person a pass into Ron White’s Fan Club — a year of funny!

Phew. There’s more but it’s time to get into holiday weekend traffic here at Club Topspin.

Thanks!

ian c rogers
Topspin

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