Relationship Building 101: Part 3

So far we've discussed the importance of professional business cards and social media presence. What other tools can be beneficial to you?

Some people believe that all they need is their social media profile or music-sharing account to build their brand and form lasting relationships. They would be incorrect. You need more. What happens if the social media company or music-sharing company goes out of business, becomes yesterday's news, or somehow their site was hacked and compromised, and your content is lost? You need to have multiple contact points for people to connect with you. You need to have one over-arching source that allows you to build and curate your image, your brand, your journey, and your dreams and goals.

You need a website. Here's some things to consider:

1. A website provides you with one central place to provide your contact information (the same info on your business cards- but more elaborate and descriptive)
2. You can provide links to or actual sections dedicated to your social media and music-sharing accounts (ensuring that prospective fans and business contacts have the correct information)
3. Imagine a space for your viewers to check out your videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook Live, and other sources. Now viewers don't have to travel to multiple sites to find your content. You can also upload content directly to your website that you may not have featured elsewhere.
4. You can create your own online store that can then be linked to your iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, or other online retailers selling your music. This ensures that fans know where to purchase your music directly. 
5. Your website can house your bio, blog, vlog, and anything else that tells your story and reinforces the image that you want the public to embrace.
6. You can create it yourself or pay someone to do it for you , and it can be maintained by that person or someone else.
7. You can purchase a domain name using your birth name or stage name (and it's best to do it before you become a "star" and definitely before you sign a contract with a company who could purchase it and prevent you from owning it in the future)
8. Your content from your website can be backed up and can also be converted over to another platform, etc. So your odds of "losing it" is minimal. 
9. It's yours. You control it. You own it. You determine what goes on the site and how much the public can interact with you on it.

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Do an online search of your favorite producers, writers, singers, and rappers. How many of them have websites? Rate the quality of their website? What information can you find out about them on their sites?

Of the ones who don't have websites, how do they communicate with the public? How easy can you find out about their upcoming appearances and performances? How easily can you find press releases and articles written about them?
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What are the distinct differences between the creatives with professional websites compared to the ones who don't have one? 

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