Author |
Thread |
|
_Jay_
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
6,868 posts Joined: Oct, 2011
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 13:44:38
Does anyone have any bright ideas about how I can get more people to my site?
I need to make a decision on whether to carry on with it properly or not. As I've just posted on facebook, I don't do it as a popularity contest - I do it because I genuinely think it's a decent service, and since I don't produce or DJ properly, it's nice to feel mildly involved in the scene/music I love. That said, thinking sensibly, it really needs to reach more people to be worthwhile.
One of the main points I think about is; of the many thousands of Hardcore fans in the world, how many of them DJ? i.e. is the site always going to have a finite amount of reach because people that like Hardcore but don't mix don't see the point of the site.
If that's the case, that forces the point - should I make the site less individual track focused, and feature more mixes, live sets, event information etc.
Irrespective of that point and subsequent point, I'm convinced there are many, many more people out there that would enjoy the site if they knew it existed.
So, in summary, if anyone has a) any opinions on how to make the site a bit more visible within the scene and b) any views on my ponderings above (about restricting interest because it's aimed at DJs mainly) - then I'd be very interested in what you have to say.
CHEESE :-)
__________________________________
http://HardcoreHighlights.com/
Alert moderator
|
Mortis
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
7,493 posts Joined: May, 2004
341 hardcore releases
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 14:08:19
It's tricky isn't it? As you know I've tried a few ideas for sites recently and after the initial surge of interest you just seem to feel like there's no point. It's really hard to advertise a site like a hardcore one because there are so few places to reach people. Facebook and Youtube really have taken alot of the market when it comes to niche sites I feel. I've been messing around with another idea based on new "happy hardcore" but I'm not really sure if it's worth carrying on for the same reasons you mentioned above.
__________________________________
"Maybe in a day and age in which even our rappers can't get to the end of a verse without having an existential crisis, we should find a place for happy hardcore"
Alert moderator
|
_Jay_
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
6,868 posts Joined: Oct, 2011
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 14:17:44
I hear you mate. Funnily enough, YouTube has actually been a big help for me - but that's purely because of the media-orientated nature of my site. But yeah, in general, facebook etc. have made it difficult for other social sites in Hardcore.
__________________________________
http://HardcoreHighlights.com/
Alert moderator
|
Hard2Get
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
12,837 posts Joined: Jun, 2001
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 14:27:40
I think ultimately, if the site is worth visiting for a lot of people, then word of mouth alone will ensure people visit the site. Might takes years but you'll get there. If it's not worth visiting for a lot of people then you can force it on them all you like and initially it might see a lot of visits from people checking it out, but then they will find out they don't care enough to visit again and it will taper off. Just my opinion though. I think your site is the former so far. And i don't need to go into detail as you already know what i think.
It's also worth mentioning that with the scene being as small as it is, it's probably hard for ANY site to become popular. Also with sites like youtube, there is a lot less attraction to individual websites anymore. If it's a 'labour of love' then none of this matters anyway.
Alert moderator
Edited by - Hard2Get on 2013/04/08 19:15:03 |
_Jay_
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
6,868 posts Joined: Oct, 2011
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 14:52:11
Agreed on everything you've said basically.
I don't need the site to become popular in conventional terms, I would just like it to increase a bit more. And yeah, I appreciate it's a small scene - but when you come on this site and look at the stats and see that almost 600 people are on this site - at this very second! - you realise there is a fair bit more interest in Hardcore than you might think. Providing that information is accurate, anyways.
"If it's not worth visiting for a lot of people then you can force it on them all you like and initially it might see a lot of visits from people checking out out, but then they will find out they don't care enough to visit again and it will taper off."
Completely agree. And that is exactly why I have never forced it on anyone, anywhere. I've set up a facebook page, a YouTube account and a SoundCloud page (that's mainly for me to follow people and acquire music) - I've never gone out of my way to advertise it. I don't spam other popular groups or anything like that.
Maybe that's the point, maybe I need to whore it a little bit. Occasionally have a session of posting links in big facebook groups like Hardcore Heaven, HTID etc. It's all so fcuking undignified and desperate though - I hate the idea of it. Although, that said, they are the most fertile grounds. Almost 60,000 people 'Like' Hardcore Heaven on facebook. If I could even get 1% of the people in that group to even see a post about the site - I'd be absolutely laughing.
Mah.
__________________________________
http://HardcoreHighlights.com/
Alert moderator
Edited by - _Jay_ on 2013/04/08 14:52:56 |
Ionosphere
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,750 posts Joined: Dec, 2004
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 16:09:24
quote: Originally posted by _Jay_:
Maybe that's the point, maybe I need to whore it a little bit.....
It's all so fcuking undignified and desperate though - I hate the idea of it.
Yes it is undignified mate, extremely undignified and we all know the people we despise for doing it,
but word of mouth is a bastard slow way of getting anything noticed.
imo, spam YouTube with differently but suitably named videos (all distinctly different videos) but with the same message.
You never know, the 'anoraks' of this world might even get a kick out of collecting them.
__________________________________
This- http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ionosphere THIS - http://soundcloud.com/ionosphere VIDEO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nYWkHCkaho
Alert moderator
Edited by - Ionosphere on 2013/04/08 16:10:08 |
Dys7
Advanced Member
United States
1,231 posts Joined: Nov, 2011
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 16:17:05
I do link my latest releases to my closer friends, but I can honestly say I've never spammed anyone. My way of promotion is just to get on as much media as I can. I got a great connection with a YouTuber for one of my songs (at 4,000 views now!) and Im on multiple of the upcoming 7D CDs. I feel like the best way to go about it myself is to just saturate myself around mixes, and let people come to my stuff if they like what they hear.
Perhaps get some higher-up people to pimp your site? I wouldn't call it spamming - a quick fb post from a well known DJ with "This has tons of free hardcore, check it out" would do wonders :)
I actually have a few connections that could do that, I'd be happy to ask them.
__________________________________
The above comment was likely written when I was *literally* 13, so please don't judge me too hard.
---
The Spirit at the Edge of Infinity
Check out my cheesy fiddlings here:
http://soundcloud.com/dys7dj/
Alert moderator
|
Audio Warfare
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,047 posts Joined: Mar, 2009
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 16:28:31
Maybe get speaking to some people about timed exclusive freebies that can only be downloaded direct from HH for 2 weeks or whatever. That way people have to come to you if they want things first. Still need to whore it to let people know though. ;)
__________________________________
Listen to released and forthcoming Audio Warfare/Audio Weaponry tunes here:-
http://soundcloud.com/audio-warfare
Alert moderator
|
Dys7
Advanced Member
United States
1,231 posts Joined: Nov, 2011
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 16:44:24
Id be willing to do that with my releases!
__________________________________
The above comment was likely written when I was *literally* 13, so please don't judge me too hard.
---
The Spirit at the Edge of Infinity
Check out my cheesy fiddlings here:
http://soundcloud.com/dys7dj/
Alert moderator
|
Hard2Get
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
12,837 posts Joined: Jun, 2001
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 19:16:32
quote: It's all so fcuking undignified and desperate though - I hate the idea of it.
That kind of thing is usually enough for me to automatically ignore it (unless i just happened to be interested in whatever it was, which is very unlikely). I don't think that is the way to go unless you were just trying to generate money at any cost.
Alert moderator
Edited by - Hard2Get on 2013/04/08 19:21:09 |
_Jay_
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
6,868 posts Joined: Oct, 2011
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 19:18:46
Thank you for the comments chaps.
I like the sound of a week or two's exclusivity. Hadn't thought of that. Nice.
And Mikell, getting someone of importance to give it a mention. That is a good idea, and it's one I half tried about 18 months ago. I was in e-mail contact with Gammer. He said he'd do a mix for me of all of his free tracks for the site. He didn't end up doing, and I really didn't want to pester him, some I didn't follow up on it. I also almost got Cotts to do a mix of tracks from the site, but he was slightly hesitant because he perhaps thought the individuals whose tracks were being used might be a little pissed if people were going to might site for their tracks, as opposed to their own SoundCloud pages. Fair point, I guess. I personally thought they would have been fudging chuffed to have their track showcased by Cotts full-stop! lol. He didn't actually get back to me with that e-mail for a few months (not that I'm complaining, he's a good guy for replying at all). And when he did get back to me, it was in one of my dormant, enthusiasm-lull periods. So I never actually went back to him. If I'd had my wits about me, I would have said "Understood mate, thank you. What if I were to say I'd get permission from the artists involved if you drew up a tracklist?". Shoulda woulda coulda. Muppet (me).
Mikell, who's the guy you know? Thanks for the offer. Sounds good. I'll catch you on msn later :-)
__________________________________
http://HardcoreHighlights.com/
Alert moderator
|
Hard2Get
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
12,837 posts Joined: Jun, 2001
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 19:35:45
quote: I personally thought they would have been fudging chuffed to have their track showcased by Cotts full-stop!
Yeah well. When people are offering 'free' tracks like we should be grateful then what do you expect.
Alert moderator
|
_Jay_
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
6,868 posts Joined: Oct, 2011
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 21:27:53
I'm not sure I understand what you're saying...
Another idea: Should I start including seemingly random pictures of extremely fit women? Fittest Female Raver of the Month? Cleavage of the Week?
__________________________________
http://HardcoreHighlights.com/
Alert moderator
|
Ionosphere
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,750 posts Joined: Dec, 2004
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 21:50:23
quote: Originally posted by _Jay_:
Another idea: Should I start including seemingly random pictures of extremely fit women? Fittest Female Raver of the Month? Cleavage of the Week?
....sad to say but that would probably work.
__________________________________
This- http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ionosphere THIS - http://soundcloud.com/ionosphere VIDEO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nYWkHCkaho
Alert moderator
|
_Jay_
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
6,868 posts Joined: Oct, 2011
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 22:11:09
It really would lol.
How about a downloadable rave calendar? An interactive calendar for you to keep track of all your favourite raves, with a new set of hotties featured for each month.
I think I smell my first million!!!
__________________________________
http://HardcoreHighlights.com/
Alert moderator
Edited by - _Jay_ on 2013/04/08 22:11:55 |
Hard2Get
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
12,837 posts Joined: Jun, 2001
|
Posted - 2013/04/08 : 22:19:07
Sex sells. You should also consider catering for all needs. So there could be a MILF calender, and one of girls who are 18 but look of a questionable age, for the likes of Samination. Etc...
Alert moderator
Edited by - Hard2Get on 2013/04/08 22:20:55 |