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# What I Learned At NMS: One Call To Action
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/what-i-learned-at-nms-one-call-to-action/
- Published: 2010-07-28T05:44:00.000Z
- Updated: 2010-07-28T05:44:00.000Z
- Description: This post is by Ryan Van Etten (@ryanve), Editor/Producer of VirtualMusic.tv; he was our featured corespondent at New Music Seminar in New York. "Why make your own website? You own. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2010/07/what-i-learned-at-nms-one-call-to-action.html]
- Author: admin
- Tags: DIY Advice & Tips, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:59

*This post is by *Ryan Van Etten* ([@ryanve](http://twitter.com/ryanve?ref=hypebot.com)), Editor/Producer of *[VirtualMusic.tv](http://virtualmusic.tv/author/ryanve/?ref=hypebot.com)*; he was our featured corespondent at New Music Seminar in New York.*

"**Why make your own website? You own it.**  
**You own the** **experience**." – Chris Vinson, Founder, [Bandzoogle](http://bandzoogle.com/?ref=hypebot.com). 

![One Way](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/farm4-static-flickr-com/3592/3763167525_976ab38963.jpg)

Since before you heard of Google, **Chris Vinson** has been designing musician websites. Like many today, he was in a band that needed a website. He did what anyone with enough determination would have done—he built it.

1000+ people were on his email list before email was a staple. Based on the success of his band's site, he was later hired by his record label to build hundreds more. In 2004, he launched [Bandzoogle](http://bandzoogle.com/?ref=hypebot.com)—now a comprehensive, subscription, website platform for musicians.

**"Decide an important action** 
**and encourage fans to do that action."**

Tracking website analytics for years, Vinson has concluded that "elaborate sites lose traffic." **Simple is better.** Having a complicated, all-Flash website is self-defeating. "Flash sucks" was rule #1 in his 18-minute intensive at NMS about 'how to make an artist website that rocks.' He echoed [these rules](https://www.hypebot.com/6-rules-to-make-a-band-website-that-rocks/) and really drove the idea of having exactly one concept per page. Have one *call to action*—e.g. 'download this' or 'become a fan on Facebook.'

There are three phases according to Vinson: **Attract** fans from social networks a.k.a. "outposts." **Engage** them with a "compelling fan experience." **Sell** through simple calls to action. "Artist websites emphasize an artist's own brand." Make it personal. "**Frequent updates = repeat visits.**"

![Chris Vinson 0374](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/farm5-static-flickr-com/4142/4821316374_76af84a924_z.jpg)

Bandzoogle founder Chris Vinson explains how to make an artist website that rocks.

> Brand isn't something you sell. It's not schilling other people's products, and it's not selling out. Brand is what you stand for." – **Liz Leahy**, Co-Founder, [Section 101](http://section101.com/?ref=hypebot.com).

What about fan mailing lists? What's the right frequency? [Ariel Hyatt](http://twitter.com/CyberPR?ref=hypebot.com) suggests **one email per month**.

Each should contain a single call to action—a different call to action each month. Disc Makers CEO **Tony Van Veen** said, "Retain mindshare. Don't let them forget about you." and "Add value in your communication." Everything you do online is communication and should reflect your brand vision.