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# What Is Working? – An Indie Label & D.I.Y. Series
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/what-is-working/
- Published: 2008-12-08T03:29:00.000Z
- Updated: 2008-12-08T03:29:00.000Z
- Description: Later this week we’ll begin publishing a series of posts produced in conjunction with U.S. indie label trade group the American Association Of Independent Music (A2IM) called "What Is Working".. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2008/12/what-is-working.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: DIY Advice & Tips, Indie Music, Music Marketing, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:03

Later this week we’ll begin publishing a series of posts produced in conjunction with U.S. indie label trade group the [**American Association Of Independent Music**](http://www.a2im.org/?ref=hypebot.com) (A2IM) called **"What Is Working"**. I’ll be

[![A2im](https://spcdn.shortpixel.ai/spio/ret_img,q_cdnize/www.hypebot.com/hypebot/images/2008/12/07/a2im.jpg "A2im")](https://www.hypebot.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/12/07/a2im.jpg)

asking some of the leading figures in independent music:

- **In this fractured media landscape, what is working?**
- **What outlets and tools are helping your artists build an audience?**

The Hypebot community also has a lot to contribute to this conversation. Your comments to recent posts about the indie band [Mobile loosing](https://www.hypebot.com/after-two-years/) then [getting back](https://www.hypebot.com/band-mobile-get/) their [MySpace URL](https://www.hypebot.com/after-two-years/) and the subsequent cautionary **[Never Forget: It’s Your Data](https://www.hypebot.com/never-forget-it/)** about capturing and controling your fan data included many great suggestions.

[![Allison_sharp](https://spcdn.shortpixel.ai/spio/ret_img,q_cdnize/www.hypebot.com/hypebot/images/2008/12/07/allison_sharp.jpg "Allison_sharp")](https://www.hypebot.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/12/07/allison%5Fsharp.jpg)

  
A Simple But Brilliant Strategy That Works

One of my favorite suggestions came from indie artist [Allison Sharp](http://www.allisonsharp.com/?ref=hypebot.com), "About a year ago, I decided that every time a friend request was exchanged between myself and another MySpace, Facebook, etc. user, I would always send them a note back thanking them and also including this… "I’d like to include you in my group of friends outside of {the social network}. Please reply with your email address if you are ok with that," [she wrote](https://www.hypebot.com/never-forget-it/). "The majority of those people do reply with their personal email address. I have accumulated a large email database from this one simple habit."

If you still need convincing, Dave Hooper of [MusicMarketing.com](http://www.musicmarketing.com/music-marketing.html?ref=hypebot.com) remembered…

> "…all the bands on mp3.com who were getting MILLIONS of plays and lots of attention. Once in particular got signed to Interscope, had a big launch on radio, etc.  
>  
> Sold about 200 copies the first week.  
>  
> That wouldn’t have happened had somebody let the MILLIONS of people who downloaded know the album was available. And they could have saved a ton of money on radio, which obviously wasn’t very effective in doing the job."

Dave’s right and thank-you Allison for sharing a major part of the solution.   
  
**HYPEBOT READERS: Share with us "What Is Working" for you?**