Monday 20 May 2013

Ideas for interactivity between music magazines/artists/audiences

Rhymix – each webpage will link to an online channel/music player so audiences can vote for music videos and/or songs that they wish to be played on the channel.

NME TV features a ‘chart show’ which is entirely voted for by viewers on weekdays, showing how the audience are given power in order to shape media output.

NME.com and other music websites allow users to sign up for online accounts, ‘rate’ photos and videos using a ‘star’ system and leave comments with their opinions on articles and blogs by NME writers. Users can also join forums and debate certain topics in music, such as bands splitting. NME.com advertises the fact that they ‘print the best responses each week.’ Comments on blogs, videos or news stories can then be featured on the magazine ‘letters’ page, potentially allowing audiences to shape what is contained in the magazine. These ‘comments’ therefore give audiences power to shape the eventual output of the magazine and have parts of the magazine tailored to them.

E-media has allowed audience power to increase. Sites such as Youtube and Facebook music allow users to listen to songs or watch music videos, as the website counts the number of ‘plays’ or ‘hits’ received. This can influence the artist’s ideas on which songs and videos generate most interest and therefore which directions best to pursue.

How to fit in new artists and break the domination of established artists – user submitted music – a limited playlist of demos chosen by the editorial team from those submitted by users of the site – they will be streamed and then voted on by registered users to the site – audiences can be seen to be influencing the content of the website/magazine.

Skype interviews with artists – a competition in which readers submit questions and the ten best are chosen by the editors for a skype interview.

Use of Twitter – for example, the editor of Kerrang!, James McMahon, went on Twitter to ask fans about who should go on the cover of their new music special. He’s also invited demos from new bands and applications from aspiring writers. This is a great example of how music magazines keep their audience by engaging them, infiltrating their daily lives and making them feel like they have a say in what happens.

Instagram – uploading instant photos from gigs.

Facebook – Follow on Facebook – more links to music and gigs. How else can you use it?

Reader submitted reviews of gigs – can be uploaded on the night, straight after the gig (or during) - content is constantly updated.

Reader/band submitted gig guide for your local area – found by clicking on a hyperlink on your webpage.

Competition – best journalist – submit interviews with bands (new or established) – can help encourage new writing introduce new talent – writers and artists.

Most music magazines represent a niche genre audience but the internet has made very specific targeting possible.

Competition for best music blog.

Message board for readers to interact with each other.

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