I just got back from a quick trip to the Big Apple … the city that never sleeps … the Home of the Whopper … or at least 2 out of 3:  New York, NY.  Nimbit participated in A2IM‘s Tech Day focusing on Social Networking, and we couldn’t have been happier to be involved.

The panel was moderated by Ted Cohen , who (quite thankfully) kept things interesting, focused, and on topic.  Panelists  included Dorothy Hui from Wind Up Records, Jon Satterley from Roadrunner Records, Dick Huey from Toolshed along with folks from Razor and Tie.

During the discussion an interesting point was raised by Dorothy and Jon:  Sometimes social networking isn’t right for everyone.  Your best bet is to find the platform which is most compelling to your fans and make the most of it.  For some, that’s Twitter, and for others it’s Facebook.  That doesn’t mean you should ignore everything else, but it helps to identify your fans, market to them, and develop relationships.  While Nickleback (a Roadrunner band) doesn’t use Twitter, their popularity/sales/gigs remain solid.

Curiously, there’s a Facebook group asking if a pickle can get more fans than Nickelback.  For the record, the pickle currently has 1,485,449 to Nickelback’s 1,380,820.  But, Satterley went on to say that “the only thing worse than being talked about is NOT being talked about.”  While he was borrowing from Oscar Wilde, he has a pretty solid point.  For Nickelback, this works.  But imagine separating Amanda Palmer from Twitter?  It’d be like removing a limb.

The panel went on to discuss various successful (and not-so-successful) social marketing strategies.  The recurring message was to build affinity with your fans, provide compelling, or at least interesting) content, and make sure it’s a two-way conversation.  From there, once engaged, give your fans something of value to buy, and build your empire!

Not coincidentally, this is the message Nimbit has been giving to all of our artists.  Creating a direct to fan model is about engaging fans coupled with creating unique, compelling sales opportunities.  Sometimes you’re “selling” a free download.  Other times it’s an autographed disc, or a private concert.  But, as Jon Satterley pointed out, “it’s all hugs and puppies, ’til you say give us some money.”  When the time comes to actually make a sale, it’s not about how many fans you have on Facebook.  It’s about the quality of the relationship, and the interest in the offer.

That’s the strategy you need to develop — and that’s what Nimbit helps you with ….