For the producers, rappers, and music entrepreneurs who read this site, you will know that I often pursue business interests in other areas besides Hip Hop/Rap but I always come back with something interesting to share that I think can translate to the music business. So today I want to talk about reviews!
A little background:
In late September I created an Etsy shop where I sell several kinds of rolling papers.
Etsy has a great marketplace and its customers are willing to take a risk on new shop BUT just like with any other shop or online market place, you want to have reviews. People are just more willing to shop with you if they see 50+ reviews compared to 3.
Now I read and have heard different ratios that say on average for etsy, you will get 1 review for every 10 or 25 customers you have. So if someone had 320 sales (249 completed orders), like I do, they should expect to have about 10 to 25 reviews but notice above that my shop actually has 65! That is a ratio of not only just 1 review, but one 5 star review for every 4 customers on average! To put this in perspective, another shop in the same category as me, has 1144 sales but only 46 reviews.
Why do I have a great ratio for reviews?
Every day or two, I go and I check what orders have been delivered. I then send a message to the customer saying something like the following;
“1. I want to make sure they got to you safely and undamaged.
2. Are you enjoying them?:)
3. Is there any chance you could leave a review on Etsy?
4. Here is a discount code for your next purchase.”
That’s the special trick, reaching out to the customers.
How does this translate to me? a music entrepreneur, rapper, or producer?
For a beatmaker, graphic designer, etc. I would recommend reaching out to all of your previous customers, no matter how long its been since they purchased something from you, be it a design or beat, etc. Its about to be December, if you have been selling for a little bit you should have data of your customers.
Reach out to these customers and email / dm them a message that goes a little something like;
“Hey (rappers name);
I am messaging you because;
- Hows everything been since you purchased (instrumental name)?
- If possible, would you leave a review or comment on (your site, beatstars, instagram, etc)
- Is there anything I can do to for you?
- Here’s a discount code for your next purchase”
That is it everyone, seriously.
I know a lot of people in this game focus a lot on getting customers but then never do, what I would call, customer maintenance. I mean, ok, say you sold 250 beats this year, great! But how many of those were repeat customers?