A while ago, I was browsing the web and stumbled onto a news headline that announced Conan O’Brien had changed the opening credits of his show in response to a fan’s input.
So I watched the video (below).
Here’s the dime-tour of the story for those of you who don’t have time to watch the video…
One of Conan’s fans noticed the bass clef was in the wrong place on the musical staff during his opening credits, which he pointed out in a video he posted on YouTube.
Conan saw the video, and made the change to his opening credits during his show in front of his audience, on national TV.
His fans were thrilled because he involved them.
My Personal Fan Story
Recently I was asked by Chris Catania to share my favorite concert story as a fan.
The funny thing is, I don’t have one. Not in the traditional sense anyway.
My favorite experiences at live performances came from the other side of the stage. The performance side. The times I was more than just a fan in the crowd.
The times I was involved.
There were times I volunteered to help with concert set-up and teardown for bands I liked. And there was one time I was a "roadie" for a theatrical production I loved – touring the eastern United States with the cast and crew.
Other fans asked for my autograph because they saw I was "with the band." The show manager even let me keep my stage pass when I left the tour, so I could hang out with them backstage whenever they came to my city.
But even when all I was doing was taping down wires on the stage (called a "gaffer" for you non-roadies), I was still having the time of my life.
Why?
I was on stage with my idols. I was helping them put on the show.
How Can You Give Your Readers Their Own Fan Story?
As a blogger, I feel it’s important to give as many readers as I can their own fan story by finding a way to help them feel involved in what I do.
The question is: what steps can you take to get your readers involved?
It might be answering their question in a blog post, or sending them an e-mail asking for input, or perhaps by involving a few of them to help get a project off the ground like Johnny B. Truant has done with his Badass Project.
The Bottom Line
If you can find a way to give readers a fan experience they can brag about, you’ll be building brand ambassadors that tell everyone who will listen how awesome you are.
By getting them involved, you gave them an experience they’ll never forget.
And they’ll love telling the story because by telling it, they’re really showing off how "cool" they are because they got to help you put on your "show" – borrowing some of your fame for themselves and promoting you in the process.
How about you? Do you have a fan story? A time an A-Lister in your niche got you involved with their "show?" If so, share it in the comments below along with any ideas you have on how bloggers can give their readers a fan story of their own.
Related articles:
- The Ravings of a True Fan
- Are You Ready for the Best Damn Ride of Your Life?
- How to Find the Gold in Your Business (from Copyblogger)
- Build the Perfect Blog Audience for You (from Problogger)
- Fans, Participants and Spectators (from Seth Godin)
- How to Turn Visitors into Raving Fans (from Chris Garrett)
Coco is an undeniably great example of internet fandom done right. Other greats – OK Go and Weezer.
Trent Reznor should win some sort of award for his out-and-out balls of steel when it comes to releasing ALL the audio and video he recorded for an album for free, allowing fans to mix it on their own and release their own music videos and then gift him what they thought the album was worth.
You see this kind of fan-driven-content-creation a lot in the unconference (*camp) space. PodCamp, CareerCamp, FreelanceCamp — these places give you the kind of freedom to teach about something you know without the pressure of a podium and a spotlight. Attendees love it because they’re not getting lectured to by “experts” and participants love it because it’s so low-pressure, you can jump up, teach something, and disappear again.
The trick is, if someone comes along and does it better, faster, and free-er than you, your previous business model isn’t going to last very long. Your USP will either save you (and convince people to keep paying you for your source material) or you’ll have to write a new tune.
-Nick Armstrong
Well said Nick.
You have a nice community arround your site Logan!
You bet we do! Only the coolest of the cool people hang out here.
Logan, this is a great idea. I know that reader’s love it when you ask them their opinion on something. I try to involve them every week with questions about what they think.
It’s worked very well. Many bloggers ignore their commenters, which makes no sense to me. I treat mine like gold and they return over and over.
asking someone to guest post is a good story. adding 30 days of mini-guest posts works well.
I try to stay away from things that make me keep reacher higher and higher — having to outdo oneself takes away the joy.
Slow and steady and caring wins the blogging race.
g.
I agree. The better you treat your people, the more they’ll want to be involved.
What a interesting read and great idea.
Glad you liked it Frankie!
I’ve started a periodic series of “True Stories” where I interview one of my folks and use their story to illustrate one of my business points in a post written magazine-style. The current one posted today. The response has been promising as the subjects are thrilled to be there and tell their friends. I just started this, almost on a whim, but it’ll be a keeper.
The post just before got a lot of talk too – it was an interactive tell all
Another point – my personal policy is to reply to every commenter – it seems rude to ignore that someone took the time and effort.
That’s a great idea Monette!
Hi Logan,
(My first time here so ‘hello’ – no pointing and shouting “newbie”)
This post is spot on – I ask businesses on my network what marketing issues they want answers to, and then write a series of posts based on their answers.
Hopefully it gives them some vested interest in reading the content, and also gives them something of value, which is what we’re all about right?
You’re exactly right Lucy. Make it about them, and they’ll be hungry for more. Glad you liked the post, and welcome!
I am a musician so this just makes me love Conan all the more. Great article and tip!