Phil Gates Street Team FAQ
What is the Phil Gates Street Team?
What is the point of a street team?
Do I need to have promotions experience to join?
What kind of promotion can we get involved in?
What if I have other ideas of my own?
How do people win Golden Gates passes?
What are the Phil Gates Street Team Code of Ethics?
Okay, so now I'm a member of the team. What exactly does that mean?
Where do I get flyers, posters, widgets, banners and fan sign up links from?
How do I report what I’ve done?
What is the Phil Gates Street Team?
The Phil Gates Street Team are a group of the Phil Gates Band’s most
passionate fans, who have a common desire to help promote the
Phil Gates Band mission throughout the year.
What is the point of a street team?
A street team is a collection of volunteers from the fan base who
want to help promote Phil, his music and his live shows. To thank
them for their work, they are offered a range of rewards at various
times during the year - these can range from promotional freebies to
a chance to meet Phil or get special access at live shows. It doesn't
cost anything to join and all you have to do is fill out the form here
at reverbnation.com, our Street Team Sign-Up Page.
Do I need to have promotions experience to join?
You do not need prior experience to join our team. We realize your
participation is a good-will gesture, and appreciate what you can
bring to the table.
What is the commitment?
Signing up only registers your interest in helping to promote
Phil Gates Band Tours and shows. The specifics of what you will do
depend on how much time you have, and how much you
want to do.
What does the Street Team do?
Street Team members share their enthusiasm through a number of
fun activities with the goal of increasing awareness of Phil Gates.
These activities include:
At Festivals and Clubs:
1 – Visit Blues booths and talk about the PGB
2 – Wear PGB sticker/PGB t-shirt
3 – Hang out and share your PGB stories
4 – Pick up and distribute Street Team referral cards
5 – Spread Phil Gates Band news
In Advance:
6 – Flyer area clubs and record stores
7 – Gather info about local clubs and radio shows with contacts so
we can set up interviews and research which clubs to go to. It is
very important that clubs feature national touring
acts on a regular basis.
What kind of promotion can we get involved in?
There are two main ways you can get involved in promoting Phil
- online and offline. You can
choose to do either, or both of these depending on where you live
and what your circumstances are. Some of you might also have special
skills or contacts that you can use to help with promotions. For
example, you may have a job which involves a lot of travel, so
that you can promote out of your home region. You may write
for a student paper, or have a popular online blog where you can
review PGB music or display banners. You may work in a
shop or bar, which can play PGB music, distribute flyers or display
posters, run a club night where his music can be played, or you
may have design skills, which you can use to make
things like T-shirts.
Online promotions - some ideas:
· Promote the Phil Gates Band using Facebook and Twitter!
This is easy to do. Use your status updates to post updates and
news about the Phil Gates Band. For example: “I can’t wait to
see the Phil Gates Band tonight!” or to invite others to join you.
The more friends you have on Facebook and Twitter, the more
people who see it!
· Promote the Phil Gates Band on Music and Blues Blogs and sites!
This is simple. Just keep your topics centered on the Phil Gates Band.
For example you could say, “Have you heard the new Phil Gates CD
Addicted To The Blues? My favorite is Evening Train. What’s your
favorite?” The more you post, the more interest you will draw.
• Use currently available web banners and widgets prominently on
your online spaces such as Myspace, Facebook, Live Journal, Yahoo
Groups, Friendster, Xanga or on your own
website if you have one.
• Use web banners or links in your signature line on forums or e-mails
• Have the latest single or your own favorite PGB song in your profile
music player
• Use the bulletin or blog feature on social networking sites to post
PGB-related news, songs, or videos
• Use your favourite lyric in your signature line and have it link back to
PhilGates.com
• Use internet blogging to talk about why you love Phil's music and
what his music means to you, review shows that you've been to,
announce new tour dates or other info, or discuss new music.
• Start topics on message boards where people may be interested
in learning what Phil is up to, or comment on other threads, stories
or blogs where opinions are asked for or information requested. It's
a good way to share your positive insights about the music as
a fan, or explain things of which others might not be aware. But
remember - don't annoy other forum users by spamming, getting
into fights or being rude!
• Send your own show or music reviews to online music journals,
e-zines, and music sites· Contribute reviews or photos to
PhilGates.com or Phil’s Facebook, Twitter, Live Blues World,
and Reverbnation pages.
• Vote for Phil in polls, opinion surveys, favorites lists, etc as
they are announced.
Offline promotions - some ideas:
• Distribute printed flyers anywhere where you feel they will
attract the attention of people who may enjoy Phil's music.
Some suitable places might include: colleges, high schools,
coffee shops, music stores, book stores, internet cafes, libraries,
restaurants, bars, clubs, tattoo parlors, shopping malls, arcades,
street fairs, film festivals, movie screenings, theatre lobbies,
or anywhere there is a noticeboard for community use. However
- please note that it is very important to get permission before
putting up posters or leaving flyers in a public place.
• Wear your favorite Phil Gates T-shirt out and about, or make
your own. Talk it up with friends, family, co-workers, anybody
who is interested!
• Call your local record store and ask about new singles or
albums so staff are aware of impending releases.
• Visit local stores (maybe you know someone who works there?)
and check to see if the new CD is displayed well. You could politely
suggest display ideas to the store owner/employee if it isn't!
• Call local radio stations and request the latest single or other
new music.
• Write a review of the latest single, album or show for your
local or college newspaper's music section
• Buy Phil Gates CDs (don't make illegal copies!!) as gifts for
friends or family who you think might enjoy them.
• Remind your friends via text messaging a week ahead of the
show to buy their tickets via mass text.
• Instant Messaging (AIM, MSN / Yahoo Messenger): Remind
friends of upcoming shows via instant messenger.
• If you know local artists who are also fans, have them
announce the upcoming tour date at their performance.
What if I have other ideas of my own?
Go for it! We love really creative teaming and the more original
your idea is, the more points you stand to earn - as long as it
falls within the general do's and don't below. If in doubt, ask us
for advice. You can even share successful new ideas with the
rest of the team worldwide!
How do people win Golden Gates passes?
There are two ways to win a PGB Golden Gates pass from
PhilGates.com. Through the fan club (on reverbnation) and through
the street team.
Management receives 4 PGB passes at each concert for the
members. Those passes are given out randomly and each member
can win one pass a year.
The street team is given 2 PGB passes at each concert for the team
members. These passes are awarded based on the promotional effort
the team members did on behalf of Phil in that city.
Phil Gates Street Team Ethics Very Important!
• If security asks you to stop distributing handbills or promoting, stop.
• It’s way more fun and safe to Post with friends.
• Always ask permission if posting flyers inside a store, venue, or any
business. Without permission, a store owner will just throw away your
promo materials and that's just a waste. Bring your own clear sticky
tape or stapler with you and don't obscure other up-to-date
notices or flyers. Try to open up communication channels with store
employees so that they are more informed about and sympathetic to
your teaming efforts. This creates a good relationship and reflects
positively on the team.
• DON'T damage property or do anything illegal. In most parts of the
world it is illegal to attach stuff to things like lampposts, commercial
buildings, bus stops and other public properties. Don't waste your time
or your printer ink on street teaming activities that aren't going to do
any good and could possibly end up getting you - and the street team
- into serious trouble!
• DO remember to get evidence of your teaming activities and report
it so that you can receive points, which count towards rewards. You
can keep e-mails, take screenshots, note down URLs or take photos of
special activities. We know some activity is unverifiable, but we do need
verification in most cases - consult us if in doubt!
• If you see that a bulletin board in a venue or store is covered only in
thumb tacks and no staples, use thumb tacks.
• Clear tape looks much better than duct or masking tape and is
easier to take off of windows.
• No malicious postings on other band sites/blogs, we all love music,
and it’s just a bad vibe to even go down that road.
• Post PGB photos and comments to pages that allow this, and
remove items if asked.
• No Spamming! We want you to spread the word about PGB. Although
fans of other music might appreciate some information about what
Phil is up to, be sensitive and don't blitz them with unwanted advertising.
Always include a statement giving the reader the option to unsubscribe.
If they request it, remove them from your email list immediately.
• DO go for quality rather than quantity in your teaming. We're looking
for effective street teaming, not ineffective teaming in bulk. How well
you can follow this rule will determine the perks you will receive in the
long run.
• The objective of the street team is to make more people aware of who
Phil is, what he's done in the past, and most importantly, what he is
doing now and in the future. Not everyone will share your tastes and if
you come on too strong people are less likely to listen with an open mind.
• DON'T be rude! How you present yourself both on the street and online
reflects back on the team and ultimately, Phil. It's better to communicate
in a positive way. Don't be tempted to get into flame wars, fights or
slanging matches. If someone is needlessly rude or hostile, ignore them.
• DO have fun! Ultimately the goal of a street teamer is create an
awareness of their favorite artist, but it's also about having fun doing it.
Of course the perks are nice, but working for them shouldn't be a chore
for you. If you're not enjoying doing this, you're doing something wrong!!
Okay, so now I'm a member of the team. What exactly does that mean?
As a member of Phil Gates's Street Team you’ll be receiving a newsletter
from Debbie or Tony, the team leaders every few weeks. They'll keep you
up to date on the latest fan voting opportunities, as well as contests and
campaigns that only members of the street team will get to be a part of.
We’ll be doing things on the Internet and in your home communities, so
I hope you’re all set to go! The name of the game is promoting
Phil Gates's music.
Do I get POINTS for my work?
We don’t have a “points” system per se, but we do track everything each
Street Team Member sends to us in as far as proof of involvement. This
will go far towards rewards.
What are MISSIONS?
Missions are tasks that team leader assigns to the team members. These
tasks include the following:
1) Distributing promotional material at shows, festivals, college campuses,
high schools, etc.
2) Posting banners online to let friends as well as strangers know about
Phil Gates and his music.
3) Playing PGB music online to get the band/video to the #1 spot on the
Statistics page on Reverbnation.
Just to name a few ways…
Where do I get flyers, posters, widgets, banners and fan sign up links
from?
You can get most resources here on the Street Team Resources page and
also at the reverbnation Phil Gates Band page
How do I grow my e-mail list?
• Collect e-mails at concerts and shows.
• Compile a list of friends’ e-mails.
• Research press contact e-mails online
Send information about upcoming tour dates at least two or three weeks
in advance to local newspapers and blogs to post in the concert listing.
Most local papers have a website where you can find the music editor’s
e-mail.
How do I report what I’ve done?
Email all photos(low res), email blasts, and URL links to
Streetteam@philgates.com.
We all want you to have as much fun as possible as a Phil Gates
Street Team member, and appreciate your efforts. The more you do, the
more rewards. We hope to have you backstage hanging with us as a
reward for being a very productive Street Team Member!
Sign up now!