1) Is The Free Trial Really Free?
Yes, you'll get to send one Band Letter for free. If you're not completely satisfied, you will be free to cancel your subscription at no charge.

2) What do you mean, it's cheaper than if I do it myself?
It's really true, using Band Letter is cheaper than doing it yourself. We've looked at prices for dozens of HTML email service providers, and most of them charge $20 or more, without providing you with any of the great services Band Letter offers for free. In addition to helping you send out your email, we'll also help you sell your music and merchandise. On top of that, we'll help you develop exciting content to keep your fans interested. We have tremendous expertise promoting musicians like you, and we're ready to work for you. At just $19.95 per month, the service cannot be beat!

3) What information do I need to provide in order to get started?
Here's what we'll need to put together your first Band Letter:

• Your Logo
  
• Your Photo
  
• Brief Letter To Your Fans
  
• Upcoming Shows
  
• Where Your CDs Are Sold
  
• Is Your Music On iTunes?
  
• Your E-Mailing List
  
• One Free MP3
  
• Your Snail Mail Address
  
  

4) Will my newsletter be customized?
Yes! We'll use a color from your logo to create the background for your Band Letter, and your logo will appear prominently at the top. Inside your newsletter, we'll direct your fans where to go to buy your music and merchandise. We'll also help you to promote your shows and on-air appearances.

5) Is Band Letter compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003?
Yes, you're in good hands. As a Band Letter customer, we will help make sure that you are compliant with the law.

For example, the law stipulates that all commercial email:

• Must not present misleading information in the From field or header information. Band Letter sets your header information for you, and allows you to send using your own, validated email address.
  
  
• Must include a link for (and, of course, honor) unsubscribe requests. Band Letter automatically adds an unsubscribe link to every email sent and manages the unsubscribe requests for you.
  
  
• Must conspicuously state that all commercial, promotional mail is an advertisement, unless all recipients have opted in. As a Band Letter customer, you will be using permission-based lists. Subscription tools and intelligent list filters will help you ensure your lists are strictly opt-in.
  
  

6) Are there any rules for using Band Letter?
Yes! Here are the Band Letter Rules:

• We need 72 hours notice before any Band Letter goes out in order to prepare it. Please send us the text at least 72 hours in advance of send. If the circumstances are extenuating (i.e. it is time sensitive – you just booked a last minute appearance) we are happy to accommodate.
  
  
• If you need a full consultation or extra writing or revisions there will be a $50 consultation fee.
  
  
• When you participate in Cyber PR you receive design and set up plus 1 month of Band Letter included. After that the monthly fee is $19.99 (for up to 2 band letters). If you like the service after a month we require that you set up a recurring PayPal pament or you send us a check for $19.99 made out to Ariel Publicity by the 1st of each month.
  
  
• If you would like a third Band Letter (or more) in a one-month period there will be an additional $10 charge per Band Letter.
  
  
• Bandletter includes 500 e-mail names in the basic $19.99 package. We charge a penny per name on your list after that and you will be billed accordingly.
  
  

7) Why should I give away a free MP3? I want to sell my music!
The MP3 you give away doesn't have to be a studio recording; it can be a live recording from a recent show. The important thing is that you show your fans that you love them, and that it's not all about money. If you're lucky, that free MP3 will enable your fans to turn new people on to your music.

8) I am not a touring artist Why do I need Band Letter?
We know a little statistic here at Band Letter - that statistic is this: an established customer is 8X more likely to buy from you than a new customer. So if you think of your fans as "customers" (and  you should you are in a business if you are an indie artist making any money from touring or selling your music) this means that your established fans are 8X more likely to continue to support you and buy from you!

Band Letter is a great way of letting your fans know that you have new merch, new tracks online to sell and keep them up to date on what you are doing. You can also offer free MP3s (we embed them in each Band Letter) as a way of thanking fans for being part of your community.

9) We are in the studio - we have nothing to say to our fans for several months!
You want your fans to be a part of your journey, and what you’re doing in the studio is a really important part of that journey.  If you send your fans a “studio diary” giving them an inside look at the recording process, they’ll feel like they’re a part of the experience.  Make your fans feel like “insiders,” and they’ll be filled with anticipation waiting for the album to come out.