DFTBA Records knows how to use the internet

DFTBA Records is an independent music label created by Alan Lastufka and Hank Green to promote and sell music by YouTubers. All of the artists on the label have strong followings on YouTube and are talented musicians who need a way to distribute their work.

Promotions, sales, song previews, and news updates are all online for DFTBA Records. They have no need for TV spots or other traditional advertisements, and the incredible thing is that they've been really successful so far. So Jokes hit #22 on the Billboard "Hits of the Web" chart in May 2009. Chameleon Circuit sold 1,000 copies in one week. Two hundred DFTBA t-shirts sold out in less than a day.

The key to their success is how they use the internet to promote their work. The artists make YouTube videos to talk about and share their music. DFTBA Radio Hour offers commentary and plays DFTBA Records music in podcast form every Wednesday night. Alan utilizes Twitter to give updates on albums and projects. There's a wiki. There's a street team. There are competitions. There's a blog. DFTBA Records is all over the web in text, video, and audio formats to reach and interact with its audience.

I don't watch much TV anymore, I don't read magazines often, and I rarely listen to the radio. The best way to get my attention is on the internet, and I bet that's the same for a lot of teens and young adults out there. DFTBA Records has a solid grip on how to stay in touch with fans and sell music online. That's more than can be said of music labels that depend solely on a company site and iTunes for an internet presence.