How to utilise NFC tags as an artist
How to utilise NFC tags as an artist
NFC technology presents a valuable opportunity for artists to tap into offline marketing.
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How to utilise NFC tags as an artist
With just a few simple steps, artists can create physical NFC tags that fans can scan with their smartphones.
Why it matters
It’s standard marketing practice for artists to transition fans between ecosystems like Instagram and Spotify. However, bridging the gap from offline events, such as live shows, to online platforms can be challenging.
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a popular technology for wireless communication between two devices close to each other. Contactless smartphone payments with Apple Pay or Google Pay are widely accepted examples of NFC usage.
Most Android models and iPhone 7 and newer running iOS 13+, support reading and writing NFC tags. People use it daily to pay or to travel by public transport.
Hence, NFC technology presents a valuable opportunity for artists to tap into offline marketing by creating physical NFC tags that fans can easily scan with their smartphones.
How it works
Creating NFC tags is a straightforward process:
Purchase NFC tags: Buy NFC tags online, available in various forms such as cards, stickers, and even plectrums. They are cheap, typically around €0.10 per piece when bought in bulk.
Download an app: Get an NFC tag-writing app for your smartphone, like NFC Tools (iOS/Android).
Write Data to NFC tags: Open the app, choose 'write,' and add a record, such as the artist's TikTok URL. Write this data to the NFC tag by holding the smartphone close.
A popup appears when someone scans the NFC tag with their smartphone, prompting them to launch the artist’s TikTok.
The possibilities are almost endless. Some ideas:
Scan an NFC tag to share the artist’s music on Spotify.
Add NFC stickers to posters and let fans scan the posters to buy concert tickets.
Scan an NFC card to launch the artist’s Instagram with a follow request.
Add NFC stickers to specific city locations. Create a Pokemon Go-style campaign for downloading new music.
Create a limited edition batch of custom NFC cards, add something unique like a voice memo, and sell it as merch.
Yes, but..
NFC connections lack security measures such as passwords. While convenient, artists should remain vigilant about security breaches when scanning NFC tags.
Take action now
Buy a few NFC tags and start experimenting with NFC.
Further reading
How to share a Spotify playlist using an NFC Tag (NFC Pro Tutorial on YouTube)
How to use download codes on Bandcamp (The Fanbase Builder)