Treasures in the Tip Jar

Wendy Vickers is considered a “fan’s fan”. Over her four decades of being a fan of someone or another, she’s made dozens of friendships with fans all over the world. Wendy also earned the respect of both famous and up and coming local musicians with her solid, positive support and encouragement for their work.

Now, Wendy shares her tips and secrets of successful fandom on her latest CD audiobook “Treasures In the Tip Jar: The Art of Awesome Fan Support.” Wendy reveals the key to getting noticed by artists for the right reasons…giving fan support in the most meaningful and positive ways. “The message here is how to support the work first and foremost…and bring blessings to the artists and benefits to yourself that you may never have thought possible,” she says.

Topics covered on "Treasures In the Tip Jar: The Art of Awesome Fan Support" include:

- Ways to give direct fan support - creating a buzz
- How to write a fabulous fan letter
- Do's and don'ts when up close with the artists
- The joys of fan/artist communities
- When it stops being fun
- Tips for the artists: creating and keeping a loyal fan base

Producer/Engineer: Michael Loonan
Recorded at REM Video and Event Studio, Minneapolis, MN and Loonan Studios, St. Paul, MN
Editing & Mastering: Loonan Studios
Writer/Narrator: Wendy Vickers
Additional Voices: Laura Ayotte, Michael Loonan, Kelly McSweeney-Loonan, Bill Scherer, Angie Steenberg
Photography and Cover Design: Michael Loonan
Duplication: Copy Cats Digital Media
Music: “He’s Here Again” by Michael Loonan © 1994

Here's what musicians and fans have to say about "Treasures In the Tip Jar":

"WOW!" I am sincerely impressed with the whole thing. It is quite evident that you spoke from years of research and experience. I was amazed at how you touched on every aspect of artist/fan relations, leaving no stone unturned... you presented a very positive perspective for both fans and artists to build a solid, productive "relationship", and you covered all the bases, even points that might seem trivial to some. But these are not so trivial after all, when put in perspective of building a solid foundation for fan support and artist relations. This is awesome! Every artist and every fan needs a copy of this!!
-John Lanier, John Lanier Ministries, Millport, AL

"Wendy Vickers is someone who recognizes that a performer's career cannot be built without fans- they are as much a part of the equation as the artist! "Treasures in the Tip Jar- the Art of Awesome Fan Support" contains useful insights and information for all performing artists as well as their fans."
- Chris Osgood, Director of Artist Services, Springboard for the Arts, St. Paul, MN

"...Some good slice-of-life stories that are loosely connected to tipping"...
- Taylor Mason, Comedian, Musician, Ventriloquist, Entertainer, Actor

"Treasurers In the Tip Jar" is right where I am at. After listening to this, I was able to put into perspective some of the feelings and frustrations I am having. Wendy hit the nail on the head for me and I am sure for many others out there. I highly recommend this CD, whether you are a fan or an artist. It really tells the story. Thanks, Wendy for the "helps" found in "Treasures In the Tip Jar."

"While at first it may seem to be a rather common sense or matter-of-fact subject matter, Wendy brings a new spin to the table that I dare say most people have never thought of. While most of us would tend to focus on the "what NOT to do’s" of this topic, Wendy actually focuses on the positive elements of supporting one’s favorite artist or writer. I tend to believe it happens to be because of her positive outlook on life. It’s refreshing to hear creative, tangible ways that we can "make it all worthwhile" for the artist. I also very much enjoy the conversational tone of the book. It feels very much like Wendy is sitting on the sofa having a chat over coffee. "Tip Jar" is really applicable to ALL SORTS of life situations. As she says, this is a compilation of her 40+ years as a "fan’s fan" and all of the experiences that go with those years. It’s only natural that the same things would happen time and again."

"As with her first audio book project, "Out Of The Jar....And Into The World" (2002), Wendy offers up tips and hints that apply to both the secular world and also the Christian world. Quite simply, she uses terms like "blessing" and "encourage", striking a delicate balance in the world of "walking a fine line" between secular and Christian music. She is able to reach both audiences, something most crossover artists would give anything to achieve. Wendy has surrounded herself with the best team of "behind the scenes" people in the region. Her long time pal Mike Loonan is nothing short of a creative genius in his ideas to further Wendy’s already solid writing. His step-daughter makes a cameo as a typical teen fan, amusing to this mother of a teen fan!"

"As I’ve told Wendy before, the thing that makes what she does great is NO ONE else is saying/doing it. She has found a niche and has filled it well...when the VP of Daywind records told her, in my presence, that he’d given her CD to a group that I already considered a contender in their own right, I knew my friend was on her way! "
- Jodie King, Evansville, IN