The major reason behind making music is to have someone listen to it. Making good music is great, but there is no point in making one without having an audience to listen to it.
Also, building your music career does not only involves creating good music. It involves building yourself a fanbase that supports you and your music content.
We know how important a fanbase is to your music career. And this is why we have collated some ideas on how you can build your fanbase as a musician. Ready? Let's dive in!
What Is a Fanbase?
A fanbase is a group of people who consume and engage with your content regularly or from time to time. They can also be regarded as people who support you and your content.
Hence, people who follow popular artists on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify can also be regarded as their fanbase.
Fans are an important part of an artist's journey; without them, no artist would exist. A fan is someone who can relate to you and your music. We all know being surrounded by people who can relate to your work is something every music artist desire. Of course, we all need people who would genuinely support us!
When building your fanbase, you should know that you're responsible for attracting your ideal fans. The dedication and quality of content you produce is one of the factors that will determine the success of creating a loyal fanbase.
Building your fanbase should be more about your fans than you. This means whenever you're creating music or putting out your content, you should have your fans in mind. You should ask yourself some questions: How your content affects your fans? What can you do to deliver your content well to them? All of these questions will help you build a fanbase of great supporters.
Importance of Building a Fanbase as a Music Artist
As an artist, you are not creating your music for your ears alone; you need people who will listen and engage with your music. This is where having a fanbase comes in.
Having a fanbase as a music artist is like having a group of supporters that cheers you on by buying, streaming, and downloading your music. A solid fanbase is a great way to improve your visibility and social media reach. Your audience can help you like, comment, and share your content on social media platforms, increasing your reach as an artist.
Furthermore, revenue generation is something having a great fanbase will help you achieve. From streaming your music online to buying your album, ticket, and merchandise, your fanbase can help you generate great revenue. After all, making money is the primary goal, right?
Still talking about revenue, your fanbase is an indirect but important determinant of the deals and endorsements you close.
Also, your fanbase can be used to measure your growth and milestone achievements. The size of your fanbase can help you determine how well you're doing in your career and how far you've come.
The number of fans you've built over time, the comments, and the engagements you receive from them indicates how well you are doing. Moreover, the number of albums, tickets, and merchandise you sell during your show indicates how great your fanbase is.
Building Your Fanbase as a Musical Artist
Below are some ways you can build your fanbase as a musician:
1. Know Your Target Audience and Create Your Brand
You should first learn how the music market works when building your fanbase. You ought to know who your target audiences are as well as your competition.
As a music artist that knows their music style, you must have envisioned the type of audience you want for your music. You should be able to identify who your audience is and if they can relate to your type of music. You should know their personality, music taste, the artists they are following, their age range, gender, and more!
Also, when trying to figure out your audience, remember that your music is not for everyone. Some people will like your music while others won't because everyone has different tastes in music. Just focus on people who will find your music enjoyable and keep creating content that suits them.
As you try to understand your target audience, you should take a look at artists who occupy the same niche. These artists are also working actively to keep their audience engaged.
Find out what your successful competitors are doing and emulate or modify it to perform better. Like how your competition engages their fans, the hashtags they use, and their content strategy, but get creative with it. Also, look out for content they are leaving out that might interest fans if you put it out.
For instance, most artists focus on making music, doing live shows, and that's all. You can make things a little different by introducing new content and strategies that can get your audience hooked on your content.
2. Explore & Utilise Social Media Platforms
Social media is one of the easiest ways to build your fanbase in today's world. Different social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, can help you start building your fanbase.
You can share your music and music-based content links on your social media channels. If you are a new artist or new to using social media, you can start with two social media platforms for consistency.
However, the first thing you should know when starting out is to understand how these social media platforms work. You don't want to dive into something you have no clue about. For example, knowing how TikTok trends or Instagram hashtags work and how to use them to increase your reach to potential fans would be great.
When you understand how the platform works, you can start by engaging your contacts, friends, and acquaintances with your music content. A little share here and there will help. You never can tell how viral you could go.
Furthermore, frequently posting on your social media pages is very important. It's pretty counterproductive to share content today and wait till the next month before sharing another one. Your audience will lose interest that way.
Consistency is key when building your social media audience. You can choose to post once or twice daily or 3 to 4 times weekly. Just make sure you're engaging your audience.
Being an artist involves connecting with people to expand your reach. You need to engage with other artists' content and social media users to do this.
You can try Instagram if you're building your fanbase from scratch. Instagram has different features that can help you build your fanbase. Using features like Insta stories and Reels to promote your music content on Instagram can help you grow your reach. You can also post content on your Instagram feed with an engaging caption to let your audience know what you'll like them to do.
Another amazing feature you can use on Instagram to engage your audience is the Instagram live feature. With this feature, you can connect with your audience by interacting with them online and reading their messages live as you perform.
Also, reposting content where you're being tagged on Instagram can help you optimize your social media presence. There's also room to take things to the next level.
Changing your Instagram account to a business or professional account will help you access features such as analytics tools. These tools can help you monitor your account stats, such as the number of followers who view your content, the number of times your audience shares your content, and other amazing creators' tools.
TikTok
TikTok is another great channel that can give you and your music the necessary visibility. It's a great promotional tool that can help your music grow organically. If you're an upcoming artist with TikTok, you might be one post away from coming to the limelight.
With Tik-Tok, you can reach a large audience with a microcontent of your music which can help your music get viral. When making a post on Tik-Tok, you should note the following:
- Keep your content short and engaging
- Use your sounds
- Use trends
- Use the right hashtags
- Get your close friends and fans to record a video with them dancing or singing along to your song.
- You can do a giveaway for your fans with the best Tik-Tok video
Doing all of these will not only help you go viral, but it will also help you build a strong fanbase.
3. Evoke Emotions With your Music & Content
Many music artists wonder why they create music, and no one engages with them. Most of the time, it is because the music or content produced by these artists does not resonate with their audience, and no one wants to consume something that does not make them feel anything.
Evoking your audience's emotions plays a big role in building your fanbase. The type of music you produce will determine how well you will attract people to your music. Your beats or lyrics should make your audience feel something. It could be joy, sadness, nostalgia, or even love.
Moreover, the feeling your music content evokes in people is important because it determines if they will connect with you and become part of your fanbase or not.
The lyrics have a way of stirring the audience's emotions because good lyrics equals good music. Give your audience music with lyrics they can relate to and enjoy simultaneously.
When you stimulate your audience's emotions with your music and content, they will keep coming back and following your music and journey. But to achieve all of these, you must know your audience and what they expect from you.
4. Create a Great Relationship With Your Audience
Having a great relationship with your fans is one of the ways to stay relevant as a music artist. This should be one of your priorities as an artist. You don't ignore your audience and expect them to give you their best.
When you engage your audience, don't just post your content and leave. Reply to their comments as much as you can. Doing this will help them feel a sense of belonging to your community and that you care about them.
Also, it would be best if you take note of comments made under your post, either good or bad. This will help you know what you need to improve and what you should keep doing. Hence, engage them on Instagram Live, and notify them of your events or live shows a week or two weeks before the show to prepare and keep them wanting.
You shouldn't neglect your fans. Instead, help them feel they belong to your community by engaging them in activities like a fan's challenge and resharing your music content on their page or stories. It is also not a bad idea to show appreciation to your fans by engaging them in contests and giveaways. It is a way of showing that you care about them.
Another way to show gratitude to your fans is by doing a shout-out on your page or your live shows. Use any opportunity you can get to always show appreciation to your fans, no matter how small or large your following is.
Whenever they buy your albums, appreciate them; when they get your ticket and merch, thank them; when they turn up for your shows, tell them it means a lot. That way, you're letting them be a part of your journey as an artist.
These go a long way in boosting your fanbase and social media followers.
5. Consistently Create Good Music Content
Just like there are no artists without a fanbase; likewise, there's no fanbase without good music. Your quest for a large fanbase should be backed by high-quality music content that your audience can never get enough of.
After all, the type of music and content you produce consistently is what makes a fanbase. Therefore, creating music content that adds value to your fans is necessary. If they discover that your content leaves much to be desired, get ready to listen to your songs all by yourself!
When you produce music that people love, you'll be able to draw them to your fanbase. However, knowing your audience is an effective way to know what music they will enjoy. You should know their personality, likes, and dislikes. This will help you create music that your current and potential fans enjoy.
After you might have drawn people into your fanbase with your content, the next thing you want to do is to create consistently and give them something to look forward to. That way, they will have a reason to stay. Hence, you must keep learning and creating content that will make your fans follow your music journey.
Also, when working on a new single or album, you can give your audience a teaser to get them excited. With this, they will have something to look forward to while you perfect your content or album.
6. Captivate the Mind of Your Audience
As an artist, you should be able to get a hold of people, not only with your music but with your social media channels. What people feel when they see your profile and your bio is important.
Are your social media profile compelling people to stay or leave? Does your page contain content that can have your audience hooked? Just by viewing your page, do people feel an urge to listen to your music? These are important questions you need to ask yourself.
Your social media profiles are a great way to sell yourself and your music. By reading your social media bio, people should understand your story and where you are coming from. Also, with your social media pages, your audience should be able to find and access your music easily.
As a musician available on different social platforms and streaming sites, it's only normal to have more than one link for your audience to access your music content.
However, with Smart Links, you can do more! This service allows you to promote your music across different streaming platforms, reaching a broader audience with equal effort. It doesn't matter what you are promoting, there is a Smart Link for you.
With Smart Links in your bio, you can get your audience to easily find your music on different streaming platforms. You can use the Artist Bio Link to give your fans details on everything they need to know about you and your music in one place.
You can also use other Smart Links like the Release Link and the Playlist Link to promote your music on different streaming channels.
7. Be Authentic and Relatable
Authenticity as an artist connotes your unique style, how you create music, and your values about the music you create. Authenticity is an important part of being an artist. You don't have to copy or try to be like other artists for your audience to find you relatable. The last thing you want in your music career is to be seen as an artist wannabe.
Everyone has their story and where they are coming from, and no two artists can be the same. So, just be yourself. When you're authentic, you'll be able to stir your audience's emotions and connect well with them easily.
From your story, experience, or what you feel, you can get inspiration to write songs that will also inspire your audience. But to be yourself, you must know yourself and your type of music.
Furthermore, showing your audience your behind-the-scenes is a great way to build your relationship with them and show that you're authentic. Show them your setup as well as the people you work with. This has a way of getting them interested in what you do.
For your audience to find you relatable, you should carry them along by sharing your work process. Show your audience something new about your work. You can share your music struggles and times when it's more difficult.
It's okay to be vulnerable with your audience. Doing all of these will help your audience stick with you and also get motivated by what you do. This can help you create an emotional connection with your fans.
8. Play Live Shows
Making live shows will always be a special way to connect with your fans. It is one way to be real and relatable with your fans. Aside from connecting with fans, live shows can help you improve and boost your confidence as an artist. Doing live shows is also a way to measure your progress as an artist.
Live shows introduce new people to your music. For a new artist, you can start by taking gigs for local performances at a café and other events. While doing this, you should focus on getting your audience hooked by giving a great performance. Performing live at small or big shows can give your fan something to hold unto and look forward to in your subsequent shows.
You should create an unforgettable moment with your audience. When you are done with your show, don't just leave; network with people and speak to your audience. You can get new fans by connecting with your audience after a live performance. Allow your audience to take pictures and talk with you after your show.
Another thing you can do to interest your audience is to share a moment from your live performance on your social media page. This might help you get more audience in your next live performance.
9. Be Mindful of Your Image
How you portray yourself plays an important role in the type of reactions you get from people. The image and impression people have of you are very important as an artist.
Your profile on your socials, Spotify, and other streaming platforms is very important. When building your brand as an artist, you must be professional with your music brand if you want your audience to regard or take you seriously. You should know that the image you portray will always be as important as the music you make.
You should note that your image shouldn't stop you from being yourself. It only helps you develop things you want to be known for. Moreover, building your image is about creating beyond just music; it is about creating what your audience will see beyond the music you make.
Building a good image as an artist involves:
- Consistency
- Having your audience in mind
- Handling situations regarding your career
- Putting yourself out there
To build your image as a music artist, you should focus on the following:
- Identify what you're good at and define your music brand
- Be consistent with engaging your audience
- Have a great bio
- Be yourself
10. Start With Close Friends
One of the best ways to build your fanbase from scratch is with your close circles. Before reaching out to other people outside your circle, people you already know should be rooting for you.
You can start with friends, family, contacts, and acquaintances. Also, you can get honest reviews about your music content from people close to you. This way, they can point out where you should improve and what to work on.
Once your close circle loves and accepts your music, you can encourage them to share your music with their friends, contacts, and on their social media platforms. They could also put in some good words for you.
With your small circle, you can create awareness about your music brand. With these baby steps, you may hit the limelight sooner than you realize!
11. Support Other Artists
Supporting other artists is a good way to get people to notice your work. When you support other artists, they will also return the energy by supporting you.
This goes a long way in building your music network, which could lead to album or live show collaborations. After all, collaboration is an important part of expanding your reach and audience. It can lead to an opportunity to grow your fanbase and increase your music community.
Therefore, you can support other artists by sharing their music content on your socials and tagging them. You can also find an artist that works in the same niche as you and engages their content. It doesn't matter whether the artist has a more or lesser following than you.
In the light of supporting other artists, you can share with your audience the artists that inspire you. No one becomes who they are overnight, and for you to be a music artist, you must have been inspired by someone. Share this with your audience, and you might be amazed at what this simple act can do for you.
Seek collaborations and opportunities with the artist you admire.
How to Build a Fanbase – Final Thoughts
Whether you are old or new to the music business doesn't matter. To build a solid fanbase, you need the right knowledge and resources. You can expand your reach by creating good, consistent, and engaging music content.
Also, creating a great relationship with your fans and being authentic will help you greatly. What's more? Your music brand and the support you show to other artists will help you create a fanbase that supports your music.
Therefore, give all of these a trial, and you'll be amazed at how soon you will build the fanbase of your dream.
However, if you want to build a loyal fanbase that you can monetize, then you should promote your music with Smart Links to reach a wider audience. Create an account for free to get started!
