One of the most daunting but vital tasks for an artists, is for them to figure out their fan base and serve them with music accordingly. There is a plethora of artists out here doing so much great stuff musically, pumping tons of money in their marketing and promotional processes, but yet being unable to sell due to the fact that they don’t know who to sell to. Follow a few tips below on how to increase a fan base as an artist.
1. Identify Your Fan Base
Identifying your fan base is probably the next thing you should pay attention to, after identifying your musical talent. If an artist identifies their fan base, which might always be small at the start and need consistent inputting to keep more coming, it’s easy for him to know who he’s doing music for. Jovi can boast of an established fan base that does the job for his brand and it should explain to you why he holds them at high esteem and goes out of his ‘confinement’ to spend time with them when need be. It makes them do even more. Sarkodie and Shatta wale(shatta movement) are some of those artists artists go out of their way for!
2. Social Media Presence
Social media overtime has proven to be one if the fastest means by which many artists can increase their fan base, in as much as many artists still neglect this aspect. Creating an interactive and professional social media handle could be exhausting, but it can be worth it if you get to interact with your followers who could eventually become your fans.
Some artists succeed to build a huge following but end up not making the most of it, they’re unable to convert them to fans because they hardly interact with these followers. They only get to interact with them only when. They got a project coming and it’s a turnoff for most people who get mad and unfollow. If you see how Dax relates with his fans and how he uses that interaction to convert those followers to fans, you’d be amazed.
3. Targeting Mainstream Media
No matter how big social media suddenly makes an artist trend, there’s always a need to be reminded of the fact that there’s and will always be mainstream or traditional media. Most at times, many artists think that trending on social media is enough, but they fail to question themselves about how their songs and image will reach people who don’t own phones to be on social media. As a result, they miss out on a lot of people who’re not on social media, or are, but aren’t got internet connectivity. Therefore being present on both arenas is a plus.
4. Being Part of Community Activities
This is one of the most ignored or neglected steps by artists to increase their fan bases. The issue here that, most artists think that everything centres just around doing good music and wearing good clothes, but they fail to understand that being part of community works like clean up campaigns, singing tribute songs and being the voice when there’s no one to speak for the people, naturally draws them to an artist’s art and craft.
There’s hardly a way an artist can be involved in these and lack organic support from the people. These are dole things that talent alone won’t help you gain, as you need to think out of the box from time to time. Artists like Tzy Panchak, Falzthebahdguy, African China, Wizkid and some other artists are cherished by their fans for their gestures towards the community. They don’t shy away from pinching the government during low moments.
5. Make Good Music
Above all, do good music. Good music could mean a lot of things, but basically, good music means, using your talent to communicate the feelings of people who can relate to it. It should be noted that, sound when not understood becomes noise in the ears of a listener. Ever asked yourself why some songs remain on repeat for a long time but some don’t event play for give secs ? It’s pretty simple!
It could be a good beat, that people don’t even get the lyrics but it either makes to dance, or could be a subtle tune the gets them to vibe emotionally. If you’re music is good, and available on easily accessible platforms, that could be one of the fastest way to increase your fans. Reason why a song like “Shabasiko” by Ridimz was already a hit even before the video release.
6.Be Consistent
Many successful artists will agree that it took them long-lasting efforts and dedication to their craft before it finally paid off. Most artists treat their careers like options and release music at their own time. An artist who’s average and stays consistent is better than one who’s excellent but only does or releases a song once in a blue moon. Artists like Witty Minstrel will attest that they’d been in the game for over 15 years before finally being noticed and sure have fans to back their consistency therein.
The above are just some possible ways by which artists can create and increase their fan base to make them productive and creative, as high demand for your music will motivate you to work towards the course!
