Growing and Keeping Loyal Fan Support

Fan support for musicians is a two way street. You make the music, release the CDs, and play the shows. You need fans to show up at the gigs, buy the CDs, or spread the buzz about you or you don't have an audience. When these two elements are out of balance, your musical endeavors can get sidelined.

That's why it's so important to always embrace the positive, well-meaning encouragement you receive from your fans. If I could sum up what fans want most of all from an artist, it's not only to be reached through your work, but to also be able to reach back in return. It's a great privilege for fans to give back something positive that the artists bring to us.

Here are three ways to keep that fan loyalty working for you:

1. Accept your performance compliments graciously. Maybe you had an off night. Maybe you didn't feel you were in the pocket as often as you expected to be. If people come up to you and tell you they thought you were great, that is exactly what it means to them. They are there to be an encouragement for you. Even though you didn't think you reached anyone, they felt you got through to them. So, don't beat yourself up or diffuse it by saying how lousy you thought you were. Remember, the hearts' desire of the fan is to reach you, too. Say thank you and show your appreciation.

Modesty is always an admirable trait--but don't take it to the extreme. The fans who have spent the better part of a year or so communicating to you why they think you're the best singer are going to feel badly if you say in an interview that you don't have much confidence in your vocal abilities or your performance. That tells the fans they have not been successful in getting the message through to you. That can be very disappointing to fans and make them wonder, well, what's the point of saying anything at all. And there you go, letting encouragement slip through your fingers.

2. Acknowledge your fan base. You can show some love to the fans by doing something to demonstrate that you are connecting with them. Think about a regular communication vehicle above and beyond, such as an email or online newsletter where you make direct communication with fans. If you have a message board on your website, try dropping in now and then just to say hi and let folks know you're hearing them.

Here's one "be aware" in this area, though. If you are one of those with a broad or growing popularity base, you have the challenge of keeping a lot of people who want to be noticed by you happy. It's nice to recognize deserving fans on your websites and other communications. But if you mention the same people too often, it might create the impression of favoritism, which could possibly cause jealousy and hurt feelings among fans. If you do something for one, others might want it as well. So be sure it's as much as you can handle. You would be surprised how many fans do know each other and compare notes!

Besides those fans that are particularly visible or diligently make themselves known, there can be others giving solid support for you behind the scenes. You probably are unaware of them because they may be a little more on the shy side, haven't had the contact opportunities others have or just can't seem to stick out enough for you to take notice. But that's not to say they don't want to hear they are appreciated. So do give credit to those who are due--doing that privately is nice, too. But, be sure you give ALL of your fans those "virtual group hugs" from time to time!

3. Keep communications current. If you have a website, keep it regularly updated. If you don't show enough commitment to keep your information up to speed on gigs, recordings, features and all, people will stop coming by after a while. After all, how can fans encourage you when they don't know where, when and how?

With all of the options that exist for communication between artists and fans, when it's done in a positive, uplifting manner it's a win-win situation for your career and for the people who are out there waiting to enjoy your gifts!

Wendy Vickers is a writer, encourager, life coach, speaker and author of two audiobooks: "Treasures In the Tip Jar: the Art of Awesome Fan Support" (from which this article is taken) and "Out of the Jar...And Into the World." Wendy offers resources, encouragement and support for musicians at her websites http://wendyv.com and http://embraceencouragement.com

Latest News


Getting to Carnegie via YouTube
New York Times, United States - 23 hours ago
That second option is the main feature of a new marketing project by Google to bolster the organized presence of classical music on YouTube and promote the ...
Classical musicians get shot at fame on YouTube Reuters
YouTube Symphony Orchestra: Google sees a future in fancy music of ... National Post
Thomas signs on for YouTube symphony project San Francisco Chronicle
The Associated Press - Digitaltrends.com
all 352 news articles

eJamming Inc. Inks Licensing Deal with MTV Networks Music Group
MarketWatch - 10 hours ago
Jeff Yapp, executive vice president of program enterprises for MTV Networks Music and Logo Group, said, "The combination of interactivity and music speaks ...
eJamming inks licensing deal with MTV Networks CNET News
all 11 news articles

Omstream.com Announces Signing of NuTone Music and Their Catalog ...
MarketWatch - 10 hours ago
"Omstream was created out of a need to locate and purchase music that elevates consciousness amid the clutter of millions of songs available on iTunes and ...

WHDH-TV

BSO launches its own music download service
Boston Globe, United States - 17 hours ago
Four albums of music created under the baton of BSO music director James Levine will be available in February. (Michael J. Lutch) By Geoff Edgers After ...
BSO offers music downloads at its Web site Boston Herald
Marketing style leaves maestro miffed Toronto Star
all 12 news articles

How Does This Sound? Motorola Introduces MOTOROKR EM35, Delivering ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
A device designed for supreme audio performance both as a mobile device and music player, EM35 delivers an exceptional audio experience for both music and ...

New Zealand Herald

Chris Brown, Britney Spears, Coldplay, Leona Lewis And Alicia Keys ...
MTV.com - 8 hours ago
They include mild-mannered Chris Brown — whose videos and interviews were reportedly seen 43 million times on the on-demand Music Choice TV service. ...
Coldplay & Leona Lewis Top iTunes Sellers People Magazine
Top iTunes sellers released WNDU-TV
Coldplay, Leona Lewis Are Tops on iTunes TheCelebrityCafe.com
Gigwise - Contactmusic.com
all 169 news articles

New York Times

Music Review | Lost Dog New Music Ensemble
New York Times, United States - 1 hour ago
The Lost Dog New Music Ensemble, from left, Miranda Cuckson, on violin; Laura Barger, on piano; and Emily Brausa, on cello. By STEVE SMITH Community is a ...

Harman International Technologies Featured in New GRAMMY Museum
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
"Our long legacy of technologies for the music business is a natural fit with the museum's goals," said Dinesh Paliwal, Harman's Chairman and Chief ...
GRAMMY Museum All About the Music blogdowntown
The GRAMMY Museum(SM) Officially Opens Its Doors to the Public on ... MarketWatch
Multimedia Artist Phil Hansen Creates Official Artwork for 51st ... MarketWatch
all 22 news articles

Ars Technica

Online seen claiming 41 pct share of US music market
Reuters - 22 hours ago
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Digital music sales account for 18 percent of the US music market and that figure will grow to 41 percent in five years, ...
Report: online to be larger piece of shrinking music pie Ars Technica
Music Industry Decline Accelerates U.S. News & World Report
Online Music Sales Report by DVD Replication Company WiredPRNews.com (press release)
FMQB - CD Freaks.com
all 22 news articles

Music Review: Scott Weiland is 'Happy in Galoshes'
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 51 minutes ago
By JOHN KOSIK, AP Writer Fresh of his five-year stint with Velvet Revolver and a brief reunion tour with Stone Temple Pilots, enigmatic frontman Scott ...

Resources