Prioritizing Engagement Over New Fans
Finding an audience in a competitive industry such as the music business is pretty challenging, and things only get harder for unestablished artists. Even having great music strategically promoted is not a guarantee.
Patrick McGuire from the ReverbNation Blog, gives you a useful tip: if you're set on connecting with the broadest audience you can, the best place to start is by engaging with the fans you already have.
Having the biggest plans for your music is essential to give you the drive to pursue a serious career in this area. Some musicians strive to tour the world, sell out arenas, and make music that becomes loved and remembered by millions. But not every artist is meant to be a worldwide superstar. This, however, doesn't mean they should put music on the 'plan B' list. Instead, building a sustainable career that thrives with smaller milestones while paving the way for more significant victories, is the best way to go. Engaging your existing fan base builds the momentum you need to move forward and access new opportunities for your music in the future.
Engage and connect with your current fans
Whether you have thousands of fans all over the world or a dozen in your hometown, an acknowledged audience will push for your music and share it with the world.
Fortunately, it's never been easier to find out who and where your fans are. Analytic tools from several platforms can tell you information like what cities your fans are in, how old they are, how they discovered your music and how they respond to your promotional efforts.
Once you understand who and where your fans are, you'll have many options for connecting with them. Customize your efforts as much as you can and try to perform regularly where the biggest groups of your fans live. The more chances your followers and their social groups have to learn about your music, the more your momentum will grow.