As a young emerging artist, it’s natural to want to increase your profile. You work so hard on your music, that, of course, you’d want people to engage with it after you’ve shared it. But this brings us to an impasse, as we are now confronted with a difficult question.
What can you do to increase the number of listeners that are looking out for your next release?
Well, that’s a tricky question without much of a concrete answer. In our always-online world, entire marketing teams are dedicated to solving this problem. So for an artist who’s just starting to build their fanbase, this question can seem more than a little overwhelming. However, don’t panic because there are a few proven techniques that can not only help the artist raise their profile but will also allow them to cultivate tools that help to increase their longevity. So without further adieu, let’s take a closer look at how to attract more listeners online into your practice!
Satisfactory Sociability
When an artist is first developing their following, one of the most powerful tools at their disposal is social media. Having a consistent presence on social media, not only keeps your current fans aware of any updates on upcoming projects. It also allows new listeners to find you through things like explore pages, and connections made by mutual friends. A quick and easy way to jumpstart this process is to utilize the ten-for-ten rule of social media. The ten-for-ten rule is a simple and effective strategy in which one finds ten separate profiles that one genuinely likes. Follow those profiles, then leave a comment under one of their pictures. This is an amazingly effective strategy that can benefit you in two ways. The first, and best-case scenario is that the profile you’re commenting on notices you and decides to start following and sharing your work. The second is that someone else sees your comment, agrees with you, and follows you to find out more. Either way, you gain a follower!
Making Friends
If you’re a local artist near any larger community, like a city. Chances are there is already an embedded music scene around your area. Something that helps in any profession is making connections. This is no different in the world of music. That’s why, if you’re looking to gain a foothold in your local scene you should consider attending as many local shows as you can. People like to feel supported, and usually, they will return the favor when it comes time to support people who’ve supported them. Making friends, and creating real relationships is the perfect way to cultivate those relationships.
A Note on Burnout
In this day and age being an independent artist is tough. It seems like you have to be hustling every second of the day if you want to make it anywhere. Our current cultural climate demands from us that we are always on, and always on top of our goals. That’s why when you’re a young musician if you’re not practicing your instrument, writing lyrics, or engaging with your fanbase on social media then it’s easy to feel like you’re slipping behind. But don’t worry, those feelings are completely normal and almost always overblown.
As an artist, it’s important to check in with ourselves from time to time. In almost every case taking a break, and allowing yourself the rest you need is almost always better than risking burnout. If you feel like you’re nearing that feeling then you may want to consider taking a break from your normal artistic practice. It’s important to note that the benefits of a break can be profound.
Utilizing the time afforded to you from a break to chase other pursuits allows you to reframe your thoughts on your practice. This gives one a new perspective which allows the artist to access a whole new palette for their music. Don’t run the risk of putting yourself in a serious slump that could last years. If you feel like you need to step away, take that step with no shame! Your practice will be right where you left it.
Conclusion
Being an independent artist is tough. Whoever said to find something you love and make it your profession, clearly never wanted to be a singer. Because any musician will tell you it takes a lot more than craft and a good avenue for music distribution to be a successful artist. If you want to grow your fanbase you need to create an internal environment in which you are prone to succeed. This includes making friends, having a strong presence on social media, and most of all. Keeping in touch with your body so that you know when it’s time to push yourself and it’s time to rest. Being a professional artist isn’t easy, but if you put in the time and dedication, you’ll be shocked at how profound the results can be.
