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
The music of Rush influences and inspires, at least that's... Read More
Buying a digital piano could be a very delicate attempt,... Read More
How To Construct Basic Chords on the PianoThe easiest way... Read More
Britney Spears was born December 2 1981 as Britney Jean... Read More
"Music isn't just learning notes and playing them, you learn... Read More
How many times have you turned to music to uplift... Read More
"The difference between success and failure is information," notes Ritch... Read More
Here are six very good reasons to learn how to... Read More
Do you want to learn how to play chords on... Read More
This article gives the essential basics for how to play... Read More
Buying a guitar is an important decision that my students... Read More
Everyone has a talent. For Miami, Okla.'s, Brian Beauchamp, it's... Read More
Many students think that being able to play what you... Read More
Probably the most enigmatic Singer and Guitarist of the twentieth... Read More
When Clear Channel controls the radio and the monopoly newspaper... Read More
As an independent musician and/or recording artist, if you did... Read More
In this guitar lesson we look at a great way... Read More
There are roughly umpteen zillion reasons why you should learn... Read More
New York born singer songwriter Michael Alan, who records with... Read More
Piano lessons for adults is generally LOTS more fun than... Read More
In 1994 Daniel Johns and his group Silverchair were catapulted... Read More
Let's face it, the wildfire spread of web-based portals designed... Read More
With the increased proliferation of online guitar and musical equipment... Read More
Already making plenty of noise in the marketplace is a... Read More
OK, say you've got one thousand of your favorite MP3... Read More
Music downloads are highly compressed audio files transferred onto a... Read More
The guitar is considered the friendliest musical instrument there is.... Read More
Interviewed by Scott G (The G-Man)G-Man: When people think of... Read More
Legend Vega is scheduled to release her newest CD this... Read More
Vision Music USA is a proactive and progressive music service... Read More
Would you like to pop in a CD and have... Read More
Have you ever done any of the following?1. Made excuses... Read More
Songwriters dream of making their living by writing, and sometimes... Read More
A New Breed of Aspiring Songwriters Is In The Making.... Read More
Have you ever dreamed of penning your own compositions? Writing... Read More
The Ibanez SR400 bass guitar is very comfortable to play.... Read More
Why do you care about stringing your guitar you may... Read More
Les Paul vintage Gibson guitars were first produced in 1952.... Read More
Let's face it. The world will not end if there... Read More
Interviewed by Scott G (The G-Man)G-Man: When people think of... Read More
Different styles of music have different "sounds." We can all... Read More
Are you confused by the various types of music file... Read More
Should you copyright your song? If you're a songwriter, sooner... Read More
When I first started playing the piano I wanted to... Read More
Chopin used them extensively. So did Beethoven and Mozart. Arpeggios... Read More
Dierks Bentley is more than meets the eye, but what... Read More
Was the request six months ago, a sixtieth birthday party,... Read More
A while back I was driving along the Jerusalem highway... Read More
Have you ever done any of the following?1. Made excuses... Read More
Do you have a wide variety of things that you... Read More
Every searching artist wants to get there. It's that magical... Read More
Most of you have probably heard of the RIAA's quest... Read More
Congratulations! Your singing has become amazing, and it's time the... Read More
There are essentially two ways to learn piano - note... Read More
When you think of music in Atlanta you generally think... Read More
The gong is one of the oldest musical instruments in... Read More
John Lennon wasn't always my favorite Beatle; at first it... Read More
IntroductionThe fact that you are holding this in your hands... Read More
Form is the key that unlocks the musical map of... Read More
It sounds like a side show, doesn't it? It does... Read More
Ideally each page of your website should serve a specific... Read More
While Richard Nixon's diplomatic visit to China may have created... Read More
Do you ramble on endlessly with your improvisations? If so,... Read More
A student once asked me; "How come sometimes the music... Read More
In the late 1940's, the 45-RPM record replaced the 78-RPM... Read More
The harp that once through Tara's halls the soul of... Read More
Music & MP3 |