How Musicians Build A Fanbase THE RIGHT WAY!!! COMMUNITY BUILDING

Summary

This video emphasizes the importance of community engagement and strategic research for artist development. It stresses that success comes not from luck but from deep observation and building genuine relationships within the industry. The script highlights how artists can learn from successful peers by researching their marketing strategies, engaging with industry professionals, and tracking valuable connections. By consistently building a network and staying proactive, artists can unlock opportunities, grow their fanbase, and achieve long-term success through collaboration and meaningful connections.

Takeaways

• 😀 Research your target artists and communities to identify successful strategies that you can apply to your own work.
• 😀 Follow industry influencers and smart musicians to observe their practices and understand what works for them.
• 😀 Engage with subreddits, Facebook groups, and Discord communities to learn about your target artists and connect with fans and industry professionals.
• 😀 Participating in niche online communities can lead to unexpected opportunities like collaborations and being discovered by industry professionals.
• 😀 Use social media accounts or lists to track and observe the habits and marketing strategies of your target artists.
• 😀 When you find playlists or communities that align with your style, engage directly with curators or influencers through DMs and social media.
• 😀 Research all aspects of the music industry, including credits for producers, mixers, and engineers, to understand who can help elevate your music production.
• 😀 Community building and networking often lead to opportunities, even years later, as seen in examples like Madeon and Porter Robinson's collaboration.
• 😀 Authentic connections with artists and professionals can help you level up by getting you noticed by managers, labels, and booking agents.
• 😀 The 'connected mind' concept means that opportunity is found through deep research, observing trends, and making smart connections, not by luck.
• 😀 Long-term, genuine community engagement can lead to mutual growth and success, as opposed to relying solely on paid ads or quick fixes.

Q & A

Why is it important to observe other artists and their strategies?

Observing other artists helps you learn from their successes and mistakes. By studying their promotional tactics, social media behavior, and music releases, you can adapt and implement similar strategies that align with your unique approach, which helps you grow as an artist.

How can following playlists and curators help an artist grow?

By following playlists and curators, artists can stay connected to communities and discover new opportunities for exposure. If a curator shares music or playlists you resonate with, reaching out can lead to collaborations, playlist features, or promotional opportunities.

What role does community engagement play in artist development?

Community engagement is crucial for an artist's growth. It's not just about promoting your music but about learning from the community, interacting with fans, and finding out what resonates with listeners. Building genuine relationships in these communities can provide valuable insights and foster long-term support.

What are the benefits of maintaining a 'burner' social media account?

A burner account allows you to follow and observe other artists and industry professionals without distractions from your personal accounts. This enables you to stay focused on learning and networking while maintaining a clear line of separation between your personal and professional lives.

How can interacting with hashtags and comments on platforms like TikTok and Instagram help an artist's visibility?

Engaging with hashtags and comments on TikTok and Instagram boosts your visibility by ensuring that your posts and interactions are seen by a wider audience. It also helps you break through algorithmic restrictions, making it more likely that your content will be discovered by people within your target community.

What is the significance of using platforms like Hype Machine for discovering new artists and collaborations?

Platforms like Hype Machine are valuable tools for discovering emerging talent. Many successful collaborations begin by finding artists on platforms like these, where indie music is aggregated, allowing you to connect with potential collaborators or influencers who align with your style.

Why is it essential for artists to research and understand their target venues, playlists, and press?

Understanding the venues, playlists, and press that your target artists are involved with helps you identify where to focus your efforts. Knowing where similar artists perform, get featured, and are interviewed allows you to make strategic moves in those spaces, increasing your chances of success and exposure.

How does building connections in the music industry contribute to long-term success?

Building relationships with key industry players, such as producers, managers, and curators, can open doors for collaborations, performances, and promotional opportunities. These connections can play a crucial role in your growth as they often provide support, guidance, and exposure that can propel your career forward.

What role does researching credits (e.g., producers, engineers) in YouTube video descriptions play in artist development?

Researching credits in YouTube descriptions, such as producers, mixers, and engineers, helps you identify potential collaborators who can elevate the quality of your music. As your career progresses, this research can lead to important connections that improve the sound of your work, making you more competitive in the industry.

How do unexpected events, like a manager discovering an artist on a live stream, impact an artist's career?

Unexpected events, such as a manager discovering an artist's music during a live stream, demonstrate the power of being active and visible in the right places. These serendipitous moments can lead to significant career advancements, such as getting signed, securing a publishing deal, or forming valuable relationships that can help in the future.