When it comes all the way down to it, all of us simply wish to really feel seen. We lengthy to be part of one thing that appears like we belong. For therefore many people, music is that escape. It serves as a protected haven, a inventive nook the place we will categorical ourselves freely. Better of all, after we discover a neighborhood of others who like the identical music, band, or style as we do, we really feel seen. We belong. And we thrive.
We’ve all skilled this, however once you’re an indie musician attempting to develop a fan base for the primary time, it could really feel such as you’re throwing spaghetti on the wall. So how can we create an ecosystem that helps and lifts our careers?
Perceive the neighborhood you wish to create
It’s comprehensible that we wish to entice as many followers as potential – however the important thing right here is to construct a neighborhood of like-minded people who’ve a typical floor and pursuits.
With this in thoughts, step one is to get actually clear in regards to the neighborhood you wish to construct. Hone in and picture the profile of your followers. For example this, paint an image of a volleyball league that’s attempting to draw members. They’d be on the lookout for individuals who appreciated the game, or have been all in favour of well being and health. Take that concept and translate it into the realm of music.
You can be a part of a basic rock band that believes in equality, dreaming massive, and leaving the world higher than we discovered it. Stand by your ethos and search alternatives to share your values. This might be on-line, in live shows or in your merchandise. Authenticity is vital, as you’ll naturally entice like-minded audiences to your trigger. Your followers can be drawn in once you enable your genuine self to shine.
Figuring out what sort of neighborhood you wish to create is the toughest half. After getting that secured, you can begin constructing concrete steps in direction of it. Take into consideration the way you need your neighborhood to assemble.
Is there a sure social media platform? Are you actually eager on moving into the native scene? Is there a preferred pub you recognize they’d like that you could possibly carry out at? You can even begin a podcast sharing beliefs and beliefs you recognize your neighborhood would respect.
The medium might be something you need—take into consideration the locations you already hang around and gravitate in direction of each on-line and off. That’s the place your neighborhood is just too.
Nurture them
After getting your neighborhood, take the time to nurture it! A neighborhood is rather like some other relationship. Take steps to make sure you are displaying up on your neighborhood. It might be batching, setting apart an hour every day, or setting an alarm. Present up persistently and be intentional in creating an area they genuinely take pleasure in. Not solely will they maintain coming again, they’ll be bringing all their mates.
Don’t power it
Do you ever marvel why some issues simply really feel so pure, whereas others really feel like placing a spherical peg in a sq. gap? Typically, in our effort to develop or do the “proper” factor we find yourself attempting too laborious. We do issues that really feel completely unnatural and because of this, we don’t see the outcomes. We sit there questioning why, realizing we adopted all of the steps completely and unclear on what went fallacious.
However let me pose you a thought: what if we simply stored issues in a manner that felt pure from the beginning? Even when it feels small, attempt going with what naturally aligns and belief that it might deliver you the followers that really feel the identical manner.
It may really feel overwhelming to make all of it occur and attempt to match all of it right into a sure timeline. Typically once you let issues occur naturally and lean into your pure items – that’s the place the magic occurs.
What comes naturally to you? What are you interested by? And how will you get extra concerned in that each in particular person and just about? It doesn’t must be (and shouldn’t be) nearly your music. As an alternative, deal with the stuff you’re feeling, going via and wanting to seek out your individual neighborhood round. What if merely placing your most genuine self on the market and sharing the stuff you hope to create a neighborhood round, did, actually, open these doorways?
What would that neighborhood seem like?
Angela Tyler is the founder and CEO of Muddy Paw PR securing placements on Forbes, Enterprise Insider, Different Press, American Songwriter, PopWrapped, & extra. She loves ice cream, actuality TV, and hanging together with her canine Sawyer.