Your fans represent a wider network of potential fans.
Being a musician entails rehearsing, writing, recording and performing. On top of that, you've got to encourage CD sales and downloads, produce and sell merchandise, and make sure more people come to your shows. You already have fans who like your music. Offer them a little something extra in return for the help you need, and you'll have a bunch of motivated people on your side willing to get involved and be a part of your success.
Instructions
1. Tell your fans what help you need. You can do this in person after a show or through your website and social media outlets. Whether you need a photographer to take publicity shots, a designer to make merchandise, or a driver with a van to get your equipment to and from gigs, be clear about what you're asking for.
2. Offer your fans something in return for helping you. If you can, give them free CDs, merchandise or gig tickets. If you don't have the means to give them anything right away, offer a delayed reward so they know up front what's in it for them.
3. Put the names of people who help you on your website, or directly on the work they do. For example, put your photographer's name on your publicity pictures and your artist's name under your artwork. You can even include a list of acknowledgements in your album sleeve thanking all the fans who helped you. Your fans will see that helping you out gets them exposure too.
4. Advertise in art schools. When rock band Motorhead was starting out, the members asked art students to paint the band logo on banners and posters. Students might work for free if you guarantee to put their work on display at your shows.
5. Send messages out to your mailing list or online social networks once every six weeks, making sure to thank the fans who have helped you.
6. Create a fan of the month section on your website. Shout about the work put in by your most helpful fan to encourage others to get more involved.
Tags: your website, give them, help need, your shows