Let’s be real, building a fanbase is hard work. It takes time and a good strategy to turn heads and keep people coming back. But if you create a fanbase with intentionality, you can open up doors to make more impact (and money) with your music.

This week, we’re diving into how you can start building the kind of fanbase that sticks around and helps you grow.

• Build a Fanbase Through Engagement
• Use The Fan Pyramid to Get (and Keep) More Fans
• Build a Fanbase by Owning Your Niche
• Grow Your Fanbase by Playing More Live Shows
• Be Where Your Fanbase Is
• Build Your Fanbase, Don’t Chase it

Build a Fanbase Through Engagement

Followers and streams are important, sure, but they’re not the endgame. When we talk about growing a fanbase, it’s all about engagement. Kevin Kelly argues that you don’t need millions of fans, dollars, or connections to succeed as a creator. All you need is 1,000 true fans. These are the diehard supporters who will actively invest in everything you make, whether that’s streaming your music, buying limited-edition merch, or showing up for every concert.

Engaged fans create sustainability. They’re replaying your tracks, pulling their friends into the mix, and hyping you up. And if you’re building traction on social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram, engagement matters even more. Algorithms reward likes, shares, comments, and DMs more than the number of eyeballs that have seen your post.

How to Recognize and Nurture Engaged Fans

This is where the real work begins. If you want people to care about your art, you have to put yourself out there first. Fans can’t connect with you or your craft if they don’t know who you are. Then, you need to recognize and nurture the fans who genuinely connect with you to turn them into superfans. 

Here’s how to get started:

Show Up Consistently

You’ve probably heard this a million times before, but to get noticed, you’ve got to show up. And showing up isn’t just pushing out your music and hoping people find it. It’s about telling your audience who you are and what makes you unique. 

Keep a steady presence on social media, email, and at shows. Make it clear you’re invested in your audience.

Before SZA’s breakout success, she was consistent about sharing her world with her audience on social media. She posted about her music, her life, and the things that inspired her. Those moments of honesty helped her form the foundation of a fanbase that stuck with her as her career grew. 

Engage Back

Reply to comments, DMs, and mentions! Let your fans know you see them.  If you wouldn't leave a friend hanging, why do that to your fans? Treat them like they're part of your inner circle.

Billie Eilish started her career by building genuine connections with her audience online. She consistently engaged with her followers, creating a loyal community early on. Artists can learn from this. 

Create Value

Post content your fans will care about, like behind-the-scenes videos, stories about your favourite songwriting moments, or humour that aligns with your brand.

Your ordinary is your audience’s extraordinary. What feels routine to you, like tweaking your setup or laying down a vocal track, might blow someone’s mind because they’ve never seen how it all happens. For most, creating music is this mysterious process, and giving them a peek behind the curtain makes them feel part of the journey. Share the messy moments, your gear setup, or even the late-night frustrations. Those little things can make your audience feel connected to you in a way that goes deeper than just liking a song.

Get Personal

Fans crave authenticity, so don’t be afraid to peel back the curtain. Share the raw moments, the messiness, the stuff that makes you, well, you.

Khalid didn’t just share his music online and call it a day. He invited people into his world by opening up about his personal journey. Those stories gave his audience something real to connect with, creating a sense of trust and authenticity. This wasn’t about chasing likes or boosting streams. It was about forming genuine connections with listeners, which ultimately helped him grow as an artist. Sharing your music is important, but sharing your story is what builds a fanbase.

Take Feedback

Let’s say you’re teasing new music. Throw it out to the crowd: “What’s the vibe? Is this the track you’re obsessing over, or should I drop the ballad everyone keeps DMing me about?” Get them involved. 

Halsey is a great example of an artist who thrives by listening to her fans. When they asked for more vulnerability in her music and inclusivity in her spaces, she delivered with deeply personal tracks on Manic and created safer, more accessible live shows. Listening to your audience builds trust and lasting connections.

Use The Fan Pyramid to Get (and Keep) More Fans

The number one thing your fans want is recognition. According to the Music Biz Weekly Podcast, when fans feel recognized and appreciated, they’re more likely to stay loyal, support your career, and recommend your music. That’s how you gain a fanbase.

The Fan Pyramid from Hypebot breaks your audience into five tiers. The goal is simple: give each layer something to love.

1. Dormant Fans

Dormant fans are at the bottom of the pyramid. They may have stumbled across your music, TikToks, or other content, but haven’t engaged with it yet. They’re aware of you, but your work has yet to spark a meaningful connection.

Start by linking your social media profiles on streaming platforms and using unified profile pictures across your platforms so fans always know it’s you. Make it as easy as possible for new listeners to find your music and discover when and where you’re playing live.

What to Offer Dormant Fans

Maybe a dormant fan found your music once and forgot about it. So, if they come across your path again, you have to really sparkle to win them over. How? Give them something impossible to scroll past.

• Post teaser videos, cool visuals, or promotions that will make them want to check you out. Everything you share should make them excited to explore your work.
• Get on playlists that match your vibe. Once they see your name associated with artists they already enjoy, they may dive into a listening rabbit hole (which hopefully includes your entire catalogue).

2. Casual Fans

Casual fans have listened to your music, followed you on social media, or attended a show, but their engagement isn’t frequent or deep. These are listeners who like your work but aren't heavily invested in your journey (yet!).

What to Offer Casual Fans

Casual fans benefit from resources that strengthen their connection to your music. Focus on building trust and familiarity:

• Share posts about upcoming releases, tour dates, or behind-the-scenes tidbits to give them something to look forward to.
• Affordable, fun items like stickers or keychains can help them take their involvement to the next level.
• Host casual live streams, open Q&A sessions, or free virtual concerts to make them feel included.

3. Engaged Fans

Engaged fans are fully connected to your music and personality. They stream your songs regularly, follow your updates, and may even buy tickets or merchandise. They are the heart and soul of your growing fanbase.

What to Offer Engaged Fans

You want to make engaged fans feel seen and loved. Strengthen their loyalty:

• Create merch collections with discounts to encourage purchases while rewarding their dedication.
• Share unreleased demos, behind-the-scenes videos, or exclusive looks at your creative process.
• On social media or during concerts, directly acknowledge fans who consistently engage with or share your content.

4. Superfans

Superfans take things to the next level. They don’t just enjoy your music, they actively champion your work through word of mouth, social media, or even wearing your merch. This tier is the foundation for growing a music fanbase.

What to Offer Superfans

Superfans thrive on exclusivity and deeper connections. Here are some ways to keep their interest:

• Give them early access to tickets, backstage passes, meet-and-greets, or special fan clubs.
• Write thank-you notes, shout them out during live streams, or dedicate songs to them during concerts.
• Offer limited-edition merchandise or items they can personalize.

5. Ultimate Fans

At the peak of the pyramid lies your ultimate fans. They are the lifeblood of your career because they attend every show, buy every piece of merch, and advocate tirelessly for your music.

What to Offer Ultimate Fans

These fans deserve the highest level of interaction and exclusivity. Think personalized, immersive experiences:

• Create lifetime subscriptions or dedicated fan clubs with access to all your content, free merch, and private updates.
• Offer private video calls, personal notes, or custom performances for their unwavering support.
• Dedicate albums, songs, or meaningful moments in your career to them. Publicly honouring their contributions deepens their emotional connection.

Build a Fanbase by Owning Your Niche

Stop trying to impress everyone. Seriously. Playing it safe is the quickest way to fade into the background. Own your vibe, your sound, your story, and watch your people rally around you. What makes you different from the next indie act on Spotify? That’s your niche. Lean into that, or you may be doomed to blend in.

Here are some ways to rock your niche: 

• Who loves your sound? Emo kids in their 30s? Hardcore punk enthusiasts? Bedroom pop fans? Get specific.
• Make your niche undeniable, whether it’s in your visuals, lyrics, or branding. Show your audience why you belong in their playlists.

Grow Your Fanbase by Playing More Live Shows

Live music is one of the most effective ways to build deep connections with fans. Why? Because live performances are unforgettable. And you can use the momentum from playing local shows to build a fanbase, and when you get big enough to tour, get an even bigger fanbase! 

Fulton Lee’s recent concert was incredible, and it wasn’t just his performance. It felt like an extension of everything he’s built online. The show was fun, interactive, and totally on brand. He brought fans on stage to jam with the band, just like he does in his videos. He had the crowd dancing with choreographed moves and even kicked off a beach ball volleyball game between the band and the audience. It wasn’t just a concert. It was a full-on experience that showed how much thought went into making his live show reflect who he is as an artist.

Are your live performances building that kind of connection? If your social presence sets the tone for your artistry, your concerts should bring that energy to life. Fans expect consistency. When the vibe you create online matches what they experience in person, it helps build trust. That trust is what transforms casual listeners into loyal supporters who will keep showing up for you.

Some tips:

Start Small

Play those smaller venues, even house shows. Every gig is a chance to win over new fans one performance at a time.

Make it Easy for Fans to Connect

You can offer email list sign-ups, QR codes leading to your website, or links to your socials during your shows. Offering multiple avenues to stay in touch helps build a loyal fan base and keeps your audience engaged. 

Build Momentum

As you grow, shoot for bigger venues, festivals, or collaborations with other artists. But always try to make the audience feel something real, whether they are a big or small crowd. That connection always matters.

Oh, and don’t overbook yourself. You want enough shows to build excitement without losing the air of scarcity.

Be Where Your Fanbase is

Sometimes success depends on where you are. Being in the right city can give you access to venues, collaborators, studios, and communities of music lovers. If you’re serious about music, ask yourself if you’re in a city that supports the scene you’re trying to break into.

Immerse Yourself in the Local Scene

Attend other artists’ shows. Network with musicians, promoters, photographers, and bloggers in your city.

Play Local Venues

Build a buzz by becoming a fixture in your city’s music scene. It’s the foundation for national (or global) expansion.

Know When to Relocate

If your dream market is in LA, Nashville, New York, London, or any other music hub, consider making the leap. Physical presence matters more than you might think.

Build Your Fanbase, Don’t Chase it

Building a fanbase isn’t about chasing viral moments or racking up numbers. When you prioritize engagement, deliver value at every level of fandom, own your niche, and immerse yourself in live performances and local scenes, you’re creating something much deeper than popularity.

So, what’s your next move? Start small, stay consistent, and make every interaction count. Your fans aren’t just waiting for you. They’re ready to grow alongside you. 

Looking to connect with your fans and grow your audience? We can help you break through the noise, whether you want to get your music on the right playlists, boost your monthly listeners, run smart ad campaigns on Instagram and Facebook, pair your tracks with original TikTok content, or make sure your YouTube music video gets in front of the right eyes. If you want to know more about our music promotion services, let’s connect. Your music deserves to be heard.