Unleash Your Art, Grow Your Audience: Part II

Welcome back to Part II of the ‘Unleash Your Art’ series, where I break down modern web tools that can help artists build an engaged fanbase. If you need a refresher, check out Part I here. Let’s jump in.

🎵I need your attention (I need it right now I need it I need it right now)🎵 - Beartooth

Back in 2012, my band in Michigan was on the radar of A&R reps from record labels like Equal Vision, who would scout us at shows. We had around 10k Facebook likes, which back then was the measure of success—and all of it came from building an audience on a dating app called MeetMe.

It was a different time. We could send hundreds of tailored messages, and the likes would roll in. By targeting local fans, we saw huge gains in show attendance, merch sales, and support. Facebook was the place to discover new music, free from the noise of ads and reels.

One member of my old band actually used this approach and is now touring worldwide.

Of course, to their credit, that success took hard work and relentless hustle, but I wanted to paint a picture of what was possible in the early 2010s music scene. These days, social media has shifted, but one thing hasn’t changed: the need for attention. And that’s why building a community is key.

As musicians, we’re here to captivate and engage. Instead of investing too much time into reels and gambling on going viral, we can create a dedicated community that actually sticks around and wants to support us.

Building a community means you have direct access to fans who genuinely care. You’re no longer just hoping they’ll catch your content; you’re putting it directly in front of them. Every time you engage within your community, a larger chunk of your audience will actually see it, making it easier for them to show up at shows, buy merch, and stay engaged. This community also offers a place where you can be your genuine self, further driving likeness and authenticity to your brand.

Think about setting up on community-driven platforms like:

• Discord – An interactive space for fans to connect, chat, and get exclusive updates.

• Skool – A structured platform perfect for fans who want to dive deeper into your journey.

Think like an Influencer: Use Social Media as a lead funnel for your community.

Influencers and businesses use their likeness, personality, and content to get their audience to do something such as buying a product or a course. So let’s do the same, but do it smart. By adding subtle calls to action in your content, you can leverage short form content on the big platforms to funnel viewers into joining your community.

Leverage email & SMS campaigns to attract potential fans and inform existing ones.

Email is a powerful way to deliver news, content, and invites straight to your fans without relying on unpredictable algorithms. Whether it’s exclusive content, tour announcements, or merch drops, email keeps your fans directly in the loop. Consider adding a simple sign-up form on your website that links to one of these tools:

- Sender: this is the one that I use.

- MailChimp

Both of these tools have awesome, easy-to-use automations, subscription groups, and email builders, allowing you to craft tailored emails to your audience.

In a world saturated with content, your advantage is the quality of attention you cultivate. Build that community, bring your audience into a space that’s yours, and watch as you grow not just in numbers, but in real connections.

Thank you for your attention!

Paps.

Before you go—Ready to amplify your brand? I specialize in helping artists and creators stand out with high-quality audio production and custom-built websites. Set up a call with me here.