How to Build a Fanbase and get more streams and sales

Making great music is just one piece of the puzzle. If you want a successful music career, you need a fanbase, and a loyal group of people who listen to your tracks, share them, and support you.

But with millions of artists competing for attention, how do you stand out and grow a real audience?

The key is consistency, strategy, and authenticity. In this guide, we’ll break down how to build a fanbase from scratch and keep listeners engaged for the long run.

Before you start growing a fanbase, you need to ask yourself: Who am I as an artist?

• Listeners should recognize your music instantly.

• Experiment with different styles, but find something unique that sets you apart.

• Example: Travis Scott’s atmospheric auto-tuned vocals, Billie Eilish’s whispery vocal tone, or Metro Boomin’s dark, cinematic production.

• A strong brand makes you more than just another artist, it makes you recognizable.

• Consider:

  • Visual Identity: Your logo, album covers, and social media aesthetic.

  • Personality: Are you mysterious, funny, motivational, or rebellious?

  • Story: What makes your journey relatable? (e.g., struggling to get heard, balancing school and music, working with platinum producers at WavGrind, etc.)

🔥 Pro Tip: Fans connect with stories. Share your journey, struggles, and successes, people love rooting for an underdog.

You don’t need millions of followers to have a loyal fanbase. The goal is to attract the right people who genuinely love your music.

• Short videos are the fastest way to go viral and introduce your music to new listeners.

• Post:

  • Studio footage (making a track, recording vocals, experimenting with sounds).

  • Behind the scenes (song breakdowns, funny moments, struggles).

  • Trends & remixes (flip a trending song, react to other artists).

• Example: Yeat, Ice Spice, And Iann Dior blew up because of short clips and songs that took off on TikTok.

• Reply to comments, fans love it when artists engage with them.

• Join music-related Discord servers, Reddit threads, and Facebook groups.

• Host live sessions to talk about music, show unreleased tracks, and answer questions.

• Many artists blow up after months (or years) of posting consistently.

• Growth isn’t always linear: one video, song, or playlist feature can change everything.

🔥 Pro Tip:Your first few posts might flop, don’t let that stop you. Keep posting, refining your content, and engaging with your audience.

Dropping a song and hoping people find it isn’t enough. You need a game plan to maximize streams and engagement.

• Building momentum is key, releasing singles gives fans more chances to discover you.

• Example: Instead of dropping a full album that no one knows about, release 3-5 singles first to build hype.

• Tease snippets on social media leading up to the drop.

• Announce a release date and get fans excited.

• Offer incentives (behind-the-scenes content, shoutouts, giveaways) for those who pre-save.

• Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud playlists can skyrocket your streams.

• Submit to Spotify Editorial Playlists through Spotify for Artists.

• Find independent curators who accept submissions (many are on Instagram or websites).

🔥 Pro Tip: Send your first-day listeners to Spotify, strong first-day numbers boost your chances of getting playlisted.

Getting streams is great, but streams don’t mean true fans. If you want a long-lasting music career, you need to turn casual listeners into superfans.

• Social media algorithms change all the time, owning direct contact with fans is key.

• Offer exclusive perks for signing up (early access to music, free downloads, behind-the-scenes content).

• Example: Artists like Russ and Chance the Rapper use email/SMS lists to stay connected with fans.

• If fans love your music, they’ll support you financially.

• Consider:

  • Custom merch (shirts, hoodies, stickers).

  • Exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

  • Patreon or a subscription model for early access to tracks.

• Let them vote on album covers, tracklist names, or upcoming singles.

• Feature fan content, reshare covers, reactions, or TikTok videos using your track.

• The more involved fans feel, the more invested they become.

🔥 Pro Tip:People don’t just support music, they support artists they feel connected to.

Even in a digital world, live performances and industry connections still matter.

• Start with local open mics, small venues, or online performances.

• Performing builds real connections with fans, people remember great live experiences.

• Example: Artists like Post Malone and Doja Cat performed at small events before blowing up.

• Feature on other artists’ tracks, which helps you tap into their fanbase.

• Work with producers who can introduce you to more industry connections.

• Collaborations expand your reach and create new opportunities.

• Follow and engage with A&Rs, playlist curators, bloggers, and influencers.

• Attend music events, producer meetups, and workshops.

• The right connection can open doors you never expected.

🔥 Pro Tip:You never know who’s watching, always put effort into your music and networking.

Building a fanbase takes time, effort, and consistency. But if you stay authentic, engage with your audience, and market your music strategically, you can grow a loyal following without relying on a label.

🚀 Want to level up your tracks? Download these free sample packs to improve your production.