Industry news & advice blog

There are bands who have fans who like their music...  Then there are bands whose fans feel a deep connection with the band who follow not just the music but the inside story, the announcements, the merchandise and the journey.  These fans engage with content online, they get behind their favourite artists’ campaigns and ideas and are the first to offer help and support when needed.  

What’s the difference?  Inviting your fans to see why you do what you do not just how you do it.  It is valuing your fans as intelligent beings and appreciating their role in your success; not just using them as a means to pay for your new guitar!  

If you want a career that gathers momentum as fast as it does new fans, your aim should be making ‘being your fan’ one of the most exciting and stimulating journeys a person could ever go on!  The way you can do this is to think deeply about your story; asking yourself questions such as what drives you as well as your creativity? What values and principles inform your lifestyle?  Use these things to attract people with similar sensibilities and passions.  It could be by releasing a charity single or fundraising event for a cause close to your heart; or it could be a brand partnership with a product you love to use; or even just a particular goal you are striving for - such as to play at half time at your favourite football teams’ stadium or to hit Number One in iTunes’ Reggae Chart. Emo bands such as My Chemical Romance grew rapidly as they invited young people on a journey which allowed them to indulge their emotions in a way that other genres didn’t. 

One of our favourite acts at Rocket Fuel, Daughters Of Davis got a huge opportunity when they created a DVD that captured their heart about living in a campervan which they bough off eBay - playing to crowds large and small, eating out of cans and having to wash in rivers…!  People loved the romanticism of it all and were caught up in where they might end up.  Several travel & leisure companies clubbed to help the girls out by gifting them with a brand new vehicle. The girls have toured around Europe in ‘Otis the Elddis’ and fans have gotten right behind them in doing that! 

How can you take your own music beyond just making songs - to inviting fans to accompany you through your career?  What goals and story do you have - and where are you headed that you can share with your fans? Have you considered utilising the power of fan-funding?

Followers of the Unsigned Guide can sign up for FREE at rocketfuelhq.com/takeoff today to join acts like Daughters of Davis who’ve earned nearly £7,000 since starting their mission in 2014. 

Rocket Fuel are also looking for acts eager to play at one of the UK’s largest new festivals, H2OFest in August 2016. As many as 70,000 will be attending the event. Apply here.