Today’s communication tools have broken down boundaries between listeners and creators.
It’s clear that sharing your music with your followers is the number one priority. However, your community is looking for more than just tracks. They want more details that bring the music to life.
Your music has a story, and it’s up to you to bring that story to your followers—it’s the part of speaking to your viewers that’s more than just music.
There are tons of methods to tell the story around your sound to gain more followers. However, to get you began here are 5 helpful ideas of things Soundcloud artists should share with your followers beyond your music.
1. Why you make music
Share the motivations behind your track is one of the important things Soundcloud artist should share. It offers your listeners a window into your process.
Whether it’s the personal significance of the track or a necessary message you want to get out there, spelling it out adds new layers to your music.
People will always discover their own that means in your work. But when there’s something about the creative motivation you may share with your followers directly, don’t pass up the chance!
Moments, where artists speak candidly about their work, aren’t as rare as they used to be, however they’re still valuable.
Here are some questions to consider asking:
- What’s your song or album about?
- Where were you if you made it and when did you write it?
- What does the track or album mean to you and how does it fit into your entire body of work?
- How did you evolve as a musician during the process?
Again, these are just some common ideas to think about. Use them as a starting point, however, find your own destination.
Use them to examine your project from all of the angles and find the ideas that may strengthen your promotion when you launch it.
2. Your studio, gear and recording process
Who doesn’t love taking a look at a setup and trying to identify each piece? Or thinking about the potential of certain gear combos in other artists’ setups? Or seeing how your favorite sound was actually made!
Even modest setups are great to take a look at. It’s not how fancy your gear is, it’s how it contributes to the music you create.
Publishing your gear in action is like your own little behind the scenes mini-documentary. It offers people the clues to connect your sounds to the devices that made them.
Don’t hesitate to grab some pictures of a cool setup you’re working with.
Images or even videos of your gear in action can all be exciting additions to what you share—To your followers and other musicians alike!
3. Your influences
Obsessive followers like to trace the flow of influences from one artist to another.
Sometimes things just click on if you find out who influenced who.
Such as Sonic Youth exploring alternate tunings after playing with Glenn Branca. Or Tears for Fears’ Roland Orzabal writing “Mad World” as an attempt to copy Duran Duran’s “Girls on Film.”
Juicy tidbits like these will pull audience even deeper into your tracks and add context to your work. Share your influences and let your audience make the connection.
Posting tracks from your favorite artists and what inspires you is an effective way to share music in between releases. Or get it one step further and record a cover song.
Hot tip: Playlists on streaming platforms are excellent for sharing your influences in easy-to-listen methods. Add some of your own music to your influences playlists to really paint the whole image of your sound.
4. Other creative projects you’re into
Music could be what brings people to your channels, however, even the diehard obsessives among us have other interests. That is your opportunity to tell your listeners about yours.
Display the method you interact with your other interests. It’ll help people get to know the method behind your craft.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with posting about your favorite films, books, mycology or no matter you’re dabbling in at the moment.
Who knows, perhaps your interest in medieval siege weapons will really resonate with your Twitter followers.
Anything you could do to help your followers feel more connected to you and your sound is worth sharing and provides you choices for how to promote your music in more fascinating methods between projects.
5. Other artists in your community
Have you ever played with an excellent band lately? Has somebody in your scene dropped a track that’s their greatest yet?
Supporting your community is all about celebrating achievements—which means you AND your friends.
Sometimes it looks like the music world is a cutthroat race for the most streams.
However, connecting on a human level via music is what really matters. Share a bond or admiration you have for a like-minded artist in your scene.
The next time you see an excellent show or listen to a friend’s songs, give them a shout out online.
When you love it, there’s a terrific chance your followers will too. It’s fun and it feels good. They could ever return the favor!
More than just music
Being a modern musician is all about multi-tasking. Not only do you must produce great tracks, but you also have to keep your followers thinking about a sea of noise.
Fortunately, there’s a lot of great material you could depend on that’s not just your music. Ending music takes time. Taking time to consider what you share in between makes a difference.
You already make and do most of it, it’s only a matter of sharing it smart and making it a part of your music promotion.
Now that you have some ideas for the way to bring new ideas to your listeners, enjoy the feeling of having space to make your greatest music while keeping your listeners excited all at the same time.