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sharing the reasons why you made a particular song. Let them see you rehearse. Start a blog to share your thoughts about life with your supporters. Whenever they purchase a song, personally tell them how much you appreciate it. Whenever you get a positive comment, mention their names in the next blog personally thanking them for their support. Give them advance notice of your performances and special VIP treatment at the next show with a free t-shirt, free cd or downloadable ring tone. You like feeling special right? Show them that you, too, are human, just like them. This is how your fans relate to you. This is how you build a solid following. Make them feel like you care about them. Make them feel like they belong here.

Real music tends to create a movement, something meaningful to be shared for generations to come, not just on some fly-by-night mission to please or based on trends and fads. Study superstar musicians and bands. There is something special about them and they each have something in common. It's not just about the talent. It's how the music makes the fans feel. Let's face it. Your fans choose how they want to spend their time and their money. You are competing not only with other musicians/bands/artists, but also with other forms of entertainment (sports, movies, etc.) You want to own that space in their minds for music that they can count on to make them feel however they want to feel at any given point in their day, at any given point in their lives.

Music is and should be an experience for both the listener and the creator. Do you make music for yourself? Sure you do, but what grand purpose would it fulfill if you keep it to yourself? Music is meant to be shared with others.

If you build it they will comebut what exactly are you trying to build? A fan base or a career of longevity? Building a fan base can involve marketing strategies, hype and advertising, all of which at some point or other cost you money. Building a career of longevity means building a base of lifelong supporters that can't be bought with moneyyour music delivers the value. Long after the major labels have folded and websites have shutdown, nurture the connection you have with your fans and they will always be there to support you.

Many wishes of success to you in your career.

Learn more about this author, Mill Davis.
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