Finding fans in today’s music world is a bit like standing in the middle of a crowded train station holding up a sign that says “Hey! I make music, come say hi!” You might get a few curious glances, but most people are too busy chasing their own trains to stop and listen.
That’s why I found this article from CD Baby “10 Ways to Find Your Fans” so worth sharing.
It cuts through the fog and gives independent musicians a clear, no-nonsense road-map to help answer one of the most important (and often most frustrating) questions we face: Where are the people who are going to care about what I do?
What the Article Covers (And Why It Matters)
CD Baby lays out 10 practical strategies to find your audience and spoiler alert: it doesn’t involve begging random people to stream your song on Spotify.
Here’s the general gist:
- Be Specific About Who You’re Talking To: Know your audience like you know your best friend. What do they care about? What else do they listen to? Where do they hang out online and in real life?
- Get Involved in Communities: Instead of shouting into the void, the article suggests showing up where music lovers already are, whether that’s online forums, Discords, local scenes, or niche fanbases.
- Tell Your Story (Over and Over Again): Fans connect with artists who share something real. This isn’t about crafting the perfect ‘brand’ it’s about consistency and being willing to show up as yourself.
- Be Where Your Audience Is: If your fans are scrolling Instagram at 10PM, don’t spend all your energy tweeting at noon. Match your presence to your people.
- Play the Long Game: No single post or gig will “blow you up.” Building a fanbase takes patience, persistence, and showing up long after the initial excitement fades.
There’s more. Collaborations, local support, email lists, and simply listening to feedback all make the list but what ties it all together is this: finding fans isn’t just about shouting louder. It’s about tuning in and speaking more clearly to the right people.
Fans Find You When You Start Showing Up As You Are
Here’s the thing I really liked about this article, it doesn’t try to sell a fantasy. It doesn’t promise 10,000 followers in 10 days or offer some magic “growth hack.” Instead, it leans into what I believe is the actual heart of music-making: connection.
As artists, we’re not just looking for “fans” in the click-and-follow sense. We’re looking for listeners who get us. People who hear something in our songs that feels like home, or a spark, or a punch in the gut, or whatever it is that music does when it cuts through the noise.
That kind of connection doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built in the trenches, gig by gig, post by post, song by song.
It’s built by being consistent, honest, and yes, vulnerable enough to let your true voice be heard. Not just in your music, but in how you show up for the people who might one day become your audience.
If you’re still searching for your crowd, you’re not alone. I’m doing it too. And if you’ve already found some of your people, cherish them. Nurture that connection. Because at the end of the day, the artist-fan relationship isn’t about numbers.
It’s about belonging.
Final Thought (and Your Next Step)
I highly recommend giving the full article a read. It’s called “10 Ways to Find Your Fans” and it’s a goldmine of clarity in a world full of confusing noise. If you’re tired of chasing algorithms and just want to start building something real, this is a good place to start.
After you read it, let me know what you think. Are you trying any of these approaches? Have they worked for you?
Let’s keep the conversation going because we’re all building something together here, brick by brick.
