After years of touring the same city is same then use same types of shows and having pretty much the same outcome I have realized that is there must be other ways.
I'm going to go over a few ways for you to reach fans without the typical use of playing the same washed up shows.
FOCUS ON FANS OF A DIFFERENT GENRE:
easy. book as many shows outside of your genre as possible. It does not matter what kind of music. If your a rapper, play rock shows, dubstep shows, jazz shows, raves, bluegrass festivals etc. you can usually find a way to connect with the fans such as freestyle while the band they came to see plays the beat live.
MASSIVELY EXPAND YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE :
We tend to narrow our target audience down and think that you will be wasting money or time by spending energy contacting people out of your comfort genre. This is a very very big mistake, one that if changed can change your career. out of the people who have supported me as I tour, whether it be booking, supporting shows, giving me a place to sleep, buying merch, anything I would say 97 percent of them are not ''hip hop fans'' (my genre). Support will be given for many reasons, so just treat everyone nicely, talk to everyone, and offer your art and heart to everyone.
IF MUSIC DOESN'T DO IT FOR THEM, GIVE THEM SOMETHING MORE:
Some of my biggest supporters not only are out of my genre, but don't even particularly have a music bug at all. They may just be supporting because they are excited to see someone pursue a dream. Lately I have been trying to come up with new ways to reach out to them besides the typical band merch that I load onto every one of my best supporters. Be sure to take photos with them, it might mean more to them than a cd or shirt that they wont listen to or wear. The truth is a lot of them just want you to see them as a friend. So be sure to treat them that way, not like a fan. If you have the means pick up a tiny little item to give those most important supporters along the tour, even if its a 50 cent item.
MARKET EVERYWHERE YOU GO. EVERY DAY. TO EVERYONE YOU SEE:
Pretty self explanitory, I have been on tour with a guy who literally promotes himself to every person that he comes within reach of every day, every situation. Eating breakfast at a diner, and he would go talk to every table. Maybe thats a little much for you, but just make sure you always have STICKERS, BUSINESS CARDS, and FLYERS, every day, everywhere you go. And DO NOT BE shy with it. Just talk to everyone you meet, tell them what you do, hand them a card, then immediately make it about them. Find something that you two have in common, DO NOT just talk about your music the whold conversation.
CAN'T BRING LARGE CROWDS TO YOU? GO TO THE LARGE CROWDS:
Lets be honest, most of you are not packing venues nationwide. INFACT most of you probably have a hard time getting people to come out to most shows on your tour. So ask yourself this, Would performing in front of 15 people at YOUR OWN SHOW, THAT YOU ARE HEADLINING be more affective than showing up at an event that already promises 1000s of people, even if to only pass out flyers? NO. Every day in every city some sort of event takes place that brings together huge crowds, so instead of playing the same washed up weekly's, open mics' and empty bars, go the the people. Really want to take it to the next level? Show up where there are public crowds and put on an impromptu live show. Whether it be acoustic guitar, or a small PA that you set up and rap with.
REMEMBER DO NOT BE AGRESSIVE BE AVAILABLE!!!.
Don't be like those guys selling cds on venice beach or vegas blvd. Forcing your music on people, Just be polite, hand them a flyer, tell them about the tour, make sure you repeat your name a few times for good measure, then switch it up and ask about them.
THERE ARE 7 BILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, AND IM SURE IF YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT YOU COULD FIND A WAY TO CONNECT WITH EVERY ONE. MUSIC IS A SMALL PART OF WHAT YOUR TRYING TO PUSH AS A WHOLE. CREATIVITY IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN POSSESS TO CAPTURE NEW CROWDS, BE CREATIVE, THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, AND YES, WE BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN FIND SUCCESS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS!!!!!
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