Be Interesting, and Be Interested
Two things that sound similar, but are completely different.
When you’re planning to send an outward communication, whether it’s online, on-stage, in an interview, in a conversation with a fan, or whatever… always try to think about what your fans want to hear from you. Try to be interesting. Share unique anecdotes that illustrate your personality, show examples of some of your personal quirks, likes, or dislikes. Talk about the things that excite you, the bands you’re listening to, etc. Always try to put “interesting” out into the world. Don’t just talk promotionally all the time, as people will stop listening.
Conversely, to speak to the second half of this post’s title… be interested. This means pay attention and react to those who are talking to you, both online and off. When someone comes up to talk to you after you’ve just finished playing a show, stop what you’re doing and listen to them. Stop packing up your gear/merch, don’t ever look over their shoulder for someone else to talk to… look them in the eye, ask them their name, shake their hand, treat them with respect, and have a conversation. Similarly, when interacting online, if someone emails you, @replies to you, comments on your blog, or whatever…respond! Answer questions asked of you, get involved in the odd conversation online, reply to your emails, etc. This is the type of “humanizing” that a fan wants… they want a meaningful interaction with you… they don’t necessarily care what you ate for breakfast, unless what you ate for breakfast was really interesting. (cheerios with chocolate sauce, for example… though I don’t recommend it.) If that’s the case, go ahead and share!
My favorite saying to people asking me advice on the social networks: Be interesting and be interested. The first is pretty easy for most people. The last takes some work sometimes but worth the trouble.
Molly