Social media, web technologies, mobile interaction… all of these are amazing tools that a musician now has in their pocket, most of them available for free. There is no excuse for a musician not to be using all these tools to the best of their availability to maximize their fanbase, enhance their fans experiences, turn fans into friends, and turn friends into evangelists. So much can be achieved simply by using these tools, and using them well.

However, there are two things that are simply unavoidable.  You need to invest the time needed to build your networks, and you need to be talented musically.  It’s true not everyone who wants to be a successful musician is going to become one, but if that’s what you want to do, then that’s fantastic.  But you need to focus on it all the time.  Spend your time practicing your instruments, writing new songs, booking shows… but then spend time making friends with other bands, showswapping, and engaging with people who have told you they like your music.  Don’t just go on Myspace and start friending random people, (or worse… only friending girls in bikinis) then never talk to them again.  Start conversations, get active in already-existing conversations… find messageboards that discuss topics similar to the lyrical material of your songs and start talking to people, try all kinds of different things to grow your fanbase.  Just be smart about it.  Think, target, then engage them.  And make the time to engage in meaningful conversations with people about your music.  You can’t just always have a one-way outward push to people.  You need to listen and respond to what they have to say as well.

Screaming from the rooftop no longer works. Conversations do.  Make time to converse with your listeners.  And make time to get better musically.  Lock those two things in, and the rest will start to fall into place.