The 5 Crucial Steps in Building a Fanbase

Let’s be real—before people can become your fans, they have to know you exist. Attention is the first, most important step in building a music career. Without it, everything else—streams, shows, merch sales—never happens.
But here’s the thing: getting attention isn’t about luck, and it’s not just about the internet. The artists who truly break through understand that visibility is a mix of real-world connections and smart digital strategy. It’s about being seen in the right places, by the right people, at the right time.
So, how do you make that happen? Let’s break it down.

1. Networking: Why WHO Knows You Matters More Than Going Viral

Social media is powerful, but if you’re only relying on algorithms, you’re leaving too much up to chance. The music business has always been built on relationships. Being in the right rooms, shaking the right hands, and building real connections will do more for your career than 100 viral moments that don’t convert into anything real.

How to Get in the Right Rooms

Industry Events & Conferences – Show up, introduce yourself, and make real connections.
Meet the DJs, Promoters & Gatekeepers in Your City – Local radio and club play still matter.
Studio Sessions & Songwriting Camps – Some of the biggest collaborations start just by being in the room.
Talk to Fans, Not Just Peers – Engaging with people at your shows makes them more likely to follow and support you.
Example: A rapper in Atlanta starts building relationships with club DJs. A few weeks later, his single is playing in multiple clubs—before it even gets traction online.
The takeaway: The internet is important, but people talking about you in real life is what makes you a real presence.

"Social media is powerful, but if you’re only relying on algorithms, you’re leaving too much up to chance"

The CEO Whisperer

2. Collaboration: The Fastest Way to Get Seen by New Audiences

Trying to build an audience entirely from scratch is slow and exhausting. That’s where collaborations come in.
When you work with other artists, content creators, DJs, and influencers, you get exposed to their audience—which means instant awareness from people who might love your music but wouldn’t have found you otherwise.

Collaboration Strategies That Actually Work

Feature on Another Artist’s Song – Instant exposure to their fanbase.
Create a Remix or Challenge – Rework a trending song and ride the wave.
Team Up with Influencers – Even micro-influencers (5K-50K followers) can get you in front of highly engaged audiences.
Crossover Content – Work with dancers, fashion designers, or podcasters. New audience = new fans.
Example: An R&B singer duets with a TikTok influencer who has 50K followers. Within days, their follower count doubles because they’ve tapped into the influencer’s audience.
The takeaway: Collab = cross-promotion. The more people you work with, the more people will see you.

3. Get Featured in the Right Places (So People Find You Naturally)

People aren’t just scrolling through social media to find new artists—they’re listening to playlists, watching reaction videos, and reading blogs. If you’re not showing up in these spaces, you’re making it harder for people to discover you.

Where You Need to Be Seen

Spotify Playlists – Submit to independent curators, not just the big editorial ones.
YouTube Reaction Channels – Tons of people find new music through reactions.
Micro-Influencers & Niche Blogs – A small but highly engaged audience is better than a massive one that doesn’t care.
Example: An indie artist gets featured on a mid-sized YouTube music review channel (20K subscribers). Their streams jump by 30% overnight.
The takeaway: Getting placed in the right spaces helps people find you organically—which means less work trying to force attention.

4. Social Media: The Art of Making People Stop Scrolling

Even with all the real-world networking and collaborations, you still need digital content that grabs attention. The key? Make people stop scrolling and pay attention within the first three seconds.

How to Make Your Content Stand Out

Hook People Instantly – Use a surprising lyric, a bold visual, or a strong caption.
Post Shareable Content – If people don’t want to send it to a friend, it won’t spread.
Engage in the Comments – Some artists blow up just by being active in trending discussions.
Test Different Formats – Performance clips, storytelling videos, and reaction-based content all work differently.
Example: An artist posts a raw, unfiltered vocal clip with no edits. The authenticity makes it go viral.
The takeaway: The algorithm favors content that makes people watch, comment, and share—so don’t just post for the sake of posting.

5. Avoid These Common Mistakes That Kill Momentum

Only Focusing on One Platform – You need a mix of digital and real-world visibility.
Thinking One Viral Moment = Success – Virality is temporary. Sustained attention is what builds a career.
Ignoring Local Connections – Your city should know you exist before the internet does.
Neglecting Consistency – One post every two weeks won’t keep you on people’s radar.

What Happens Next?

Getting attention is just Step 1. Once you have it, you need to keep people interested—because attention without engagement is useless.
Stay tuned for our next post on how to turn awareness into genuine fan interest.

Final Thoughts

Getting noticed isn’t luck—it’s a strategy. The artists who break through are the ones who:
Build real connections through networking
Use collaboration to expand their reach
Get featured in the right places to gain organic exposure
Create content that actually stops people from scrolling
What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to getting noticed? Drop a comment below!