Being a music artist is hard. There’s no question about that.

Even though the internet gives us access to all the necessary tools and resources, it is still tough for up-and-coming artists to stand out from the rest of the crowd. You have everyone competing for the same spotlight. With that being said, finding that differentiating factor is a challenge.

There was a time when you could easily take advantage of social media platforms to grow an audience and build a strong presence as an artist. These opportunities are still available but now it’s much more difficult because your followers might only be interested in you for a short period of time. Unlimited access to any music provides everyone the freedom to jump from one artist to another.

For quite some time it wasn’t clear if there was a way to solve this problem but now the wheels have started to turn in the other direction.

1,000 true fans over millions of listeners

For an artist, the most important thing is to build a dedicated fanbase. There is a common misconception that size is more important than patronage which means that you can only achieve success and make money if you have enough people following you.

The new online landscape offers an alternative solution.

In a world of instant gratification, fandom is beginning to take a new shape. The idea is that music artists have the ability to build a small dedicated fanbase that supports them in all parts of their creative journey. 

The concept is better known as “1,000 True Fans” popularized by Kevin Kelly. 

Kelly describes a true fan as someone who will invest in the work of an artist emotionally and financially. They will purchase every piece of art an artist creates, attend every show, and tell their friends about it. People who care remain loyal to musicians, artists, and writers even when the markets fluctuate.

How to build a dedicated fanbase

First and foremost, it's important that you show authenticity by being transparent. Your art should reflect your personality, so be yourself. Allow your fans to be a part of your creative process and challenges.

True fans also have the desire to connect with the artists they love. You can foster that connection by engaging with your fans on social media through comments and messages.

Some of the biggest opportunities for artists are now available through WEB3 technologies, such as blockchain and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). They allow music artists to monetize their work and reach new audiences. You can read the full breakdown here.

Here are some of the ways artists can use WEB3 technologies and bring value to their core fanbase:

• Sell unique digital assets/collectibles: Musicians can use NFTs to sell music videos, album art, or individual tracks. This can provide a new revenue stream for music artists and give fans the opportunity to own something special and unique.

• Offer NFTs as rewards for fan engagement: Consider offering NFTs as rewards for fans who engage with your content, share your music, or participate in special events or contests. This can be a great way to incentivize fan engagement and create a sense of community.

• Use NFTs to create interactive experiences: Music artists can use NFTs to create interactive experiences for their fans, such as virtual meet-and-greets or exclusive concerts. This can help to build a sense of connection with your audience and create unique and memorable experiences.

• Share behind-the-scenes content: Consider using NFTs to share behind-the-scenes content or other exclusive material with your fans. This can create a sense of intimacy and allow your fans to feel like they have a special connection with you and your music.

It's important to note that while NFTs can be a powerful tool for musicians to connect with their fans, they are still a relatively new technology. Musicians have to carefully consider how they can use NFTs in a way that adds value and strengthens their relationship with the fans.

Fortunately, our Libby collective has the ability to save you from all this hassle. We can help you bypass all the barriers needed to enter the NFT music ecosystem and set you up with a clear strategy.

Introducing Libby

Libby is a decentralized, chain-agnostic web3 label/agency hybrid. We offer a wide range of services including syndication on crypto streaming platforms as well as the creation and promotion of music NFTs on various audio NFT marketplaces.

Our primary focus is to find talented new artists, positioning them for success by providing resources and guidance in the early stages of their careers. Our A&R team manually scours the internet on a daily basis to continue to find and develop the best talent in the world.

Our Solution

• Building a community-curated & governed ecosystem of Web3 music projects that makes the journey of new users easy & safe.

• Accelerating mainstream adoption of Web3 technology as a means to enable musicians, their audiences, as well as other industry professionals to engage with the music economy directly.

• Developing Web3 music ownership, rights transfer, publishing, advances, pre-release sales and promotion, distribution, label services, management services, and streaming all within an open, distributed, smart-contract-based platform.

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  Join Libby and build a loyal fanbase that will enable you to make a living from your music without relying on old-fashioned record labels, distributors, or other intermediaries.
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