Social media and advancing technology have reshaped celebrity and brand engagement with fans. By trends such as launching merch websites and giving fans a glimpse into what goes on in making music, they have reshaped how they engage with fans. Fans keep looking for more and more ways to interact with their idols, and evolving technology is rapidly paving the way for better communication. During the lockdown period, many traditional ways of interaction, like fan meet and greets and live concerts, were unavailable, and to engage with fans, many musicians started using technology innovatively. This article looks at ten ways musicians have revolutionized their communication with fans using technology.
1. Live Streaming Concerts From Youtube Or Twitch
Live streaming has become famous since the pandemic. Many K-pop idols and major artist switched their concert hosting platforms to YouTube and Twitch. It created a chance for fans across the globe to have easier access to concerts. Live streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch facilitate live chats where fans can interact with artists and other fans in real-time. Fans often want to know everything about their artists’ lives, and live streaming makes it easier for artists to stream their daily lives and short updates about their new projects. YouTube and Twitch also have subscriptions that unlock special perks for fans.
2. Talking To Their Favorite Artists Directly Through VIP Chat
Live streaming platforms often offer subscription/VIP advantages to fans at certain prices. These subscriptions generally have perks like VIP chat rooms that allow them to interact with other VIP fans or highlight their chats for easy access to the artists and special stickers. In some apps, the chat system lets fans exclusively talk to the artists, giving the artists a chance to address their fans directly and connect with them on a more personal level.
3. Fans Love In-game Concerts
Artists sometimes participate in hosting In-game concerts. DJ Marsmello hosted a concert during Fortnite 2019 and drew around 10 million fans. The next year, Travis Scott attracted more than 27 million. On Roblox, Lil Nas X’s concert had a whopping 33 million views. Many other well-known artists like Chainsmokers and Arian Grande also conducted successful In-game concerts. In-game concerts combine two of the fans’ most favorite activities, making millions of views achievable. With the continuous rise of the gaming industry, this number will only increase.
4. Veeps
Veeps is the world’s leading streaming platform for live music and entertainment. Veeps has successfully hosted live concerts, comedy shows, and more. Celebrities like Aerosmith, Death Cab for Cutie, J Balvin, Macklemore, Mumford and Sons, OneRepublic, The Postal Service, The Rolling Stones, Run the Jewels, Shania Twain, Slipknot, and more actively use the Veeps app to interact with their fans. The Veeps ‘All Access’ is your pass to exclusive features like live music, unlimited access to a comprehensive library of exclusive live concerts, original music-related content, music films, and more, all for $11.99 a month or an annual fee of $120.
5. Music Industry And Digital Products
Fans are always looking for more ways to engage with their celebrities and show their love for them to the world. Merchandise is one of the best ways through which they can show this. Digital merch stores make it easier for fans across the world to buy artists merch. The merch no longer stays limited to concert locations. The artists’ stores generally feature a wide variety of products like t-shirts, CDs, records, plushies, and even soaps. Buying and using merch also greatly increases the sense of community among fans.
6. Self-publishing On A Digital Platform
The rise of digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and more has brought the ability to create and publish music closer to everyone. Digitalization has made the costs of music production much cheaper by giving the ability to compose and produce music right from home by using digital devices. Self-publishing also greatly increases the artists’ control over their revenues, and there’s nothing fans love more than supporting their favorite artists to succeed. For example, indie artists like Corpse Husband have created active communities by regularly releasing new music on these platforms.
7. TikTok Song Trends
Songs that trend on TikTok end up on the Billboard 100 charts or Spotify Viral 50. Fans are most likely to search for the songs after hearing them on social media apps. Fans creatively engage with these viral song trends by creating unique choreographies and makeup transitions that have now become a way of interaction between artists and fans. Artists sometimes recreate these choreographies and add personalized messages. It lets the connection between the artists and communities grow stronger.
8. A Glimpse Into The Process Of Making Music
Social media’s rise has broken down the mysterious barriers that exist between popular art and the fans that engage with them. Today, not only does social media allow personal interaction between artists and fans, but it also acts as a window through which fans can get a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of making music. Artists like Charlie Puth often post their creative process on Instagram, and fans are captivated by how music can sometimes come from just experimenting around.
9. Sharing News And Updates On Social Media
Sharing News And Updates On Social Media is one of the main ways through which artists engage with their fans. News about what they are currently working on, their inspiration, release dates, concert tour routes, and more help keep the fans updated and on their toes for the next release. There is nothing more than updates about their favorite artists’ new releases that can get fans more excited. The artists’ music is why they are there, and getting a chance to engage with more of their music takes the crown of all the ways that artists interact with them.
10. Maintaining Personal Social Media Accounts
Personal social media accounts are the direct links of communication between artists and fans. Many fans create stan accounts solely to interact with the daily content that artists post to support them. Fans want more and are always looking for ways to interact with their favorite artists. Daily posts about their personal life and information about their favorite food and hobbies become a way for artists to establish strong connections with their fans.
