**Guest post written by Sammy Hakim for Bandzoogle.com.

"Whether it’s over the internet or on a stage, one of our main jobs as musicians is to engage with our audience. After all, connecting with others is part of what makes art so incredibly special: it can make you feel as though it was created for you, even when you’ve never met the creator a day in your life.

However, in the modern era, engaging with your audience means a lot more than generating powerful work: fans expect artists to be active online using various platforms, from TikTok to streaming services. Some even deem this online activity to be necessary for building a sustainable career. With that said, if you’re struggling to find ways to engage with your audience online, we’ve got your back!

Here are five tips to get you started:

1. Post your music

First and foremost, and perhaps the most obvious suggestion: posting your music online is a necessary part of engaging with your audience. This is the easiest way to showcase what you do, and will make your work available for your existing fans to share with more people.

Post snippets of the songs or videos online, and be active in the comments! Engagement is all about responding to your community – if they ‘like’ your song, tell them thank you! Even the smallest gesture of gratitude can leave a big impression on someone; especially if your music has already touched their hearts.

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2. Get creative with content

One of the most important things to learn in the modern era of social media is that anything can be content. Brushing your teeth? Make it a ‘get ready with me’ post. Saw a cute dog? Share a Story about it.

Allowing your fans to view some parts of your life invites them to get to know you better and come along on your journey. This is your way of allowing fans to build a connection with you, and thus, allowing you to engage and interact with them. And remember: in this para-social relationship, you can be as deep or as shallow as you’re comfortable with.

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3. Host dedicated live streams

Live streaming can be a great channel for engagement, and can allow you to get to know your fans firsthand. One way I’ve seen this done is by playing live and asking fans which songs they want to hear. Another great technique is to do a Q&A livestream, and let your fans get to ask their most burning questions and get direct responses!

Even if you’re doing something as simple as chatting about your day, fans are sure to appreciate the face time and opportunity to get to know you better. 8 After allowing them the chance to communicate with you directly, it’ll be no surprise when your engagement improves outside of the streams as well!

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4. Make exclusive connections

Finding ways to invite your fans to connect with you exclusively can allow you to harness something special with them. For a real-world example, look into Taylor Swift’s ‘Secret Sessions’ for 1989. Small showcases, or even exclusive Zoom hangs and chats, can be a great way to offer face-to-face sessions for your fans to spend time with you.

When using social media as the platform for interaction, consider using the ‘Landing Page’ option with Bandzoogle to help ensure your fans find the right webpage, or to access content that’s available only through the link! That can help keep your event smaller and your interactions more one-on-one.

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5. Offer fan subscriptions

Paid fan subscriptions can be a great way to generate income while allowing you the ability to further engage with your fans. For example, you could offer a one dollar subscription for access to your exclusive Discord activity, or, say, a five dollar subscription for access to monthly Q&A live stream sessions like we discussed earlier.

Don’t hesitate to get creative here - a paid subscription is a great opportunity to offer your fans special access and regular perks that help them get to know you better. And the added financial support from their subscription can help fund future projects, giving you even more content to share.

Engaging with your fans, whether it be through art, live streaming, or social media as a whole, is an important part of what we do as musicians. That connection can last a lifetime. To really understand your audience, engaging with them is important, whichever the avenue you choose. After all, shared emotion through music, commonalities, and connection are an important part of art. Just remember: be yourself, and have fun!"

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