You gotta love your fans even if you only have a dozen. Because they will tell their friends who will become your fans and your fan base will then geometrically grow and flourish.
Remember love in this case is a verb. Show your fans some love. Give them the big rallendando, their favorite tunes, and repeat the song if asked. I once had an 18 piece big band and we played the church dance circuit. We were always busy. But there were a few tunes we played 10 times a night….on request. They were our fans and we loved them. Would we turn them down because they needed to hear a more balanced program? Ha! No!
Being a singer or a musician is an emotional gig. Nothing like any other profession. We hang it out there hoping they will love us and are crushed if the love is not returned. But we love it because the rush of satisfaction is almost illegal. We compose for the same reason. Mozart would love anybody to play his music, even on an accordion. Composers want to be heard! And singers and musicians want to perform and without our lover, the audience, we are all doomed to silence.
Are fans customers? Of course. Like a Sears customer? No, of course not.
How do you build your fan base? Sing every chance you get and get someone else to handle the contract negotiations. First get a friend to do it and then a manager who will promote and take a percentage of the house. Every dueler needs a second. You also need a second.
Show Your Fans the Love!
