Dear DIY's, Are You Making the Time?

"Dearest Artist,

I f’n love you man.  If music was a religion – you’d be gods.  No wait - bigger than gods - because I make time for you nearly every day, and not just when I want something.

I’ve heard a lot like you...but you – you’re the real deal. You help me get through my less than inspiring work-day, and I make time for you in my study schedule.  Sometimes you even make the most mundaine tasks (like house cleaning, barf) – dare I say, more bearable.

Sometimes you get me in the mood (if you know what I’m sayin).  And sometimes you help get me out of a mood I'd rather not be in.

I read your newsletters. I compliment you daily on your Facebook wall. I visit your website.  I happily vote for you every time you’re entered in some contest.  I even spend my hard-earned dollar from my miserable day job on you.  I tell everyone about you, and spread the good word in hopes that one day everyone else will recognize your magnificence.

What do you do for me?

Sincerely,
Your biggest fan."

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All fake-fan letters aside... The real question is:  What have you done for your fans today?  How much time have you given them?  To state the obvious, communication is one of most effective ways to build and retain a fan base. 

This may not be true for the pre-packaged, manufactured artists of the world (you know who these are) that have the support of a major label shoving their bland over-produced bubble-gum garbage down consumers throats.  But in the case for the DIY artists (that actually play their own instruments) trying make a buck – interaction is one of the easiest, most effective ways to make your fans feel like buying an over-priced ticket to your Tuesday night show is worth it - and to keep them coming back for more.

Too often I hear artists say, “We just don’t have the time to engage....”

Really?!

Not 'having time' is no excuse, imho. Communication is the easiest it's ever been.  Remember the days when the only way to reach out to fans was to physically reply to hand-written fan mail?  Talk about time consuming.

The average consumer has a day job, even two or three jobs - And faced with 3000+ advertisements per day.  But yet, a die-hard fan will take the time to rifle through the onslaught of junk and seek out information on the artists they admire.

In a world where time is a commodity – are you giving your followers the same time they give you?  Or are you one of those that believe artist-to-fan communication comes in the form of a mass Facebook message only when you need something?