Today’s communication tools have broken down boundaries between audience and creator.

It’s clear that sharing your music with your fans is the number one priority. But your community is looking for more than just tracks. They want the extra details that bring the sounds to life.

Your music has a story, and it’s up to you to bring that story to your fans—it’s the part of speaking to your audience that’s more than just music.

There’s tons of ways to tell the story around your sound. But to get you started here’s 5 useful ideas of what to share with your fans beyond your music.

1. Why you make music

Share the motivations behind your music. It gives your listeners a window into your process.

Whether it’s the personal significance of the track or an important message you want to get out there, spelling it out adds new layers to your music.

People will always find their own meaning in your work. But if there’s something about your creative motivation you can share with your fans directly, don’t pass up the opportunity!

Moments where artists speak candidly about their work aren’t as rare as they used to be, but they’re still valuable.

Here’s some questions to consider asking:

1. What’s your song or album about?
2. Where were you when you made it and when did you write it?
3. What does the song or album mean to you and how does it fit into your entire body of work?
4. How did you evolve as an artist during the process?

Again, these are just some general ideas to consider. Use them as a starting point, but find your own destination.

Use them to examine your project from all the angles and find the ideas that will strengthen your promotion when you release it.

2. Your studio, gear and recording process

Who doesn’t love looking at a setup and trying to identify each piece? Or imagining the potential of certain gear combos in other artists’ setups? Or seeing how your favourite sound was actually made!

Even modest setups are great to look at. It’s not how fancy your gear is, it’s how it contributes to the music you make.

It’s not how fancy your gear is, it’s how it contributes to the music you make.

Posting your gear in action is like your own little behind the scenes mini-documentary. It gives people the clues to connect your sounds to the instruments that made them.

Don’t hesitate to grab some shots of a cool setup you’re working with.

Photos, or even videos of your gear in action can all be exciting additions to what you share—To your fans and other musicians alike!

3. Your influences

Obsessive fans love to trace the flow of influences from one artist to another.

Sometimes things just click when you find out who influenced who.

Like Sonic Youth exploring alternate tunings after playing with Glenn Branca. Or Tears for Fears’ Roland Orzabal writing “Mad World” as an attempt to copy Duran Duran’s “Girls on Film.”

Juicy tidbits like these will pull listeners even deeper into your songs and add context to your work. Share your influences and let your listeners make the connection.

Share your influences and let your listeners make the connection.

Posting tracks from your favourite artists and what inspires you is a great way to share music in between releases. Or take it one step further and record a cover song.

Hot tip: Playlists on streaming platforms are perfect for sharing your influences in easy-to-listen ways. Add some of your own music to your influences playlists to really paint the whole picture of your sound.

4. Other creative projects you’re into

Music may be what brings people to your channels, but even the diehard obsessives among us have other interests. This is your chance to tell your fans about yours.

Show the way you interact with your other interests. It will help people get to know the process behind your craft.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with posting about your favourite movies, books, mycology or whatever else you’re dabbling in at the moment.

Who knows, maybe your interest in medieval siege weapons will really resonate with your Twitter followers.

Who knows, maybe your interest in medieval siege weapons will really resonate with your Twitter followers.

Anything you can do to help your fans feel more connected to you and your sound is worth sharing, and gives you options for how to promote your music in more interesting ways between projects.

5. Other artists in your community

Have you played with a great band lately? Has someone in your scene dropped a track that’s their best yet?

Supporting your community is all about celebrating achievements—that means you AND your peers..

Supporting your community is all about celebrating achievements—that means you AND your peers..

Sometimes it seems like the music world is a cutthroat race for the most streams.

But connecting on a human level through music is what really matters. Share a bond or admiration you have for a like-minded artist in your scene.

The next time you see a great show or listen to a friend’s songs, give them a shout out online.

If you like it, there’s a great chance your fans will too. It’s fun and it feels good. They might ever return the favour!

More than just music

Being a modern musician is all about multi-tasking. Not only do you have to produce great tracks, but you have to keep your fans interested in a sea of noise.

Luckily, there’s lots of great material you can rely on that’s not just your music. Finishing music takes time. Taking time to think about what you share in between makes a difference.

You already make and do most of it, it’s just a matter of sharing it smart and making it part of your music promotion.

Now that you have some ideas for how to bring new ideas to your audience, enjoy the feeling of having space to make your best music while keeping your fans excited all at the same time.

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Michael Hahn is an engineer and producer at Autoland and member of the swirling indie rock trio Slight.