How Touring Musicians Can Turn Streaming Success into Sold-Out Shows

In the music industry, streaming has become a powerful tool for musicians to reach a global audience and generate revenue. However, while streaming can provide a steady income, it's important for musicians to remember the significance of live performances and touring. Touring not only allows musicians to connect with their fans on a personal level but also presents opportunities for increased revenue and career growth. This blog post will explore how musicians can leverage their streaming success to sell out shows and make the most of their touring endeavors. We'll discuss strategies for engaging with fans both online and in-person, planning tours around album and single releases, utilizing social media and online presence to promote exclusive merchandise, and offering early access to tour dates and ticket sales.

The importance of tour revenue compared to streaming revenue for musicians

For musicians, touring has always been the primary source of income, even for the most successful streaming artists. In fact, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the average revenue per stream for a musician is a mere $0.0038. This means that a musician would need to have over 263 million streams to earn the same amount of money that they would from a single sold-out show at a 1,000-person venue.

Beyond the financial aspect, touring provides musicians with an unparalleled opportunity to connect with their fans on a personal level, fostering a stronger and more loyal following. These live performances serve as a platform for musicians to showcase their talent, engage with their audience, and create unforgettable experiences that cannot be replicated through streaming alone.

Moreover, touring allows musicians to expand their reach and build their brand. By performing in different cities and countries, musicians can introduce their music to new audiences, increasing their fanbase and broadening their influence within the music industry.

Why it's important to engage with fans both online and in person

Engaging with fans both online and in person is crucial for musicians looking to build a successful and sustainable career in the music industry. Online engagement allows musicians to connect with fans from all over the world, fostering a sense of community and building a loyal fan base. Through social media platforms, streaming services, and other online channels, musicians can share their music, interact with fans, and provide exclusive content, keeping fans engaged and interested in their work.

In-person engagement, on the other hand, provides a unique opportunity for musicians to connect with fans on a personal level, creating a stronger bond and a more memorable experience. Live performances, meet-and-greet sessions, and other events allow fans to see their favorite artists up close, interact with them directly, and feel a part of something special. This personal connection can turn casual listeners into dedicated fans and advocates for the musician's music.

By combining both online and in-person engagement strategies, musicians can effectively reach a wider audience, build stronger relationships with their fans, and create a sustainable career in the ever-evolving music industry.

Planning your tour around album and single releases

Building a strong plan is essential for creating a cohesive and impactful live experience that resonates with your fans. Here are some strategies to help you align your tour with your music releases:

1. Timing is Key: Schedule your tour dates to coincide with the release of your new album or single. This creates a sense of excitement and anticipation among your fans, who will be eager to hear your new music live.

2. Thematic Alignment: Ensure that the theme and style of your live performances complement the mood and message of your new music. This creates a cohesive experience for fans, enhancing their enjoyment of the show.

3. Sneak Peeks and Exclusives: Tease your upcoming album or single during your live shows by performing snippets or acoustic versions of new songs. This generates intrigue and encourages fans to look forward to the official release.

4. Exclusive Merchandise: Offer exclusive merchandise or experiences at your shows that are tied to your new music. This could include limited-edition t-shirts, posters, or VIP meet-and-greet opportunities. These exclusive items create a sense of urgency and encourage fans to attend your shows.

5. Early Access: Provide early access to tour dates and ticket sales as a reward for fans who follow or save your music on streaming services. You can use your Sonikit account to automatically create presale codes for your fans immediately after they follow your streaming profile or save music to their library. Learn more about Sonikit fan rewards here!

By planning your tour around your album and single-track releases, you can create a powerful synergy between your recorded music and your live performances, resulting in a more immersive and memorable experience for your fans.

Use social media and your online presence to promote merch that's only available at live shows

Musicians can leverage their social media platforms and online presence to generate excitement and create a sense of urgency around their exclusive live show merchandise. By sharing sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes content of the merch, fans can get a taste of what's in store and build anticipation for the shows. This approach not only increases the appeal of the merchandise but also encourages fans to attend the live performances to secure these exclusive items.

To further incentivize attendance, musicians can offer special discounts and promotions on live show merchandise. Limited-time offers, early bird pricing, or bundles that include both tickets and merch can entice fans to commit to attending the shows. You can even use your Sonikit fan rewards to auto-generate a discount code for merch after fans follow your profile or add your music to their streaming library.

Creating a sense of community and engagement around the exclusive merchandise is crucial. Musicians can encourage fans to share photos of themselves wearing or using the merch at shows, creating a buzz on social media and fostering a sense of belonging among attendees. This user-generated content not only promotes the merchandise but also strengthens the connection between the artist and their fans.

Offer early access to tour dates and ticket sales by following or saving your music on streaming services

One way to turn streaming success into sold-out shows is to offer early access to tour dates and ticket sales by following or saving your music on streaming services. This creates a sense of urgency and rewards fans for engaging with your streaming profile. You can promote the early access offer through social media, email, and your website, and use targeted advertising to reach fans who are most likely to be interested. Track the success of the early access offer to see what worked well and what could be improved for future campaigns.

By offering early access to tour dates and ticket sales, you can incentivize fans to engage with your music on streaming services. This not only increases your streaming numbers but also helps you build a more loyal fan base. Fans who feel invested in your music are more likely to attend your shows, buy your merchandise, and spread the word about your music to their friends and family.

In addition to increasing your streaming numbers and building a loyal fan base, offering early access to tour dates and ticket sales can also help you generate revenue. By charging a premium price for early access, you can offset the costs of touring and make a profit on your shows. This can be especially helpful for independent musicians who are just starting out and don't have a large budget for touring.

If you're a musician, offering early access to tour dates and ticket sales by following or saving your music on streaming services is a great way to turn your streaming success into sold-out shows. It's a win-win situation for both you and your fans.