Give Your Fans Gifts Archives

It’s not too late to give a gift to the fans who spent 2020 supporting you despite a global pandemic and unprecedented levels of economic struggle.

2020 is a year we will all discuss for the rest of our lives. Where we were, what we experienced, and who we lost will be topics of conversation for as long as we have air in our lungs. In many ways, this awful year has brought us together in a way that no other can. We’re surviving something together, which is why it’s important that this year — more than any other — end with each of us giving thanks to those that have given us their support.

Let’s face it: Nobody had the mental or emotional capacity to endure 2020 alone. We’ve gone through the various stages of grief several times over by this point, and we’ll continue mourning the things that never happened, at least until some ‘normalcy’ returns. People are leaning on one another a lot, and that includes musicians. We all know an artist is nothing without fans, but that was proven undeniable this year, as a lack of live performances cratered musicians’ earning potential everywhere. The performers who continue to create now do so because their audience has given them an unprecedented amount of support, and today, we’re going to help you give back.

You probably cannot afford to send every fan a gift, but that’s okay. Fans don’t need nicely wrapped presents from their favorite musicians to feel specials. All any fan really wants is to know the musicians they love know they exist and that they appreciate their support. Christmas is a time to show this kind of recognition and appreciation, which is why we’re giving you four last-minute gift ideas in our latest Music Biz 101 update:

First and foremost, everyone loves free stuff, and your fans would go crazy for new music. If you have the time, record your take on a holiday classic and offer it to listeners. You can also share b-sides, demo recordings, or alternate versions of previously released material. Got a live recording? That works too! Give your fans something new without asking for anything in return, and your appreciation will be clear.

Don’t have any rare or unreleased music to share? No problem! Most or possibly all of your fans have not seen you live this year. Your audience craves face to face interaction, and one way to do that in the age of COVID is through sharing a video update. Tell your fans about your life amid the pandemic. What have you been up to? Are you recordings, or are you focusing on your families? Did you fall in love, have a child, or start a side hustle? Let your fans into your lives, and that will help maintain their connection to your work.

Third, and somewhat similar to the second option, is to host a digital hangout with fans. You can do that through Zoom and Google Hangouts, among other services. You can use these events to do anything you want, from talking with fans to performing new music. No matter what you choose to do, these digital events provide an opportunity for your fan community to come together, strengthening the bond between fans and between listeners and your music.

Finally, if none of those options work, consider giving your fans a discount. Use coupon codes to offer fans a final chance to pick up some merch before the year ends.

More ideas can be found in the video above. If we missed anything, let us know! Suggestions can be sent to james@haulix.com.

Christmas is right around the corner, and with it comes a unique opportunity to show your appreciation for fan support that happens only once a year. Your fans, like those you look to please with your holidays shopping list, deserve to be reminded of just how much their continued faith in you matters. We don’t suggest attempting to buy every single person who supports you work a gift, though you absolutely could if money and time allows, but we do believe there are several ways musicians can express their gratitude that will resonate with fans for months and years to come.

1. Free Music

There is an old adage about the easiest course in life often being the most obvious one, and that is very much the case with this suggestion. Your fans support you all year long in hopes that you will both come to their town and continue to release music that touches their lives. Though you are unable to be everywhere at once on Christmas, you can make your music available for anyone who has yet to add it to their personal collection. Whether you choose to make a song, album, or even your entire catalog available as a free download, you should see a rise in engagement as a result. People who have been waiting to buy your album when they see you live won’t be able to resist the free download, and there is a high likelihood they will recommend your friends take advantage of the offer as well.

2. Record and release a holiday cover (maybe give it away as well)

The world has heard countless covers of holiday classics, but the world has yet to hear your take on famous seasonal staples, and that is why you can still use them to give back to fans this Christmas. I know my favorite Christmas covers are those performed by my favorite bands, and I’m willing to bet the same can be said for most music fans. Record a holiday cover, be it in a studio or in your own home, and share it with fans in the days leading up to December 25. You can even take things one step further and ask fans about their favorite holiday songs in advance, that way your cover will have an even higher likelihood of being shared by your followers.

3. Surprise your fans with free stuff (no contest necessary)

Everyone is thinking of others during the holiday season, or at least they should be, so many fans may not have money to buy the limited edition winter merch items you have available in your online store. To show fans you understand their dilemma, consider offering a give away where you send a prize pack including numerous merch items, as well as items not available in your store (handwritten lyrics, drum head, etc) to one lucky fan. Don’t make it a contest and don’t ask for contact information in exchange for consideration. Simply pick a fan, or four, and send them a present. With any luck, the fan(s) will share their surprise with the world, and you will earn brownie points for being one of the more thoughtful artists in music today.

4. Stream an acoustic performance from your home/studio/van/bus/basement

There are few things music fans love more than seeing their favorite artists playing bare-boned versions of their favorite songs. Since there is no way everyone who follows you could attend a single performance, especially one planned close to Christmas, make the event special by broadcasting your set on one or more of the popular live streaming services that have risen to prominence over the last year. If those services require you to charge consumers, like with StageIt, then you should also consider giving all the money earned to charity. This way, fans feel like they are giving back by tuning in, and you walk away having established yourself as an artists who hasn’t lost sight of the problems that exist outside your immediate surroundings. Win-Win.

James Shotwell is the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. He is also a professional entertainment critic, covering both film and music, as well as the co-founder of Antique Records. Feel free to tell him you love or hate the article above by connecting with him on Twitter. Bonus points if you introduce yourself by sharing your favorite Simpsons character.