Opinion
12 little things that matter to fans
Tim Hill | 16 Feb 2015 6:46 AM
As a celebrity you belong to your fans. You are hero-worshipped, you are idolised, you daren’t step a foot out of line as you are guaranteed to be someone’s role model!
It can be annoying that you don’t get a moment’s privacy, especially when you are out doing your daily chores or having a cup of coffee at the local Mugg & Bean. But you have to play the game, a game that is mandatory in your career and is something you willingly or unwillingly sign up for when you become a public figure.
Here are a few tips to keep you in the game and in favour with your fans:
- Acknowledge all social media posts, even if it is hitting the 'Favourite' star on Twitter or the 'Like' button on Facebook. First prize is to respond in a written form and, please, use the person’s name. For example, "Thank you, Tim."
- Respond to inboxed messages on Facebook. These days there is that awful tick to say that a message has been read. Having a tick and no response can be heartbreaking! Respond, even if it is a simple thank you!
- Retweet any posts with fan pictures, videos, gig reviews etc., as this not only shows your appreciation to the fans, but also helps get your name out there.
- If you are at a restaurant and a fan approaches you in the middle of a mouthful of spaghetti, be polite. Sometimes they are so star-struck that they don’t think that they may be interrupting a date! If you must, ask them if they wouldn’t mind waiting until you finish your meal or coffee and tell them that you’ll gladly pose for a photo with them. Remember to follow up on your promise.
- Fans always tend to catch you off-guard - like at a restaurant (as mentioned above). Inevitably, it is when you are not at your best! Bite the bullet, pose for the photo and expect it to be tweeted everywhere!
- Always carry a Sharpie with you. You never know when you will have to sign an autograph.
- If you have an album out, keep copies in the boot of your car. Very often a fan will pipe up that he or she “can’t find your album anywhere!” This is probably because they haven’t looked hard enough... Now you have a golden opportunity to sell a CD, sign an autograph, pose for a photo and make a person’s day (or year)!
- Fans love to meet the band after the show. As soon as the last song is done, get off stage, change your shirt (because you will be hot and sweaty), splash your face and go straight to the meet and greet area. Don’t worry about packing your stuff away until you have engaged with the crowds. You shouldn’t take any longer than 10 minutes to get to the autograph area and stay until every last fan has said hello.
- On a more sensitive note, keep girlfriends away from the meet and greet zones. Female fans can get quite hurt when they see that their idol is involved in a relationship and his missus is hanging on his arm. They like to think they have a chance with you! A sure-fire failure is a jealous girlfriend at the merch table.
- Print off autograph cards. This is an ideal co-branding opportunity for your sponsors. A fan may not have money for a CD or shirt, but they at least walk away with something with your brand on it and they are in a happy space.
- Be patient with your fans and be nice - you are very often their absolute everything! Sometimes they may be obsessed, sometimes they may think that you are their bestie, other times they will try and tell you how they think your career should be run. Just smile and nod.
- Always keep your fans informed with stuff that is relevant to them. Video clips, blog posts, news alerts, behind the scenes videos all make for great content that maintains the fans interest and keeps the relationship going.
Without your fans, you are not going to get very far. Their word-of-mouth marketing is the best PR tool you can ask for, and it is for free. Chase the relationship with your fanbase, give them what they are looking for (news and engagement) and the rest will fall into place very nicely.
