Launching a Successful Community on Volume.com
In today’s world, communities have become an essential tool for artists to engage with fans year-round. Launching a community on Volume.com is an excellent opportunity to connect with superfans while bringing in steady revenue. It goes beyond seeing you occasionally on tour; it keeps the ongoing connection between you and your fans alive. If you are ready to take the next step towards building a community, these tips will help you launch a lasting and successful one on Volume.com.
Free Livestreams
Start by offering a few free livestreams to build excitement around your content. With a low barrier to entry, all interested fans will be able to watch your performance at no cost. While you offer these free streams, you can collect fan emails and the locations of where they’re tuning in from. Later, you can invite these fans to be the first to join your community.
Alternatively, you could offer new members one free month and have member-exclusive streams. This strategy limits your streams to fans who sign up but increases the chances that they will stay. The goal is to engage them during the free month, making them more likely to continue supporting you long-term. We’ve seen both of these plans lead to successful communities.
Starting Small With a Single-tier
We recommend starting your community with a single tier. This will let you explore different ideas and manage content efficiently without becoming overwhelmed. The last thing you want is to risk burnout or disappoint your fans by taking on too much too soon. We know you have plenty of ambitious ideas, but be patient—those will be useful later as your community develops.
If you want a long-term community to be sustainable, it can’t be rushed. As your community grows, we’ve found that it’s better to slowly introduce additional perks and tiers as you establish a consistent schedule.
Exceed Expectations by Underpromising and Overdelivering
When setting up your community, only include realistic perks you can commit to fulfilling each month. We recommend artists take an underpromise and overdeliver approach—meet expectations consistently, then surprise fans with extra content occasionally. This makes members feel they’re getting exceptional value and helps you discover what content resonates most with your audience.
Announce Your Community on Multiple Platforms
Letting your fans know about your new community is up to you. We recommend posting a video on social media announcing your community and sharing what fans can expect from you. We have seen success by sending announcement emails and text to your members and emailing your fans from Volume.com. Be sure to include the link to your Volume page to make it easy for fans to sign up.
Ensure maximum visibility by adding your community link to your social media bio, email footers, website navigation, landing page (like a linktree), Bandsintown, and anywhere else you may be online. Take advantage of posting in Reddit, Facebook, Discord, and more fan groups.
After your big announcement, it’s important to keep reminding fans regularly of your community to keep the momentum going. Consider creating a content calendar to schedule regular posts, highlighting different benefits and exclusive content. Continue to generate excitement and keep fans informed of what’s next.
Take the Next Step
To make the most of your community, providing consistent value and engaging content is crucial. By starting with free livestreams and a single tier and announcing your community everywhere applicable, you’ll set yourself up for long-term success. Implementing these tips will ensure fans stay engaged and excited to be part of your community. But don’t wait - take the next step today and start planning your community!