Since the advent of social media, the relationship between artists and fans has evolved to become more continuous, current, and close-knit. For artists, digital platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music not only facilitate the dissemination of their work but also open new avenues for interaction and monetization of their music.
Technological evolution has also brought numerous specialized applications to various aspects of this sector. Today, we will focus on those that enable a more direct and beneficial connection between artists and their followers.
1. EVEN
EVEN is not just a platform; it is a community that facilitates direct and more meaningful connections between artists and their most loyal fans. Its goal is to create new ways for fans to support their favorite artists, who in turn can reward that support.
How does EVEN work?
- Explore the Catalog: Fans can browse and purchase a wide variety of exclusive releases on EVEN.
- Access Special Content: By purchasing a song, fans get early access to unique benefits such as exclusive merchandise, priority access to concert ticket sales, and behind-the-scenes content.
Benefits for Artists
- Control and Monetization: Artists using EVEN have complete control over the pricing of their works and receive direct, daily compensation for their creations.
- Fan Analytics: The app offers simple and intuitive statistics and analytics so artists can understand the data of the fans consuming their products, allowing for better marketing strategies.
It’s important to note that EVEN is not a traditional distributor but operates in collaboration with distributors and labels. If you’re looking to upload your content to streaming platforms (DSPs), you need to do so separately through your chosen provider
2. Fanbase
Fanbase is an app, like EVEN, designed to connect artists more directly with their followers. However, unlike traditional social media, Fanbase focuses on turning artists into community creators.
With an interface similar to TikTok, Fanbase allows uploading short videos to the platform and offers new monetization avenues such as audio conversations with followers, live sessions within the app, and exclusive content creation.
How does Fanbase work?
Fanbase operates through a subscription to the artist’s page, allowing followers to:
- Subscriptions: These provide exclusive access to premium content and are a direct way to support your favorite content creators.
- Audio conversations: Fanbase is one of the first apps to monetize private audio conversations between artists and followers.
- Enjoy special events and benefits: Subscriptions allow access to exclusive content such as stories, videos, live sessions, and more.
Fanbase is one of the first applications focused on establishing a direct connection between the artist and the follower without intermediaries.
Benefits for Artists
The benefit for artists is that they can gain visibility more effectively and closely, opening new monetization sources through subscriptions to their content and the sale of exclusive merchandise.
Another notable advantage is transforming the follower base into real fans willing to consume any product or travel as needed to attend a concert by their favorite artist.
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Renowned artists like Snoop Dogg and Will.i.am are active on Fanbase, offering new experiences to their music fans.
3. Sesh
Although Sesh and Fanbase might initially seem to have the same goals (optimizing the relationship between artist and follower), they approach it from different angles.
While Fanbase focuses on creating solid communities and diversifying income sources, Sesh places greater emphasis on personalizing interaction and enhancing the direct connection experience.
How does Sesh work?
- Artist Sessions: Artist posts are called sessions and can include photos, videos, live streams for a release, polls, meet & greets, and exclusive merchandise.
- Rewards: Fans can demonstrate their commitment level by interacting with sessions, commenting, and sharing content. The app tracks points, allowing artists to reward the most engaged fans with exclusive sessions or special items.
- Expiration: Interaction with these “sessions” lasts 24 hours on Sesh, similar to Instagram stories. After this time, the content can only be viewed, not interacted with.
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Benefits for Artists
The main benefit Sesh offers artists is data—information about fans that precisely measures their behavior and how they consume music.
- Control: Sesh provides control over the data, offering relevant information about the artist's followers.
- Better Strategy Definition: Thanks to this data, artists can better define their strategies and investments, optimizing decision-making regarding their professional careers.
- Specific Actions: Artists can conduct exclusive sessions for certain countries or specific cities, which is useful if, for example, the artist is about to perform a concert in that area.
