When you think about it, all of the best things in life happen when we connect with others – whether in music, hobbies, sports, business, etc. Even the way we make money happens through our connections and networks. So why not create something for people to do?
There are so many different types of events you can host that will attract new people into your world while also bringing existing customers together under one roof. The first step is figuring out what type of event would appeal most to the audience you’re trying to target:
Don’t focus on building a business. Focus on building a community.
A business is simply a tool for the community to thrive—it’s not the goal itself. You can use it to make money, but don’t let that be your primary goal or focus. If you’re running an event and trying to sell your audience things like tickets or merchandise, they’ll feel like they’re being sold something and won’t get as much value out of what you offer them as they could have otherwise (and may even resent it). Instead, give everything away for free and focus on making sure people connect with each other in meaningful ways—then monetize later when it makes sense without losing sight of why people are coming together in the first place!
Make sure your event has a clear purpose.
Make sure the event has a clear purpose. This means that you need to know what you want people to walk away with after they attend your event. Do you want them to learn something? Do you want them to feel inspired? Are you hoping they’ll make new friends? Once you know why your event is happening, it will be easier for everyone involved—especially for yourself—to stay focused on making sure that happens.
Plan events around activities that people can enjoy together in one place, not around games or competitions where participants have no choice but to compete with each other (or try really hard not compete). Events should also offer plenty of opportunities for people from different backgrounds and experiences so there’s room for everyone’s voices.
Make sure there is time for socializing and mingling.
The amount of time you set aside for this part can vary from 10 minutes to half an hour. If you don’t give people enough time, they’ll feel rushed and frustrated. On the other hand, if their minds are already on their email inboxes, they may not be in the best frame of mind to speak with you.
The goal is to build relationships rather than just collect emails—so make sure there’s enough time for socializing and mingling. You can even have a break-out session where people can mingle at tables rather than stand up and walk around the room (and talk with everyone).
Final Thought
All I’m saying is to take a step back from your business and look at it from a different perspective. What are you trying to accomplish, and how can you best do that without focusing on just making money? The answer may just be ‘community.’ Community building is an effective way to grow any business or organization because it taps into our natural desire for connection and belonging. When people feel like they belong somewhere, they want to invest their time and money into that community. You can apply this to every aspect of life—not just the music business!
