Now is arguably the best time ever for introverts to become successful artists.

What is considered standard in the recording industry has been undergoing significant change over the last several years. Advances in technology have transformed how people create and consume music. Now it is easier than ever to get musical ideas recorded in a tangible, shareable form and out to potential fans.

The idea that large personalities, big teams, and lots of money are needed to become successful is no longer required to generate moderate fans and revenue over time. So what does this mean if you are an introvert and an artist?

The world is finally your oyster — all from the comfort of your studio/bedroom/mother’s garage’s attic space or wherever else you’ve been hiding scribbling away in your notebooks.

I propose the following, albeit simplified strategy that could push any genuinely talented but struggling introvert into the realm of a well-fed artist:

• Record quality music
• Find your true fans
• Exploit your true fans
• Offer (limited) outstanding experiences in exchange

Record at home

Does the idea of going to a recording studio terrify you? Low on funds but high on ideas? No problem, there are any number of free or relatively low cost tools to start recording your ideas at home.

Anyone with talent, determination, and a bit of technology (smart phone, tablet, laptop) can start recording musical ideas. If you’re on a tight budget there are free tools you can utilize like Audacity, Traverso, or GarageBand (if you own a Mac) to record your music.

Take advantage of the creative energy you feel in your own space and the freedom of not paying by the hour for an engineer’s time to record your very best work; any where from 6–24 months should do. With the amount of choice music fans have today, quality over quantity reins.

After you have your work recorded, come up with some general branding and invest in your future by putting your work on as many streaming services as you are able so new fans can start to find you right away.

Hunt for your true fans relentlessly

This may be the most counter-intuitive idea if you’re an introvert musician. Even the idea of engaging with anyone at anytime can be a big energy drain. Imagine if you were able to find true fans all from the comfort of hiding out under your covers in bed? In today’s social media filled world, you can!

You’ve already taken months or years to perfectly craft your music and you’ve got what some may consider an albums worth of material out on streaming services; now you need to promote your work and find your fans.

SoundCloud, Facebook, and Twitter are going to become your best resources. If you’re a musical introvert with a penchant for photography you may be drawn to Instagram as well. Look for your fans by sharing your best work, using hashtags and categories as appropriate, and engaging with people who have shared interests with your own. Bonus: do this all in your favorite pair of sweats and a t-shirt covered with coffee stains.

Remember that services like these help connect you to and engage with your truest fans, but these services don’t let you gather any serious data off your new followers. Be sure to include directing your fans to a personal website and email list (Squarespace, Wordpress, and Mailchimp are my favorites) as part of your plan. This will allow you to communicate with fans directly, behind a screen, entirely away from them as much as you may or may not need down the line.

Take it upon yourself to see social media like your personal team that works on your own terms. The more you utilize it, the more it will return, and the less work you have to do in public with actual people.

Go from rags to (moderate) riches

If you have’t heard this theory before, Kevin Kelly argues it only takes 1,000 true fans to generate decent revenue. Artists today have an even greater opportunity to exploit these true fans through crowdfunding services like Kickstarter or Patreon that allow you to get projects funded before they begin or on an ongoing basis.

The idea of crowdfunding campaigns are the introvert’s cash cow. You can spend hours filming a video, choosing swag or creating self-made items to exchange for donations, and determine all the logistics behind your project before you even hit launch!

After you launch your campaign, you are able to fall back on your personal team (social media) to continue to do all the work for you alongside your cat. Whether you crowdfund a project or the ability to continually create your art, this keeps you as far from a team and working away from home as possible.

Eventually you will have enough true fans you may have to perform in public, that’s ok! You’ve already spent a few years working up to this point:

Be remarkable (in short bursts)

The beauty of being an introvert artist is you have a lot of time to craft the perfect image and personality for your work. Hours of cleverly muttering to your plants while you respond to questions from fans on social media and engaging them in your daily life has left you prepped and ready to take this show on the road.

Keep your touring to a minimum, the idea of scarcity is key for your potential revenue and your sanity. For big and small artists alike, fans are looking for special moments or experiences that deepen their connection to the music.

Have genuinely engaged moments with your truest fans.

Don’t worry if you’re that person who always has the accidental backhanded compliment or you can’t keep direct eye contact because you’re hunting for the nearest emergency exit, your fans will find your personality and quirks charming.

Whether it be at a pre-show meet and greet, the merch table, or offering some other direct personal experience or limited opportunity through your crowdfunding, this is going to keep your fans always waiting to see what you do next. (and continue to open their pocket books any time you have something fresh to offer.)

This basic strategy can be broken down into many steps but gives a great framework for success if you want to share your music with the world, mostly from home.

If you have any experience as a successful creative artist who identifies as an introvert, I’d love to hear from you!

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