Hey, indie musicians, have you considered trying to build your fan base abroad?

It’s a global music market, and you’ve got more ways of reaching out to listeners worldwide than ever before. Sure, in the ‘80s it might have seemed snide to say a band was “popular in Japan,” but those bands were having fun and selling a lot of tickets. Does that really sound so bad?

The same is true today. If you look abroad for an audience, you could be opening up entirely new horizons.

How Indie Musicians Can Build Worldwide Fans

1.  Get Onto Foreign Social Networks

Sure, Facebook is still the #1 network worldwide, but a lot of countries have their own social networks that are highly popular within their borders. Sites like RenRen or Sina Weibo can open you up to new audiences that might not find you on the Western websites.

2.  Be Visual

Overseas bands, especially in Asia, tend to be highly visual in their musical repertoire. Try not to rely on English text within your videos. Shoot them so the “story” can be understood even by people who can’t speak English well.

3.  Go Bilingual

If there’s one country or culture you’re particularly interested in reaching out to, singing in their language can help a lot. There’s probably no better way to become popular in different lands, although there is of course a lot of time involved in learning foreign languages.

4. Tour In Inexpensive Countries

While any foreign travel is pricey, “world tour” doesn’t have to mean London, Paris, Tokyo and Dubai. Look for smaller or developing countries that have a low cost of living. They’re usually hungry for foreign entertainment and will be glad to hear about indie musicians visiting.

5.  Upload Where The Users Are

iOS and iTunes have a much lower market share overseas. Google Play may be a better choice in Android-preferring countries, for example. Or, partner with a music distribution service that will get your music into all the major stores worldwide.

Are you looking global? How are you chasing an audience?