Fringe Fans Fallout and Followup

I published my Beware of Fringe Fans post to the Music Think Tank blog last week. It spurred a string of comments -- some supportive and some from good people with opposing views.

Here's a follow-up comment I just posted there:

Thanks for all the great comments! Here are a few follow-up thoughts ...

I used the phrase "Fringe Fans" because I wanted a quick way to articulate the type of fan I was writing about. Plus I wanted something that would look good in a headline, and I liked the double F alliteration :-)

You can call them "casual fans" or "secondary fans" or whatever. It's the idea behind it that matters to me.

Perhaps the example I gave of the guy who wanted free stuff wasn't the best to make my point, which was this:

There are different types of fans who support you in different ways. You should welcome them all. BUT I believe you should focus on your most supportive fans and not be distracted by trying to please the entire spectrum of your overall fan base.

These "core" or "ideal" fans support you in many ways: with their time, attention and money, for sure. But also with their positive word of mouth. However they support you, it's all valuable.

But let's not overlook the monetary value of core fans. Radiohead has millions of "fans," but only their core fans paid for the "choose your own price" download and later bought the CD. Trent Reznor has millions of "fans," but only his core fans sprung for the $300 deluxe box set.

These core fans are your support team and real world promotional army. Send them some special love. Cater to them first and foremost, even if it means offending some of the more casual, dare I say "fringe" fans out there.

Am I missing something? Feel free to add your two cents as well.

Bob

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