7 Ways You Can Support Independent Artists

Last updated on April 30, 2024

From hiring an independent artist for your next party backyard party or family event to attending their shows — here’s how you can support them.

Are you a fan of independent art and music? As an entertainment enthusiast, you likely recognize how hard it is for musicians, filmmakers, and creative professionals to break into the industry without assistance.

Fortunately, there are numerous ways to support independent artists and help them on their path toward success. In this blog post, we’ll explore seven easy and impactful ways fans can use to lend a helping hand.

Read on to discover what actions you can take today to show indie creators just how much their craft means to you!

Buy Directly from the Artist’s Website or Social Media Channels

Bypassing the middleman and buying directly from an artist’s website or social media channels is often an excellent way to ensure they receive full payment for their work.

Not only does this help artists by letting them keep all proceeds from the sale of their products, but it can be beneficial for buyers as well – many times you can get 50% off Redbubble with these discount codes or find other similar discounts from stores that sell indie artist merchandise.

Oftentimes, online orders come with free shipping, so you’re getting a better deal than you would buy going through a third-party retailer.

When you purchase directly from the artists or their partner stores, it tells them their work is valued and encourages them to keep creating more wonderful pieces!

Hire Them for Your Family Events and Parties

About to hold an event in your home or another venue for your family and friends? Why not consider an independent artist to entertain you?

Hiring an independent artist will cost you less than a well-known musician, and you will support them by paying them directly.

Follow and Share Their Work on Your Own Social Media Accounts

Staying informed on the work of your favorite artists and creatives can be an enriching experience. By choosing to follow their accounts on social media, you have access to firsthand knowledge of their creative process, insight into upcoming projects, and more.

Sharing their work is a great way to show appreciation for their artistry and help spread awareness of their talent to others in your network. Not to mention it often serves as a warm welcome when they realize a familiar face has shared something that’s meaningful to them—it builds relationships!

If you discover some really great work from someone you admire, don’t forget to give them a shout-out to show your support.

Promote Their Work to Friends and Family Who May Not Have Heard of Them Yet

Artists can often benefit from the promotion of their work to friends and family who may not have heard of them yet. If a friend or family member is willing to support an artist’s work, it could open up more opportunities for collaboration as well as recognition from others in the same field.

It might even lead to new relationships with collectors and curators. The art world is heavily reliant on networks and relationships, so word-of-mouth referrals can go a long way in helping artists gain momentum.

As an artist, don’t be afraid to reach out to your own inner circle – you never know who they might be able to introduce you to or what projects they may be interested in collaborating on.

Leave Honest Reviews on Their Albums, Books, Websites

Everyone loves to hear positive and encouraging words about their work. But, if we really want to help and ensure that others benefit from our critiques, it’s critical to leave honest feedback.

That could mean pointing out any flaws, exceptional strengths, things that could be improved upon, etc. It’s worth remembering that such tangible critique can be more meaningful than just listening along or starring in a rating system.

There are artists and authors whose hard work might become sidelined without genuine reviews that take into account the various components of their products–for them, an honest voice could make all the difference.

Consider Donating to their Patreon or Other Crowdfunding Campaigns

If you love seeing independent artists succeed, why not support them financially? With Patreon and other crowdfunding campaigns popping up all over the internet, it’s never been easier to donate and help creative people realize their dreams.

From visual artists who need help buying supplies to writers who need funding for a big project, donating to their Patreon or other campaigns is an investment in their future – and your own, through thought-provoking art that could come out of their work. Show your appreciation by becoming a patron today!

Attend Live Shows and Events When Possible

When faced with dwindling incomes from recorded music and album sales, independent artists have to get creative in order to generate the income they need to survive.

One way you can support their efforts while having a great time is to attend live shows and events. Not only will this directly benefit the artist, who will often share a cut of the tickets sold; but it is also invaluable in terms of word-of-mouth marketing, helping them reach new fans and build a stronger audience for future music endeavors.

The experience of seeing your favorite indie artist perform live is one that cannot be replicated online or otherwise, so take the chance—not only will you be immensely entertained, but you’ll also be helping them out in their own unique way.

Making it possible for artists to keep doing their work is important, and one of the best ways how we can make this happen is by supporting them directly. Every choice we make contributes to an artist’s success and helps keep the creative spirit alive.

Whether it’s through purchasing their work on their website or social media channels, sharing and promoting it, leaving honest reviews and feedback, or even donating to their Patreon or crowdfunding campaigns, every bit makes a difference and supports the future growth of artistic movements.

Taking a few minutes out of your day to show up for the artist on your radar can create big opportunities that will have lasting effects. So are you ready to become an artist supporter?