As artists, it’s natural to wonder where to draw the line between our music and our personal lives—especially when it comes to what we share online. Recently on the Profitable Musician Show, host Bree Noble tackled this very question in a thoughtful solo episode, highlighting the importance of blending music promotion with authentic self-expression on social media.

Many musicians, Bree points out, worry that “all their fans care about is their music. What’s their next show, what’s their next release, what are they working on?” She agrees it’s essential to keep fans in the loop about these things and to “give them some behind the scenes, talk about your last show and some really cool moments.” Still, she’s quick to debunk the idea that music should exist in a vacuum.

“They also want to get to know you as a person,” Bree explains. “Your music does not and should not exist in a vacuum. We care about what’s going on with the people behind the music.”

Why Fans Crave a Real Connection

According to Bree, making your personal side visible is crucial for building deeper bonds with listeners. When fans see your personality quirks, stories, and even your shared interests, it’s transformative: “That’s completely going to draw them in. And when you do those things on social media, that’s going to keep them attached to you and your music.”

Sometimes, fans might even find you—your online persona, your stories, your humor—before they discover your songs. “That is going to make them then excited to discover your music because they first liked you, you,” says Bree. “They’re going to be more likely to like your music because of that progression.”

Identities, Values, Beliefs: The Three Connection Points

Bree breaks down what she calls “connection points”—identities, values, and beliefs—that help foster this sense of camaraderie and relatability between artist and audience.

Identities: These are the “I am a…” statements—like, “I am a mom,” “I am a church worship leader,” or even “I am a crazy 80s music lover.” When you share aspects of your identity, you attract listeners who see themselves reflected in you. As Bree puts it: “When they see, wow, you’re a 50-something female, I’m a 50-something female, we have something in common.”

Values: Values go deeper and are often conveyed more through your stories and behaviors than by outright declaration. Maybe you value family, freedom, or authenticity. These values shine through in your posts, “and what’s great about values is it helps people … subconsciously trust you because values are deep that way.”

Beliefs: Sharing beliefs—about social causes, spirituality, or even the music industry—helps fans rally around your vision, understanding that “they help other people rally around a cause … I really like her because she’s standing up for that.”

Let Your Life Be Part of Your Music Brand

One of the key takeaways from Bree’s message is not to shy away from letting your real life mingle with your music content—both in big moments and in everyday ones. Posting about your travels, your family, your pets, or hobbies isn’t self-indulgent—it’s how you stay present in your fans’ minds between releases or shows.

“If you love to cook and that’s one of your identities, then sure, post a cool new meal that you tried to make,” Bree encourages. She acknowledges that some worry about seeming ego-driven, but insists, “If we’re just chronicling our life and our music is part of it, then it feels like very natural to talk about your music because it’s just part of a natural timeline of your life that you’re putting on social media.”

Start Small, But Start

Even if sharing personal content feels uncomfortable, Bree suggests taking small steps: “Just share a little bit at a time, see how that feels, and get to a point where you can share a good amount with the people that are following you online because they truly do care what you’re doing in your music and outside of your music.”

Final Thoughts

As Bree eloquently points out, building your music career online isn’t just about relentlessly highlighting your latest project. It’s about cultivating real connections—with your music and with your multifaceted self. “I’m a whole person and I want people to know all those parts of me.”

Embrace your uniqueness, share your stories, and remember: your fans care about more than just your latest song—they care about you.