So you’ve worked on your ideas, built a fabulous story and a believable world that your fans love, and now what? Remember, your audience is crucial to this journey; their involvement and support make your project successful.
Fandoms love to feel like they are part of the action. It’s normal human behaviour. An example would be children at Christmas time. You could decorate your home and put some presents out, and the children think that Father Christmas may be hungry or thirsty. We then put out some milk, cookies, or even a carrot for the reindeer. This is a simple example, but most have heard these stories or done it ourselves. This is an example of wanting to feel like part of the action. 
It’s the same with fandom and it will be a subject we will come back to often, due to how marketing and fandom, along with what opportunities are available keeps changing. 
The first year of a season or your first book is the hardest. Will your product be delivered? Can you keep up the momentum and good storytelling? Will your TV project get picked up for another season, or will your film franchise get picked up for a sequel? These are valid concerns, but you can overcome these challenges with the right strategies. 

It is worth noting in Season 1 Jared and Jensen were young and single, they had the time for a lot of marketing.

Behind The Scenes

Seven or eight months into filming Supernatural, Warner Bros. allowed a crew to come in and film a behind-the-scenes look at the TV show’s filming. It was aired on TV at the time and loaded up onto YouTube. It would be worthwhile asking for a copy in case the YouTube channel or that production company disappears. You could ask for some rights to it or DIY and, therefore, own the copyright.
For this particular look at daily life on a TV set, they were filming the episode of Dead Man’s Blood (s01e20), as the show was still only in season 1 and had not been picked up for a season 2 yet. They joked about the show going for nine seasons, and it did go for fifteen.

Using Social Media

Another way is taking photos of behind the scenes. This could be something simple like a group photo at a fan convention and how awesome it was to catch up with fans and share stories. 
Take, for instance, the image below of the cast at a Supernatural convention. It’s a testament to the joy and camaraderie that fans bring to the event. Their big smiles and shared experiences make the fandom come alive, and sharing these moments online allows others to join in the fun and see what is happening in the fandom.
When sharing such content on social media, could you keep it simple? Use 2-3 relevant hashtags, tag a person or fan group who took the photo, and express gratitude to those who organized the event. To reach a wider audience, mention the name of your show or novel. 

When attending a fan convention, it’s crucial to check in on the rules that the company running the experience likes to abide by. Equally important is to keep in mind what the studio does and doesn’t like. But above all, remember to be respectful of your fans. They are not just a crowd, but a community, and your respect for them is what makes the fan convention experience truly special. 
Embracing fandom requires knowing that fans love stories, and having a couple in mind might help. But the first live convention can be daunting. The key to overcoming this fear is to be prepared for questions. If you’re unsure about something, don’t be afraid to let fans ask questions. And remember, if the questions are a bit out there, just be polite, give a quick answer, and move on. This preparation will give you the confidence to handle any situation. 

Attending Awards

If you are fortunate enough to attend an award or industry event, sharing your experiences can significantly boost fan engagement. Your fans are eager for such insights, and it provides fan groups with valuable content to share; it’s a powerful way to express gratitude to your fans for their unwavering support and convey what this experience means. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words and has the potential to be shared far and wide. 
Social media, especially in entertainment, is not just about the main event. It’s about the people who work in it and the fans who watch it. Sharing genuine stories and experiences and being generous to others is key to building a strong connection, especially if you are unsure what to say. 

Eric Kripke at an awards event.

Remembering to record and share what you create and then putting it out into the world is a powerful marketing tool. These moments are worth the extra mile to ensure it happens.