Should you create a show that speaks to (and from) your heart? Or should you create a show designed to please your audience? Or are you just trying to gain an audience? These are just some of the questions you should ponder when you decide to create a show. At some point, you should figure out your goals and wishes about your presence on Amp. When first joining Amp, I suggest you do a number of short shows so that you get comfortable with the technology, and find greater ease in talking to your audience.

If you are making a show that is primarily music, should you just play the stuff you like? There are strong arguments for this approach. Playing songs that have meaning or impact for you is a way of sharing who you are, and many listeners will appreciate that. If you talk about the songs and their meanings, you can create a deeper connection with listeners.

There is only one you; your personal choices represent you. If you want to use Amp as an artistic outlet, and are not focused on building an audience quickly, you may want to take this approach. However, if your choices are in a narrow genre or are familiar only to narrow demographic, it may take you a while to gain an audience or following. The same approaches apply to shows that are mostly talk. If you talk about very specific topics that only cater to a narrow audience, you may have trouble building a following quickly.

Should you only play stuff you know others will like? Many Amp listeners find shows by swiping through many of the shows that are live at the moment. For most shows, Amp will show the current song playing. If you are playing songs that have a broad appeal or exposure already, you have a greater chance of a listener stopping at your show (and hopefully clicking-in) and listening at least long enough to hear the next song you play. If your choices are mostly out of the mainstream, even if they are deep-cuts or “B-sides” of a popular artist, listeners may change to another show if they are unfamiliar with several songs in a row, especially if they don’t like the vibe or style of a particular song you play.

Which is more important to you? Playing what you want? Or trying to build an audience? You may really enjoy playing popular, mainstream tunes, and embrace and shine with songs that the largest audience would enjoy. Go for it. You may not necessarily enjoy playing a lot of mainstream stuff, but want to get a larger audience. Go for it. You may enjoy playing the music that is most meaningful or memorable to you. Go for it. If you are looking to build a following, experiment with combinations of obscure, less-known, and well-known songs. If you can artfully group and segue your tunes, you can combine your own favorites with tunes (which may not be as well-known) with more well-known songs you enjoy too. Just consider that jumping from Romeo Void to Barbra Streisand and then to Wu-Tang Clan in a series, may not appeal to a lot of listeners.

Consistency is key, regardless of what specific songs you choose. Not every listener is going to stay for your entire show, but you can build an audience and followers, if you engage or interest a listener for at least a series of songs. A listener may enjoy the vibe of the songs you choose, even if they’ve never heard any of the songs before. Play an entire show and/or group of songs that share a similar energy and/or theme.

Make Amp yours. Don’t hide yourself from others who want to hear you. Experiment and explore ways to get more people to find your show.