Conversations about the progress and preservation of local music scenes across the country would be terribly incomplete without a step-by-step guide to help supporters understand some of the best ways to encourage and assist musicians in their area. These are five easy ways to be a local music advocate, wherever you live.

1. Go to shows that feature local talent on the bill.

The best, cheapest way for business owners to achieve the atmosphere that live music provides is to recruit small bands to play on their stages (or, in their corners, depending on the venue’s size). The cover for these gigs is usually between $5-$10, which makes it especially easy for good music citizens to show up to support and discover local artists. Additionally, supporting the local bands and venues is a great way to feed into your local economy and show politicians and officials that their township appreciates the arts, which could lead to more support for art and music education programs

2. Buy merch from the bands you like.

The t-shirts, stickers, and custom-printed lighters that you see for sale at shows all had to be paid for upfront by the bands that are selling them. Depending on the size of the group, the merchandise was probably purchased with personal money that could be directed towards improving equipment or paying for travel expenses to and from shows or practice sessions. When you buy a t-shirt from a favorite local band, you’re benefitting them financially as well as marketing for them when you wear the shirt in public. It can serve as an awesome conversation starter, lead to new friends, and help people you know discover their new favorite song.

3. When available, purchase or download their music.

Hand-in-hand with the motive to buy merch, the reasons you should stream or download the songs produced by local artists largely have to do with helping the band succeed. You’re showing support in the virtual world, which can motivate musicians to continue putting out great content. Often, you have the option to share what music you’re streaming with your Facebook followers, which is another easy way to share local talent with your friends.

4. Interact with their social media accounts.

In this day and age, you basically don’t exist if you don’t use some form of social media. When you follow your favorite local artists on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube, people who follow you will likely see your interaction with the band’s page and then click on it. It leads to a cycle of the musician or band getting more and more online attention, which will help to pack their shows with fans and could eventually lead to life-changing opportunities.

5. Volunteer your skills to help promote the band.

If you want to dedicate your time to a cause as great as this one, a major way to assist bands in succeeding in the industry is to help them out with your specific skill sets. If you love photography, offer to take pictures at their shows. You could also help to design or post flyers for shows. Ask music stores to carry locally produced CDs or to post flyers. Use your unique talents to spread the word about the bands you love.