Laylo CEO Alec Ellin's List of Direct-to-Fan Resources for Artists
Laylo CEO and Co-Founder Alec Ellin's curated guide to the platforms and tools every artist needs to own their fan relationships and build a sustainable career on their own terms.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
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Laylo CEO Alec Ellin's List of Direct-to-Fan Resources for Artists
Laylo CEO and Co-Founder Alec Ellin's curated guide to the platforms and tools every artist needs to own their fan relationships and build a sustainable career on their own terms.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Like
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Share
laylo-ceo-alec-ellins-list-of-direct-to-fan-resources-for-artists
The most important shift happening in the music industry right now isn't about streaming numbers or social media followers — it's about ownership. Artists who are winning long-term are the ones building direct relationships with their fans: capturing contact info, communicating without algorithms in the way, and monetizing those connections on their own terms. Below is a list of the platforms and resources every artist should know about.
Contributor
Alec Ellin
Alec Ellin is the cofounder and CEO of Laylo, the CRM and drop platform used by teams behind Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Laufey, John Summit, Outside Lands, CRSSD Fest, Nate Bargatze, and Matt Rife. Laylo has helped the biggest names in entertainment amplify their announcements through drops, driving 200M+ fan actions and over $1B in sales across tickets, merch, and content since 2021. Alec leads partnerships with Universal Music Group, Sony Music, TikTok, and DICE, and has raised $8M for Laylo to date from investors like Y Combinator, Eldridge, and the founders of C3 Presents.
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Contributor
Alec Ellin
Alec Ellin is the cofounder and CEO of Laylo, the CRM and drop platform used by teams behind Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Laufey, John Summit, Outside Lands, CRSSD Fest, Nate Bargatze, and Matt Rife. Laylo has helped the biggest names in entertainment amplify their announcements through drops, driving 200M+ fan actions and over $1B in sales across tickets, merch, and content since 2021. Alec leads partnerships with Universal Music Group, Sony Music, TikTok, and DICE, and has raised $8M for Laylo to date from investors like Y Combinator, Eldridge, and the founders of C3 Presents.
laylo
laylo
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Direct to Fan
Music Marketing Platforms
Laylo is a fan capture tool that lets you create custom "drop pages" for releases, tour announcements, and presales — collecting emails and phone numbers from fans who want in first. Use it to build a list you actually own, so you're never dependent on an algorithm to reach your most loyal fans again.
laylo
laylo
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Direct to Fan
Music Marketing Platforms
Laylo is a fan capture tool that lets you create custom "drop pages" for releases, tour announcements, and presales — collecting emails and phone numbers from fans who want in first. Use it to build a list you actually own, so you're never dependent on an algorithm to reach your most loyal fans again.
national-independent-talent-organization-nito
national-independent-talent-organization-nito
Direct to Fan
NITO is an advocacy organization that fights for independent artists, managers, and agents on issues like ticketing reform, fair royalties, and — critically — requiring venues to share ticket-buyer data back with the artists who drew the crowd. Getting connected to NITO means having a seat at the table where the rules of the music industry are being rewritten.
national-independent-talent-organization-nito
national-independent-talent-organization-nito
Direct to Fan
NITO is an advocacy organization that fights for independent artists, managers, and agents on issues like ticketing reform, fair royalties, and — critically — requiring venues to share ticket-buyer data back with the artists who drew the crowd. Getting connected to NITO means having a seat at the table where the rules of the music industry are being rewritten.
setlive
setlive
Direct to Fan
Set.Live turns your live show into an interactive experience, letting fans unlock content, enter contests, and opt into your fan list in real time from the venue floor. It's one of the only tools that captures fan data at the highest-intent moment possible — while the crowd is right in front of you.
setlive
setlive
Direct to Fan
Set.Live turns your live show into an interactive experience, letting fans unlock content, enter contests, and opt into your fan list in real time from the venue floor. It's one of the only tools that captures fan data at the highest-intent moment possible — while the crowd is right in front of you.
genni
genni
Direct to Fan
Genni is a creator marketplace that connects artists with social media creators to run paid promotional campaigns, TikTok shop activations, and fan challenges. Use it to extend your reach through authentic voices while funneling participants directly into your owned fan database.
genni
genni
Direct to Fan
Genni is a creator marketplace that connects artists with social media creators to run paid promotional campaigns, TikTok shop activations, and fan challenges. Use it to extend your reach through authentic voices while funneling participants directly into your owned fan database.
fandiem
fandiem
Charities & Non-Profits
VIP Experiences
Sales & Commerce
Fandiem runs donate-to-win campaigns where fans contribute to a charity of your choice for a shot at a once-in-a-lifetime experience with you — backstage access, a meet-and-greet, exclusive merch. It's a way to drive meaningful fan engagement around a release or tour while putting your name behind a cause that matters to you.
fandiem
fandiem
Charities & Non-Profits
VIP Experiences
Sales & Commerce
Fandiem runs donate-to-win campaigns where fans contribute to a charity of your choice for a shot at a once-in-a-lifetime experience with you — backstage access, a meet-and-greet, exclusive merch. It's a way to drive meaningful fan engagement around a release or tour while putting your name behind a cause that matters to you.
fanvids
fanvids
Direct to Fan
Fanvids gives fans a dedicated page to upload their concert videos and photos directly to you — no app, no login required — while capturing their contact info in the process. You walk away from every show with a library of authentic UGC and a fresh batch of superfan data you actually own.
fanvids
fanvids
Direct to Fan
Fanvids gives fans a dedicated page to upload their concert videos and photos directly to you — no app, no login required — while capturing their contact info in the process. You walk away from every show with a library of authentic UGC and a fresh batch of superfan data you actually own.
linktree
linktree
Social Media Tools
Creator Tools
Direct to Fan
Linktree is a single link that houses everything — your music, merch, tickets, socials — so fans always know where to go regardless of which platform they find you on. It acts as your always-on D2F hub, with analytics that show you exactly what your fans are clicking and where they're converting.
linktree
linktree
Social Media Tools
Creator Tools
Direct to Fan
Linktree is a single link that houses everything — your music, merch, tickets, socials — so fans always know where to go regardless of which platform they find you on. It acts as your always-on D2F hub, with analytics that show you exactly what your fans are clicking and where they're converting.
rostr
rostr
Collaboration
Analytics
Industry News & Trades
"We use ROSTR constantly. It’s the best resource in the music business." - Marc Geiger, Chairman and CEO @ SaveLive
Music industry professionals use ROSTR to build their network, discover artists, save time & stay in the loop.
Promoted-Listing
Promoted-Stack-Item
stack-launch
ROSTR
own
rostr-promoted-listing
Promoted
seated
seated
Ticketing
Direct to Fan
Fan Club Tools
Seated is a ticketing and fan rewards platform that lets you sell tickets directly while giving fans points they can redeem for experiences and merch. It keeps the ticket-buyer data in your hands instead of a third party's, and builds loyalty that keeps fans coming back show after show.
seated
seated
Ticketing
Direct to Fan
Fan Club Tools
Seated is a ticketing and fan rewards platform that lets you sell tickets directly while giving fans points they can redeem for experiences and merch. It keeps the ticket-buyer data in your hands instead of a third party's, and builds loyalty that keeps fans coming back show after show.
bandsintown-for-artists
bandsintown-for-artists
Direct to Fan
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Bandsintown is where music fans go to follow artists and get notified the moment a tour is announced — making your Bandsintown following one of your most valuable direct-communication channels. Build your presence there and every tour announcement lands directly in the inbox of fans who have already raised their hand to see you live.
bandsintown-for-artists
bandsintown-for-artists
Direct to Fan
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Bandsintown is where music fans go to follow artists and get notified the moment a tour is announced — making your Bandsintown following one of your most valuable direct-communication channels. Build your presence there and every tour announcement lands directly in the inbox of fans who have already raised their hand to see you live.
even
even
Direct to Fan
Creator Tools
EVEN lets you sell your music directly to fans before it hits streaming platforms, under tiered pricing you control — and those sales count toward Billboard charts. It's built for artists who want to reward their most dedicated fans with early access while generating real revenue from day one of a release.
even
even
Direct to Fan
Creator Tools
EVEN lets you sell your music directly to fans before it hits streaming platforms, under tiered pricing you control — and those sales count toward Billboard charts. It's built for artists who want to reward their most dedicated fans with early access while generating real revenue from day one of a release.
Other Stacks
Other Stacks
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Contributor
Alec Ellin
Alec Ellin is the cofounder and CEO of Laylo, the CRM and drop platform used by teams behind Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Laufey, John Summit, Outside Lands, CRSSD Fest, Nate Bargatze, and Matt Rife. Laylo has helped the biggest names in entertainment amplify their announcements through drops, driving 200M+ fan actions and over $1B in sales across tickets, merch, and content since 2021. Alec leads partnerships with Universal Music Group, Sony Music, TikTok, and DICE, and has raised $8M for Laylo to date from investors like Y Combinator, Eldridge, and the founders of C3 Presents.
Read More