For the definition of fan economy, many scholars have different sayings, the author thinks that a relatively appropriate one is: under the influence of the fan culture, the relationship between fans and those who are concerned about the formation of a relatively close contact, through the form of word-of-mouth marketing to reap the economic benefits, so as to achieve the purpose of business income generation of a new form of economy. There are two main characteristics, the first is to rely on the fans for their idol's loyalty to improve their own consumption behavior, and the second is the spiritual and emotional consumption for the development of the fan economy plays a prominent role. These two characteristics are mainly reflected in the fans in order to their idol's popularity and sales, will buy albums, concert tickets, as well as stars like or endorsement of the goods, etc., the businessman to seize the psychology of the fans Wei fan users to provide a variety of commodities and services, fans of all kinds of behavior ultimately converted into consumption, to achieve profitability, and constantly strengthen the development of the fan economy.

Reasons for the rise of the fan economy

(1) Diversification of the entertainment mode of the brokerage company packaging

The diversification of the entertainment mode makes the idol can debut in various ways, such as participating in variety shows, shooting online dramas, the issuance of digital albums, etc., no longer like the previous artists to become an idol of the way is very limited, can only rely on the traditional mode, the new debut! The increase in the number of ways to become an idol has laid a good foundation for the development of the fan economy. Moreover, nowadays, before launching a new idol, the agency will set up a character image for each artist and package them accordingly to meet the public's vision of the idol, thus gaining a large number of supportive fans.

(2) The promotion of Internet technology

The rapid development of the "fan economy" cannot be separated from the significant promotion of Internet technology, which not only breaks through the limitations of time and geography, but also provides a platform for the public to understand the idols and get close to them. Through these virtual platforms, fans can get the latest news of artists in time, and idols can also open microblogging and live broadcasting to communicate with fans. These communication platforms make fans strengthen their emotional dependence on and recognition of their idols, further promoting emotional and material consumption.

(3) Widespread use of mobile payment and the development of e-commerce industry

In the era of mobile payment, because of the booming development of e-commerce industry such as Taobao and Tmall, it provides a more convenient channel and way for fans to follow their stars. Fans can easily reward their idols, buy their idol's albums, their concert tickets, their idol's endorsed products and various peripheral products through Alipay, WeChat and other payment tools. Netizens have developed a good habit of paying, willing to pay for their own aesthetics, for their own inner followers, to pay for their favorite idols, and to reward their emotional spokespersons.

(4) Increasingly professionally run fan organizations.

With the increase in the number of idol stars, the fan base is also growing. Distinguished from the fans in the 90s, the current fan organizations have a stronger professional division of labor and organization, they will regularly publish idol news on mainstream media platforms to maintain the exposure of the idol, and at the same time, provide a platform for other fans to exchange information and gossip with the stars. In addition, a new type of professional fans began to appear, this kind of fan is mainly for the agency or the artist hired, according to the needs of the artist on different occasions with the publicity and other work, so as to better lead the fan base of the topic and the direction of public opinion. The expansion of this group makes the development of the fan economy more orderly and flexible.