Contact the artist or the artist's promoter to obtain permission to start your fan club, regardless of whether you want your club to be official or unofficial. This will help you avoid future conflicts regarding copyright or trademark laws.

Send self-addressed stamped envelopes to popular fan clubs to learn about what services and products they offer and what fees they charge.

Decide what your club will offer, and contact the artist or artist's promoter about merchandising.

Estimate the costs of production, mailing and general overhead.

Decide on a membership fee, if necessary, to help cover these expenses.

Assemble the necessary office, publishing and accounting equipment.

Organize a staff (either paid or volunteer) to handle publishing, accounting, merchandising, public relations and general administration.

Decide on a format for your club's newsletter or fanzine, including appearance, types of information presented, and writers and editors.

Try to get the artist to participate personally in your newsletter.

Contact an attorney or the Internal Revenue Service to learn what tax laws and restrictions may apply to your organization.

Establish a bank account specifically for your fan club separate from any existing personal or business accounts you may already have.