Are you stuggling to balance Facebook, Twitter, and other social media? If so, I have a solution for you.
Disconnect.
Seriously, turn it off. I'm giving you permission.
The majority of the things on social media don't matter. I think it's great to post photos from shows to Facebook, or upload video tour diaries, or answer fan questions, but most everything else is a distraction taking you away from your music career.
You don't need to know what your "friends" think about the upcoming election.
Funny photos with captions don't help you sell music.
Your high school girlfriend has moved on. She's not coming back. Stop pining for her.
Social media can be a great tool for musicians, but there is a lot of distraction that makes it more likely to be a waste of your time. It’s like standing in a stadium full of other people, with everybody talking to themselves, hoping somebody will pay attention to them.
When everybody is shouting themselves, nobody can hear you.
Where are the music buyers?
People who buy independent music are at clubs watching musicians. Why aren't you spending more time at those clubs, performing for them?
If you want to make money in music, you need to go where the buyers are. Social media can help strengthen offline connections, but it's not a replacement for them.
So turn off your computer and play more shows!
I highly recommend using LeechBlock for anyone using Firefox (Chrome & IE have similar versions). It's a browser-run plugin that lets you set the times you want to allow yourself to surf on any given sites, and block you out for the rest. I use it and it has majorly increased my productivity. Just google "LeechBlock".
Posted by: Toggo Ultrarock | October 08, 2012 at 02:15 PM
Yes play more, but where? Do you even know who where you should be gigging to make the best possible connections and get the best chance of sales? Do an evaluation, get a VERY CLEAR picture of who you audience really is, the ones that will follow you off the cliff, send money, support and share you (on the social sites so you don't have to!). There is just as much NOISE at a lot of the CLUBS as there is online in social media, where do you have the best chance to stand out, figure it out. The answers just might surprise you!
Posted by: Misterbilly | October 08, 2012 at 05:39 PM
BTW, another great post. Please don't stop. :-)
Posted by: Misterbilly | October 08, 2012 at 05:40 PM