Social media is a terrarium. A bubble, a snow globe. It’s easy to be seduced by what people respond to, and even to censor ourselves as we users cultivate the image we want to present to the world. We curate images and announcements; our choice of words.
Some people feel comfortable sharing images of their snot on Facebook (literally) and others are afraid to show their true selves or say what’s really on their mind.
It’s the ultimate keeping-up-with-the-Jones’s and ‘the grass is always greener’ syndrome. It’s easy to covet, envy and even be enraged by what we see (especially if it’s a political post by the opposing line of thought).
Besides the recent ephiphany I had that it is impossible to become more “woke” on social media as social media is itself a fake world, there are considerations about social media specifically for artists.
For new artists, as well as established artists, you may have a profile or handle on any of the following: Bandcamp, Reverbnation, Facebook (personal and business page), Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Blogger, LastFM, Spotify, BandsinTown, Songkick, Fandalism, and many others I am not hip enough to know about.
Lots of people might like or follow your profile or posts — but when it comes to paying money for products, or butts in seats, it doesn’t translate.
Of course, we should not have been fooled in the first place. But the common thought nowadays is that your branding is online, and social media is necessary as an artist.
However, social media is just the icing on the cake, or the ripples on the pond.
You still have to bake the cake, and throw the rock in the pond, or be the fish that jumped.
Carry on! In order to do the heavy lifting to be a successful musician, use social media sparingly or only when your work is super polished.
Some other approaches:
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Get really good at your instrument
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Put on the most incredible live show that leaves the stage a burning pile of rubble when you exit
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Religiously cultivate an email list
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Promote in old school ways to really connect with the public, not just your friends
I really doubt that Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are good stand ins for the true power of music.
The cover photo shows that communicating can happen in a variety of media, in addition to digital, you can write messages on leather.