You already know that photos on or around train tracks is a bad idea. But this time around I’m going to concentrate on the dumb things bands do with their internet presence.
“Internet presence” defined: Any presence a band has on the internet, such as a dot-com web site, a blog (e.g. WordPress, Tumblr), a Facebook page, a ReverbNation page, a Twitter profile, etc.; it is any presence or “destination” a band has on the internet where they can post updates and stuff.
There isn’t any sort of rule book per sé concerning internet presences and you can post anything you want. But there are certain things bands do on said presences that are just plain stupid.
Here are 7 of them.
1. “Currently in the studio”
Possibly the most-often and most-worthless update a band can post. Okay, so the band is in the studio. So what? Were there any sound clips provided? No, of course not. Were there any studio photos that would at least give the audience something to see? No, of course not.
A band that says they’re “currently in the studio recording” has the exact same meaning as “I just ate a turkey sandwich”, which is to say it’s totally meaningless and nobody cares.
2. “Vote for us in [insert dopey battle-of-bands nobody cares about here] by clicking [insert worthless link nobody wants to click here]”
The band hasn’t provided any new music nor photos nor anything else anyone would actually care about, but instead spams their fans with some stupid battle-of-the-bands thing.
Why any band does this I have no idea. Actually, yes, I do have an idea why. It’s under the foolish belief that by being associated with other acts, the band will in turn gain more popularity.
Nope.
All a band does by participating in some dopey internet battle-band thing is send traffic right over to other bands that will promptly kick their asses straight into oblivion. Not a good idea.
3. Not listing directions to the gig. At all.
“See us play at Bob’s Country Bunker tonight @ 8pm!”
Okay, genius, where is Bob’s Country Bunker? Did you even bother to say where it is? No, of course not. You just magically expect people to know the location of the gig you’re playing. Well, I’m sorry, but you don’t have that kind of magic power and never did.
Always, repeat, always link to the web site of the where the gig is, because that site is almost certain to list directions explaining how to get there. And if it doesn’t, list the directions briefly in the status update you post.
You could also write something like, “For those of you with GPS in your cell phone, here’s the exact address of where we’re playing: [list address here]”
If you’re really pressed for space, list the gig’s business phone number so people can call for directions.
4. Not giving fans enough notice
“Hey, we’re playing at Bob’s Country Bunker in 3 hours – see you there!”
…and that is the only notice given.
Stupid.
I understand spur-of-the-moment gigs sometimes happen and very little notice can be given for those. But if you had the gig planned in advance, you should at bare minimum give your fans at least 3 days notice.
5. Not posting any updates for months at a time
If you’re in a band and the band has an internet presence, use it no matter what it is. It doesn’t have to be every day, but it does have to be at least twice a week.
“But we didn’t do anything this week…”
So? Post a band photo, post a link to one of your favorite songs on YouTube, post something.. anything. At least put on the appearance the band is together.
6. Posting anything about politics or religion
Nobody wants to hear a band’s opinion about government or religion. Ever. Don’t do it. The band is about music. Just music. Only music. That’s it. If you want to blab about politics and religion, use your own internet presence outside of the band to do it.
7. “Support local music”
Bands like saying this a lot, but it’s ultimately a meaningless statement.
“Support Local Music”, which is usually written like a nine-year-old would in all-caps style with many exclamation points as “SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”, is exactly the same as “Currently in the studio”, meaning it’s exactly the same as “I just ate a turkey sandwich.” Same. Freakin’. Thing. It’s just a worthless statement.
Now I know, I know… a whole bunch of you have spouted out the “support local music” line on your band’s internet presences.
But think about this for a moment.
WHY would you promote some loosely-based community that ultimately nobody cares about? And WHY would you want to effectively draw attention away from YOUR band?
Here’s the better alternative:
You are better off creating an “army” of followers, because that promotes community, with your band as the leaders of said community. Many bands big and small corral their fans around them to create push and drive by creating their own community instead of the loosely-based “local music community” that doesn’t have any push or drive whatsoever.
“Local music” has no focal point other than region that fans can truly identify with. But “army” does, because the focal point is you, as in your band.
Make your band the focal point for your fans. As dopey as “Join the [insert your band name here] army today” sounds, it is a million times better than “support local music” and can serve to help rather than hinder your band’s popularity…
…but I could be wrong! And if I am, please feel free to correct me with your personal experience using the ‘support local music’ line. Did it work for you, or was it a total dud?
SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC!!! If you are afraid another band will steal your attention, you probably suck anyway. Music is to be shared, enjoyed and celebrated. Step up your game if you are afraid someone else is better & don’t be jealous if another band kicks ass
So wrong on so many levels. “Support” won’t pay your bills, and giving attention to other bands takes money out of YOUR pocket. And you seem to think fear has something to do with this. Absolutely untrue. It’s more likely true the bands who suck who *aren’t* flying the “support local music” worthless banner are kicking your ass left and right and making all the money, while you’re left being the poor starving artist. Enjoy eating your macaroni and cheese for dinner every night, because that’s all your be able to afford with your “support”. Learn to market or stay home.
Except not everyone makes music to make money. I spend countless hours working my ass off to make the best music I can but I simply don’t care about marketing it. Either someone else will do it or I’ll keep playing to a bunch of friends, which is absolutely fine. And if I think a local band is talented they deserve my support.
Not that “support local music” isn’t a stupid statement – something like “our friends from [band] have a new album coming up, check them out on [link]” would be more appropriate.
This guy seems like he has a stick up his ass, is only doing music for the money, and is in it for himself.
Saying “currently in the studio” is simply another way of saying “hey, we have got some new music heading your way. Be on the lookout for it.”
Usually, bands have to say “Vote for us in___” Because usually that is the only way many bands have a chance to even be noticed by those higher up. Even if the band is incredibly talented, and has a great turnout at all of their shows, if there are no producers or anyone higher up in the area, and the band is pretty much screwed And winning said competition may be their only chance to be noticed outside of their area. Nobody likes to beg, but unfortunately, many bands have to resort to it. Especially if they are new.
Not putting the address or directions to the venue is becoming normal, because it is usually posted with a Facebook event link, which includes the address and directions in it.
And the reason people say “support local music” is because for another band to help you, you need to help with them. It is all about community, especially if many of the same bands play together frequently.
I’m glad everything with your band is going so well that you can think like this. However, this isn’t the case for many many bands. Not everybody does it for the money, And many bands are able to help each other out. Is all a matter of circumstance. Depending on where you are, how the local scene is, and what genre of music you are, everything will be different.
Also, if you were going to write an article on a website about the seven things bands should not do online, get the stick out of your ass before you do it, before demoralizing and talking down to an incredible number of bands. Because, more than half of your list is either irrelevant, things people don’t want to do but have to, or flat out wrong.
Saying “currently in the studio” is simply another way of saying “hey, we have got some new music heading your way. Be on the lookout for it.”
Wrong. It’s saying “we have no music, so here’s a worthless update”.
Usually, bands have to say “Vote for us in___” Because usually that is the only way many bands have a chance to even be noticed by those higher up.
Wrong again. “Usually” means “never”. The contest is run so bands unknowingly act as shills to promote other businesses that they don’t even get paid to promote. Congrats, you’re an unpaid whore.
Not putting the address or directions to the venue is becoming normal
Wrong again. Your “normal” must be in a different universe.
And the reason people say “support local music” is because for another band to help you, you need to help with them.
Wrong YET AGAIN… wow. Bands say “support local music” because they want other bands to whore themselves to them to compensate for the fact they SUCK. Not happening, sorry. Thanks for playing!
Not everybody does it for the money
Enjoy eating your macaroni and cheese every night as a literal starving artist.
Also, if you were going to write an article on a website about the seven things bands should not do online, get the stick out of your ass before you do it, before demoralizing and talking down to an incredible number of bands.
I’m glad you’re demoralized. And I hope every single crappy band who reads this is also demoralized. Hopefully with any luck, many bands will read this and STOP doing stupid crap online as listed above. In other words, RECORD SOME FRICKIN’ MUSIC and POST IT. Start getting people EXCITED. Generate a COMMUNITY (as in “the army”). Do that by posting music, posting photos and not that oh-so worthless “support” crapola. Give your fans a reason to LIKE YOU whether your goal is to be paid OR NOT. Make sense? I hope so.
You’re welcome.
How can he be wrong??? he is sating his opinions, just like you’re stating opinions. Neither of you can be proven right, you’re both just stating your personal beliefs not quoting proven fact?
(Not original commenter)
The OP is so wrong, it doesn’t even deserve a reply. Posting directions? Use Google you dumb shit! How am I supposed to believe a word you say when you are upset because some made you Google direction?! And some bands play for the fun of it. If you get money from playing, that’s an added benefit. It makes selling Merch even more important.
Get out of the music scene before you hurt yourself
Nice to know you refer to people who would go to your shows as “dumb shits”. How thoughtful of you. Rock on, moron.
Says post anything as long as you post in the middle of telling you all your posts are a waste of time… right.
“If you’re in a band and the band has an internet presence, use it no matter what it is. It doesn’t have to be every day, but it does have to be at least twice a week.
“But we didn’t do anything this week…”
So? Post a band photo, post a link to one of your favorite songs on YouTube, post something.. anything. At least put on the appearance the band is together.”
reason five contradicts everything else you said.
OH … SNAP!
I guess the original author should have started out with something like “If you intend to attempt to climb the popularity ladder and get noticed so you can become famous and wealthy, here are some things to avoid to best market your products”. His/Her suggestions are solid if you wish to enter the shark-eat-shark world of whore-ass marketing that is what makes the music marketing industry what it is. There are solid psychological angles to adopt, and weak psychological angles to adopt.
But if you’re in a band that isn’t marketing/sales oriented then some of those suggestions are worthy of dismissal.
I want to know who he is, why should we even trust him? who is he? What has he done? For all we know if we follow his bad advice we’re just taking the advice of a high schooler playing for his parents and the other bands.
“Not in it for the money” is laughable. That means “you’re not worth any money to see.” Jacka**es. It isn’t about YOU getting money it’s about people spending THEIR TIME which IS money to see you. Good grief, grow up.
Anybody who says they are not in it for the money better make damned sure their fellow band members are aware of it.