Creators' Freedom Project

In some recent work with artists — helping them setup systems like blast email updates, Facebook and Twitter posts, etc., it’s all too clear when artists perceive these kinds of communications as something new and are missing the basics. And if they can’t get past the basics, it’s really hard for them to see the advantages of these “new” mediums compared to traditional communications, like phone calls, letters, etc.

Charles Alexander used the “‘Cause it’s not NEW media anymore” tagline for our Rock Your Net artist workshops, and it’s totally on point here.

The Internet is here to say. Honest, it’s not a flash-in-the-pan. It’s not really fair for artists to pretend is something “new” anymore.

I know it can have a steep learning curve, and it’s tough to get our heads around, but I think it might be helpful if we can zoom-out and think of it all as not something so foreign, but just what we’d do naturally, albeit in a different medium.

Be Casual

Many artists have Facebook and Twitter accounts and are accustomed to using social media for personal, casual use to keep up with friends and following their interests. But I’ve found a trend that when it comes to talking about what they do, let alone promotion, they get stage fright and start acting in ways they don’t normally. Maybe they won’t post about their artistic work or upcoming performance at all, or maybe they’ll post a link, with nothing else in the update.

Just like with any other passing along of a link on Facebook or Twitter, we don’t just post a link, right? We say something (hopefully thoughtful, interesting, funny even?), and then include the link to what we’re talking about and want others to see.

This isn’t something new — it’s what we do in most communication, right?

If we’re going to call and tell our friends about something, we wouldn’t pick up the phone, and when the other person answered, just shout out a web-address and hang up, without giving context or saying anything else to them? How weird would that be? If we were sending a letter, same thing.

Same should go for Facebook and Twitter.

Engage & Use the Medium’s Advantage

Additionally, if we think about these specific mediums and what makes these platforms useful, it’s our ability to mention other people / things in our messages. What does this added benefit do for us?

1. When mentioned, those people see it (imagine what would happen if you mentioned someone in a phone call or letter and they heard it and saw it!);

2. Their friends and people watching / searching on them see it!

Amazingly powerful, but only if it’s used thoughtfully.

So, for example, when talking about an upcoming gig, artists should mention other people that might be involved in the show, like — not just other people in the band & the venue, but people (presumably the artists fans!) who’ve said they’re going to come. Maybe mention you’re bummed about those specific people who’ve taken the effort to say they couldn’t make it. Every time you do, you’re not just engaging with those people (because you’re continuing the conversation thought they were already engaged in with you), you’re reaping the added benefit of syndicating the message with all those people you’ve mentioned…and the people that follow them. How powerful is that — a system that rewards us for what we should be already doing — engaging with others!

It is Not New Media Anymore

It really isn’t. So, starting today, set aside your fears and just be mindful of opportunities to do this with your social posts. No, it doesn’t have to be everything, one-off thoughts, pics & videos posts are great, and can be conversation starters of there own! But we should be taking advantage of this now common-place medium to start those conversations and engage.