 I continually wrestle with how often to post about clients' upcoming concerts. On one hand, these are fun events. You are not selling tickets to a prostate exam. However, it is still in essence a sales pitch. You are asking people to spend money.
And unless it is a Led Zeppelin reunion, concert announcements do not get anywhere near the same engagement as posts that are music videos or quotes from a band member. Now with Facebook you can target posts to a specific location, aiming them at people who live near that particular venue. However, lately I am not sure that is a good idea for two reasons. First, when I post about a show and send it out to everyone (no geo-targeting), it is common to see someone from a different city tag a friend who lives near the upcoming show, saying, "Steve, you should try and go to this! You will love this band!" Second, it is amazing how often and how far people are willing to travel to see their favorite bands, especially if the band is not scheduled to play in their town anytime soon. Geo-targeting concert posts or ads eliminates both of those scenarios. So I am doing less geo-targeting. As for how often to post about upcoming shows, the debate continues. - Cris If you are tired of the myth that all successful people are secluded geniuses who achieve overnight success, then this book is for you. ("Show Your Work" by Austin Kleon) Sometimes I think these myths are perpetuated because they make for good stories, good movies, etc. Sometimes I think they are used to scare off competition, to plant seeds of doubt (or even full grown trees of doubt) in the minds of others. And I get it. Patience, hard work, sharing what you learn, and persistence don't make for headlines. But I think this book does a good job of outlining why those are key ingredients to worthwhile accomplishments. You can find it on Amazon at https://amzn.com/076117897X  I repeat some mistakes. One is thinking I can increase the quantity of posts and not lose any of the quality. "This time I have a system that works!" But I don't. Instead I return to the same realization: When you try to crank stuff out in assembly line fashion, the quality is going to suffer. Not that every post has to be the equivalent of a culinary masterpiece that takes days to prepare. But it also doesn't have to be like a fast food meal where the frozen burger patty is microwaved, slapped on a bun, and fired out of a drive-thru window. Part of it is the allure of faulty math. One day I get great engagement numbers. Then I think that, if I can double my daily output, I will also double my engagement numbers. But it doesn't work that way. That is like reasoning that if something needs to bake for one hour at 300 degrees, then you will get the same result in just 30 minutes if you dial up the oven to 600 degrees. Put it in a pottery kiln and you can serve it in just 5 minutes 10 seconds. This thinking leads to a disappointing entrée and possibly uncontrollable vomiting. Faster is not always better. - Cris  Despite it being called social media, a lot of businesses and even bands create content that is really impersonal. It has all the warmth and connection of a software's terms and service agreement. "How have you been, Steve?" "Some jurisdictions provide for certain warranties, like the implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. to the extent permitted by law." "Great. And the kids?"  I love that I have a home office. But as the parent of a special needs child, sometimes I need to get out and work elsewhere. Yesterday I set up camp at a bookstore café to do some research and write some rough drafts. And judging by the residue in the cup, I apparently drank some sort of viscous fluid used by insects to preserve their kills. - Cris  You can tell it's the weekend because, instead of working upstairs in my office, I am working downstairs at the kitchen table. What can I say? I'm wild like that.  Earlier this year with client Rich Redmond. During sound check I was allowed to walk the scaffolding of the Jason Aldean concert stage to get these over-the-shoulder shots of Rich. This was the first time I got to see him use his new line of signature drum sticks.  Always next to my desk. I'm not a good drummer, but I still love to play when I can. And I genuinely like playing on a practice pad. I find it relaxing.  |
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