I/we appreciate the fact that you thought I/we important enough to share your [music link, video, request to follow, event flyer, request to "like" your page], but I/we have to tell you that the way you went about this was all wrong.
It is understandable that you might think that it’s ok to simply plaster every e-wall on the internet with your [music link, video, request to follow, event flyer, request to "like" your page]. You’re hoping that people will take the time to [listen, look, go, follow, like]. But someone should tell you, it really isn’t helping you in the long run.
The problem is, most of us will simply ignore, or delete it. Some of us might now look at you in a bad light, and ignore you in the future, when you actually might have something worthwhile for us to check out. I/we don’t think that’s the result you’re going for here.
Another thing to consider is that when you randomly post to my/our wall, for example, some of us might get a little annoyed that you are essentially trying to advertise to our carefully cultivated followers.
It would be like if you had a show, and you brought all your friends and fans, and while you’re on stage, I attempted to get everyone’s attention, instead of letting them watch you.
Not cool, right?
Listen, some of us are people or organizations that you really want to know about you. After all, why else would you be doing this? If this is the case, Let me/us give you some advice.
Get to know me/us. Randomly posting your stuff to our e-areas is rude and shows no initiative (or understanding of effective marketing). However, you don’t have to be a marketing genius to get me/us to pay attention.
First of all, make sure we’re the right person/organization to reach out to.
Research me/us a little bit before hitting me/us up.
Then, you should find a way to introduce yourself that isn’t a blanket approach… Message me/us. Introduce yourself, tell me/us what you do, and why you would like me/us to know about you. But do it in a semi-personal way at least.
It’s networking 101. You don’t seem to know how to do it, and it’s probably hurting more than helping.
The bottom line is that if you expect to be seen/heard/noticed in the incredibly oversaturated online world, you have to work hard, but also work smart, and do things that make you stand out, not in a bad way. Sticking links on walls, or mass-tweeting to every @person you can, could not only make you look amateur and annoying, but is also a waste of your time. Yes, in today’s world, the artist also has to promote and market, but you should be spending the least amount of time, with the best possible results, instead of spending a lot of time doing things that don’t help you.
I/we am/are not trying to be a jerk(s). I/we really want to help you understand my/our point of view, since I/we get so many people doing what you’re doing, that it’s impossible to take the time to check you out, or take you seriously.
If you want to get people to notice you, especially important people who get bombarded with these kinds of things, please consider doing so in a way that is less intrusive, less irritating and more effective.
Thanks again for your interest. I/we look forward to hearing from you. Just in a different way.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This is golden information. I hope some people actually take heed and follow through with it. Keep the good stuff coming!
Great read! Thnx for this! Hope ppl heed to the advice. S/O to Manny T birthplacemag.com for puttin me on
This sh*t is so true! It annoys me to no effin’ end to have people adding me but never interacting… then sending these ridiculous requests to look at their fan page, become a fan, listen and tell friends about their music, etc. OMG! Fawkin’ stop it!