In Support Of Local Bands On Facebook

I tend to not blog very often, but there are times when something crosses my feed and good or bad, I am motivated to write. Tonight was one of those times, thanks to a post from the Phoenix New Times' music blog, Up On The Sun. What caught my eye was the very well-worded link bait about why the author will not like band Pages on Facebook.

What? How can this be? It's a music blog, supporting the amazing musicians and bands we have in the Phoenix area. Why wouldn't this writer want to continue that support in one of the simplest ways possible? When I read his 6 reasons, it was understood. It was more of an "I hate Facebook" post than anything else.

Local Phoenix band Kongos, taking a break from their
world tour to do an acoustic set for a small group of fans.

I happen to have some knowledge of Facebook, and also support the local music scene with my work at KWSS 93.9FM. I felt compelled to respond. Here are his six reasons, and what I think.

6. Extorting money from bands.

Wow, that's quite the accusation. Should we call the po-po? Basically the reasoning is because of the algorithm, reach isn't quite as good unless you boost posts or create ads, which cost money. While yes it is correct that paying for advertising will get more engagement, it is certainly not necessary. If you like a band's page, and they have a good amount of activity (many local bands do, fans love to interact with them on Facebook, and vice-versa, here's an example), you will see it in your feed. If not, you can choose to get notifications of posts, or even add the Page to a "Pages" list so you can see it in your news feed. If you know how to use Facebook properly, you won't have to spend any money at all.

At times yes, spending a few dollars a day to promote an upcoming show or album can help, but Facebook is by far one of the least expensive ways to do so. 

5. Doesn't know what a band sounds like

I'll give him this one. A semi-decent music player on Facebook pages would be a nice addition. However, if you click their About section, you will probably find a link to their website. I bet there's a music player there.

4. Buying Facebook "likes"

I will give part of this to him. What it comes down to is again a lack of understanding of Facebook and what organic vs. paid likes are. Likes are definitely not the important part of a Facebook Page. Bands as well as anyone who runs a Page needs to have basic understanding of how likes work, and buying them doesn't do anything. It's how you engage with the audience you have, whether it is 50 or 5,000. 

3 & 2. Liking a band name makes him look dumb, and everyone look dumb (I combined two here)

No, liking bands on Facebook doesn't make you look dumb, but not supporting bands simply because you hate Facebook does. The idea is that he doesn't want to like a band page because it looks like he supports a band that isn't very good. Simple solution, don't like their page! Of course you don't have to like every band that asks. If you listen to them and like their sound, by all means like the page. It's ok to be picky. Don't be unsupportive of local music trying to get the word out for this reason. That would be dumb. 

1. He doesn't care. 

If you don't care, you shouldn't be writing for a music blog. As much as Facebook is a place for mindless drivel, it is also a place of great information. More people get their news from Facebook than from other major news sources. You can get all kinds of deals and information about your favorite businesses from Facebook. When I want to know more about a place or find a location, I go to Facebook before Google. This is also true of band pages. It's not only support, it's finding out more about them, where shows are going to be, ticket offers, etc. 

Facebook is still the top social networking site, and if you are a band, it's a smart move to have a Facebook Page. Making some grand statement about how having that Page doesn't matter is a disservice to the local bands that are out there working their tails off for a craft they can only hope to make into something lucrative. Not everyone can be the next Gin Blossoms or Kongos, but exposure and support everywhere you can doesn't hurt. 

Thanks for reading! If you feel so inclined, you can follow my daily ramblings on Twitter, and get all sorts of information from my Facebook Page! See you around the interwebs!

TechPhx Update!

Explaining the finer points of the weekend at
last year's TechPhx (Photo by Snapping Fire Dragon)

One of the many places I volunteer my time is TechPHX. If you don't know, it is a weekend unconference covering just about anything technology and social media related. Podcasts, video, photography, code... sessions for anyone who wants to learn a little more about these things (and more) and apply them to what they do. This year it is happening November 16 & 17.

What you do can be anything as well. To the casual blogger who needs to learn some WordPress basics, to the Podcaster who wants to learn more about editing software, to the business person who wants to make better use of social media, I can't think of any person that wouldn't get something out of attending. It's about community first, and building that community to bring us all a little closer together. You can learn more about TechPhx here, and also check out last year's sessions here.

Since it is community first, we have always had pride in the fact that we could remain low-cost. Conferences can get very expensive! We also know that paying more doesn't necessarily mean you will get more out of it. This is why attending for the weekend is a mere $10, basically to just cover some prizes and supplies that sponsors do not. This week however, we are having a special registration discount for You Tube's Geek Week- FREE registration using the "GeekWeek" promotional code! You can read more about it on the TechPhx blog.

TechPhx is one of my favorite events to volunteer for, because I know first-hand the value. Technology and the Internet isn't going anywhere, it will only keep advancing and growing. It's important to have a place where you can learn to handle it, and share what you know with others. AND have a good time! TechPhx is all of that rolled into one weekend. Check out the website, register to attend OR speak, and I'll see you in November!









Thanks for reading! If you feel so inclined, you can follow my daily ramblings on Twitter, and get all sorts of information from my Facebook Page! See you around the interwebs!

The Tech Phx Planning Season Is On!

I am so excited to announce that a new season of conferencing has arrived! When last we spoke, the conference known as PodcampAZ was laid to rest, and a new name emerged... TechPhx! Which, well, is the only thing to change. It's still going to cover all the awesome topics, and have all the awesome panels it did before, but the name will now be more... fitting (and awesome*).

Well, there was one small change. Tyler has stepped back from leading the charge this year. Apparently he's getting married or something, and wants to focus on that right now. Our Tyler, growing up so fast! So, after what was probably too much deliberation (on my part), I'm going to be taking his place as leader this year! I am super-excited, because I don't look at it as if I'm in charge. I am still looking at this conference as a group effort, and we want to get as much community involvement as possible. We just need someone to call meetings to order, right? RIGHT?

Although the types of sessions themselves are not changing, and we're keeping with our unconference theme, we do have some new ideas we'd like to incorporate into this years' conference. I don't want to reveal it all now- but what it involves is a way to spotlight all the great things the valley has to offer. And there are a ton of great groups, gatherings, and conferences in the valley.

However, we need your help to do it. Mark those calendars for Saturday, February 11th. 10:00 am, Room 203, at the University of Advancing Technology (where last year's conference was held).  We are especially making an appeal to those who run other conferences, camps, and clubs during the year in the valley. You know, Ignite, Social Media Club, WordCamp, EPublish Unum...  etc. All we need are one or two representatives to come out and hear what our big idea is. We think you'll like it. Of course beyond that, anyone and everyone is invited to get involved with this year's TechPhx. Something you loved last year? Help us make it better. Something you didn't love so much? Help us make it better.

RSVP Here!

I've said it before- I was blown away with what a group of 8 or 9 of us did last year with Podcamp. With 20 people, or 30... well I can't even imagine the degree of awesome and amazing TechPhx can reach.

Actually I can. So see you on February 11th!



*I've been watching a LOT of "How I Met Your Mother" lately.