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Let me start by saying I was wrong on my perception of Facebook at least after I learned that I did not have to do the “friend” thing but instead put up a "business page". As this and the mindset that as long as I had a credible website Facebook was a waste were the only reasons I stayed away. But here is what I learned very quickly . . . it's bigger than all of us!
In fact my website has been up for 10 years or so with numerous notifications and invites send to many of the people who have been hiring me for all of these years and some have still not once visited the website. But I start a business Facebook page and BAM!, these same people tend to find it on their own within days.
I am not working for this giant (and that is what it is) I am just saying that I have received more feedback and/or interaction with booking agents and the general public within the six weeks or so I have started my Facebook page than any 3-4 year span of my website.
I am however curious as to how many of my fellow BIAB'ers are also using this medium to promote their music business and their take on their experience?
Thanks,
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Facebook is the main method of publicity for bands in my area. I've had a website for 18 years but far more people now see my gigs from Facebook - the regular personal one, not my Band page. Invites from the Band page do get pretty good response, but I reserve that for major concerts.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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I left Facebook last summer and have not looked back. It was turning into a second job.
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I just terminated facebook, also terminated Linkedin.
For regular business folks, both are probably pretty good sites.
Just don't have the interest and time.
Enjoy you folks much more.
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I'm not a big Facebook fan but I do have an account just for staying up with family members.
If I were playing professionally I'd milk that sucker for all it's worth. It's free and once you get a following built up you could definitely increase your turnout, even if it was only a few extra heads per show.
I can't see a downside for a performer.
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Quote:
I left Facebook last summer and have not looked back. It was turning into a second job.
And way too invasive!
When I went back and read some of the drivel on there (some of it mine, your Honor) I decided that those precious seconds I have left in my Life should not be taken up with this crap.
I quit Farcebook too and got hours of my life back per week!
(enough time to go making Music! - BONUS.)
Ian
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I'm on facebook. Family in the UK and British Columbia, music friends, and publicity for the Plumbing Factory Brass Band.
I don't see a downside. I read what I like. I post lots of shots there for family, if you friend me, you see them too, dog, grandson this week. Dad's birthday party tonight when I get around to it.
My son is an executive with a large Canadian banking organization, and Linkdin got him his last job. I don't know about it for music.
I have at least 20 casual friends who stay abreast of my comings and goings on the Facebook though. 2 from my high school days in the 60's, that found me!
John Conley
Musica est vita
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We have a business page, but that's just a commercial decision. Generally, I'm not a great fan. Someone posts what they had for lunch and about another twenty people either "like" or comment. What? Life's too short for that.  ROG.
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Quote:
We have a business page, but that's just a commercial decision.
Generally, I'm not a great fan. Someone posts what they had for lunch and about another twenty people either "like" or comment. What?
Life's too short for that.
ROG.
That is exactly the reason for me taking so long to get involved, but with the business page you have none of this "Friend" BS and of course more control of what and when something goes on the page.
Maybe I was just afraid I could not make friends. 
Later,
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OK, Danny... you got my interest
How would I go about setting up a business FB account as opposed to personal account?
Can personal accounts be "ported over" to business?
I exited FB for the same reasons mentioned above...but what might be invasive in a personal context could also be seen as PERvasive, and a good way to get attention for a business... especially a music performance business
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No actually right now I'm on the couch. But I'm sure that doesn't matter.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Quote:
OK, Danny... you got my interest
How would I go about setting up a business FB account as opposed to personal account?
Can personal accounts be "ported over" to business?
I exited FB for the same reasons mentioned above...but what might be invasive in a personal context could also be seen as PERvasive, and a good way to get attention for a business... especially a music performance business
Pat,
I think when I clicked on start a page it gave me the option if I wanted a personal or business page. If memory serves me correctly I clicked the "Cafe" Icon". And that is the only difference in setting up a business page.
You can also follow the steps that take you through the different stages of what and who can post on your page. You also get email notification with every post. I like this feature as it affords you the ability to delete or in some cases even edit post. But the thing I like the most is that is is business and you do not have to get into that "friend me" trap.
Re: Personal accounts, I am not sure about that but here is a link where you can get all of your questions answered Ask Emma .
Later,
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I'm a huge FB fan, and I was 'forced' on it when I went back to school at 41 and felt like and old f$#@ because EVERY other perosn in the school was using it....I'll be sending 'friend' requests to every one of you whose name I can find ; )
I think it's a great way to get to know people a little better - especially those that you've never met in person. IMHO it is a socially appropriate place for sharing little things that mean very much to people, create bonding, and are typically not shared in more professional relationships or internet forums. Yes - some people go a little bit overboard (I don't really care what they're eating at any given moment either).
But I will give you my perspective - all those of you looking to use it for your business, which is a fine use of it. I go on FB, as well as many others, to see people that I either care or pretend to care about me personally in some way. I'm very turned off by people that are using it solely to attract me as a paying customer for their business.
Take that for what it's worth...one person's opinion : )
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Quote:
But I will give you my perspective - all those of you looking to use it for your business, which is a fine use of it. I go on FB, as well as many others, to see people that I either care or pretend to care about me personally in some way. I'm very turned off by people that are using it solely to attract me as a paying customer for their business.
Take that for what it's worth...one person's opinion : )
Hey Joe V,
1st of all I was the one who said I would never be on Facebook for many reasons with the main one being all the phoney BS that comes with it. But I am now saying for businesses it is a viable method of getting your message out there. I know you said that this turns you off, but with that in mind if ads turn you off you must be turned off everytime you turn on a TV, go to movies, see outdoor boards, printed media and listen to radio. Heck all media, because that is what they are trying to do, get you to buy something. It's called advertising, it's everywhere and it is called good old US of A capitalism.
So I call my website and/or Facebook Business pages advertising, no hidden agenda. Because they are seen by booking agents, people who might be thinking about throwing a party and might need entertainment, restaurant, bar owners, people who see you "liked" by a friend and think hey I will stop in for a listen to this cat's music and maybe I might like it as well. And hey I might want them to write a commercial or jingle for my company. This is really going to turn you off . . . I have been known to stoop so low as to purchase TV ads for my business as well.
But here the disconnect with you statement above . . . you stated you have no problem using social media to see people you care or "pretend to care about you" and you have no problem with that. But if someone places an upfront no hidden agenda ad in front of you you are turned off? Big disconnect here man.
Later,
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My family pushed me into facebook!
I now have 35 friends.. That includes my grandson and one of our dogs....
Through facebook our class of '73 got connected (one old toppie created a page for the "class of 73" and we all found each other.
We now have a re-union planned for 6th April, 40 years later..nearly 80 of the 170 in the class that year
I must admit i only check facebook now and again and chhose to only accept friend requests of my real friends...
(I know of one of my family members that have 2100 "friends"?) how in the world is that possible?
I'm doing allright for Country Trash ....
I used to care, but things have changed (Bob Dylan)
BIAB 2026W + RB
M-Audio FastTrack C600, Rode NT2-A
Digitech VoiceLive 4
Epiphone Sheraton, Ibanez 12str, Washburn 6str, Cort 6Str Nylon
Yanagisawa Tenor Sax
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I'm not on Facebook, nor do I ever intend to be. If I need to contact a friend, I'll phone them, or send an email. Or visit them. I don't need to know what they had for breakfast, or what they're watching on the TV tonight.
Having said that, Danny, if it works for you, Go for it. If you only pick up one or two gigs, it has been worthwhile.
Cheers,
Keith
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Quote:
I'm very turned off by people that are using it solely to attract me as a paying customer for their business.
Danny - I miscommunicated what I meant - nothing wrong with using it as you describe.
What I should have stated, and what I meant, was that I'm turned off by people that were friends or colleagues in the past and with whom I've lost touch (e.g. people that care or pretend..) sending VERY numerous posts, e.g. 'advertising' on my wall, either for their business or personal agenda. Remember, once you're friends with people, every single post you make is seen by your 'friends'). Nothing wrong with a few posts on these topics. But continually and excessively (emphasize: EXCESSIVELY) clutter my wall in an effort to promote their buisiness or personal agenda - political or otherwise, in a way that doesn't promote friendship or dialog - well, that's what turns me off.
Again - just one person's opinion : )
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BTW - for those of you interested in being friends with me on FB - send a PM (or indicated right in this post, if you're comfortable) the particular name on need to search for to find you - that is, your Facebook name.
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I've got a personal page that I use fairly frequently (all my friends from LiveJournal are migrating there) and an artist page I really should use more. No incentive to give up my regular web site, though.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2026 • Reaper 7.57 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Quote:
Quote:
I'm very turned off by people that are using it solely to attract me as a paying customer for their business.
Danny - I miscommunicated what I meant - nothing wrong with using it as you describe.
What I should have stated, and what I meant, was that I'm turned off by people that were friends or colleagues in the past and with whom I've lost touch (e.g. people that care or pretend..) sending VERY numerous posts, e.g. 'advertising' on my wall, either for their business or personal agenda. Remember, once you're friends with people, every single post you make is seen by your 'friends'). Nothing wrong with a few posts on these topics. But continually and excessively (emphasize: EXCESSIVELY) clutter my wall in an effort to promote their buisiness or personal agenda - political or otherwise, in a way that doesn't promote friendship or dialog - well, that's what turns me off.
Again - just one person's opinion : )
Big difference.
later,
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