Is There a Good Social Media Website?

[01010111]

I'm keeping my meta account for now, but my socials have all been nuked. They're blank slates. I'm keeping meta because, for now, facebook groups are still a good source for local information. I should probably try to use craigslist more, for that kind of thing, tho.

[oldangelmidnight]

I was experiencing some compulsive behavior around phone use so I deleted any of the apps I was interacting with and it feels better. I'll still use Discord when I have computer time but I'm glad not to feel the pull at all times.
I thought I would miss Instagram more but I mostly just feel less guilty about all of the shows I'm not going to.

[BitchPudding]

So far, both Instagram and Facebook (to a lesser extent) have been vital in getting shows booked for band and networking. Until something viable comes along, we're stuck.

I have Bluesky and Mastodon.

Mastodon is ok, it gets glitchy when I'm uploading photos and videos. Haven't gotten anything longer than 30 secs to upload. When posts do work, I seem to get actual people saying something at least. But overall, not impressed.

Bluesky feels a lot sleeker, but it really does feel like screaming into the void. Everything feels so isolated, and tags relating to stuff in my area tend to be empty. If the algo was better, I'd say it would be a solid replacement for twitter.

Overall tho, I'm sorta done with social media outside of band biz. I mostly just use IG/Threads/Tumblr as spots to throw up art. Trying to keep track of the world through that shit just became too much of a time waster.

Or maybe I'm getting old and crazy.

[John]

So far, both Instagram and Facebook (to a lesser extent) have been vital in getting shows booked for band and networking.

Can you elaborate? I am a reluctant Instagram user. I don't like any platform that doesn't support conversation (which is why I still prefer forums and Facebook), and I am not a compulsive phone camera user so I don't create much "content." I just made an account for my band but am not sure how to use it for gigs etc. What's the secret?

[BitchPudding]

So far, both Instagram and Facebook (to a lesser extent) have been vital in getting shows booked for band and networking.

Can you elaborate? I am a reluctant Instagram user. I don't like any platform that doesn't support conversation (which is why I still prefer forums and Facebook), and I am not a compulsive phone camera user so I don't create much "content." I just made an account for my band but am not sure how to use it for gigs etc. What's the secret?

Most of the bands in my scene use IG as a hub for things they have going on, ourselves included. Show flyers, live photos/clips, sometimes I'll do more put together video edits to make things interesting, basic stuff to get people's attention.

Having the well put together IG page you can point people to is part of it. The other part is getting out in your local scene and getting social. I have a lot of social anxiety, so it took me until last summer to finally get out and meet people. Went from no gigs to a gig once a month since September.

So to simplify: well put together IG + get out into the scene = gigs. We're fortunate enough to be in an area with a really cool local music scene. If we were more isolated idk if anyone would give a fuck.

[John]

So far, both Instagram and Facebook (to a lesser extent) have been vital in getting shows booked for band and networking.

Can you elaborate? I am a reluctant Instagram user. I don't like any platform that doesn't support conversation (which is why I still prefer forums and Facebook), and I am not a compulsive phone camera user so I don't create much "content." I just made an account for my band but am not sure how to use it for gigs etc. What's the secret?

Most of the bands in my scene use IG as a hub for things they have going on, ourselves included. Show flyers, live photos/clips, sometimes I'll do more put together video edits to make things interesting, basic stuff to get people's attention.

Having the well put together IG page you can point people to is part of it. The other part is getting out in your local scene and getting social. I have a lot of social anxiety, so it took me until last summer to finally get out and meet people. Went from no gigs to a gig once a month since September.

So to simplify: well put together IG + get out into the scene = gigs. We're fortunate enough to be in an area with a really cool local music scene. If we were more isolated idk if anyone would give a fuck.

I get the part about socializing etc, trust me it's not my first rodeo in that department. But I feel like there's a step between "post photos on IG" and "PROFIT" that you left out or I'm not understanding. Are you saying to just use Instagram because that's where the scene kids are, or is there some feature that's superior to Facebook for getting gigs?

[BitchPudding]

I'm probably doing a shit job of explaining things, I'm sorry. I'm drowning in anxiety, haven't been thinking straight for weeks.

Are you saying to just use Instagram because that's where the scene kids are, or is there some feature that's superior to Facebook for getting gigs?

The first one. Hashtags on IG work better than on Facebook which helps with reach to a certain extent.

We also hate Facebook as a site. Yes their both owned by the same company, but IG is smoother to work with for what we use it for.

Again, sorry for not being clear. My brain is not in a good place at all despite recent personal success. I can't concentrate at all.

[John]

I'm probably doing a shit job of explaining things, I'm sorry. I'm drowning in anxiety, haven't been thinking straight for weeks.

Are you saying to just use Instagram because that's where the scene kids are, or is there some feature that's superior to Facebook for getting gigs?

The first one. Hashtags on IG work better than on Facebook which helps with reach to a certain extent.

We also hate Facebook as a site. Yes their both owned by the same company, but IG is smoother to work with for what we use it for.

Again, sorry for not being clear. My brain is not in a good place at all despite recent personal success. I can't concentrate at all.

No worries, thanks for explaining and sorry about the anxiety. Are you getting any support i.e. therapy, Rx, etc.?

[coupleonapkins]

Olden years IG interactions preferred stoking the metrics within the post (liking/commenting on posts, reposting other accounts into stories, endless hashtags, etc.) as to gain the attention of similar ppl in yer area/topics at hand (as with also pinning your location on every post, filling your grid with human faces, etc.), anything to set afire the activity in any account at one time (tidal wave of hype). Same nowadays for youtube (unfortunately, but that's a whole other ball oe'r wax), but I cannot stand how every preview image is now OMG! LOOK! eyes agog head explodin' please CLICK OR ELSE THEY SHOOT THIS DOG, unless you're Sandwiches of History Channel (gentle giant, not the band!).

[Seance]

I found this to resonate. Maybe some others will as well?

I post on TGP occasionally, but the thing that really irks me about it is how much people joke about being addicted to buying gear and lightheartedly downplay how GAS is something that they hide from their wife/significant other.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/j46DvZy4vdg?si=PZleC3QS6MVW6Z_c[/youtube]

https://youtu.be/j46DvZy4vdg?si=PZleC3QS6MVW6Z_c

[Kacey Y]

I got off most social media recently, after a kind of slow recession from it over the previous year. I just check a couple things a few minutes every day or two now, as opposed to doomscrolling as a hobby, and I put some intentional effort into pursuing my actual hobbies more. Even if I am using them as a distraction sometimes, at least it's one that regulates my body and mind in a more healthy way and I often end up having interesting things to think and talk about, or some fun pieces of arts and crafts to look at, or things I can eat like gluten free bagels I made, or food I prepped to make into meals easily

I'd like to put some more of that mindset towards music too. In terms of resources and logistics for easily sitting down and writing/recording ideas, I'm nowhere near where I was 10 years ago, when I had a little office with gear setup and optimized to do that as quickly and easily as possible. My main recording computer is old and busted, I can't get Logic X to work on it right anymore, but I still have the instruments, brain, and hands available. Hopefully I can find some ways to motivate myself to creativity there, like I have with art, reading, baking, and tidying up to fill the social media shaped dopamine hole in my brain

[TheTransient]

I caved and reactivated my IG account. BlueSky is still pretty dead for what I want to see (guitar gear and DIY stuff), and all the people I wanted to follow were still on IG, not BlueSky.

Anways, making a concerted effort to use it less, and to use it more effectively when I do use it. I have unfollowed like 400 accounts that I never saw anyways (a bunch were inactive meme pages etc.). Fuck Meta still tho...