A Message to Social Media Giants

Brothers and sisters in social media, it's time we had a real talk about what's going on with our platforms.

In this day and age, it seems like it's impossible to exist without some sort of social media. That may be true, and many times our lives have been vastly improved by the social media we consume daily. Whether we do so from an entertainment, marketing, networking, or other purpose, it's something that everyone in our society today is at least familiar with.

From the days of Xanga and Myspace to today's world of Facebook, Twitter, and perhaps even moving forward to Google+, we continue to immerse ourselves in the virtual world to find our information. We continue to learn adapt to new technology, to new networks, moving on when one fails to take up another.

I've always had an enormous fascination with the way marketing through social media functions, building relationships with clients, fans, or any other type of consumer to create a mutually beneficial relationship. However, the people who seem to remain the furthest behind in social media literacy are the actual creators of the media itself.

This blog is being written as a direct message to the developers of platforms such as Facebook and Myspace.

Years ago, Myspace was a huge network, especially among the community of musicians and artists trying to pass on their art to current and new audiences. The biggest draw of Myspace for many bands was its flexibility in format. Users could even add their own HTML or CSS code to sections of the Myspace page to create their own layout, which was a huge upside to the system, especially when most of those young bands couldn't afford their own website, or weren't educated in the creation of a functional website. However, with the advent of Facebook, Myspace felt it was losing ground in the industry, and in attempt to make a radical move to regain that foothold, actually made a change to the system that took away that flexibility from the artists, leaving them with a spartan profile system with little appeal or functionality. Facebook offered up the fan page, and Myspace was quickly abandoned. 

Now, after many years of success with the Facebook fan page format, Facebook is looking to repeat the mistakes of its predecessor. The success of the fan page has not been due to the amount of information that can be given to the people viewing the page, but rather from the interactive relationship being created between the consumer and the artist or business. Now, in a misguided attempt to move forward, Facebook has decided to impose its new "timeline" structure on artists. This structure, while returning a few features like      direct messaging between pages and fans, is poised to destroy what Facebook has built with its fan pages. The new timeline has done damage to the professional appeal of the pages, moving from a streamlined, straightforward list of information to a difficult to read, disjointed grouping of information that Facebook sees as important. Not only that, but the user experience is interrupted mid page with advertisements, ads that could easily remain on the side, top, or bottom of the page.

The theme that constantly repeats itself is the developers moving forward in strict opposition to the needs of the users. We as users understand that the platforms can't move forward without trying new things, experimenting, and offering new systems for users. However, the problem arises when users aren't allowed alternatives to changes they disagree with. All Facebook pages are being forced to convert to the new timeline structure, and it will be interesting to see if the Fan Page survives it.

I believe that Facebook will be able to retain the Fan Page user base as long as it retains its personal profile users, but if it continues turning a deaf ear to users, the personal page's days may very well be numbered.

Developers, this is a direct message to you: Involve your users in the process, give them options to be part of your new system, or the option to remain with their familiar system. At the very least, find a way to communicate better with users and understand their wants and needs ahead of your own ideas. The customer, as they say, is always right.

If you agree with me or disagree with me, let's make the true power of social media visible. Write your comment, repost this blog wherever it is you share your information, and share your opinion. I want to read what other people think. 

Cheers.

-James "Shard" Dewit

319 Fest, and While We Were Lost!

Enigma Studios recently wrapped up an awesome project with While We Were Lost. The track is called "The Fourth Oracle", and it's absolutely a killer track. Anybody who likes any sort of rock music should definitely hit their pages up and check them out. You can check them out on Reverbnation here:
https://www.reverbnation.com/whilewewerelost

The 319 Festival also happened on the 13th of August. Over 500 people attended to see the best of the best of local artists and musicians. It was a really awesome event, and you should definitely check out the full list of bands that were involved at http://www.319fest.com. (Your very own Enigma Studios was a sponsor!) Huge props to all the volunteers, other sponsors, bands, and artists who made it a reality!

Until next time, keep making music happen!

-Shard

Some local music do's and don'ts.

I've been floating around the Cedar Rapids music scene for a wonderful two years now, and figured it's high time I provide a list of the things that I wish people had told me when I was first getting started.

THE DO'S:

DO - Answer your phone:
The number one thing you can do as an artist, musician, business person, or anything else in a local scene to shoot yourself in the foot is to not respond to contact. If a venue or promoter wants you to do a show, and you don't read your emails or answer your phone, you just missed an opportunity, and quite possibly damaged a relationship beyond repair in one fell swoop. Make sure you provide adequate contact information, and then make good use of it!

DO - Be visible:
Local scenes are all about networking, and every show or venue you haven't been to is a missed opportunity. Be friendly, introduce yourself, and make some connections! You never know who will bring you your next big show or give you a deal on recording because you were friendly. *hint hint*

DO - Listen!:
In the real world, the situations in which you are in charge are likely going to be few and far between, especially when you're first starting out. If someone asks you to do something you don't agree with, ask questions! It's likely there's a good reason for the request, and it probably benefits you more than you think.

THE DON'TS:

DON'T - Be rude:
This seems like a freebie, but it's amazing how many people have problems with this. We're all in this crazy thing called music together, and if you've got a problem with someone, work it out! Nobody wants people talking trash behind their back, and you're just going to make yourself some nice enemies (and estrange yourself from a portion of what may be an already limited music scene).

DON'T - Be unprofessional:
I debated this one. I was considering putting professionalism in the DO category, but I felt it belonged here. Being unprofessional is absolutely a choice, and it will cause problems for you when you're trying to make a name for yourself. People have a long memory, and they will hold a grudge. Make the effort to present yourself well, follow through on commitments, and people will see you as a professional musician.

DON'T - Do anything halfway:
One thing I hear all the time about local music is the "I don't want to see a local band, they all sound terrible, and I'm not about to pay for something that's bad." This should not be true, but unfortunately, at times it can be. Put in the effort to make a change! Running the vocals through a PA and turning them up isn't "fine", and having a set of 100 covers isn't "good enough". Especially dangerous is the demo CD. If you have to call it a demo CD, it's not prepared for the public to hear. If you build it, they will come, but not if it sucks.

Cheers, and keep making it happen.

-Shard

Another Day of Experimenting

I like to toy around with comparisons in the studio when I have spare time (even though I should probably be doing something else), and this one seemed like one I could share with the public. Check it out.

I recorded the same song (A cover of Basket Case by Green Day, I can't play many songs on drums..) twice, once per my standard recording procedures, and once using nothing but two dynamic vocal mics. The results? Judge for yourself.

Standard:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E85ZhnaNpO0

Dynamic mics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SxiapKxkSY

Also, while you're deliberating, check out some pictures from the session. Cheers!

-Shard

Spring Cleaning in the Studio!

That's right, spring cleaning in the studio! Hoping to start a few new projects pretty soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out some pictures of the squeaky clean studio!

-Shard

Battle: Los Angeles

I went to see Battle: Los Angeles the other day with the guys from Piraxis. It was a decent movie, but there was one big glaring technical hole in it that was pretty impossible to ignore.

The plot centers around a retired Marine officer who ends up on one final mission, assisting a young officer and his squad in combat against a group of otherworldly enemies set on taking the water supply of Earth to power their machines. It's a good movie if you like lots of action, a little bit of Marine drama by-play...and roller coasters.

Why roller coasters, you may ask? Well, for some reason they decided that a movie with this much action wouldn't be complete without a wobbly camera. It literally shakes back and forth the entire duration of the movie.

Action scenes, I can understand. It adds to the feel of disorganized panicked action to have the camera seem a little unsteady. But there's a couple scenes, such as the one where the retired Marine confronts a Marine in his squad who questions his motives, where the camera moving was just ridiculous.

Makes you wonder what kind of meeting THAT was, right? "What could we do to really put this movie over the edge? I know, let's set the camera on a carnival mechanical bull!"

But hey, if you like watching Marines blowing up aliens, why not?

-Shard

How To Get Noticed At Your Shows

The other night Melissa and I were in Iowa City at a show. One of the reasons we went was so that I could check out a few bands I'd been interested in. After speaking with each band, I got to thinking about what bands do correctly to promote themselves, and what things might not be the best plan.

One major thing was how each band approached conversation with me. One approach was pretty clearly more effective than the other. One band approached the conversation from the point of view that they wanted to talk themselves up. Most of the conversation was spent discussing other places they'd played, big touring groups they'd played with, and other stuff like that. That approach may seem effective, but it's really not as effective as you'd might think! The band that really got my attention that night had a simple but effective way of getting my attention.
We discussed the Cedar Rapids scene a little bit, talked about a Facebook local music movement that I recently helped start. (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113351902076194), and then he gave me an extremely unique business card with clear and concise contact information. You can bet that after the show, they were the ones I remembered!

If you're trying to promote yourself at shows, you definitely need to be thinking about stuff like that!