A few months ago I was introduced to a friend of a friend who is a musician. She was nice and we had a fine conversation. And one day later, she had requested me as a Facebook friend.
I responded with a yes. And each week since then I have received a request to fan said musical artist on Facebook.
The first couple times I didn’t mind. I thought, when I first denied the request (due to the fact I’ve never in my life heard her play, so why in the world would I consider myself a fan), she must have thought I hadn’t received it or it had been accidental. Or something to that effect.
But, no, I continue to receive these requests week by week by week. Does she think she’ll wear me down and I’ll fan her and then some agent will notice that she has 101 fans instead of 100 and will offer her a big break?
Does she think that her persistence doesn’t lead people to believe that she will bombard them endlessly with news and show information and all sorts of random crap if they do join up as fans–or should we feel that we’ll have some relief?
The problem here is simple–and it’s something I felt very acutely at the AWP conference that I’ve been at the past few days (which is my excuse for not having written, by the way). The problem is that she doesn’t understand platform.
Having fans, building a name for yourself is important. But it’s more important to have relevant fans. Fans who actually do follow your work. Who do want to buy your music. Or your book. Or your handmade crafts. Or whatever.
You can have a billion Facebook connections or Twitter followers, but if you’ve bullied everyone into it, your sales will still be dismal. And people hate being bullied. Personally, I can say that I will now go out of my way to NOT attend any of her performances. I will be careful of any email lists or websites associated with her. Because I want some peace.
If she had, after requesting my Facebook friendship and being rejected in a fan request, just invited me once or twice personally to shows, I might have gone. And if I loved her music, I might have sought her fan page out on Facebook. But I’ve never seen her and I think she’s pushy.
Please, all of you out there who are marketing yourselves for one thing or another: be it music, art, writing. Be respectful when someone says no–be it electronically or in person. You’re much more likely to gain a fan with a personal touch and mutual respect than with bombardment.
The person who did this is no longer on my friend list. Because I never want another request from her again.
Add A Comment