The Internet is Fine, But You Must Connect in Person, too
Sure, this may have been covered a 1000 and one times, but what many artists need to realize is that you are not going to tweet your way to the top. You have to actually get out there and create a buzz for yourself in the streets, because there is a monumental world waiting to see what you’re all about, that go beyond social networking. This might mean live shows, going to artist showcases, being seen in your local area, shaking hands, meeting contacts, hustling your publicity, smiling, passing out CDs, sending and following up on your online press kit, and generally being a ‘face’ in your local area.
So you think, oh others have made it to the top from being on social sites, but we are sure that they put in other hard work, too, because those that are on social sites massively, also have that same ambition in person, too. Social networking can take you some of the distance but it takes more than that. Online contacts are not able to do for you the same things as real, in the flesh, friends. Putting a face to a name creates a different relationship to just talking over a message board. People will remember a good impression made in person to the point that when they get your press release, EPK, or news over the Internet they will be more likely to pay attention. Websites are full of people trying to push themselves to the next level, literally asking people to check them out but to make it to the next level you need to be all over the place, both in the streets-hitting up showcases, talent shows, car washes…wherever! The reality is that people want to see you sometimes, and sometimes that interpersonal interaction will take you a lot further than if you just sit and act as if the Internet will be the only place where you will get recognition, when the reality is that not everyone will become famous from YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or MySpace.