When I left social media I wasn’t sure what it would do to my visibility as a musician, though I had a hunch Facebook events were effective with my audience and that I might take a hit there. After more than a year off Facebook and Instagram I can report that I consistently have a harder time selling tickets than when I was using those platforms to promote my music.
It seems some piece of the social media pie worked in getting the word out about my shows and events. I had regular audience members who never attend anymore, and I think that comes down to their eyeballs being on social media and not on my newsletter. I have moments when I consider posting on Instagram again, but so far I haven’t taken the leap and done it. Why?
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I enjoy how I spend my time now much more than when I spent it scrolling. With no social media to turn to - except sending memes to my sister in the DMs - I do other things when I’m bored. I write, I try new crafts, and I sign up for workshops. I edit my songs, and I practice music for the new pseudo-choir I’m part of. I read, I go for walks, and I watch TV. Oddly, I don’t clean any more than I used to; still can’t seem to find time for that.
Since the addiction piece got weaker - yes, I was definitely addicted and some addiction still lingers - I also feel less busy, because scrolling for a couple hours every day was eating up more of my time than I was acknowledging.
The platform that got me the most ticket sales was Facebook, and I can’t go back there. I am so relieved to be free of the endless ads and rage-baiting noise there, no amount of ticket sales makes reactivating my account feel worth it. And since I’m pretty sure Instagram did almost nothing for my ticket and music sales, there’s no business argument to be made for going back to Instagram either.
This one only came to me today, so forgive me if it’s a bit unformed. I have less ambition to perform these days, less drive to have a steady artistic output with a full schedule of shows and new songs to promote. I am bursting with creative ideas but I am not pitching to festivals or setting up tours. I am not creating show posters or promotional videos. I am only saying yes to projects that I want to do, and those include starting a podcast, singing in a choir again, and even performing a classical gig.
I never thought my drive was about FOMO or keeping up with the musical Joneses, but I do know that seeing other people’s plans and promotions online gave me a narrow idea of what I should be doing to succeed as a performer. I saw a path laid out in front of me and, always a fan of a plan of action, I followed that path. Now I no longer see other people’s announcements and social media strategies; I no longer see anyone else’s path. Maybe that has freed me up to listen to my own urges and follow them instead.
In short, leaving social media gutted my audience reach, and it’s been 100% worth it.
Upcoming Shows
Saturday May 9th
3pm
Old Camborne Schoolhouse
Tickets $25
Please join me for a live taping of the final episode of the Make Like a Mother podcast with myself and my guests, Janita Wiersma and Trish Dryden. Our conversation will be followed by a bonus performance of my latest release, It All Depends, alongside an original crankie box show created by Meghan Sheffield.
These are the kinds of projects lighting me up these days. I can’t wait.
xo
Shannon
Featured Music - In Spite of Everything
It’s been a while since I finished one of these notes with featured music. In case you’re new here or have a short memory, here’s a link to my debut EP, In Spite of Everything, on Bandcamp.
It’s five songs about loss and fear and climate grief and regular old grief and joy. Joy, in spite of everything.