Too Much Information! – Is Interacting Killing Rockstar Mystique?
This is the subject of a panel topic I have submitted to SXSW2010. The focus of the panel would be to have a discussion over the use of interaction and interactive tools, by bands and musicians. Some musicians say they would rather remain private, and let their music do the speaking to the fans… others are more than happy to open up and communicate directly with fans. Is one strategy better than the other? Are they both mutually exclusive? Do fans really want to know every daily activity their favorite musicians do, or does sharing too much remove some of the unattainable magic of being a star?
Here are some specific questions designed to lead the discussion:
- I’m a musician, should I be blogging/twittering my life for my fans?
- What tools are used online by fans and musicians to communicate?
- Is there such a thing as sharing too much information?
- How often should I be posting online?
- What are a fans expectations regarding online interaction with musicians?
- Does a musician need to answer every question/email/messageboard post/tweet send their way?
- Can I communicate regularly while still maintaining my privacy?
- What sort of things will a fan think is interesting reading online?
- How can a mundane activity be turned into an interesting post that a fan might care about?
- What if I want to remain mysterious? How do I do it, and can I get away with it? Will that hurt my career?
- Does a developing artist have a different set of “rules of engagement” than a superstar artist?
If you like this topic, and think it would make a valuable addition to the discussions at SXSW2010, I would greatly appreciate it if you would vote for this topic to be added to the program.
SImply click the “Thumbs Up” image at the beginning of the article, and follow the instructions!
Thanks very much,
Ian
I truely believe that u have to connect with the fans to stay relavent in this new music age. Cornell still has the mystique of a rock n roll god even with his weird and interesting posts. Stay connected and add more fans to find your music. In the long run that connection sets you apart from the other artists.
i love it! i follow chris cornell and rob thomas on tw… i love the interaction… makes them human, personable, relatable… as an artist myself, i think its important to connect w/fans on all kinds of levels… this may be different however depending on your music style/genre and/or fan base.
Love wins!
jill