Keep It Real 11/30/2009
 
Earlier today, I was reading a article that Artists House linked to Derek Sivers' blog titled "Does your company really want to hang out with me?"
The post addresses how some companies are trying to "hang out" with consumers to get them to use their products, when really they are just trying to sell something to them.  This happens all too often on Twitter especially.  It was a great post that you should definitely check out.

I wanted to briefly add my own two cents on this topic.  There was a particular case with a great band out of Chicago that I know, Snowsera.  Before I knock on them, I'm going to preface this by saying that they are now doing a fantastic job using Twitter, with their website, etc.  When I first started following them on Twitter, I was seeing posts from them probably 5 times a day about their free music.  Don't get me wrong - I love free music!  Especially GOOD free music.  But after a few weeks of this, even I was getting upset to the point that I was about ready to unfollow them.  Instead, I called them and suggested that they stop trying to sell their fans something on every twitter post.  Even though they were giving something away for free, it was still being pushed a bit too hard.  Instead, I told them to tell their fans what they were doing, what music they're listening to...just being more real and transparent.  They have done a fantastic job of doing this, and I would now use them as a role model for other bands.  Every now and then I see them post about some new music, and you bet it catches my attention and I go check it out.  They are getting their community involved by having them vote on new songs that they posted on their website.  They are creating conversation.   They are no longer pushing their product, but are being real and building their community by being involved.  

Just like they were able to do this, so can companies.  Corporate America can learn a lot from music.