META (the company) - Poison? I don't want to feed the beast, but how do you stay connected?
This started off as a question about not wanting to feed META (the company/Instagram etc). Noticing that so many opportunities (funding, casting, projects, networks etc) are shared here, and sharing what one does in the world of Theatre/Performance/Creative Arts, seems to happen here. If one doesn't want to subscribe to keeping META flourishing, where do people look/go to instead? Quickly the conversation grew into a discussion about social media in general, and Individualism and Community on a global scale.
Notes -
“Only the people that you are seeing are using it”
Finding your audience can come from real life connections, flyering and word of mouth
It is useful for audience retention.
Marketing budgets focus spend is on social media
You must have a proactive nature about using it - make the algorithm work for you
Linked In - multiple people use this platform to find funding opportunities
Fringe Review - still uses X (as a company) but finds that TikTock gets much more interaction
“The more you use your finger tips, the weaker your feet become’
“Hole your own” - your own values and the way you want to use social media
Flyering still the most useful way of bringing audiences to your work - strong, direct contact, incentivising word of mouth by offering discounts for people who bring more people
No #’s - seeing who interacts/likes your posts then going directly to those people and getting them to share things. Slower but effective
Some people using Blue Sky and Telegram
Tips for using social media - Find what you can give of value and that you enjoy giving. - Create a pattern for doing it, if not everyday, then once a week on the same day. - 80% non sell/personal/practice share etc and 20% sell.- What way do you want to use it? Make a clear distinction for yourself on your content - Political? Personal? Artist practice? Whatever it may be.
Sources - Opportunity Tuesdays. Arts Admin Newsletter. People of Theatre. The Stage. Newsletters from specific people and companies. Local Venues. Local Networks. Event Brite. Out Savvy. Print media. Movement Connects (local Norfolk Whats app)
We spoke about tending your own garden (local) and that garden will grow further. And building communities. Sharing with human contact.
Then the conversation got quite broad around
the speed of sharing and life now.
How useful Whats app and Instagram are for keeping in touch. -
Being caught in the web of META.
Individualism and Community on a micro and macro scale.
How different age groups use social media - older people using it for sharing personal content and community, younger people understanding it as a way to shape or sell a product.
How the Law of Two Feet can be very useful in this sphere!
How do we know what is true?! Truth and distrust
The need for people in the arts to keep teaching younger generations how to be with each other, how to process things and navigate the world
Following your heart - who I am and what I need