FEATURE:
Needle Drops
PHOTO CREDIT: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels
Creating a Music-Related Social Media Site
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ONE of the negative things…
PHOTO CREDIT: Pixabay
about social media is that there is so much vitriol and hatred. It seems to grow worse by the year. Whether it relates to politics or the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community, you do see a lot of ignorance and hatred. I like the fact that I can connect with artists and post my blog features on Twitter. It is a powerful platform where I can discover new music and so much more. I do find that there is a lot of content that I don’t need. Sometimes I miss something music-related because of other stuff getting in the way! Whether that is because there is not an algorithm out there that means things relevant to me get saved and stored somewhere else, or whether it is the sheer mass of tweets you receive, I have often wondered about a music-related social media channel. I think stuff has been floated before - and there are smaller sites dedicated to music. Maybe it would extend to the arts in general, but it would be nice to have a separate music social media. Rather than replace Twitter, it would be somewhere specialised and focused. Those in the industry – or just music fans – could get all this great content. You could connect with artist and follow who you want, and there would not be all the annoying ads and Elon Musk interference that you get on Twitter! Perhaps integrating into Instagram and streaming sites, all the latest and most relevant music news and developments would be on your feed. It would filter out anything you do not want to see. Focusing on music and bringing in this rich and expansive content, I feel it is a space where people could feel safe and heard. All sorts could be on there. A part of the site that is a resource bank. Whether it is mental health advice, valuable links and information that can help musicians, those in the media and beyond, you could also get information regarding the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community, crowd-funding projects, financial advice for artists, and so much more. Chances to collaborate with others, some archived music documentaries and albums of the day. Importantly, it would be a site where you can discover the best new music. It would welcome in everyone in the industry or, as I say, those who love music.
PHOTO CREDIT: Keira Burton/Pexels
I realise that there would be a tonne to think about and organise. Sites like Twitter and Instagram (and even Threads now) have limitations. If you want something focused on music and relevant to that, you have to scroll through a lot of other posts. It might be a bit full-on or too distracting having open Twitter, Instagram and a new site! Rather than there being overkill and too many reasons to spend more time in front of a screen, you could integrate Twitter. By that, I mean you could have your profile and be able to post to this new site and other simultaneously. Able to see what is going on in your Twitter feed and not be too overloaded. There would be networking opportunities. A chance to fund projects and interact with like-minded people, I do think it would be hugely beneficial and popular. As a journalist, I do struggle to get my posts out to all of the people I like. It would be nice to separate those who I follow not in the industry and those who are. In terms of the mental health benefits, there would be a lot stricter measures when it came to inappropriate content. people could feel safe and supported here. I am not sure what the site would be called but, at a time when I am seeing those in music (and who love it) overwhelmed by Twitter and social media, this would be a much less intense and harmful place. I cannot emphasis the fact about getting rid of the abuse and negativities on other sites! I would also like to bring in archive and older music. A part of the site that looks at classic albums and articles, topics such as classic videos, compilations series’, legendary artists, and important historical moments in music, it would be a blend of the modern and vintage.
PHOTO CREDIT: freepic.diller/Freepik
Emphasis would be placed on communication, networking, togetherness, informative content, and discovery. Some might say that there would be downsides to yet another social media site. How would it be funded and survive? Would people just be encouraged to spend too much time online and not enough in the real world? Would there always be the chance of something nastier infiltrating the site? How do you manage to keep certain people away? They are all valid concerns, but they are ones that would be addressed. I just feel like there are a lot of people on sites such as Twitter who love their music (or are in the industry), but there is too much else in the way. In addition to having all the benefits of Twitter – following and being followed by cool people; posting whenever you want; discovering so much great music -, most of the negatives would be filtered out. I love all of the arts, so I still would like to know about that too. I will leaves things there. I think people have attempted to do something similar. When there is a lot of uneasiness about Twitter people but those in music still need it for their careers, it is a bit of a situation. With so many options, different topics to uncover and keeping that vital connection with followers who you have on other sites, a music-related social media site would be great! Trying t void any pitfalls with other platforms, this is very much focused on music. It is something I would definitely join and get am awful lot out of. I am wondering whether…
PHOTO CREDIT: Freepik
OTHER people feel the same.