Social media has taken over our lives. Even in the golden years of MySpace dominance, none of us could have guessed how huge the platform would one day become. We plan our lives around it, define our relationships with it and rely on it for contact with nearly everyone we have ever met.
Facebook and Twitter have also blossomed into a way to keep track with our favorite bands. Both platforms give fans a way to feel like they’re best “friends” with each singer, guitarist and drummer in their iTunes library.
With the recent addition of Google Plus, there’s no doubt it’s tough to keep track of the best ways to keep tabs on everyone. It must undoubtedly be just as difficult for those in the music industry to stay on top of all the latest trends and remain ahead of the curve. Alternative Press contributor Matthew Colwell recently wrote a “how not-to” article for social media music promotion. The list includes spamming, forcing “likes” and focusing too much on numbers.
One record company that should write the “how-to” counterpart is Pittsburgh-based Modern Short Stories. Co-owners Steve Soboslai and Chris Fafalios are social media role models that have developed a unique way to keep their fans following.
Despite regular humorous yet sincere status updates, the home of bands like their own Punchline, Spontaneo and The Composure, the guys use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and personal Web sites to produce a network like none other.
The Modern Short Stories family
Fans can even find a little bit of Modern Short Stories’ unique personality in their inbox. Whereas typical e-mail blasts can be nothing but annoying, this record label newsletter is one of the most entertaining thing I’ve ever read. I urge you to sign up here.
Despite the usual entertaining music videos, Punchline bassist Fafalios constantly posts clips that both promote and entertain. His most recent venture, “Quinterviews,” features a five question interview with various friends, most of which are in a band. Here’s the first (and my personal favorite) with Punchline guitarist Paul Menotiades:
Whereas most band pages are updated by people who aren’t clearly the artists or publicists, it’s obvious that each member of the Modern Short Stories family has a hand in the marketing scheme. They post their own words, comment to fans and encourage as much interaction as possible. Soon enough, before a show at the Altar Bar, we’ll be seeing these guys teach a “Web Marketing for Music… For Dummies” seminar. You heard it here first.
"The Hit" by Punchline
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