Don't you hate it?/ Too Nice
Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 03:21 AM CDT

Don't you hate it when you put songs up months ago and they never get hit again.
Any tips how to get your older ones heard?
But, I guess if people liked your current stuff, then they'd check out your older stuff, too. Just feeling a little rejection, now. I guess I could also take them off and post them again. Frustrated! Need more advice on my songs. It's not an ego thing.
I'm pretty much new here and I think I've arrived to the party and groups and cliques have already formed.......AM I RIGHT?
I really don't want to pimp and promote, just want to stand on reputation and merit.
By the way, don't you think everyone's a little too nice here concerning comments on songs? Being mean is one thing, but being honest is another.
Tell me what you think.
Dave(Lavalamp) Love to you all....or is that being too nice?

Re:Don't you hate it?/ Too Nice
Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 03:35 AM CDT

Dave, I think it's pretty standard that new MJers take a while to be recognised. That bothered me when I first arrived too, but over time things work out. The best way to get people to listen to your songs is to get involved (which I know you've done) in forums and chat and listening and commenting and stuff.

There are a lot of us here who have known each other on the site for a while, and while it might appear to be a little cliquey, it's probably just a matter of limited time to listen to music getting translated into mainly listening to artists who are familiar to you. I just had a look at your site, and you have a lot more fans than I had in my first 4 months, so I suspect people are becoming aware of the fact that you are producing some classy songs.

In the long run, I think MJers will get to know you on merit and that you will develop a reputation which attracts people to your songs just by being around and continuing to produce good stuff.

As far as comments go, I always try to be honest in a positive way. If I hear a problem, or something I think will benefit by being pointed out, then I say so. If I don't like a song I simply move on without commenting. Often though it really is difficult to find areas for improvement in songs because they are so good (I'd use Cori Ander as an example here), so my comments might sound a little smarmy at times. Bottom line for me is to be honest and keep away from being openly abrasive.

Sometimes some subtle pimping while in a chat session can be very effective in getting people to listen to specific songs - just joining chat and dropping a song url and leaving without engaging is probably not a good way to go however.

Hang in there, the longer you're here, the better it gets.

Cheers,
Neil

Re:Don't you hate it?/ Too Nice
Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 03:47 AM CDT

I hear you and understand totally. I guess I have Macjammeritis is that what you call this illness. And I know it's not a clique or anything like that.
And thanks for supporting me so far. I'll try to be mean in a nice way.
Dave

Re:Don't you hate it?/ Too Nice
Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 04:02 AM CDT

I've been here 9 months now. I can't devote lots of time to it but I'm gradually getting a handle on some of the people here and I'm just starting to feel part of the place.

I think if you've got free time you can get involved more quickly but for most of us it's a slow organic process.

Getting there, slowly

Cheers

Dick

Re:Don't you hate it?/ Too Nice
Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 04:13 AM CDT

Quote by: lavalamp Don't you hate it when you put songs up months ago and they never get hit again. Any tips how to get your older ones heard? But, I guess if people liked your current stuff, then they'd check out your older stuff, too. Just feeling a little rejection, now. I guess I could also take them off and post them again. Frustrated! Need more advice on my songs. It's not an ego thing. I'm pretty much new here and I think I've arrived to the party and groups and cliques have already formed.......AM I RIGHT? I really don't want to pimp and promote, just want to stand on reputation and merit. By the way, don't you think everyone's a little too nice here concerning comments on songs? Being mean is one thing, but being honest is another. Tell me what you think. Dave(Lavalamp) Love to you all....or is that being too nice?

I am guilty of not really listening to older stuff. I tend to look who's online and if they have a song note next to their name - have a listen and comment.
There are very few songs that I actually dislike and I enjoy leaving encouraging comments. If there is something that really grates on me I will say. Although it appears that I have been here for a long time - I have only been active for a month or so. I found that the encouraging comments that I have gotten have grown my confidence and made me want to post more. If my first experiences had been discouraging I would have probably shrunk back into my shell.
Like Neil I tend to not leave a comment if there is song I do not like - which is why (I suppose) he has not commented on my latest. But that's OK and I respect it.
My older stuff doesn't have many comments either, but I don't mind at all as I tend to hope that I have improved and I would rather people listened to the newer songs.
Cheers
Len

Re:Don't you hate it?/ Too Nice
Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 04:55 AM CDT

Hi Dave,

Subtle pimping in a chat session, as Neil says, is a great way to get people to listen to your stuff. Give us some info: let us know it's an old track that you want to improve; tell us what you think needs improving, if you have an inkling. Then post the URL.

I sometimes save these pimp texts so that I can copy/paste them into chat sessions once a day. People are very generous with their time here at MacJams. All you've got to do is ask and show your appreciation by reciprocating and listening to other people's stuff. But there are a limited number of people online at different times of the day.

There is no "in-group" at MacJams. Most people are very welcoming to newcommers. But you've got to make yourself visible. Use all the techniques suggested by all of us in this post. Listening and commenting other people's music is by far the greatest method.

Also, none of us have to be producing great music to get listened to. There are many of us here that are learning as we go along; some stuff we produce sounds pretty naff. But the idea is that we post our stuff, get it listened to and commented, and learn as we go along. MacJams is not just for genius musicians.

I have made a note to listen to some of your stuff when I have time. If you have a preference to what I listen to, post a list here or email me it.

Good luck,
Shimky.

Re:Don't you hate it?/ Too Nice
Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 06:00 AM CDT

The "Chat Room Pimp" suggestion is a good one. I've got a sale going on right now for bright pink or purple suits, if you're interested.

Another point: If you look at my list of tunes, you'll notice that there are some that have far less hits than others. Just so happens that I posted those tunes all at once. It's difficult to get a lot of listens in those instances, what with so many other people putting up tunes. People will tend to go with the top one and move on from there, oft times.

Not that you should do it...but since then, I tend to take my time putting up tunes.

I like the Chat Room idea, though.

Re:Don't you hate it?/ Too Nice
Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 06:26 AM CDT

Quote by: lengold Like Neil I tend to not leave a comment if there is song I do not like - which is why (I suppose) he has not commented on my latest. But that's OK and I respect it.

Touché Len!! I probably should have added that I find it impossible to get to as many new artists' songs as I'd like to I'm listening to Maybe Baby now and find it really interesting. I especially like the lead guitar tone, the piano and your strong vocal. Powerful drums too!

Dave - here's another way of getting listened to
Neil

Re:Don't you hate it?/ Too Nice
Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 07:23 AM CDT

Generally, I'd side with Neil on this. What may at first appear clique-y isn't necessarily. I think over time you just find people that you respond to, and who's music you really enjoy, who you fan. I try as much as possible to check out all the tracks that my 'favs' post, which leaves only a certain amount of time to listen to new artists ... but that fav list does keep on growing!

I've listened to your newest tracks, 'cause you came to my attention (somehow, can't remember how), but I'm guilty of not listening to your older stuff at the moment, simply 'cause time is limited.

I think you just have to generally get involved, listen and comment, and hope that others do the same (my experience is that they do).

As for comments, I think people try to give constructive criticism ... the vibe is more positive than negative, which is good. If i've wanted more input, I've actually approached people directly , and had a very good response.

So ... don't get disheartened .... I really like the tracks I've heard from you, and it would be a real shame if you got pissed off and left!!!

Steve

Re:Don't you hate it?/ Too Nice
Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 07:27 AM CDT

Quote by: jiguma Quote by: lengold Like Neil I tend to not leave a comment if there is song I do not like - which is why (I suppose) he has not commented on my latest. But that's OK and I respect it. Touché Len!! I probably should have added that I find it impossible to get to as many new artists' songs as I'd like to I'm listening to Maybe Baby now and find it really interesting. I especially like the lead guitar tone, the piano and your strong vocal. Powerful drums too! Dave - here's another way of getting listened to Neil

Neil, That wasn't my intention, I was just trying to illustrate a point - but thanks for listening.
Just to broaden it a bit. This site seems to me to be a microcosm of the real music business. With artists striving for recognition, having little tantrums, arguing over legal technicalities and at the same time being very creative. That's one of the reasons why I love it.
it is like a 'monopoly' board game of the business. Maybe we should have Macjam money instead of points. We could bribe the admins to make our song appear more frequently on the radio page. just a thought.
Cheers
Len