Whilst Facebook and Twitter are "social" networks they have become powerful community and business networks too.
This year I paid close attention to the dynamics of marketing within the Bellydance community I am part of on FB.
Most of my Bellydance peers advertise their studio shows and workshops by creating a FB event and inviting all those they think would be interested (or sometimes everyone on their friends list). They will also share the event on their wall and post it in any groups and fan pages they are part of related to dance.
FB is set up to inform your friend list when you click "join" on the invite page, which means you'll be inadvertently advertising your friends event. After you've RSVP'd you can also invite others to the event and share it on your wall, creating even more advertising for your friend.
I noticed that a few dancers said they'd be going to all events (thus advertising for their friends) whilst others don't respond to any invites at all, even for events they were performing at.
Some dancers share their friends events whist others never do.
Posting events on people walls without permission is generally not well received.
So should you or shouldn't you share?
It boils down to how you use Facebook - Is it a personal platform you use to connect with friends and family far away? To express your deepest thoughts and desires? Post funny pictures of cats?
Or do you actively use FB to connect with your local dance community? (If you're anything like me its all of the above)
If its the latter - then yes you probably should.
Why? Because Community is built on reciprocal support. What does that mean? Community, at its base, is the relationships shared by a group of people connected by a common interest. Relationships are successful if there is equal give and take between those concerned.
I'm not saying you need to fill your wall with every event, or page you're invited to, nor do I think its possible for us all to attend every show or workshop on offer.
I'm suggesting we shine a bit more light on each others talents. I'm hoping the success we wish for each other might reflect back on us that little bit.
Some of you are probably reading this and thinking "well that's all very nice but its not good business practice to advertise for the competition" If we were all selling apples Id agree with you.
If we believe our own advertising we are each presenting this art form in its many facets of style, technique and mood, where each dancer brings something of her own to the stage - certainly not apples and apples. Really, we predominantly learn from and perform for each other. Art isn't created in a vacuum.
May 8 2012 - If you've read this and you follow my posts on any social networks you may be wondering why I don't practice what I preach? Well - I began to feel like a lost, lonely cheerleader - ra ra-ra-ing away all to myself in my corner. Though I shared most event info on my own, my troupe and my business pages, the favour was not returned or acknowledged in most cases. Although I have in the past bought tickets for and attended shows and workshops hosted by most of the teachers in my area, my own shows have not been well attended by the community.
I don't really know what to make of this, and have tried (kind of unsuccessfully) not to take it personally.
Now? Im unsure how to proceed in being a proactive community member having seemingly failed in my attempt to illicit change by creating an example... sorry 'bout that Gandhi.
- "You must be the change you want to see in the world."
