As most of you know, I use this Facebook page to administer the Ventura Rocks-Website Facebook page and to help promote Ventura’s music scene. And as you probably noticed, the rules on Facebook have evolved over the years and the magic formula for what comes up consistently on the Facebook news feeds turns out to be money, not popularity and I can not afford to pay for ads.
The truth is, I use social media – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – to support the website I created in 2009, www.VenturaRocks.com. I update it every single morning and people are encouraged to use it when they go out to see where all the music can be found. It’s a terrific resource! We get over 10,000 hits monthly. Everything you need to follow Ventura’s music scene can be found there. Everything that I know about that is…so here’s the problem:
I still don’t get told who is playing at certain venues. So when I don’t list a venue, it is because they don’t tell me about their music lineup. Trust me, I ask. I ask EVERY SINGLE WEEK. I don’t blackball venues (or artists for that matter). And if I missed an event that I was told about, I promise you this, it was an oversight or mistake.
Here’s the bigger problem. I’m tired after almost seven years of being on alert for changes and updates and being connected on Facebook. I’ve been the only person creating VenturaRocks.com for the past couple of years, and I can’t do it anymore. And just so you know, I’ve gotten info via flyers on street corners, Facebook, Facebook messages, Facebook invites, Twitter, Instagram, word of mouth, venue websites, phone calls, texts… it’s exhausting! I actually have two jobs to do in between VenturaRocks.com. So it is time to organize so I can help more effectively and to try to avoid the exhausion which has attempted to overtake me.
So please, I want to help, but I need your help too. If you are a musician, and especially if you are a venue, please email me your information. I can’t monitor Facebook newsfeeds all day. I will check in a few times a week and if I see a poster for a gig, I will save it and schedule it to be posted (I LOVE THAT SCHEDULING FEATURING by the way!).
I’ve proven that I want to help. I’ve proven that I’m not trying to get money out of venues to advertise. The fact that a couple of venue owners and artists have made donations and bought additional advertising or t-shirts, or comp me a beverage or a meal warms my heart and I truly feel the love and support. Thank you!
I would like to continue to create VenturaRocks.com and all I ask is for music updates and/or changes be sent to me via email. Remember, MOST people are NOT on Facebook!!! And it takes just a few minutes monthly or weekly to send me your calendar.
Thank you,
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
p.s. I do appreciate being told about last minute changes, and if I’m near a computer or have my laptop with me, I will update the website.
p.s.s. I know so many musicians depend on Facebook but I truly encourage you to connect with me via email. That’s insurance I will know about your gig, and I can help promote it and I won’t feel like an idiot when I go out and see you playing somewhere that I didn’t hear about.
Thank you sooo much for all you do for musicians, venues and the people who go out to see live music. You’re the best!!
Thank you!
Hi Pam, I have the same problem. It’s why some stuff gets left out of our paper. I just don’t have time to hunt down every single show. Venues could be a tad more proactive! I’m happy to share if you ever want to trade info. 🙂
Thanks sweetie!!
Pam,
I appreciate all you do and you do a fabulous job for all musicians.
I have a question. Do you advertise or know anyone who advertises for the Camarillo area? My duo is perfroming at the Manhattan Restaurant in Camarillo and I’d like to get the word out. I would really appreciate a referral.
Thanks again for all you,
Irene Cathaway
The Irene Cathaway Band
Sorry Irene, other than posting on social media, I’m not sure about other cities. I wish I had a staff to cover all of Ventura County, but alas, it’s just me so I do my best to cover Ventura which is a handful.
Best wishes!