Band's Social Media Becoming a personal outlet

[fishdude101101]

So here's the basics of it:

Our band's social media page, which I don't check everyday, seems to have become an outlet for our singers social/political views. I've always felt that it was best to keep that stuff of of the shared pages/accounts at the risk of driving away customers who see the world differently.

He and I are pretty good friends, but have very different political social views. Have always gotten along well.

But I really don't like this.

As far as who is the band leader....we co-chair that. I book about half the gigs and provide most of the PA gear. He does merch and most social media (obviously).

What is a professional way to address this?

I know he has no ill will, and for him these posts are normal as they match is world view and probably didn't ever think about how they might be off-putting for some customers.

 

[fishdude101101]

I'm also wondering if he is just forgetting to switch back to his personal account...

 

[buldog5151bass]

Simple. The band site is a business site. You don't care about any member's personal views, but they have no place on the band site. The only that should be going on there is information regarding gigs.

 

[ArtechnikA]

'Dude, these posts are not relevant to promoting the band.'

Not personal, has nothing to do with the content of the posts themselves.
Keep it about band business.

 

[Torrente Cro]

I had a similar situation where a band member commented a political content under the band's FB account. He did this probably by mistake, forgetting that he was signed in as a band and not as an individual.
I asked him to delete all that crap and rewrite it under his own name. He immediately deleted those things because it has nothing to do with music. Did he write that again... I didn't really follow

 

[AceOfBassFace]

I'd frame it like - this is the BAND's social media page, so whatever you're posting reflects on us ALL as a whole. Since we don't share your views on the subject, it's not fair to the rest of the band to be posting this type of stuff.

Personally, it's like polite conversation - steer clear of divisive issues like politics, religion, abortion etc. UNLESS it's part of your shtick then go nuts.

 

[bass12]

I wouldn't make it about his views vs the views of the rest of the band, I would put it strictly in terms of this being a band website - not an outlet for personal views of any sort (regardless of whether or not other band members might agree with those views). The point about this possibly being a mistake due to not switching accounts is a good one, and I'd probably say something like, "Hey I think you might have forgotten to switch accounts". I'd keep it light as much as possible and only play the heavy if you have to.

 

[fishdude101101]

So really, my first question is for him, was he meaning to post this from the band page or his own? Some of it could be considered "social commentary" more than political, but in this day, there really isn't much differentiation between the two.

I know he got off of social media for years, because he's the kinda guy that just HAS to express his views. Never in a mean spirited way, but some people are just like that. Hard for me to understand as I keep these things to myself.

The other downside is that most of the places we play, the owners and customers are opposite of him politically, so I'm wondering how it will affect bookings since some fo them follow us.

 

[fishdude101101]

I hate to have the conversation though, being friends long before the band....you know how this stuff goes.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Which is why you don't need to address whether you agree with the positions. The band site is to give information on the band - nothing else.

 

[gln1955]

I'm also wondering if he is just forgetting to switch back to his personal account...

This happened with my BL last year. A meme showed up on the band site that would be offensive to half the people in the current US political climate. I told him in no uncertain terms to take it down, which he did immediately. He said he thought it was on his own account, which is most likely truthful. I didn't say whether or not I agreed with his position (he probably knows I do not), since that's not the point.

 

[kyral210]

The band social media is about marketing your band. Anything that doesn't make people want to see you/ hear you is trash.

My old band (I'm still glad I quit) had a 'singer' who would post all about bands he loved. Harmless in its own way, but the Facebook page just became a watered down mess that didn't convey a simple message about the bands music or image. It screamed amateur hour.

 

[jthisdell]

Instead of promoting the band this has the potential of alienating half your fans

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Political ideologies are the fastest way for a band to commit political suicide. I liked a band and they were pro covid jab posts all the time. Nobody cares about your personal opinions. Unless you are an Anarcho-punk band, there is no reason that anyone remotely cares about what you think is 'right'. Just play the music and shut up, or better yet, write a song about it. My fave band is The Exploited and Wattie writes/sings about politics and 'the man' all the time. I love it, but their band pages have only show times etc.

 

[Port]

So here's the basics of it:

Our band's social media page, which I don't check everyday, seems to have become an outlet for our singers social/political views. I've always felt that it was best to keep that stuff of of the shared pages/accounts at the risk of driving away customers who see the world differently.

He and I are pretty good friends, but have very different political social views. Have always gotten along well.

But I really don't like this.

As far as who is the band leader....we co-chair that. I book about half the gigs and provide most of the PA gear. He does merch and most social media (obviously).

What is a professional way to address this?

I know he has no ill will, and for him these posts are normal as they match is world view and probably didn't ever think about how they might be off-putting for some customers.

'Been there, I wouldn't like it either - this sorta stuff has no place on your band's page. Just gotta have that discussion with him. Pick the right time and place, stay cool and diplomatic, I'd like to think he'll understand. It worked for me anyway.

 

[tb-player]

My guess is, he's making your band profile great again.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

So here's the basics of it:

Our band's social media page, which I don't check everyday, seems to have become an outlet for our singers social/political views. I've always felt that it was best to keep that stuff of of the shared pages/accounts at the risk of driving away customers who see the world differently.

He and I are pretty good friends, but have very different political social views. Have always gotten along well.

But I really don't like this.

As far as who is the band leader....we co-chair that. I book about half the gigs and provide most of the PA gear. He does merch and most social media (obviously).

What is a professional way to address this?

I know he has no ill will, and for him these posts are normal as they match is world view and probably didn't ever think about how they might be off-putting for some customers.

Unless you like to play in front of empty seats, best to leave the politics off your social media.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Went through the same thing recently, it's now his solo project's page, there's a long list of other reasons we're no longer associated with him.

 

[SharpCat]

I have seen people post political/social stuff to a business web site, and when called on it have the attitude that "well it's no big deal--everyone thinks this way--if you disagree, you're a (this or that or whatever bad thing)". Hopefully not the case here.

 

[Lava]

Nip it in the bud. Tell them to use their personal accts for personal views. Your band social media should only be about gigs and music. They will eventually tick someone off who will in turn not follow the band anymore and nobody wants to LOSE fans, right?