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Terrible Craigslist Ad

lfmn16

lfmn16

Inactive
Sep 21, 2011
15,462
35,794
charles town, wv
#1
We don't have a forum labeled "Old Men Grousing" so I'll put it here since it does relate to terrible band management.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is the ad:

"Working Band Here Looking for Our New Lead Guitarist."

Nothing about genre, ages, instrumentation, how often they play out, etc., etc., etc. There are a lot of ads like that on BandMix too. They give NO information at all.

I'm not saying you should write War and Peace, but how about enough to know if it's worth an email or a phone call???

Would you answer an ad like this? What do you put in your ads?

I'll start - no, I wouldn't answer an ad like this. My ads contain genre, ages, instrumentation (including who sings), where located, short list of groups we cover, how often we intend to play out.
 
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#3
Most definitely would NOT answer an ad like that. I agree. You don't need to write a novel or tell me your life story, but there are obvious basics that should be covered, and this guy covered almost none of them. Want ads are definitely one of the situations where "less is more" does not apply. When I see posts like that, I assume that person has poor communication skills across the board.

Obvious necessities to me are:

-average age of the band members
-style of music along with a list of similar bands or influences (can't just say "ROCK" these days)
-how often we gig
-current instrumentation line-up
-practice location
-whether we plan to tour or not of even just do weekend warrior stuff
-what are current plans are and what the plans are for the short future
 
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#5
gln1955 said:
If you're a working band, then give me a link to a FB page, videos, audios, something, so I can tell if it's a waste of time to answer the ad.

If I see it's something that I'm interested in, then I can get all the other info I need from a five minute phone call.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I usually like to see/hear the band as well.

That said, I can understand a working band not posting links to the band's page if they're looking to find a replacement for a flaky member before actually giving him the axe.
 
#6
I’ll only reply with a purely time wasting response if I’m bored and the ads pisses me off enough. Those can be fun.

Guy selling an old organ for $400. Must sell immediately!!

Me: if you must sell immediately I suggest you lower the price to $1 because nobody can even give those away for free.

Him: NEVER WRITE TO ME AGAIN!!

Me: no need to yell lol.
 
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#7
craigie said:
I’ll only reply with a purely time wasting response if I’m bored and the ads pisses me off enough. Those can be fun.

Guy selling an old organ for $400. Must sell immediately!!

Me: if you must sell immediately I suggest you lower the price to $1 because nobody can even give those away for free.

Him: NEVER WRITE TO ME AGAIN!!

Me: no need to yell lol.
Click to expand...
My bass player tells the story about buying his SVT for $200 years ago. The guy said, "It's only $400 because I have to leave town tomorrow." My guy says, "I'll give you $200." He says, "But it's worth more than $400." My guy says, "Well, you shouldn't have told me you have to leave town tomorrow." He got it for $200.
 
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#8
Yep. I would say that ad lacks the minimum info needed for an intelligent response.

Seems to they're either gonna get a ton of responses seeking more info which they'll need to respond to with that info individually or they'll get almost none. In a sense the add is both useless and inconsiderate.

It's like a listing saying: "Car For Sale - $4000" and nothing more. No info, no pics, no anything to base interest on.
 
Last edited:
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#10
lfmn16 said:
Would you answer an ad like this?
Click to expand...

lfmn16 said:
"Working Band Here Looking for Our New Lead Guitarist."
Click to expand...

Hi lfmn16 :)

Of course I would not reply! :D

I am a bassplayer! ;):laugh:.


Today it is easy enough, to give musicians a link, where they can listen to your music.

(A "Working Band" should have a "demo link" for clients and fans)


greetings


Wise(b)ass
 
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#13
I think that CL is simply an online version of the newspapers' classified ads.
I do not expect much, and I am not disappointed.

But, as I said on here before, BandMix provides a great format whereby bands and musicians can be very detailed about their genre, ages, personnel needs, long-term goals, etc.

That information then drives the search features available. To not take the time to properly provide that information is inexcusable; and it directly reflects on the care and attention they will have toward band activities. I don't respond to offers from people/bands that can't muster the energy to do this.

One bit of information I think is very important is an honest assessment of musical proficiency.

As this can be very subjective, it is crucial to provide demos. And since "all this machinery making modern music" can make anyone sound good in the studio, demos should show live performance, even if it's just playing/singing over a cover song.
 
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#15
soulman969 said:
Yep. I would say that ad lacks the minimum info needed for an intelligent response.

Seems to they're either gonna get a ton of responses seeking more info which they'll need to respond to with that info individually or they'll almost none. In a sense the add is both useless and inconsiderate.

It's like a listing saying: "Car For Sale - $4000" and nothing more. No info, no pics, no anything to base interest on.
Click to expand...

Will u take $1500 for the car. Txt me thx.
 
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#16
Here in Canada we have a website called Bandmix (don't know if it exists in the States).
Most of the bands/musicians who place ads on it do so SO badly they will never get a response other than 'What the hell are they talking about!!'
The site has all these drop down menus, and everyone clicks 'All the above', so most ads end up looking like-
Magician, swordswallower, band, management company, guitarist, bagpiper SEEKS accordian, guitar, drums, sausaphone, pretty assistant, fellow swordswoller, organist, choir, baritone nose flute.
 
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#17
Paulabass said:
Here in Canada we have a website called Bandmix (don't know if it exists in the States).
Most of the bands/musicians who place ads on it do so SO badly they will never get a response other than 'What the hell are they talking about!!'
The site has all these drop down menus, and everyone clicks 'All the above', so most ads end up looking like-
Magician, swordswallower, band, management company, guitarist, bagpiper SEEKS accordian, guitar, drums, sausaphone, pretty assistant, fellow swordswoller, organist, choir, baritone nose flute.
Click to expand...

:laugh::laugh::laugh:!
 
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#20
I always wonder if CL is dying....seems like everything is being posted on other social media.

I think it is a fair criticism of many musicians' postings that they are substandard. Whether it is selling gear, looking for members, negotiating contracts, etc, it just seems like many have little life experience dealing with the business side of things. How refreshing it is to encounter musicians who have their poop in a group.

And no, I wouldn't answer that ad. I stopped posting ads too because bands couldn't read. When I said I am not interested in playing country, or can't do sight-reading jazz sit ins, etc. Those people message me in droves :thumbsdown:
 

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