Let’s say I walk into your job. I stand at your desk watching you work. I take notes as you concentrate on your tasks pouring yourself into what needs to be accomplished that day. Then at the end of the day I go home, look at my notes, pull out my laptop, log into my blog and begin typing away. Typing my opinions on how I felt your projects were accomplished that day.  I mention the pictures of your kids on your desk, and then say that I don’t think they are very attractive.  I say that I felt like your time could have been spent far more effectively if you had done it my way.  Even though I don’t know how to do your job.  I don’t really know what it takes to accomplish your job from a day-to-day basis, and I don’t know what you’re personally going through while you’re expected to do this job.  I type all these things because I’m hidden behind a username, or miles of road.  I’ll never see you again in person, and if I do, you won’t recognize me.

Now, let’s pretend that your job was to entertain me.

I work with a lot of artist blogs.  Places where not only are artists pouring themselves into their art, but pouring themselves into entertaining you.  The consumer.  And on top of that they are pouring themselves, or at least trying to pour themselves, into connecting with the consumer online.  Because after all, that’s what the consumer wants, right?  It’s pretty amazing some of the stuff that people will ‘comment’ on an artists website, especially in the Christian market.

Here’s a comment on an artists site when they blogged about one of their songs doing well on radio:

“Not a big fan of “_____”, but I’m glad you’re getting recognition. Your music in general is much better than most Christian music. Plus I Love how passionate you are about God”

Okay, it’s not as bad as me saying your kids are ugly, but it’s pretty close right?  Songwriters?  Am I wrong?

Or how about another band that is looking for a new way to interact their fans and offering a public audition for an open position in their band.  Seriously?!  What band does that?  That’s awesome.  Musicians everywhere would want to be a part of this right?

Guys, I want to commend you on your idea for finding a new member through a video search, rather than a close-knit circle audition.  However…you have 2, maybe 3 gigs a month per your tour page…..unless that changes, why bother?

Again, not overly ‘mean’, but I’ve always heard ‘If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all’.  Seems like a pretty simple rule right?  I mean, don’t you think this particular band is hoping to book more shows, and has been working on that for the last several years.  Bottom line is, if that’s your ‘contribution’ to the conversation, isn’t it easier to just stay out of it?

Or how about a band that is working to keep their fans connected and excited about a record that isn’t coming for a few months.  You know something special to just keep folks reminded that the band hasn’t forgotten about them.

Ya know, if we have to wait 4 months, and here we have to put up with all the hype during that time, we just might LOSE INTEREST by then. Some will say, who cares? Some will get tires of all the hype and no blast. New songs? The anticipation better be worth it all, or fans will be fried!

No pressure huh?  ’You better entertain me the way I want to be entertained or else’.

And to be honest with you, these are some of the more tame comments I have seen pass through.  Seems a little weird to me.  How about you?  Maybe I’m just sensitive to that stuff, because I’m really bad with critics.  I hate that people can jab at something you have poured yourself into and completely discredit what you are doing…. especially when the point is to be entertaining and uplifting those same ‘critics’ and you’re making something for them.

Thoughts?