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Does Billy Joel belong in top 10?
by Fdemetrio - 03/28/24 11:10 PM
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Hi Folks,

We are STILL getting record traffic but record low new content. So here's how you can help us a LOT, just in the short term, to see if we can shock the heart back to life.

I need any number of volunteers to adopt any number of boards and make any number of new posts OR replies to existing posts as you can consistently. This is not a "bump" as that helps no one at all. But full responses (think a critic, or a valid response to a new post beyond a simple agree or disagreement.

The key here is to update the top 30 boards (meaning all that are above the chapter boards) for 6-8 week so that we have new and current messages to interest new signups. If we miss "the good old days" then we can bring them back to a respectable level. The traffic is already here, we just need content as they are coming in via websearches mostly or secondly, they are coming back (likely JPF members) to see if anything interesting is going on.

This isn't meant to be astro turf. One quality original post by you each day could help a lot. And feel free to pull up an interesting older discussion if you can add something new, an update or continue the discussion (for example some of the interesting theory/performance discussions made by Mike Dunbar which are timeless in their value to new folks.

If you'd like to help consistently, I'll assign boards so that you can adopt a board to nurture for a couple months. Just post here and first come first served.

Thanks, and thanks to the growing list of folks who have donated this year. It is desperately needed.

Brian


Brian Austin Whitney
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"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

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"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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I usually do that anyway, but what I think you SHOULD try is having a mandatory login to see content.

Then the lurkers will have to sign in to read and particpate.

I know it works because I've wanted to participate in some articles online, some great articles that are cut in half unless you login to read the rest of it. Never wanted to, but in a few instances I did create an account.

People scan out of boredom, what you probably have is every single member who ever had an account here lurking, just to see if they missed anything. And frankly, the more you lurk, the harder it is to forget about this place!

It's a habit, thats hard to break. Or simply, a tiny annual fee. Im not using credit cards for anything or anyone, thats another story. But I would join a small membership, possibly use a gift card. But The few regulars we have are all set in their ways, and they aint changing.

But that would be my strategy, if you pull the rug out, they may miss it enough to at least log in to read, or join.

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I'll get on it.

MAB

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Originally Posted by Fdemetrio
I usually do that anyway, but what I think you SHOULD try is having a mandatory login to see content.


But that would be my strategy, if you pull the rug out, they may miss it enough to at least log in to read, or join.



Or... they may just read other people search result. See, the traffic would be great if I put ads up, but I hate sites with banner ads and most people use ad blockers anyway. The boards need to be a self fulfilling prophecy. If you want feedback, offer some up right? That is what we tell every newbie. Same applies to us old fogeys. We want more users posting, then us current members need to give them some content that they can't resist signing up for.

As for payment systems, you are welcome to us gift cards. We had a member do that a couple days ago via paypal. Then you can still be Austin Powers, intl. man of mystery.

For the record, the searches are bringing people in. Sure, we get some direct views (i.e. no site led them here) but since we took down the rest of the site, I am realizing that it was the other pages here often leading people to the boards, not the other way around. We're working on putting the old site, with some limited updating abilities, back on line. A volunteer has stepped up to help since we just don't have the money to hire someone. Right now I think we'e paid for 6 months of hosting with this years donations. So please feel free to pay the membership fee you are recommending any time ypu'd like. We'll put it to good use.

Brian


Brian Austin Whitney
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jpfolkspro@gmail.com
Skype: Brian Austin Whitney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks

"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

"It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney

"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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Originally Posted by Brian Austin Whitney
Originally Posted by Fdemetrio
I usually do that anyway, but what I think you SHOULD try is having a mandatory login to see content.


But that would be my strategy, if you pull the rug out, they may miss it enough to at least log in to read, or join.



Or... they may just read other people search result. See, the traffic would be great if I put ads up, but I hate sites with banner ads and most people use ad blockers anyway. The boards need to be a self fulfilling prophecy. If you want feedback, offer some up right? That is what we tell every newbie. Same applies to us old fogeys. We want more users posting, then us current members need to give them some content that they can't resist signing up for.

As for payment systems, you are welcome to us gift cards. We had a member do that a couple days ago via paypal. Then you can still be Austin Powers, intl. man of mystery.

For the record, the searches are bringing people in. Sure, we get some direct views (i.e. no site led them here) but since we took down the rest of the site, I am realizing that it was the other pages here often leading people to the boards, not the other way around. We're working on putting the old site, with some limited updating abilities, back on line. A volunteer has stepped up to help since we just don't have the money to hire someone. Right now I think we'e paid for 6 months of hosting with this years donations. So please feel free to pay the membership fee you are recommending any time ypu'd like. We'll put it to good use.

Brian


Well that's the point, if the same lurkers type in jpf.com everyday, that's not real traffic, that's just people typing jpf.com out of habit every day. How many are completely unique people clicking who have never seen this forum before?

Its the same thing with song threads, you sometimes see hundreds if not thousands of views build up on threads, and you see the same 3 or 4 people commenting. They dont even listen to the song as the numbers will show. Thats because the others view jpf as an abstract place that they view out of boredom, but are not even in the site to write a comment.

Ads wont work because the people here are broke, and wont buy anything. Paid membership would guarantee you money you need to maintain the place, if nobody joins, well, they wont buy anything from ads either, if you had 20 people even paying 25 a year, that would cover maintenance.

Maybe social media may be the next frontier for you.

Try Kickstarter, explain your whole history here, what your mission was, and most importantly a clear benefit to somebody who joins/helps out.





Last edited by Fdemetrio; 02/19/20 01:25 PM.
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I've been reposting emails I get from a Columbus, Ohio source, Larry Staats, telling what's going on in that area, in his area of interest, Columbus Folk Music Society, Contra Dance, Storytelling, in the Columbus, Ohio Regional Forum. It's getting views. I assume they also visit other Forums while here.
I suggest you ask members to post things, local concerts, large and small, who's playing venues in the area, anything of interest that people in that area might find on JPF and be inclined to visit to check the 'schedule' and maybe look around the site at large.


There will always be another song to be written. Someone will write it. Why not you? www.garyeandrews.com
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Originally Posted by Gary E. Andrews
I've been reposting emails I get from a Columbus, Ohio source, Larry Staats, telling what's going on in that area, in his area of interest, Columbus Folk Music Society, Contra Dance, Storytelling, in the Columbus, Ohio Regional Forum. It's getting views. I assume they also visit other Forums while here.
I suggest you ask members to post things, local concerts, large and small, who's playing venues in the area, anything of interest that people in that area might find on JPF and be inclined to visit to check the 'schedule' and maybe look around the site at large.


I have posted so many MUSICALLY related articles, news, music, 90% dont even get a single response. I do it mostly to share something with another songwriter/musician.

Post something about Trump. That's a different story. The backbone of this site now are people who dont even write song or have any creative ambitions. They are people maybe who USED to, but not any more.

We talk about artists who were around when the Dead Sea was just getting sick!

We talk about how new music sucks, there are no good artists any more (which is not true). We talk about country music is gone, rock music is gone, pop music is gone, Rap sucks.....yet to somebody 15,20,25,30 thats the only music they know. They could care a less about The Rolling Stones.

That may be a problem too, old people, old content, curmudegon views. We could have the most talented artist on here but he or she plays new style music, and nobody here would give a damn. Aside "ahh well, this is not my kind of music, but i think you sing well"!

I think I hit on it, why would anybody new want to join with that kind of talk?

Last edited by Fdemetrio; 02/19/20 01:56 PM.
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I agree with Fd,

The "old hands" can and do provide the most experience, yet may not comment on a song on the mp3 because it is not their "style".

I love all forms of music, and appreciate good writing , production, and performance, and many genres these days, are cross related.

I don't have a Facebook account as it's filled up with folks showing me what they had for breakfast. LOL

Maybe younger folks need the pretty pictures to appreciate the content. grin

cheers, niteshift

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Brian,

I truly appreciate your efforts to rally the troops . . . but I’m not sure that what you are asking for, even if the few current active posters get behind it, is going to spur significant progress in resuscitating JPF. That’s perhaps a harsh thing to say . . . but in my 2.5 years here, and despite the efforts of some, I’ve seen little to make me believe otherwise.

I am a believer in what this site brings and gives . . . I know I’ve improved in putting a song together largely because of this site and the people on it. It’s why I do and will continue to contribute. So I’ll stay as active as I can, my time and life allowing. But I also believe there are larger issues at play here . . . and that a failure to recognize and react to that will only prolong what appears inevitable.

I think it begins with recognition that message boards are not what they were—particularly so in the context of a music board. Facebook, YouTube, and even the sites we link to—SoundCloud and SoundClick, e.g.—are all avenues of immediate gratification for the “see me, hear me, love me” types who care more about “being out there” (and racking up listens and likes) than improving their skills and exposing themselves and their art to productive feedback. We are more prone to share with friends than strangers, and tend to desire the kinder words of the former than the more objective feedback of the latter.

It continues with the way people digest information in today’s day and age. Attention spans aren’t what they used to be . . . so information needs to be formatted in a way that caters to that new reality. This is particularly true for the younger generation. You are asking members to update "the top 30 boards" . . . but 30 boards are far too many to support meaningful activity (particularly given the current level of active posters), and any increased activity is diminished if distributed across that wide number of boards.

So I think (i.e., my opinion is that) the best first step to generating new interest on the site, Brian, is a total revamp, modernization and streamlining of the website. As I asserted, message boards are not what they were, and there’s simply way too much content and far too many boards on JPF as it stands . . a ton of which can be condensed, and a ton of which can just be done away with. The site has a long history, and has grown organically to what it is—but its purpose and vision needs to be re-evaluated, re-focused and refreshed.

That’s easier said than done, because all that costs money and takes time--and a lot of both. And looking at the Donation Honor Rolls over time, there are fewer and fewer people stepping up to help fund it. I don't have an easy answer as to how that nut is cracked.

But it brings me to a final comment. I know you hate banners and ads. As an internet user, I despise them. But my advice to you is to consider embracing some degree of advertising on the site. That would help offset the costs of a website re-design and give you some degree of income into the treasury, particularly if you are getting high levels of traffic (and more so if that traffic are “surfers” and not “contributors”). Suggestions to charge membership and access fees are misguided—they simply don’t work, and certainly not for a site like this.

Not sure any of the above is helpful, but offering up my opinion for what little it may be worth. And regardless, I’ll do the best I can over the coming months to post more.

My best to you, Brian.

Deej

Last edited by Deej56; 02/20/20 03:21 AM.
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Originally Posted by niteshift
I agree with Fd,

The "old hands" can and do provide the most experience, yet may not comment on a song on the mp3 because it is not their "style".

I love all forms of music, and appreciate good writing , production, and performance, and many genres these days, are cross related.

I don't have a Facebook account as it's filled up with folks showing me what they had for breakfast. LOL

Maybe younger folks need the pretty pictures to appreciate the content. grin

cheers, niteshift


The only way this could be a booming site again, is to have young people on it.

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Originally Posted by Deej56
Brian,

I truly appreciate your efforts to rally the troops . . . but I’m not sure that what you are asking for, even if the few current active posters get behind it, is going to spur significant progress in resuscitating JPF. That’s perhaps a harsh thing to say . . . but in my 2.5 years here, and despite the efforts of some, I’ve seen little to make me believe otherwise.

I am a believer in what this site brings and gives . . . I know I’ve improved in putting a song together largely because of this site and the people on it. It’s why I do and will continue to contribute. So I’ll stay as active as I can, my time and life allowing. But I also believe there are larger issues at play here . . . and that a failure to recognize and react to that will only prolong what appears inevitable.

I think it begins with recognition that message boards are not what they were—particularly so in the context of a music board. Facebook, YouTube, and even the sites we link to—SoundCloud and SoundClick, e.g.—are all avenues of immediate gratification for the “see me, hear me, love me” types who care more about “being out there” (and racking up listens and likes) than improving their skills and exposing themselves and their art to productive feedback. We are more prone to share with friends than strangers, and tend to desire the kinder words of the former than the more objective feedback of the latter.

It continues with the way people digest information in today’s day and age. Attention spans aren’t what they used to be . . . so information needs to be formatted in a way that caters to that new reality. This is particularly true for the younger generation. You are asking members to update "the top 30 boards" . . . but 30 boards are far too many to support meaningful activity (particularly given the current level of active posters), and any increased activity is diminished if distributed across that wide number of boards.

So I think (i.e., my opinion is that) the best first step to generating new interest on the site, Brian, is a total revamp, modernization and streamlining of the website. As I asserted, message boards are not what they were, and there’s simply way too much content and far too many boards on JPF as it stands . . a ton of which can be condensed, and a ton of which can just be done away with. The site has a long history, and has grown organically to what it is—but its purpose and vision needs to be re-evaluated, re-focused and refreshed.

That’s easier said than done, because all that costs money and takes time--and a lot of both. And looking at the Donation Honor Rolls over time, there are fewer and fewer people stepping up to help fund it. I don't have an easy answer as to how that nut is cracked.

But it brings me to a final comment. I know you hate banners and ads. As an internet user, I despise them. But my advice to you is to consider embracing some degree of advertising on the site. That would help offset the costs of a website re-design and give you some degree of income into the treasury, particularly if you are getting high levels of traffic (and more so if that traffic are “surfers” and not “contributors”). Suggestions to charge membership and access fees are misguided—they simply don’t work, and certainly not for a site like this.

Not sure any of the above is helpful, but offering up my opinion for what little it may be worth. And regardless, I’ll do the best I can over the coming months to post more.

My best to you, Brian.

Deej


I agree with you, it would take alot more than a few donations to turn this around. I think social media is the only place to be. Social Media is what killed it in the first place. At one time this was social media, only the people were supposedly songwriters and musicians, once facebook came around, people started reconnecting with their old friends, family, and anybody they may have met here they talk to on facebook now.

Not everybody has passed away, most have gone to facebook. I remember a guy was trying to get people to donate here...he says "ok im moving on after this post, but let me try one more time to get donations for this site" In other words, im going to be at facebook, but you guys keep it up here! Yeah ok dude....

There are tons of people who used to be die hards here but are still living and go on facebook, maybe twitter too.

Lack of responses is one part. The same responses another.

Basicly you need more active people, I guess people think of facebook as their personal life, but think of something like this as their professional life or hobby life. They dont want to mix songs in with conversation about last summers family picnic. And also, nobody on facebook cares, they care about talking about themselves, so they forget their songs and live.

Mike Caro was a pro, he was good for the site, he's gone. Guarantee you hes on facebook. he has a studio, im sure the few regulars here couldnt afford to have him record their stuff.

When I first signed up for this and any site, My impression was that I was signing up to rub elbows with professionals, semi professional, aspiring professionals.

What I quickly found out, not just here, but anywhere, was it was a clique. There was nobody there looking for good songs or talent, there were people like myself who caught on to how things run.

I never liked the clique part of it, and that caused alot of my foul behavior. The moderators drove me frickon bezerk. A pro site shouldnt need monitors, but when you got Jerky guy A, and Jerky guy b here to shoot the breeze, you do need a moderator.

You have to be able to state a clear benefit to a user, valuable and meaningful and honest critiques, opportunities, industry people showing up. I thought having Taxi and Cdbaby as sponsors was a good thing.

Once people realize nobody has any info you can use they bail, or they turn it into their own amusement park.

It was once a great site, and maybe could be sparked, but not with these few folks.





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I think it might be helpful to survey how people use the site. I haven't been here nearly as long as some, but I am amazed to hear that there are a top 30 boards. When I drop by, I click on 'Active Threads" and see what is happening. I basically never navigate to a specific board. Does anyone else do things this way?

Deej may have a point. This is a grand old site but I suspect there may be parts with with moss growing on them. This, combined with the rather cluttered layout might be a little off-putting to first time visitors. Personally, I have no problem with it at all - in fact it adds to the charm - but I remember being a bit confused when I first found this place. And I was never able to figure out how things like the awards work. smile

On the other hand....you wouldn't want to alienate the old hands by changing things up too much. Nobody wants to see their comfy old armchair replaced by a sleek new chrome and leather one they just don't feel right in.

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Originally Posted by Gavin Sinclair
I think it might be helpful to survey how people use the site. I haven't been here nearly as long as some, but I am amazed to hear that there are a top 30 boards. When I drop by, I click on 'Active Threads" and see what is happening. I basically never navigate to a specific board. Does anyone else do things this way?

Deej may have a point. This is a grand old site but I suspect there may be parts with with moss growing on them. This, combined with the rather cluttered layout might be a little off-putting to first time visitors. Personally, I have no problem with it at all - in fact it adds to the charm - but I remember being a bit confused when I first found this place. And I was never able to figure out how things like the awards work. smile

On the other hand....you wouldn't want to alienate the old hands by changing things up too much. Nobody wants to see their comfy old armchair replaced by a sleek new chrome and leather one they just don't feel right in.


The few regulars here already have tunnel vision for the site and know where they want to be. That's not the problem, although it might be for somebody just signing up.

The problem is not enough active people. Realistically, how many amateur songs can you listen to each day, and say something meaningful to it? it gets old, i see why people dont bother. And really how valuable are critiques anyway? Are we here to say something is wrong with everything? And how excited are you if somebody says "I really like this"

at the same time, what else is there? Why be here.

Maybe song critiquing is not interesting enough for people. The success story board would be great, if anybody succeeded, but those are few and far between, and most people are really thinking, whoopee! just being honest.

If you had performing musicians here, it could be used as plug board, likewise, i have an album out, ok, let me at least check it out. And best of all if you had an opportunities board. Something that is legit and updated, where opportunities are shared and offered, might be a little bit like taxi or something.

I think the problem with all social media music sites is it's all other musicians and songwriters who are doing the same thing.

Honestly, does anybody care about any artist on soundclick? I dont. Not to say there's nobody good, but I care about me. Everybody does.

Whats in it for me has to be part of the equation. Right now whats in it for me is i get to fight with somebody about politics!


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Originally Posted by Deej56
Brian,

I truly appreciate your efforts to rally the troops . . . but I’m not sure that what you are asking for, even if the few current active posters get behind it, is going to spur significant progress in resuscitating JPF. That’s perhaps a harsh thing to say . . . but in my 2.5 years here, and despite the efforts of some, I’ve seen little to make me believe otherwise.

I am a believer in what this site brings and gives . . . I know I’ve improved in putting a song together largely because of this site and the people on it. It’s why I do and will continue to contribute. So I’ll stay as active as I can, my time and life allowing. But I also believe there are larger issues at play here . . . and that a failure to recognize and react to that will only prolong what appears inevitable.

I think it begins with recognition that message boards are not what they were—particularly so in the context of a music board. Facebook, YouTube, and even the sites we link to—SoundCloud and SoundClick, e.g.—are all avenues of immediate gratification for the “see me, hear me, love me” types who care more about “being out there” (and racking up listens and likes) than improving their skills and exposing themselves and their art to productive feedback. We are more prone to share with friends than strangers, and tend to desire the kinder words of the former than the more objective feedback of the latter.

It continues with the way people digest information in today’s day and age. Attention spans aren’t what they used to be . . . so information needs to be formatted in a way that caters to that new reality. This is particularly true for the younger generation. You are asking members to update "the top 30 boards" . . . but 30 boards are far too many to support meaningful activity (particularly given the current level of active posters), and any increased activity is diminished if distributed across that wide number of boards.

So I think (i.e., my opinion is that) the best first step to generating new interest on the site, Brian, is a total revamp, modernization and streamlining of the website. As I asserted, message boards are not what they were, and there’s simply way too much content and far too many boards on JPF as it stands . . a ton of which can be condensed, and a ton of which can just be done away with. The site has a long history, and has grown organically to what it is—but its purpose and vision needs to be re-evaluated, re-focused and refreshed.

That’s easier said than done, because all that costs money and takes time--and a lot of both. And looking at the Donation Honor Rolls over time, there are fewer and fewer people stepping up to help fund it. I don't have an easy answer as to how that nut is cracked.

But it brings me to a final comment. I know you hate banners and ads. As an internet user, I despise them. But my advice to you is to consider embracing some degree of advertising on the site. That would help offset the costs of a website re-design and give you some degree of income into the treasury, particularly if you are getting high levels of traffic (and more so if that traffic are “surfers” and not “contributors”). Suggestions to charge membership and access fees are misguided—they simply don’t work, and certainly not for a site like this.

Not sure any of the above is helpful, but offering up my opinion for what little it may be worth. And regardless, I’ll do the best I can over the coming months to post more.

My best to you, Brian.

Deej


Well, because the site was behind security wise I had to shut down registrations for 2 years. The Chinese are RELENTLESS. Keeping a site like this from having thousands of spam posts per day takes some heavy lifting. The big sites use AI and big teams of real time security. We have me, when I am not in the hospital to keep it in check. Sometimes my only option is to just shut it down

If you like coming here, others out there would ALSO like to. People are sick of Facebook etc. They want real people with real opinions and who are in the fight with them. If that doesn't apply to you, then I have nothing for ya, but you seem to come here readily, so why wouldn't others?

Brian


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I never use the "active posts" because once it is reset you lose everything else. When you type in any version of our name from jpfolks.com (et al) to all versions of justplainfolks.org (except .com)

You can scroll down any subject and see many thousands of posts.

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"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

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Brian,

I don't disagree with your response. Trust me, I appreciate the challenges and burdens of maintaining a website like this. I'm in awe of your commitment, your dedication and your legacy.

But I think your request for volunteers is recognition that we need to re-energize the boards . . . that while traffic is at record highs, activity on the boards is not. And let's be frank, less active members mean fewer that are willing to contribute to help you maintain the site. You won't gain revenue from lurkers (absent embracing ads on the site). So the questions I ask myself, are (1) how can JPF increase activity on the boards? and (2) how can JPF increase revenue, given its current clientele and historic donation rates? I've offered my opinion above for whatever its worth, in the spirit of wanting JPF to continue and succeed.

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate, Brian, just for a turn--please don't take this as me being adversarial. I have the best interests of JPF at heart, truly. But you say: "People are sick of Facebook etc. They want real people with real opinions and who are in the fight with them." What's the basis for that conclusion? I agree Facebook is losing its luster, but how does that translate to future success for JPF? That is, even if your statement is true, what is it about JPF currently that would make people who want "real people with real opinions" come here? What would attract and keep them here?

I'll simply repeat that I don't believe JPF can compete and grow with the Internet's predominately millennial customer base without rethinking and re-imagining its image, which is fundamentally reflected by and through its website.. I'll do my best to be more active on the site, per your request . . . but I'm dubious that it will be enough. The fact that I, personally, am on the site today and value it is really not relevant to the question at hand . . . if that in itself was enough, well, we wouldn't be having this conversation, and all would be well.

Rather, the fact that we are having this conversation despite that the fact that I and others are here and value the site should be of more concern. That is, if I'm here, why aren't others? That's the question we have to answer and solve.

Brian, I'm not arguing with you . . . I'm an advocate FOR you and this site. I'll do what I can, but I offer my opinion if for no better reason than to give you a different lens through which to view the current situation, with the hope that what little perspective I can bring may be helpful to you.

I realize and fully appreciate there are no easy answers here.

My best to you, Brian. You have my utmost respect and appreciation.

Regards,

Deej

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Originally Posted by Deej56
Brian,

I don't disagree with your response. Trust me, I appreciate the challenges and burdens of maintaining a website like this. I'm in awe of your commitment, your dedication and your legacy.

But I think your request for volunteers is recognition that we need to re-energize the boards . . . that while traffic is at record highs, activity on the boards is not. And let's be frank, less active members mean fewer that are willing to contribute to help you maintain the site. You won't gain revenue from lurkers (absent embracing ads on the site). So the questions I ask myself, are (1) how can JPF increase activity on the boards? and (2) how can JPF increase revenue, given its current clientele and historic donation rates? I've offered my opinion above for whatever its worth, in the spirit of wanting JPF to continue and succeed.

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate, Brian, just for a turn--please don't take this as me being adversarial. I have the best interests of JPF at heart, truly. But you say: "People are sick of Facebook etc. They want real people with real opinions and who are in the fight with them." What's the basis for that conclusion? I agree Facebook is losing its luster, but how does that translate to future success for JPF? That is, even if your statement is true, what is it about JPF currently that would make people who want "real people with real opinions" come here? What would attract and keep them here?

I'll simply repeat that I don't believe JPF can compete and grow with the Internet's predominately millennial customer base without rethinking and re-imagining its image, which is fundamentally reflected by and through its website.. I'll do my best to be more active on the site, per your request . . . but I'm dubious that it will be enough. The fact that I, personally, am on the site today and value it is really not relevant to the question at hand . . . if that in itself was enough, well, we wouldn't be having this conversation, and all would be well.

Rather, the fact that we are having this conversation despite that the fact that I and others are here and value the site should be of more concern. That is, if I'm here, why aren't others? That's the question we have to answer and solve.

Brian, I'm not arguing with you . . . I'm an advocate FOR you and this site. I'll do what I can, but I offer my opinion if for no better reason than to give you a different lens through which to view the current situation, with the hope that what little perspective I can bring may be helpful to you.

I realize and fully appreciate there are no easy answers here.

My best to you, Brian. You have my utmost respect and appreciation.

Regards,

Deej


I think he means real people with real opinions about MUSIC. You wont neccessarily find that on Facebook aside joining a group.

Many people ARE sick of facebook. And you know why? Because people post too much and about non sensicle bs. I was with my niece the other day and she has em all, facebook, instagram, snap chat etc, somebody posts "Just preparing dinner" And she gasped, "OMG like nobody else is doing something right now"!

The least interesting people are the ones who constantly say things. And apparently, you have to be aware of all posts, if you want to be aware of any.

Why the site worked for me, was I could seperate my music, from my sports, poker, and many many other interests, and have the music in one place. I cant play my songs to a poker buddy for example, they wont care. I played at weddings and functions before and people were impressed, but what standard are they comparing me against

When you start making it a who's who, get to know everybody, make friends, then it becomes facebook, which alot of members are now on facebook.

Im with ya Dee, feed a man fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever. Id rather help out in a campaign to make jpf a viable organization than help out to talk to 4 people here, most of whom have totally different tastes in music, and different aspirations, and have no interest in what I have to say.

There is something to be said though about not being so automatic and present all the time. The facebook people who only post once in a while get more attention and respect.

The differentiator has to be JPF is about Music Makers, nothing else. They can get anything else just about everywhere else.

But even if Facebook sucks, people are still addicted to it, and so many regs that used to come here are on facebook now, and they aint leaving facebook, not until its next incarnation comes and facebook closes. Not any time soon.


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How bout a JPF Youtube Channel, songs, videos are posted, they are rated by listeners...from anywhere, not just jpf, but anybody on youtube can rate.

The highest rated songs get pushed to the top of rotation. No conversations, no political chat, just a place where new music is heard, and rated. Throw a few advertisements for the channel on youtube itself, facebook. But ads targeting all people, not just the people making the music, so that the music could be heard by a wider audience. Have people have to log in to rate, use there emails to send out newsletters.

Let those same wider audience people do the voting for the awards. It works for American Idol, why not in s smaller way for us.

Just some ideas.

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Maybe the tide is changing. I miss boards like this, and the old songwriter board, which I was very active on. I've gone searching for something like this on Facebook. even gone so far as to start my own, The Sounding Board. But it gets little to no traffic. And the others.. mostly teenagers who think beats are songs. I think there will always be a need for this, and hopefully a place for it.


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Originally Posted by rubysshoes
Maybe the tide is changing. I miss boards like this, and the old songwriter board, which I was very active on. I've gone searching for something like this on Facebook. even gone so far as to start my own, The Sounding Board. But it gets little to no traffic. And the others.. mostly teenagers who think beats are songs. I think there will always be a need for this, and hopefully a place for it.


it's a combination of alot of things I think. Facebook absolutely crushed forums, forums were basically facebook before facebook.

Also, for songwriters, there's so little opportunity anyway, people used to think they had a prayer with a little luck, now most artists write their own stuff, AND there's no money in music. That alone probably made alot of people give up trying, not that they ever had a chance anyway.

Home recording also helped ruin the song part of it. I mean, i remember on some forums, it got to a point where nobody cared about the song, and you still see that here. A good song and critique is more than just fix this line or that one, but that's all that's offered, after that it's all about..."I would use more reverb on the vocal"

All those things blew the pure songwriter out of the water.

Writing a good song just for the sake of writing a good song, is still a worthwhile thing to me, but not to all.

For your facebook group you wont get people there using your own personal friends list. How many real friends do you have that write songs? I have 2!

If your serious about starting something, buy a list like this of emails, chances are every single name is on facebook, could be worth 149 bucks to start a real page. then word might get out, then you could have sponsors, and ads on your page. https://www.bookyourdata.com/email-list-database/musicians
People better start taking some of my ideas, cause im gonna start doing this myself if not!

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Originally Posted by Deej56
Brian,

I don't disagree with your response. Trust me, I appreciate the challenges and burdens of maintaining a website like this. I'm in awe of your commitment, your dedication and your legacy.

But I think your request for volunteers is recognition that we need to re-energize the boards . . . that while traffic is at record highs, activity on the boards is not. And let's be frank, less active members mean fewer that are willing to contribute to help you maintain the site. You won't gain revenue from lurkers (absent embracing ads on the site). So the questions I ask myself, are (1) how can JPF increase activity on the boards? and (2) how can JPF increase revenue, given its current clientele and historic donation rates? I've offered my opinion above for whatever its worth, in the spirit of wanting JPF to continue and succeed.

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate, Brian, just for a turn--please don't take this as me being adversarial. I have the best interests of JPF at heart, truly. But you say: "People are sick of Facebook etc. They want real people with real opinions and who are in the fight with them." What's the basis for that conclusion? I agree Facebook is losing its luster, but how does that translate to future success for JPF? That is, even if your statement is true, what is it about JPF currently that would make people who want "real people with real opinions" come here? What would attract and keep them here?

I'll simply repeat that I don't believe JPF can compete and grow with the Internet's predominately millennial customer base without rethinking and re-imagining its image, which is fundamentally reflected by and through its website.. I'll do my best to be more active on the site, per your request . . . but I'm dubious that it will be enough. The fact that I, personally, am on the site today and value it is really not relevant to the question at hand . . . if that in itself was enough, well, we wouldn't be having this conversation, and all would be well.

Rather, the fact that we are having this conversation despite that the fact that I and others are here and value the site should be of more concern. That is, if I'm here, why aren't others? That's the question we have to answer and solve.

Brian, I'm not arguing with you . . . I'm an advocate FOR you and this site. I'll do what I can, but I offer my opinion if for no better reason than to give you a different lens through which to view the current situation, with the hope that what little perspective I can bring may be helpful to you.

I realize and fully appreciate there are no easy answers here.

My best to you, Brian. You have my utmost respect and appreciation.

Regards,

Deej


Revenue is not the reason why I want to breathe life back into the boards. The boards have been a net financial negative since day 1. We used to have a LOT of revenue via the primary part of JPF most of you posting here never experienced. The thousands of real life, face to face events, workshops and showcases we've done made us a lot of money (relatively speaking) because we had a half dozen sponsor at any given time, 4 of which sponsored us monthly for over 20 straight years. But those companies changed, got bought out, hit hard times or shut down completely. Then my health issues took me off the road and I could no longer justify taking the remaining sponsors money because it wasn't fair and I respected them too much to deliver less than I took. The rest of JPF always funded most of the website/message boards. And only about 10% of the folks registered here participated in the real life stuff, the local chapters and the main Org. Roadtrip Tours. We also have had the music awards, the largest in the world by a huge margin, which sponsors LOVED to be part of, but this year's got waylaid due to my health issues and I was not able to even try to set up any sponsors which was a problem because all the money we had saved dwindled down to zero. The board, which I always made sure had a safety cushion of $1000 dollars, nearly went into the red. Thankfully some folks stepped up (the usual suspects as anyone can see on the donor list) and kept us just above water.

The reason I want to breathe life into it is because JPF is my passion and 33 year career choice. Even when I was still working a day job, I was staying up all night emailing, calling, writing letters (yup.. the newsletter used to be MAILED!) and coordinating events I wasn't even attending around North America (and eventually 186 countries). I love the group, the people some of which I have known the entire 33 years, and the idea that people can truly help others without their hands in their pockets at every turn. All the "orgs" I joined were just money making machines, some bordering on abusive scams. Some made lots of money but at least DID offer help back in the day, but even those turned "corporate" and started the scamming, sometimes on a really nasty scale. So we were the answer. We did ALL the things others charged for but 100% for free to artists and writers. And our sponsors "got" it. We didn't run ads, didn't sell anything for them. We simply acknowledged their support and for 22 years they got back 10x's what they gave us and happily shared that with us.

But times do change and all my old allies but one are long gone and the last one isn't what it once was. So as the last man standing so to speak, I think there is STILL a need for someone not looking to just make a buck off a desperate and often naive writer or artist. It's a nasty nasty business and we are a safe harbor and I want that life preserver to stick around. Usually I could keep the ball rolling through sheer force of will and working insane hours. My health no longer allows that. But somehow I see record traffic and I see what people are reading and what they are spending time on and what searches bring them here and it is the same basic questions artists and writers have been asking since I myself had those questions in the mid 80s when I got started. The only difference is technology. I don't have the money to try and be a tech giant, though I was SOOOO close to launching a 10 million dollar company that would have changed everything. But just as we were about to launch I had the first massive stroke that caused me to have to learn how to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and cope with life long never ending systemic pain and loss of functions in my hands and muscles overall. Once I was back on my feet I had another worse stroke.. repeat... then another and my partners in the company had to go in a completely different direction to please investors which had nothing to do with what we do. But I lived. And therefore JPF still lives. THAT is why I want to get it going again. We'll get there, but I need a little help. For those who obviously are getting something out of still coming around, asking for a couple posts each time you visit isn't heavy lifting, it's the point you're here in the first place.

I AM working on a YouTube channel but here's a FACT. People don't want to watch music videos or live performances in general on YouTube. Sure, some people on major labels with massive fame and campaign get views, but not unknown indies. What I am hoping is what holds true even for the major artists: They are interested in the stories and the people BEHIND the music far more than the music itself. At most, a short clip of 30-45 seconds is pushing it. But the key is finding compelling STORIES to tell. I have some ideas of what I want to put together, but it is very heavy lifting setting up interviews (pre-interviews are already happening, finding out what compelling stuff we can offer). If we can't make someone laugh or their jaw drop open in the first 3-4 minutes we're toast. And long before they will check out the music, they need to care about the music maker. It's the same thing I tell young artists.. you have to ENTERTAIN first before anyone will give a crap about your music if you're not on massive radio every 24 minutes. That means FUN live shows with energy, humor and lots of over the top stage antics. People don't choose to listen to quiet introspection if they don't already love your music and even then a little goes a long ways.

Meanwhile, I need OTHER people to ALSO chip in. If you like something, SUPPORT IT or it will likely go away.

Here's an idea: How about someone put together a daily question/poll? We can even create a board for it if it takes off. We have that function here. Sure, the responses will be small at the start, but people DO like to give their options if they only have to click a button, BUT to do so they have to be registered right?

Brian


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As I scrolled through all posts, One problem I encountered is that the songs are no longer up to listen to, but I see people that I remember being on the site quite a bit, facebook must be occupying them now... has to be.

Jim Colyer, Floyd Jane, Dan Sullivan, Little Stevie B, Popp Todd(whom I think was really good an underrated on this forum), Janice and Budd, KimberlyNC, Kurt Fortmeyer, Iggy, Johnny Daubert, ( miss seeing him cause he's the closest ill ever come to meeting Springsteen, lol!m he knows Mike Appel.

I mean what the hell happened to these people? I know they are all on facebook now, only explanation.

I have one suggestion that comes to mind which wont cost anything or cause major change:

When somebody posts a song, or a lyric, let that person be the only post allowed for the day, let people take turns, instead of getting everybody bumped.

Let a song sit, like the songwriter spotlight, but with a functional way to keep that song alive for a day. Give everybody a chance.

The site needs changing, im going through old posts and most of them the song is gone.

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There is another thing going on that I am puzzled has not yet been discussed here. The music community online has drastically changed and improved over the years. I think the center now is Ari Herstead (Ari's Take on Twitter) who has recently brought out the second edition of his book. That book is a gold mine! It is really up to date with what clubs and agents are asking for NOW, how booking works NOW, how the college circuit works, how you join it, etc. We don't have that here. More evergreen business topics are at Music Think Tank, and those essays are real meaty, like an MAB post, only broken down into specific subjects. However, I notice they are not being updated! But here is the thing: I don't see any *discussion* happening except on Facebook and Twitter which really don't work well as a discussion forum beyond a few posts, and that is where we might fit in. But there is nothing here for people to find, that is CURRENT. I came here when the Music Modernization Act was passed, hoping for an easy-to-understand primer, and all I saw was the usual grumping...it's all a con...PROs don't pay anything...who cares...I don't understand it anyway, etc. (paraphrasing). We used to have lawyers, producers, agents and Brian all posting on top of each other trying to explain this sort of thing. If a shark come on board, we'd jump him like piranhna. Now it's like tumbleweeds.

Example: Does anybody know what AB5 is? It is a bill. Ari Herstead is all over it, but it is a Cali thing in the legislature there apparently. Can any California people get a discussion about AB5 going HERE? Why should people outside of the state care, etc.

So I agree with Brian, we need new content but also attract new people with new content. I'll do my part.

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Originally Posted by Jeff Epstein
There is another thing going on that I am puzzled has not yet been discussed here. The music community online has drastically changed and improved over the years. I think the center now is Ari Herstead (Ari's Take on Twitter) who has recently brought out the second edition of his book. That book is a gold mine! It is really up to date with what clubs and agents are asking for NOW, how booking works NOW, how the college circuit works, how you join it, etc. We don't have that here. More evergreen business topics are at Music Think Tank, and those essays are real meaty, like an MAB post, only broken down into specific subjects. However, I notice they are not being updated! But here is the thing: I don't see any *discussion* happening except on Facebook and Twitter which really don't work well as a discussion forum beyond a few posts, and that is where we might fit in. But there is nothing here for people to find, that is CURRENT. I came here when the Music Modernization Act was passed, hoping for an easy-to-understand primer, and all I saw was the usual grumping...it's all a con...PROs don't pay anything...who cares...I don't understand it anyway, etc. (paraphrasing). We used to have lawyers, producers, agents and Brian all posting on top of each other trying to explain this sort of thing. If a shark come on board, we'd jump him like piranhna. Now it's like tumbleweeds.

Example: Does anybody know what AB5 is? It is a bill. Ari Herstead is all over it, but it is a Cali thing in the legislature there apparently. Can any California people get a discussion about AB5 going HERE? Why should people outside of the state care, etc.

So I agree with Brian, we need new content but also attract new people with new content. I'll do my part.



Yeah nobody is performing any more... here next to nobody is. Its in the back of my mind to start doing an acoustic show, once i do my life long awaited album. Really, doing small gigs is the only reliable way to make..err a hundred bucks, hundred bucks is never altered by inflation. Club owners always want to pay 100 bucks, if you can help sell some beer theyll have you.

I used to do ok going to dying bars and telling them i could bring in some people each week. Worked for a while, but after a while you get tired of calling your audience!

Also have to do mostly covers, and sneak in some originals. But, as a songwriter how are gonna make a hundred bucks these days?

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Originally Posted by Jeff Epstein
There is another thing going on that I am puzzled has not yet been discussed here. The music community online has drastically changed and improved over the years. I think the center now is Ari Herstead (Ari's Take on Twitter) who has recently brought out the second edition of his book. That book is a gold mine! It is really up to date with what clubs and agents are asking for NOW, how booking works NOW, how the college circuit works, how you join it, etc. We don't have that here. More evergreen business topics are at Music Think Tank, and those essays are real meaty, like an MAB post, only broken down into specific subjects. However, I notice they are not being updated! But here is the thing: I don't see any *discussion* happening except on Facebook and Twitter which really don't work well as a discussion forum beyond a few posts, and that is where we might fit in. But there is nothing here for people to find, that is CURRENT. I came here when the Music Modernization Act was passed, hoping for an easy-to-understand primer, and all I saw was the usual grumping...it's all a con...PROs don't pay anything...who cares...I don't understand it anyway, etc. (paraphrasing). We used to have lawyers, producers, agents and Brian all posting on top of each other trying to explain this sort of thing. If a shark come on board, we'd jump him like piranhna. Now it's like tumbleweeds.

Example: Does anybody know what AB5 is? It is a bill. Ari Herstead is all over it, but it is a Cali thing in the legislature there apparently. Can any California people get a discussion about AB5 going HERE? Why should people outside of the state care, etc.

So I agree with Brian, we need new content but also attract new people with new content. I'll do my part.



That pretty much sums it up.

Once I can (if I can) get a YouTube channel going, we can link it here and have comments, but damn, with no help technically, getting something to LOOK good is tough. Lighting, Set (I know I can just green screen something, but that takes a backdrop in a room etc. and still need quality lighting, I have tried a dozen different types of light but not happy with anything. I also need to learn how to edit video, which program to use (most likely the Adobe stuff, but you can't just BUY it anymore beyond Photoshop Elements and their video elements one) they make you pay a LOT monthly to RENT software!!!!! Then I need to figure out the best software (skype?) to do split screen interviews with two or more people and then THEY have to be lit properly at their location also with good sound, so I need to get a good mic as I can't use a Shure stage mic and my great vocal mic apparently has been stolen by family members of my sick friend I lent it too (along with 7K worth of other gear of mine). It all just keeps adding up. Next, I realized that CD Baby will copyright claim any use of our members music which is ALSO carried in their store (this has been a big problem even with written permission from the artist). So I could do tons of work on a video but can't use any actual music tracks without getting CD Baby's pre-approval or they will nuke me and YouTube doesn't care if you have written support, it is still down for days best case scenario then the algorithm thinks it's an old video that no one watched so it won't promote it.. DOA. (these are all things I have learned from established YouTubers).

But.. once I figure it all out, AND I get through my "you suck newbie" stage which everyone has to go through, then I hope we can benefit from that. What I will need from you guys once we get it going again is feedback and the usual thumbs up etc. If I can get 1000 subs and enough watch time then we can monetize the channel. My hope is that in about a year, we can start making money from it. I will do a series of Evergreen Videos on all the top questions, then start putting up interesting interviews. I am a good interviewer and given I can do the tech stuff, I should be able to write good content still, which has always been my top skill.

Until all that, I could really use some help just updating posts etc. In fact, someone could just go onto all the Technical/Instrument boards, pull up the evergreen posts by Mike Dunbar and get them all active again hopefully to fill the top 10+ posts on each of those boards. One person could do it in 30 minutes. (And any of you who see these posts rise again can make comments now and then so they keep fresh).

The other thing is that GOOGLE and other search bots will then refresh THEIR links giving us MORE traffic.

Brian


Brian Austin Whitney
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"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

"It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney

"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney

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