I don't like social media. It does not bring me “joy.”

That thought struck me today when I posted on Facebook “Marie Kondo's Guide to Facebook Friends”. I have 4355 “friends” there. Do they bring me joy?

Over the past few years, I've gone through and unfollowed or unfriended many. I mean no offense. But a lot of the people I don't know or met once. Many post things I don't want to see. They don't bring me joy.

I feel like this is truly a great way to look at social media.

Does it bring you joy?

If not, delete.

I started reading a book on Digital Minimalism yesterday. It's not quite what I thought it would be about. It's basically about cutting back on screen time to improve your life.

Umm. Yeah.

Don't get me wrong. The author makes a lot of valid points. And there are some good ideas to cherry pick to improve ones own experiences.

That said, the book strikes me as a spoiled, privileged well-to-do trying to say he knows how to do it better. The author keeps referring to Henry David Thoreau and Walden Pond. Yawwwn.

One of the best ideas is I decided to cut back on social once again. The problem is how to rationalize cutting back when I'm trying to grow my music career. Can I cut back?

I spent the last few years trying to find that fine line of how to market my music without getting sucked into the social media black hole. It's not easy. But I do feel I found a balance in my head.

I don't really use Facebook. I don't use my personal site at all. My Fan Page is mostly used to promote what's new. I occasionally post videos. But I rarely check comments.

The fact is Facebook Reach is so pathetic, there's really not much point using Facebook at all… except maybe video.

Video is the one reason why I will return to Facebook with my Coffee with The Celtfather show. There was a better engagement than I had on YouTube. I gained new Patrons through Facebook. I also earned more tips. That's one of the big reasons to do these weekly shows, to build my fanbase and to earn money when I can't tour.

I wasn't able to measure any gain with YouTube. Yes, my channel subscribers grew. But I'm not seeing significant growth.

So how does a musician grow their fan base online without social?

My goal is twofold.

First, podcasts.

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is the largest podcast for Celtic music in the world. Even with my music having geeky twist, I still feel it is one of the largest tool to build goodwill toward my music. The Pub Songs Podcast reaches a similar audience. The people who listen enjoy my music. And they appreciate me and what I bring to the podcasts. So podcasting is still the number one way for me to build my fanbase online.

Second, videos.

In particular, live streaming concerts or internet busking. Yeah. I want to build it with video singles too. Course, that means I need a video person. Someone who knows how to tell story with videos. And doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

So can you do it all without social? I think yes.

I feel like I've done fairly well this past year without spending too much time glued or even using social media.

If it's something that doesn't bring you joy, don't use it.

You will adapt. As I have.

In fact, this is one of the big points the Digital Minimalism author misses. Namely, we are human. We adapt to change. In fact, we become stronger through change. Progress is an essential part of the human story.

Meaning, I can cut back on social media without suffering a horrible death to my music career. And you can too.