songwriting community engagement

[icystorm]

Greetings all! First, let me preface my post by saying that my comments are definitely not about me nor a cry for comments. They're not. I'm not a self-promoter, yet I have enjoyed plenty of laudatory and helpful comments about my songs in this forum and elsewhere over the years, including other songwriting forums, Soundcloud, Soundclick, and my YouTube channel. So, rest assured, this post is not about me at all. I'm blessed and lead a very charmed life. I'm very happy with the comments my songs receive, and I have no complaints about that!

Rather, through observation, I have noticed that quite a few people, possibly 70% based on a rough estimate, post their songs, yet they never offer comments about anyone else's songs at all, not even to say, "Hey, that's not my cup of tea and I would hope you can do better. Do keep trying!" LOL! Seriously, some posters NEVER comment on anyone else's songs at all. I wonder, why is this the case?

Moreover, there is another group of possibly 30% of posters who receive feedback on their songs, yet they never respond to acknowledge the comments they've received. Again, I wonder, why is this the case?

It seems that these two distinct types of anti-social behaviors have become more pronounced since the global COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020. Before then, songwriting forums were definitely more engaging. What are your thoughts about my observations?

Peace to all, and happy songwriting! 

[Boydie]

@icystorm
I would agree with those comments - especially the shift since Covid - but I have a slightly different take on things

It can be VERY difficult for a newcomer, regardless how accomplished they are, to enter a forum and post comments on a song

I therefore tend to give people the "benefit of the doubt" and don't really see it as antisocial behaviour - and also don't feel the need to "police it out" most of the time (apart from the occasional "spammers")

I like to see "natural selection" taking place - where people simply don't get feedback unless they give it

It is really hard to "enforce" - as you end up getting short/glib comments

Over the holidays, I intend to write a short "guide" on how to critique a song, put across opinions, and how to give CONSTRUCTIVE criticism

I hope that by providing some "tools" on how to review a song, it will encourage people to do it more, which will mean they get more feedback on their songs, creating a virtuous cycle 

[Vicki]

I have noticed this, as well, and I suspect there are various factors at work. When I first joined the original forum back in...maybe 2014?...offering feedback never occurred to me. I assumed I wasn't knowledgeable enough to comment on anyone's songwriting. I was quickly and gently nudged in the right direction. I see Boydie plans to post a crit guide; that should be helpful. I'm looking forward to getting some new ideas.

Another possibility is...for some reason, it seems there are people who join, post a flurry of songs, and disappear. They never go back to see if anyone offered any feedback or to check anyone else's work. I can only guess what is behind this behavior. Maybe they're "crashing" multiple forums in an effort to get their music spread as widely and quickly as possible?

Since this forum is just getting back in circulation, I'm not being too strict yet, but my practice is to check song posters to see if they've been doing any feedback. If not, I ignore their songs. Or I might give feedback on one and add a little mention of hoping to see some of their feedback soon, or something like that.

[icystorm]

@Boydie -- Excellent observations and plans for a guide. Your 'natural selection' approach is the best idea. I agree, too, that policing the issue is not particularly advisable due to the reasons you mentioned.

@Vicki -- Great points and well said. I completely agree with your stated practice and your other observations and comments.

Hopefully, we can have a healthy, vibrant community of engaged songwriters.

Peace to all, and happy songwriting!