Wendy Jans

I know I’m supposed to tweet. And write frequent status updates. I know that I’m supposed to be on all the social media websites hyping myself up and burning my cyber image into everyone’s subconscious until my thumbs cramp. It shouldn’t be hard – I’m an artist after all (I say as I toss my head and throw in a sashaying gesture) — I’m supposed to be endlessly entertaining. Not only that, but getting anywhere these days is all about clawing your way to the top over all the other tweeting/foursquaring/facebooking indies, right?

Unfortunately, this is where I fail. Promotion is just not my schtick.

I just can’t shake the self-deprecating reserve bred into the Midwestern girl that I am – having been raised with two choices: to be humble or be humbled.  I fear I’ll always be the wallflower wearing knickers and a homemade backpack.
In my defense, I definitely try to promote my gigs, have my facebook pages, my website, do the email and intermittent tweets thing … but admit that I do feel like a braggalicious jerk in the process.

And while I know that I’m a sucker for obsessive self-analysis, I still have a problem believing anyone gives a crap about what town I’m in, what I ordered at Starbucks (hint: I didn’t), or what I had for breakfast.

You know Dr. Drew from Celebrity Rehab? I read this book he wrote about celebrity narcissism. In his book, he explores how the prevailing model of “fame at any cost” is trickling down into society at an alarming rate – mainly because now common-folk peeps like us suddenly have all these fame-whoring outlets available to us, like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. For the first time, the doors to viral fame have swung wide open and we are free to be as narcissistic and self-involved as real-live celebrities (re: the current definition of “celebrity” – like Lindsey Lohan). And you know, what Dr. Drew says is true. Look at how that Perez Hilton guy has weaseled his way up the celebrity ladder, simply by starting a gossip blog. These days he’s hosting televised events and going to fancy parties with Cameron Diaz.

Crazy. So… yes, you can see why I’m leery of the social media movement even beyond my own introversion…. but the point is – I know that for someone like me, it’s a necessary evil.  So am going to try to take my Mom’s epic advice when it comes to a fear or problem and GET OVER IT! No, I am not going for the Twit Queen title. But I do intend to reach out/open up to the people who have been so gracious as to be encouraging and supporting of my music. Open-for-bidness – that’s what I’m trying to be here. I’m trying.

And maybe some day, in my own small way, I will be the world’s biggest Twit.