The play-by-play group on Facebook has a rule about self-promotion.
Unfortunately, it's not entirely clear what it means and is a constant source of irritation for the admins (including me).
The point is that if you promote something, try to contribute something more to the group. At least, that's how it's written. I've tried to tweak it some but, honestly, nobody pays attention.
So it continues to be a point of debate.
We've had a ton of talk show hosts and podcast hosts who think a play-by-play group is the place to put their shows.
Bzzzzzzt. No.
I could promote "Doubleheader" and "The Clubhouse" and podcasts and this here ol' blog along with a lot of games. I promote none of it.
I see no point. This isn't the market.
Look, I do my share of self-promotion but that's why I have personal accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even Snapchat. I have a Tik Tok account but I never use it (and, truthfully, I almost never use Snapchat). I also have Robcasting and WGCH accounts on Facebook and Twitter.
These are the places to promote away. I can also promote some on my talks shows and, of course, right here.
To be honest, I'm not really comfortable promoting but I know I have to sometimes. Still, I do it in what I think are the proper avenues.
What member of a play-by-play group cares about what I'm doing? OK, those who are my friends in that group care but, guess what, they're probably my social media friends already!
I have virtually no interest in listening/watching to Random Lake play Oostburg (yes, those are apparently real places in Wisconsin). However, I've also said I don't listen to many other broadcasts because I consume it differently than the average fan. I turn into a broadcast critic.
So I listen to Mike Hirn and other friends occasionally. Or I'll listen to something that gets sent my way. Mike sent me a basketball game that he wanted me to listen to earlier tonight.
The goal of cleaning up self-promotion is to keep the page clean. I'd rather see discussions about Joe Buck (with honest and fair criticism) or other broadcasting styles that are -- hmmm -- "zany."
There are far more effective ways that we can have conversations on there.
A member presented an idea that posting broadcasts allows the broadcaster to be heard by potential "talent scouts." I'll only say I politely disagree with that take.
If I want "scouts" to hear my work, I think they should hear sample reels. It's a lovely fantasy to believe in being "discovered" but what if that "scout" (I'm laughing every time I type that word) catches you on a bad night?
We literally have members who do a promotional post to every game they broadcast. We're not talking Dodgers/Giants here. Again, I don't get it.
That's the other thing: we have professional broadcasters. Like, major league types are in the group. How about they post a link to all 162 baseball games they call?
We're trying. Mike, Shawn, me. We deal with the talk show hosts and the malcontents (most of that has calmed down*) and a barrage of pictures of their broadcast booths (can that be called #boothporn?) We deal with the egos and some days it...is...all...exhausting.
We remind ourselves that we can't try to win every battle. We also try to stay above the fray.
*Oh, one malcontent actually tried to give me a tongue-lashing to explain Vin Scully. Yes. Really. I stood in the Tops grocery store in Carmel, NY after dropping Mom off at dialysis last summer and was actually stunned as I read the comment. Eventually, he said something stupid enough to leave the group or get thrown out. I don't recall now.
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