Have you ever actually found anyone good through craigslist or other ads?

Yeah don't sweat it -- everyone is in the same boat! Your situation is not unusual. That's why moving past the anxiety and into action is the only solution.

Unless you don't want to do it that badly, and in that case spare yourself the worrying about it :)

I do want to. I have to. I think it's a survival thing. The grim alternative is rollerbrushing myself in shades of beige and becoming quietly subsumed by my office.

That's the spirit

I wouldn't say it's necessary to link to your own stuff in the ad, but it might help.
I might think it was a little weird if someone required me to send my real name and my own music before I got to hear anything they're doing, especially if they're the ones looking for collaborators. However, it'll probably happen this way even if you don't require it. Probably what'll happen is you'll put up the ad, and when people respond they usually include their first name at least and by default link to some stuff they've already done. That seems to be the standard.
Listing artists can be helpful if it can allow you to more specifically describe what you're interested in doing - it can also serve as a gatekeeper, which can be good if you like want to play psychedelic rock but don't want to do Grateful Dead jams.

I feel like Craigslist/dedicated music ads depends on what you're looking for. Responses from dedicated music ads are probably going to be more muso/careerist types, so Craigslist might be better if you're looking for a more casual thing.

Good tips, thx !! What's a dedicated music ad?

I'm just trying to be careful about my identity but I'll put anything useful out there if it helps me find a compatible person/people.

And then I also have a deep-seated distrust of craigslist. Is that what people usually use or are some of the more dedicated musician classified sites worth a go? Looking at initial google results, there are a few dozen of them. Are any particularly good? Fuck, it's the 2010s: should I be using an APP of some sort?

― how's life, Wednesday, July 8, 2015 9:16 AM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I was referring to this. I'm guessing he's referring to something more specifically focused on finding band mates than Craigslist.

oh ok
i thought that was a specific thing you were referring to, a "dedicated music ad" haha
99% of the ads in chicago craigslist are so abysmal that i'm hoping mine stands out to someone who reads them like i do but also never finds anything suitable for their needs