Lately, I grumble a little less every time a school loan payment is due — even though, nearly 15 years later, I’m still paying the bugger off.
Who knew that a degree in Fiction Writing would be so handy? Not just English but English with a relatable plot, a storyline rooted by emotion/connection?
Now that everything’s online, compelling equals currency. Suddenly, we’re all micro-broadcasters. And writing counts. E-mail, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, newsletters… the clever manipulation of the written word, when used to communicate both information and persona — i.e., meaning — has become increasingly valuable. Not only do you have to make great music, you have to learn to write about it.
Four overarching writing components to keep top of mind:
1. Present valuable information/idea.
2. Convey how said valuable information/idea affects persona (how it has meaning for you).
3. Emphasize how valuable information/idea translates to others (how it has meaning for me, the reader).
4. Present new information/idea, stemming from the original, which both pushes the conversation forward but also references the past, thus giving new life to older information/ideas.
So then. It’s cyclical: idea, impact, application, new idea — always with persona paramount, and collectively, more-than-words… i.e., meaning… i.e., the new money. Fancy that.
The power of the pen/keyboard.
xo
11/30/09 | Comments (1)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, KATE BRADLEY, MASOKO SOCIAL, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, The Value of Emotional Value —
You know the drill. In Short this week at Outlandos focusing on, surprise surprise, thanks.
For most of us, it’s easy to remember the big things: life, health, happiness, friends and family, the end of Oprah, leftover turkey sandwiches. But then there’s the day-to-day and the people who help us retain basic sanity.
So I’m going to get all touchy-feely on you. Take a moment to thank the people who work with/for you. From your postman to your VP. Without them, you’d likely be screwed.
1. Interns
I don’t know what I’d do without them. These guys do all kinds of banal stuff for me and in exchange, I pledge to give them as many free concert tickets as I can and someday plan to write them a recommendation that hopefully lands them their dream job. Mostly, I tell them how friggin spectacular they are ad nauseam. John, Jay, Elijah: I can’t thank you enough. I’m incredibly fortunate to have you on the team and am grateful every single day for the outstanding work you do. Without you, I would most certainly lose my mind (even more). I owe you like, forever.
2. Partners
People helping people. Oh boy, I told you, it’s like I’m my own Oprah. But seriously, we’re all stronger together. So it only makes sense to partner up with people who get it. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. It’s all in good faith and Outlandos has some amazing partners. In part because we’re such glass-half-full, anything’s-possible, nothing-to-lose folks. Frankly, I’m amazed at the number of people who reach out, wanting to help. More amazed at the people I reach out to who accept. As they say, all opportunities are opportunities. Interested? E-mail me.
3. Fans
That’s you. You forward our blogs, you share us on Facebook, you refer potential clients, you listen to The Daily Dose, you read our newsletters, you send us supportive e-mails. Every little bit helps. And on those days where we don’t know what the hell we’re doing, you ground us. By us, I mean me. So I thank you. If I had a dollar for every thing you’ve done, well, I’d probably hire someone to redesign The Daily Dose. But then I’d buy you each a beer.
Happy Thanksgiving.
xo
11/23/09 | Comments (5)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Fans, IN SHORT, KATE BRADLEY, OUTLANDOS MUSIC —
Been digging through the holiday stacks here at Outlandos HQ, getting ready to program THE DAILY DOSE for December. I tell you, it nearly killed me trying to figure out what to play next to the McKenzie Brothers doing the 12 Days of Christmas. But it’s my favorite holiday song so I have to play it for you guys. Be sure to check in each day to see what we’ve got cookin’ for the holidays along with our hand-picked wine and cheese recommendations to go with each song. Yes, we are bonkers.
That said, if you haven’t already, join THE DAILY DOSE on Facebook and become our friend (it still always feels sooooo high-school asking that). We’ll look forward to checking out pictures of you when you were 12… or whatever it is you’ve got posted there.
Now for what’s been playing at Outlandos HQ so far this month:
1. WDST’s Unleashed
One of the best new music shows out there. Mostly new but they pipe in some older gems as well. Sound familiar? Ida and Dave have killer taste and a great on-air presence. It’s my new Sunday night must-listen. You can catch whole episodes by clicking here.
2. Gary Yerkins, Compass
Totally reminds me of Robert Cray/Gerry Rafferty. Produced by guitar great Pete Droge who plays all over it as well. Total gem, you should own it. Hear Gary on THE DAILY DOSE December 3.
3. Sam Prekop, Who’s Your New Professor?
Wow, wow, wow. Thanks to NEXT Music’s Chris Bro for the intro to Sam, of The Sea and Cake. Is it electro-jazz rock? I don’t know how to describe it, except to say smart. Hear Sam on THE DAILY DOSE 11/24.
xo
11/16/09 | Comments (0)Tags: Cris Bro, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Gary Yerkins, Gerry Rafferty, KATE BRADLEY, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Pete Droge, Robert Cray, Sam Prekop, The Sea and Cake, Unleashed, WDST —
Even Donald Passman agrees, “the common denominator to all successful people is a blend of talent and drive, with (frankly) drive having the edge.” Translation: just like any entrepreneur, you’ve got to drive the ship. You’ve got to lead the way.
The question then is… how? That’s what everyone wants to know. For sure, owning a compelling product is only the beginning. What you do with it is then the challenge, creating a sense of more-than-music for your fans, leading them to/through it.
So, how do you attach meaning to your music? How do you assign value to it, above and beyond the music itself?
The easiest answer: exploit like-tribes. Your first instinct here might be other artists (co-bill, both sets of fans get introduced to your respective bands, etc.). Fine. That works. No harm. But everybody’s doing it. Burnout factor: high. And still, you’re limiting yourself to “just” music. You’ve got to be more inventive. You’ve got to lead. You’ve got to think outside the tribe.
Start by looking at what already exists: other than your music, what else do your fans have in common? Anything from microbrews to hybrid vehicles to Guitar Hero to pizza. It doesn’t matter. Identify peripheral tribes. Leverage the common threads. By recognizing that your fans have other interests and associating those interests with your music, you reinforce your role as leader. And by attaching music (sadly, now so free it’s virtually worthless) to stuff with a higher value, you create instant more-than-music. Example A.
You can do it.
11/9/09 | Comments (0)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Donald Passman, KATE BRADLEY, MASOKO SOCIAL, Michael Miller, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Seth Godin, The Value of Emotional Value, Tribes —
Not so much a letter this go-round but… a guest appearance via e-mail interview this week from acclaimed author and entertainment attorney Donald Passman (REM, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, etc.). Holy beans, even we can still hardly believe it.
Don’s latest version of All You Need to Know About the Music Business: Seventh Edition
Take it away Don….
OUTLANDOS MUSIC: Radiohead, Trent Reznor, Jill Sobule… with historically built-in fan bases, these artists make giving music away for free, DIY fundraising packages and social media marketing look easy. But what if you’re a complete unknown? Where do you start?
DONALD PASSMAN: MANY ARTISTS ARE NOW STARTING WITH A VERY GRASS ROOTS LEVEL. THEY BUILD A FANBASE BY GIVING AWAY THINGS (PINS, STICKERS, ETC.) AT THEIR SHOWS IN EXCHANGE FOR AN EMAIL ADDRESS, THEN THEY STAY IN TOUCH WITH THEIR FANS ON A REGULAR BASIS, BUILDING A FOLLOWING UNTIL IT REACHES CRITICAL MASS.
OM: Because so many artists have been quick to attempt the above model, “free” may, in fact, be dead. Now that we expect it; where’s the value in that? Which then begs the question, what’s the new “free?”
DP: THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE. THERE ARE OVER SEVEN MILLION BANDS ON MYSPACE. OTHER THAN A FLUKE DISCOVERY THAT CATCHES ON VIRALLY, IT’S BASED ON HARD WORK AND BUILDING A FOLLOWING, AS NOTED ABOVE. ALSO, THE RECORD COMPANIES PUT MONEY AND EXPERTISE INTO MARKETING. TO DATE, NO ONE HAS BROKEN THROUGH ON A TRULY MAJOR LEVEL WITHOUT A COMPANY BEHIND THEM. THAT MAY CHANGE IN THE FUTURE, BUT FOR NOW, THAT’S THE CASE.
OM: Honing one’s craft versus social media efforts: if you had to assign percentages between only these two things, denoting over all time spent, what would they be and why?
DP: THE COMMON DENOMINATOR TO ALL SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE IS A BLEND OF TALENT AND DRIVE, WITH (FRANKLY) DRIVE HAVING THE EDGE. THERE ARE MODERATELY TALENTED PEOPLE WITH MAJOR CAREERS WHO ARE VERY GOOD AT MARKETING THEMSELVES, JUST AS THERE ARE MAJOR TALENTS WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN SUCCESSFUL. IT TAKES BOTH. YOU NEED THE GOODS, BUT PEOPLE HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT THEM.
OM: Be honest. If a fledgling artist (whose music you loved) came to you and asked your advice, if they should quit their day job and try to make it, so to speak, in this day and age, where fledgling artists are a dime a dozen and for the most part labels no longer nurture careers, would you say “go for it” or “don’t quit your day job?”
DP: I WOULDN’T GIVE UP THE DAY GIG UNTIL I HAD A PRETTY GOOD SENSE THAT THERE WAS A “THERE THERE.” IF THERE’S MOMENTUM, SOME MONEY COMING IN, THEN IT’S TIME TO GO FOR IT. THERE’S NO MAGIC FORMULA; EVERYONE HAS TO MAKE THAT DECISION ON THEIR OWN.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INTERVIEW!
DON
11/2/09 | Comments (3)Tags: Bob Lefsetz, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Donald Passman, KATE BRADLEY, LETTERS FROM THE ROAD, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, THE iNSIDERS NETWORK —
