Yes, being great at whatever it is you do has merit (for it). But quality isn’t nearly enough. You HAVE to huck it, kids. Every second of every day. Re: The Death of Marketing? Sorry Bob, respectfully disagree.
I don’t care how friggin spectacular you are… if you don’t have anyone to tell, it might as well not be true. It’s a chicken and the egg deal. Almost. Because, you CAN have real, passionate, loyal fans at every stage of your career, from fledgling to Trent; if I like you, I’ll help you. Period.
Think of it like this: the way you make me feel about your product handily trumps the actual product. In a heartbeat.
So… how do you do it? Um, it’s called MARKETING.
Singer-songwriter Seth Glier recently quoted a fan who said it best:
“You know Seth, I know we don’t see each other a lot but I consider you a friend…..Coldplay is JUST music to me.”
And Seth is hands-down one of the most spectacular self-marketers I know.
It works like this, in this order:
1. Make friends and fans.
2. Do/make something that’s meaningful to you.
3. Tell your friends and fans about it ASAP… DO NOT polish it to death or worry about it not being perfect (any successful entrepreneur will give you this exact advice). Get it out there as fast as possible. Make it pretty/hone your skills later.
4. Inspire and ask your friends and fans to help you/buy your stuff.
5. Rinse and repeat.
It really is that easy.
Don’t believe it? Here’s something I probably shouldn’t tell you. 21 people work for me for free. Our online views have increased 127% in four months. 6000+ people read our newsletter. And we’re in the black after less than two years. Certainly, I hope it’s because we’re doing great work but for sure, friends and fans made this possible. As in, 65% them. No joke.
Did someone say the value of emotional value? I’m just sayin.
9/21/09 | Comments (19)Tags: Bob Lefsetz, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Fans, Guy Kawasaki, KATE BRADLEY, MASOKO SOCIAL, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, THE iNSIDERS NETWORK, The Value of Emotional Value —
Day 2 for me here in Austin, surviving fairly painlessly thus far. Let’s just say that the interactive folks are perhaps a little less wild and crazy then the music crowd. Case in point, this year’s festival goodie bags: Highlight item in the interactive bag, a mysterious petite blue keychain-sweat sock — in the music bag, let’s cut straight to the chase: condoms and gum.
?????
Highlight item from the film festival bag also curious but decidedly cooler: Risky Business knockoff sunglasses (as modeled by Merritt):
Sometimes you do indeed have to say “what the fuck.”
Like last night, when we were impromptu-serenaded by an utter stranger with his (failed although brave) trying-to-pick-up-chics Broadway rendition of Les Mis. Really.
On a more serious vibe, there has been at least one festival star sighting, king of entrepreneurship and hero, Guy Kawasaki:
Cool!
Not to mention several notable quotes:
- From the Entrepreneurship in the Beast panel: “We don’t need an idea depository, we need an idea suppository to take ideas, get them out, bring them to life.”
- “Holy shit, I lost my iPhone.” Me, earlier today.
- “It’s like being a kid in a candy store, only with beer.” Scott Perry on today’s New Music Tip Sheet describing the music festival to come.
And perhaps the best business card we’ve seen for those with short-term memories (i.e. ME):
Brilliant.
Until next week, wish me sanity and no sunburns,
xx
3/16/09 | Comments (0)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Guy Kawasaki, KATE BRADLEY, New Music Tip Sheet, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Risky Business, Scott Perry —
