A week ago I posted my favorite quote from the late Peter Drucker:
“A business enterprise has two basic functions: marketing and innovation”
That day I wrote how to Innovate Your Way to Music Career Success. Today we’ll discuss the importance of marketing for players, singers, and songwriters because they need marketing way more than Artists and Bands.
Campaigning for Votes
Consider the upcoming November elections in the United States. Everyone is aware of the fact that Obama, Gingrich, Santorum, Romney and Paul are the candidates for the office of President.
At the same time, there are thousands of other people running for local government offices across the nation. Thousands of prospective Town Councilmen, Sheriffs, and County Clerks all hoping to receive enough votes to serve their communities.
Who do you think needs marketing more, the presidential candidates or the thousands competing for lesser known positions?
Artists and Bands
Just like when a candidate says they’re running for president, several things happen immediately when a musician says they want to be a solo artist:
- People “get it.” Though they might not be 100% correct, everyone knows what it takes, and what it means, to be a star.
- People respect it. With the exception of naysayers, everyone also respects musicians who say they want to be stars if for no other reason than the guts it takes to say it. As a friend of mine expressed, it takes a special person to look themselves in the mirror and say “I want to be President.” The same goes for solo artists.
- And therefore, people who say they want to be artists are memorable.
Players, Singers, and Songwriters
Contrast this with what happens when someone says, “I want to be a drummer:”
- People don’t really get it other than a rough understanding of music + hitting things. Even other musicians are left with questions like: What kind of music? What kind of venues? Can you help me?
- People can’t respect something they don’t fully understand.
- And therefore, people who say they want to be players, singers, or songwriters are forgettable.
The only way to overcome this deficit of understanding, respect, and memorability is to understand that you have to be marketing all the time.
Want to learn more?
- Get a copy of my e-book How to Get Noticed, Heard and Hired free on Smashwords.
- Sign up for an upcoming online workshop. In the days and weeks ahead I’ll be scheduling more and more so check back often.
And while I’m on that subject, what would you like to learn in upcoming workshops?
