The Guitar Player's Resource
Often as artists we wonder why we don't get the response we want to our
music, books, or films. The answer may simply be that we are
excluding our potential fans and the media versus
including them.
For example, music fans and the media are often discouraged from listening to a new
artist by the biography the artist wrote. While thousands of artists are still using
the outdated press kit formats of the past, the first place where they lose new fans
is when they reference their music as a cross between artist A and artist B.
Obviously if the potential fan doesn't like either artist A or B, they
won't be interested in hearing that artist's music! The same is true
with the rest of the biography when the artist tries to hype themselves by where
they have performed or with whom or even what awards they have won.
When you focus on yourself or how great you are or allow yourself to be
justified by an award (the judgment is really of the organization that
gave it), you are excluding what is the bond between your music or art
and your audience.
There is a great misbelief that you should not explain your art. I believe in a
world of constant distractions, it is better to explain or educate
your audience than hoping they get it. When you explain or educate them about the
messages in your music, book, film or any other kind of art, you are including your
fans and showing them the common experiences of life you both share.
So the next time you do a book reading, change it to a discussion group about the
topics in your book. When you are interviewed about your film, explain what the
value will be for those that see it. Think how many more books and DVDs you will
sell them!
Instead of accidentally excluding the fans and the media, include them
into what is valuable about your art so they can educate others!
Author Tim Sweeney is head of Tim Sweeney & Associates, who are entering their 18th year of being, "the only true artist development company in the world."
Tim is one of the music industry's most sought after experts and consultants, and has written several influential books including "Tim Sweeney's Guide To Releasing Independent Records".
