Proudly exclude most people
We love when someone hates the same thing we hate — especially if that thing is popular.
We’re drawn to the confidence of someone who is not trying to please anyone. We admire a strong, defiant stand.
You can use this to attract your future fans.
You can say, “If you like Katy Perry, you’ll hate us.” Then people who hate Katy Perry will love that you said that and want to check you out.
You can say, “Don’t listen to this if you’re happy with your life.” Then people who hate all that happy crap will be intrigued.
Most musicians are trying to please everyone. So when you are not, it suggests that you’ve got the talent to back up your confidence.
You can be like the doorman of your exclusive club. Maybe you refuse anyone who is over 30, or under 50. Maybe you refuse anyone wearing a suit, or anyone without a tattoo.
There are some cool people around the world that would like your music. They may only be 1% of the population. But 1% of the world is 75 million people!
Loudly reject 99%. It signals who you are. When someone in your target 1% hears you proudly excluding the rest, they’ll be drawn to you.
CD Baby/Derek,
It would be helpful for someone at CD Baby to listen to a few of our songs. We could use some input as to who do we sound like. Please go to http://www.myspace.com/thisisthisband
Thanks,
JP
Awesome and thought provoking advise!
I've been trying to apply this advice. I used to get offended when someone would delete my band on myspace. But now I figure it's best to only keep the people who like what we're doing. I've also been applying this to "touring" with other bands. If a screamo band has a lot of fans, playing with them probably wouldn't do us much good. We hate screamo....so a lot of their fans would probably find us too mellow.
his advice is becoming the core of my upcoming work
thank you so much, All my life I had this problem but I started to think like what you said in this post, I really wish that I've read this long time ago. but thank you now I know it for sure, and you're really wise.
thanks, and have a great day. :)
I totally agree ! ;) Have a great week-end my friend !
Love this Derek! I'll certainly have to do more of this in 2012 to avoid a lot of headaches we're currently dealing with. It's funny the difference between 2 people—one person will bitch and moan and criticize and complain at your offering, whereas another one will embrace it, love it, make you feel amazing for what you've created, and shout about you from hilltops.
Here's to finding your right people in 2012. ;)
Nice post Derek, 1% as 65 Million certainly helps put it into perspective.
Btw I also enjoyed your 'one-on-one' video via App Sumo. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Derek. I'm going to make that list right now!
Deep reflection, Derek. I agree with you
Again, brilliant philisophy...
Aint this the honest truth! Gaining the respect and following of 1% is far better than having a 0% support system. Blending in with the "majority" doesn't allow the artist the creativity to promote their product their way. I love being in the category of "universal music" rather than being categorized in one genre. True, a single or two from the CD may end up in another cat' but at least from the beginning it allows the artist the ability and choice to stay true to themselves and their music. God bless you, my Friend. Aloha, Moon!
“Trying to please everybody is impossible - if you did that, you'd end up in the middle with nobody liking you. You've just got to make the decision about what you think is your best, and do it.”
― John Lennon
Support emerging music w/ just a listen.
http://www.immitter.com
I suppose this would apply to your patter between songs too.
The way I exclude some people in everyday life is that I grate on them. Not on purpose, but the real me is wide eyed, not on guard, not constantly looking for double entendres, not pessimistic, and eager to look for the good in people. This repels a lot of folks.
Any chance we might see a sive.rs/include blog post? (: