Well-rounded doesn’t cut
Imagine the world’s attention as a big squishy pile of apathy — so thick you could cut it with a knife. To call attention to your music, you want to cut through that muck.
Only problem is, if you’re well-rounded, you can’t cut through anything. You need to be sharply defined, like a knife.
Let’s look at a bad example first: Your name is Mary and you put out an album called “My Songs”, and the cover is a picture of your face. The music is good quality, and the songs are about your life. When people ask what kind of music you do, you say “Oh, everything. All styles.” You put your music out into the world but nothing much happens. Doors aren’t opening.
Imagine instead: You write nine songs about food. You put out an album called “Sushi, Soufflé, and Seven Other Songs about Food”. You recorded your vocals in the kitchen. You quit cooking school to be a musician. Now you’ve got an angle for promotion. Now people can remember and recommend it. Yes, it’s a silly example, but you see how this would be much easier to promote?
You may be thinking, “But I have so much to offer the world, I can’t just limit myself like that!” So stretch-out your musical offerings to the world over many years, and keep each phase focused clearly on one aspect of your music.
Look at the long careers of David Bowie, Miles Davis, Madonna, Prince, Joni Mitchell, or Paul Simon. Each went through sharply-defined phases, treating each album as a project with a narrow focus.
Be sharp as a knife, cut through the pile of apathy, and make a point.
Do this every year or two, and you will have a wide variety in the long run.
this is an excellent point
very true points and with the computer it should be more easier to connect with your perspective fans with the various networks that are out there to assist your needs so this is a valid point to de-fine the course of action to grow progressively...
need land to sow need a boat to row need a gig to show need the truth to know that I am what I am and even if I didn't give a damn I still remain what I am so this is someone I have never tried to run from and without making too many man made plan things has bubbled along with a change from time to time to do what we said we all would try to become as that is redemption song feed the hungry and cloth the naked and heal the sickness of other by been a servant of the almighty for the good of humanity...
I searched the CDbaby website for the 4th25 American Soldiers in Iraq who recorded an album in their barracks using a $100 mic and a computer because I am on a project now about the same subject. I didn't find the album but I came across quite a few antiwar songs. The CDbaby website is quite extensive. I'll find it eventually and it will be interesting to compare what comes straight out the horse's mouth as opposed to what I feel it must be like. Thanks to Derek for all the advice about "been specific, well rounded don't sell and aim for the edges". But its a coincidence that you may think you got an exclusive idea, but discover that other people have felt the same way and expresed their feelings about the same subject.
Il y a déjà un bout de temps que j'entends qu'il faut se choisir une niche, un marché cible, se définir plus précisément et tes mots y font écho. J'aime tes exemples de succès qui le deviennent parce qu'ils rejoignent un public qui sait à quoi s'attendre lorsqu'il achète le cd.
Merci!
"...easy to tell friends about..."
I think that as the world gets more impersonal there is more market for social things. I think this was behind novelties like smiley buttons and the original web blogs.
While loneliness sells more beer, if I was doing a folk gig where the venue was alcohol-free then I would try for things that helped the audience to bond, and only sip their drinks, such as audience participation.
Reminds me of the Vegan Black Metal Chief youtuber - who basically does a cooking show cooking certain dishes whilst singing out the ingredients in black metal style over a black metal backing track.. ha ha ha .. Dude Cracks me up every time I revisit his channel once in a while a blue moon.. his most viewed video "Vegan Black Metal Chef Episode 1 Pad Thai"
WOW! The answer to so many confusions and doubts
Found myself here via Tim Ferriss's newsletter this time. I desire to be sharp, and singular. I know that I can be. And that I am.
Being well-rounded hasn't served me. My message is vague and meek. But sometimes I fear cutting people with my sharpness.
it’s true
we get stuck with too many options
so many choices
and so we produce a bunch of mediocrity
without focus or direction or novelty
i love the metaphor
cutting requires sharpness
be a knife
It is my life, being different
Amazingly powerful insight in so few words. Also found this via the Tim Ferris newsletter. Got to refine my angle....
While I agree this thesis is supported by the testimonials and records of so many successful professionals, I don't think everyone is cut out to be a master in a single discipline. I'm a case study in that I like a lot of things but never wanted to be the best at any one thing. My life is a testament to this as I was a high school teacher of biology, algebra, and science, a realtor, a restaurant manager, a hotel manager, a mainframe programmer, a web developer, and a small-time owner of rental property and associated DIY repair person. I did OK in each area but not great and, as a baby boomer, feel how challenging it must be to be a young person in today's world, one that seems to demand that professionals specialize. Good luck to today's young adults.
Great message. A friend shared this and helps me hone in and focus on a precise message and goal.
great case against vanilla Thank you. I Cherish your mind!!