Know When to Shut It
What is the sound of one hand clapping? Does the pope sh*t in the woods? Is it art if no one knows you're doing it, or you haven't shown it to anyone?
These are my Tuesday thoughts as I'm in full-bore marketing mode.
I will say the most helpful thing I've been able to do musically is describe what I do quickly. This is especially useful for a DJ. No one wants to hire anybody who can't describe what they do. They already know you're wishy-washy, 'cause you've told them you're a musician or DJ. You don't need to then give them proof w/ some bumbling non-answer answer.
Getting this right is very easy to do. You just figure out who your audience is and back into the answer.
Or lots of people have a supportive friend who knows what their thing is all about. How would this person describe you?
It doesn't have to be perfect or 100% accurate. It just has to be interesting and arguable. Or compelling.
A friend of mine just introduced me to a club owner in Houston. I know I could pack out a happy hour or Sunday afternoon show. But I resisted telling him this. Because he asked what I do.
So I said, "'80s and '90s. Plus '90s hip hop. And world."
It's enough, and it's what he asked me.
Don't tell them a second thing. If there's something you want to say, can it until the conversation gets to that point.
Everybody hears so much every day that if you have the chance to get one thing across... just get that one thing across.
It makes things so much simpler.
If you've read anything here, you know this is not advice I'm trying to give. I'm just sharing what's worked for me.
And it may seem like I'm almost smart or have my sh*t together, but remember, I'm old, and it took me this long to figure this out.
Like, up until today.
I knew a bunch of this stuff yesterday, but you're only a summation of yourself at that point in time when somebody asks you.
One more thing: this is not an opportunity to be self-deprecating, because they're going to remember that, especially if you're as hilarious as I am.
So don't put the negative kinds of things in their mind.
Just be simple and easy. Then leave it there.
I've found this all to be super effective.
Tuesday deep thoughts out.