The thing about being a DIY artist is that at some point you have to think about selling stuff. I really don’t like thinking of people who listen to my music as customers. Aren’t you all magical woodland creatures who meet in a giant Pez Dispenser shaped gazebo for a concert? The fact of the matter is that I do want to play music for the rest of my life. If I want to remain an artist I better teleport back to dome of man and become more of a business owner. Believe me, I am not suited to do very many other things besides music. Among my many jobs I have been a forgetful/distractable restaurant server, an incompetent office worker, and an inept salesperson.
Which brings me to weeks 6 and 7 in Ariel’s book. This chapter was all about connecting with fans from my emailing list. The main part of the chapter was exercise on coming up with a sort of composite fan, so I more clearly define what people who listen to my music want. How I might give it to them so that I can also make a living doing these things. When I made my album I wasn’t really thinking about any of this. I was just making songs that I might want to hear. I suppose it’s the way most artist work. Is it selfish way of working? This chapter had me contemplating everything in a new way. I am really hoping that in the future that I get to hear from you and that maybe, this could in turn become more collaborative. It will be nice to branch out and be able to hear from a larger group of people.
Now, I am just starting out and my email list is small. That is why I am kind of cheating and combing the two weeks. I feel that I have to work on adding to my list before I can come up with of engaging my audience. Prior to releasing my album I was working on ways to grow my list (using some of Ariel’s techniques). But, it’s most certainly a work in progress! Unfortunately, a lot of the suggestions (in Ariel’s book ) about growing my list did not apply to me yet. I am not a gigging artist yet (but, I hope soon). Playing live is one of my favoritist things! ☺I guess it’s going to require some creative thinking on my part! Now that I do quite well!
January 25, 2010 at 5:12 pm |
All you can really do as an artist is create songs that you want to hear. If what you’re working on doesn’t excite you, it probably won’t excite anyone else either. The trick is finding people who share the same tastes, which in the case of your album, shouldn’t be too hard!
January 25, 2010 at 10:17 pm |
Aww thanks Brian! Yeah, I was in a very contemplative mood that day. And today too! I wrote more about it in my next post!
January 26, 2010 at 7:58 pm |
Hi there! There’s nothing wrong with being selfish as a songwriter. Follow that inner voice that leads you to create, and you will inevitably attract others who share your perspective.
When working on Ariel’s online course for the book, it makes sense to combine weeks 6 & 7. Also remember that you don’t have to play live to start a newsletter. You can just share your thoughts and experiences with those who are interested. By the time you book your gigs, the people who share your journey will be eager to come to your shows.
Keep on keeping on!!
Carla