Susan Lily New Music


ComScore

Tuesday 1 September 2015

"Mate, You've Got a Great Car there...."

I guess it's a form of flattery to be contacted privately on social media and be asked to give something to someone you don't know. I'm sure they feel it's their right to be considered.  Perhaps they think I may have "made it" in the eyes of others and have somehow developed magical powers to which they feel they are owed access to.

It also might have been more believable if they had used better grammar, spelling, and not addressed the letter "to whom it may concern".  That didn't sit well with me.  A mass-produced letter simply cut and pasted into a number of inbox messages across the interwebby thingy shows a sincere lack of sincerity.

I'm trying very hard to feel the aforementioned flattery.  It's not working very well and here's a few reasons why:

When you're new or starting to climb, make sure you don't give anyone too many reasons to think badly of you.  There is a finesse to the art of marketing; that's why there are tertiary courses in it.

It's important to be seen as a "giver". Offering to help someone else before asking anyone brings in the old "pay it forward" edict.  When you give to one person, somewhere along the line someone will give to you.  It may not be the same person you helped but that doesn't matter.  It's the way the universe works. Try it and see how you go.

I know I've made mistakes in this industry and I've learnt from them.  That's another vital lesson. Learn from your mistakes and you may see a difference in your progress.  Take notice of why you don't seem to be getting anywhere.  Is it just that there is a great amount of competition out there? Chin up princess or princeeepooh, go make your product even better then.

Speaking of which, make sure your product is of the highest standard.  Just because you own a home studio don't think you can do the best recording, mixing and, mastering of your works.  Unless you have had any kind of training and experience you're way better off paying a professional. A good producer will bring out something brilliant in your music that, perhaps, you never thought of.  On top of this, the last thing any industry professional will want to receive are music files that are poorly done. Unless of course, it's a demo.  That's what home studios can be great for.

Whilst on the aspect of professionalism, make sure your internet presence is professional too.  It's no good having just a facebook page and wondering why you are still unknown.  Explore as many of the new platforms out there.  You may find another site that is better and easier for you to get people to buy your message.

It's important to ensure that what you put in a publicity blurb or a letter to someone is true.  There is a fine line between "talking yourself up" and over-inflating the truth to the point where it backfires on you.  Being genuine and believable will get you much further than thinking you can snake oil your way to the top.

Work out what would interest YOU when you read your letter.   If you were the industry professional what would you want to read?  Nothing about how many animals you've saved nor if you've got the hottest set of wheels in the district.  Again, you need to offer them something; a reason to want to do more than just quickly scour over the letter and then delete it.  What you want to do is put a "what's in it for them" section right up at the beginning of the letter.

Lastly, like so many artists I am first and foremost a "small business".  Some of these requests feel like someone going into a car yard and saying "mate, you've got a great car there.  I'd like to sell it to a friend of mine so they have transport.  Would you mind giving it to me for free?"

I've worked very hard in the last decade to grow in a professional and fitting manner. I pride myself on maintaining high standard across all I do.  I still trip up occasionally and will be the first to admit that I still make mistakes and am still learning from them.

So, take what you will from this.  I'm sure there will be a few people who would like to take to me with a stick for daring to speak.  That's ok, it will mean I've "struck a chord" lol... get it!  Let's take our healthy egos and go make music.  That's what makes my world go round.

love

sooz!

*In case of emergency when reading this please familiarise yourself with all exits and the instructional guide for what to do if this story crashes*





2 comments:

  1. Wise words Susan, too many people want the instant success and aren't prepared to do the hard work. Keep following your dreams, you put in a huge effort, and are great at what you do.

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  2. Hi Tyson, so do you! I'm so glad I've met you and hope we can all ride the success wave together.. what am I saying... we are doing it now! :)

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