If I build it... I sure hope they'll come!

So many of us buy into the myth: “if we build it…they will come.” That is a romantic notion that is rarely, if ever, fulfilled.

 As creators, (musicians, composers, filmmakers, artists, etc.) we spend our lives honing our craft, digging into every detail, leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to improve our creative abilities. 

Why don't we dedicate an equal or greater amount of time learning how to sell and promote ourselves?

It’s because we are uncomfortable. If you haven’t seen the success you desire in the music business would it be fair to say that you haven’t invested the time and effort in understanding what selling is let alone thinking of ourselves as a business?

If you were in the position of hiring you and you listened to your pitch would you hire you?

If you are stuck, where do you start?

Where do you focus our attention? What assets do you need to build before we begin?

Selling is not voodoo. It is a skill that can be learned. Why not invest the same amount of effort into selling as you do in your art?

It is common for creatives to say: “I’m an artist. I do my art. I don’t sell”.

That’s fine if your goal is to stay in your basement and never make a living from your creative work.

The professional will invest time and money into their art/business because they know that investing in assets (you) will give them an edge.

It’s not free. No one will do it for you!

“If you don’t value yourself…no one else will”.

Ask yourself: am I willing to work for it? Can I step outside my comfort zone and acquire the skills necessary to become a professional? If your answer is anything but yes then you have a problem. A solvable problem...but a problem nonetheless.

Artistry in music comes after years of study and practice. Why would you assume that selling your products or services requires less?

Make the commitment. Put your fears aside and get to work. Just like practicing- the more you do the better you'll get.

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Dent in the Universe?

 What makes for a successful life strategy? Is it unleashing the power of your passion to make a “dent” in the universe? Or is it to be an opportunist who goes with the flow of what exists around you? Is it a combination of the two?

I used to think that I had to prove myself to the world. It drove me. It gave me comfort. My competitive nature had a blanket to keep me warm and cozy when things didn’t go as I had expected. I was a force of nature.

But much to my surprise and frustration I discovered that not every situation was the same and my singular focus could be a liability. My relentless pursuit of whatever goal was on the table worked against me as many times as it helped me.

Now that I am older I have discovered that being more aware that each relationship has its own dynamic is more important than brute force or the quest for control and dominance. I have learned that it is impossible to force people to do what you want…all of the time. After many successes and failures it is apparent that identifying if an opportunity will best fit your particular skills and personality is the best attribute one can have. It is then possible to maximize the encounter without letting your ego sabotage the outcome.

My satisfaction and reward now comes from doing my best without expectation of a specific outcome.  This has proved to much more effective than overwhelming the situation to fill my need to make that dent in the universe.

Focusing on helping others expanding their awareness is every bit as powerful as “I did this” Look at me!”

This power seems to come from the strength of the connection. Creating a state of “flow” when interacting allows the energy to grow organically rather than imposing your opinion and will to control.

Often times using this approach will create an environment in which each participant feels comfortable enough to contribute what is unique to them.. It is obvious to me now that an inclusive environment leads to a better outcome. In large part this is because the sum is greater than the individual parts. As my friend Carlos Vega once said: “you may be cool but you’re still only one guy”.

Forcing your will onto others is about your ego…and your insecurity. Having the courage and strength to operate without your ego in the lead sets the stage for others to contribute. Then, you have the opportunity to lead with love and thus get the best out of those you are working with.

Surprisingly this is much easier path to making the impact you desire.

Right vs. Wrong: does it matter?

Let’s face it: creative work is hard. If you care deeply about the result there has to be some level of anxiety and apprehension. Being creative is not about following rules. It is about breaking rules in a way that is pleasant or acceptable for our fans, employers or friends. We have to invest ourselves emotionally to put our stamp on the work to achieve great results and accept the risks that come with it (failure, rejection, etc).

Trendsetters accept the risks in large part because they do not need nor crave acceptance or rejection. They have no choice.  They just do what they do.

The rest of us have to wrestle with how much risk to absorb. Everyone handles it differently but almost all of us will ask the question: “how do I make the right choice?” Here are some concepts that have worked for me.

Step One: Define your purpose

Failing to plan is planning to fail. Without a firm grasp on what outcome you want to achieve your chances of success are reduced to chance. A well-defined plan with clear objectives will become a roadmap enabling you to successfully complete your task.

Step Two: Listen and learn

A successful plan includes taking the time to learn how to effectively communicate with your collaborators. Listen to them. Understand their needs. Be a team player. Again, your plan and purpose will help you see where the subtle opportunities lie.

Step Three:  Look for the best choice

Remove the word “right” from the process. Being right implies there is a wrong. Instead of focusing on approval, analyze the situation to find the best choice. This will help eliminate any fear you may have and create an environment for you to do your best work.

Step Four: Execute

At this point you will have an idea or two. You will be judged by how well you execute. If you can’t execute your idea fantastically reevaluate your idea to fit within your capabilites. Unrealized execution will not add value and may inadvertently sabotage your success.

Step Five: Get to the end

Commit to an idea and get to the end. This could be a song, a phrase, a chord progression anything. Once you have gotten to a stopping point it now becomes something real in the world. Then, and only then, can you be objective about the work. (Remember it’s not you that is being judged, it is the work).

Step Six: Keep your standards high

There is opportunity to improve your work in every project you do. Be honest when appraising your own work. Resist comparing yourself to others. You are you and this is your journey. If your standards are higher than what is expected of you your chances of success will increase dramatically.

The biggest problem most of us face is having confidence in ourselves. If you take the time to understand the problem, know your role and be honest about your capabilities you will add value not only to the work, but to yourself as well. As your self-worth grows so will your confidence.

Vital Collaborations Pt. 4 Create value

(This is an excerpt from a speech I gave at the VizualNow Event July 27th).

Create Value

Great artists spend their lives developing their craft. It is a personal, internal pursuit....an intrinsic pursuit of expertise and competency. 

But what if your expertise is not the real value you bring to a collaborative environment?

Preparing for this talk I did an informal poll of music supervisors and filmmakers. 

To a one they said: Productive working relationships are of equal if not greater value to them than talent or expertise. ... of equal if not greater value than talent or expertise.

At a certain point....expertise is a commodity. There may be tens, hundreds if not thousands of people vying for the same opportunity...with similar expertise. What will make you stand out?

Perhaps... the greatest value you can offer in a collaboration is your ability to work well with others and enhance the performance of those around you?

Making media is a team sport ....you can’t do it alone. 

The great ones are happy to be team player - if the team wins ....they win. 

They leave their ego at the door, roll up their sleeves and just get on with it.

CLOSING

Am I saying that successful collaborations always run smoothly, without problems? Of course not. Strong willed people have strong opinions. There will be disagreements. It’s to be expected....especially in stressful situations.

Am I saying that to be an effective collaborator you should sublimate your opinion, tiptoe through the politics and speak when spoken to? Not at all. You are there because you will add value...because you DO have expertise that is needed.

What I am saying is this:

Those who realize that their self-worth is not dependent upon the words of others...

recognize the value of positive working relationships,  how they enhance the quality of communication...

and vigilantly strive to add value, not only for yourself, but for everyone involved ...

three things will happen:

1- Most likely you will have a positive collaborative experience which will enhance your reputation.

2- You will differentiate yourself from your competition- there is only one of you. 

And finally-

3- you will create a pathway and process that will lead you to a successful, sustainable career.

Thank you.

Monday Musings: 5 steps to increase your effectiveness

When I was in my twenties I discovered that I had some bad habits that were preventing me from getting the most out of my life and career. I was getting in my own way. I was unconsciously sabotaging myself.

Through much effort and plenty of angst I learned that if I paid attention to a few basic truths I could combat my conditioned behavior and not be enslaved by habits that were less than productive. Take this for what its worth. I hope it is helpful.

1. Accountability

Your behavior is never someone else’s fault. Regardless of the situation you are accountable for your actions.

2- Control.

Knowing what you can and can’t control will help you clarify your role in your process. See the big picture. Know the limits of your responsibility.

3- Personal growth

We are all participants in our own journey…the hero of our story. If you can see the pot of gold you desire the path is clear to you. However, most likely it is YOU that is holding you back.  Work on yourself.

4- Observation.

Motivation seemingly comes from many sources but can always be traced back to acting out of love or fear. Awareness of yourself and your feeling while you are in the process will illuminate the true motivation for your actions. Don't be afraid of what you see when you pull back the curtain. The path to empowerment comes from the ability to see which actions are beneficial or detrimental.

5-Be Bold.

The line between foolish behavior and bold action may seem thin to the outsider. However, to the participant bold actions seems like the only choice worth making. The hero makes the only choice they can see...the best choice at the time. 

If you wildly make a choice that results in success chances are it was an accident.

If you make choices and achieve your goal more than once it may be a coincidence.

If you continually progress towards your goal you have discovered a pattern.

If you work to objectively look at your behavior and abilities you will have a better chance at becoming more effective at EVERYTHING you attempt.

Monday Musings: What is the job of an artist?

It has been said that the job of an artist "is to lift the soul". 

What does that mean? Perhaps it is meant to vague...to let the reader fill in the blanks? 

A compelling piece of art is one that will draw you in and ask you to take a journey. And while most art attempts it...few are interesting enough to hold our attention. So....what makes the difference?

A great film (or story) presents us with a choice: do we take the journey, or not? If we engage we will most likely be led to a conclusion that we have already anticipated. It is how the journey unfolds that is important for the audience...not the destination.

Immersing ourselves in art (including stories) releases us from the day to day worries and cares of our lives. "To lift the soul" provides a momentary escape. This is important business...and takes a lot of hard, dedicated work.

Music, Film, Stories, Sculpture, Painting, Photography, Drawing...

It matters not which medium you chose. What matters is that your "art" be compelling to the point an audience will trust you with their imagination and let go. Making that connection requires you, as the artist, to be courageous. It requires you to be willing to risk, to be fearlessly honest and authentic with faith and commitment. Anything less is a waste of time (yours and your audience).

So why do we do it? For some of us it is a compulsion. For some it is an active choice. Some have no choice...art chooses them.

If making art is your journey then realize you are part of a unique group of individuals who make it their business to enhance and delight...create unimaginable beauty and emotional richness. Use your gift wisely and take great pride knowing there will always be someone who will be looking for you to lift their souls.