Originally spotted over at DangerVision.
Inspiration
6
Aug 10
How NOT To Promote Your Mixtape On Twitter (Or My Top 5 Smart Dudes to Follow)
Today’s lesson…how not to promote on Twitter. First off I must say that I am an unknown indie producer myself so I know what its like trying to get heard when there is so much noise going on. Second….I must say, I don’t like to put folks on blast but when this happens over and over again, I figure I should reach out and help someone.
As you can see in the post above, someone who I have no idea who they are sent me a mixtape via Twitter @reply. No introduction, no ‘hey how are you’…..none of that. Just pretty much a download link followed by #followback. That led to the above tweet. Literally minutes later, KingKun sent me this tweet below:
Seriously?????? You gotta be kidding right? No, not kidding. I’m not a marketing guru nor claim to be but the one thing I do know about marketing is that it is built off of relationships. If I don’t know you, I’m less likely to listen to your tape. Especially without you introducing yourself or starting some sort of convo. Would you go up to someone on the street and shove your CD in their face? Wait…..don’t answer that, you probably do.
So instead of making pretend I have all the answers for you Mr. KingKun, I would like to direct you to some of the smartest digital marketers in the game (in my opinion). Feel free to follow these guys on Twitter (please don’t send them your mixtape links though) and read the articles they recommend regarding permission marketing and online promo. Thanks in advance Mr. Kun.
- Greg Rollett: Website – Twitter
- Danny Dee: Website – Twitter
- Kevin English: Website – Twitter
- Justin Boland: Website – Twitter
- Seth Godin: Website – Twitter
P.S. Let’s all help keep Twitter from turning into MySpace.
Shout out to Wes for the inspiration behind this post title structure. Check out his site as well for proper music technology blog posts.
22
Jul 10
How We Roll: Honoring Black Skate and Surf Culture
Spotted over at Global Grind:
On July 28, the California African-American Museum (CAAM) in Los Angeles will host an exhibit featuring African-Americans and Polynesians in skateboarding, surfing and roller skating entitled How We Roll. This show will feature artwork and photography by prolific skaters and surfers such as Glen E. Friedman, Grant Brittain, Jim Goodrich, Lance Dawes, Atiba Jefferson, Neftalie, Keith ‘K-Dub’ Williams, and pioneering black female skater Stephanie Person. This exhibit will run until January 2011.
Check out the video inside of the post which is a look into the world of black skateboarders, including interviews and footage of some of the most talented members of the Zoo York Skate team.
17
May 10
Young Guru Speaks on 9th Wonder (One Helluva Co-Sign)
From the upcoming documentary on Grammy award winning producer 9th Wonder.
3
May 10
Union Skate Park Uganda
I spotted this over at Revok’s site and is very inspirational in and of itself. Watch the whole thing….
21
Apr 10
You Know The Song From That Adidas Commercial…..
Well if you don’t, it’s Dee Williams -- Why Can’t There Be Love. I’m not sure who remixed it for this piece but its pretty darn fresh if I may say so myself. Don’t you think? Oh, if any of you nerds know who did this remix, let me know.
20
Apr 10
R.I.P. Guru (1966-2010)
Now I never ever write R.I.P. posts, but this one is having a huge effect on me. Guru, 1/2 of the legendary group Gangstarr, passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. His music has played a huge part in my life as far as what has made the producer/Dj that I am today. I remember when I first heard Mass Appeal (I taped it on VHS) and thought it was sooo dope, I grabbed a pen and my rhyme notebook (you know the ones with the black/white snow covers) and jotted down all the lyrics just so I could recite them to….myself (I know I’m not the only one that did this). Anyways, we lost another great but he will be remembered and celebrated through his catalog of classics.
Rest in Power
30
Nov 09
My L.A. Entertainment Friends Will Appreciate This….
The realest, most true, most beautifulest post I’ve ever read from any blog. I really thought I was alone when it came to the LA promise. Derek Sivers nailed it (pause):
When I lived in Los Angeles, I noticed they have a strange speaking pattern.
Everyone speaks in future tense. (Or, more specifically, present-tense inaction, future-tense action.)
“This guy from EMI is interested and going to be presenting it to the VP.”
“We’re in talks to do a pilot for the fall.”
“I’m getting ready to work on some new material with a writer from Friends.”
Of course these are the things some people have to tell themselves to be hopeful when facing another day of challenges.
But of course nothing materializes. You never hear it mentioned again, and you politely don’t ask. (Surprising circumstances always foiled the certain event.)
I felt like wearing a t-shirt that says, “TELL ME WHEN IT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING.”
So now when I hear a future-tense sentence, my ears shut down. I’ll say “cool!” and hope it helps, but I don’t believe a word.
Try noticing this in yourself and others for a week. Are you speaking more in future tense or present tense? Are they?
- Derek Sivers
