Hey guys,
If you want to see that in real practice right now, watch what Donald Trump is doing. Millions are flocking to see him in person. Like him or hate him, he is controlling everything that is going on. And a lot of that is with him going out to people, after they have seen him in the media. There is nothing like BEING THERE IN PERSON. And entertainers who want to actually do this in the future, better understand that. The Net is fine and a tool. But it is never going to trump (pardon the pun) of being there in person. People always want to get close to their heroes. So a modern artist better keep that in mind. When you have BILLIONS of people on the Net, it gets very overused very fast. Always going to come back to personal contact.
Ahhh yes, YOU TUBE. The principal mover and shaper of the music industry. Yes, ,there are MILLIONS of people out there trying to put their performances, songs, and comments on YOU TUBE, as a way to communicate what they do to the world. Most, Phil, are like you mention. Kids and adults in jammies with coffee or a beer, putting their little camera phone things up there. Actually about the most unprofessional things you can do as a new artist. Yes, Kevin is correct, there are people that put things up, get hundreds of thousands of "hits" and at a certain point are able to charge advertising. Why you will get those "video will play after the ad" on certain videos.
Outside of that, the majority get "hits" from friends, family, interested parties. Most think it is really elevating their career, but as we have seen with some of the inate rants, pet videos, political musings, falling on your butt, videos, most are just the "Viral moment of the moment" and are gone. Some will make the newscasts, who are going 24 hours and need content, so you will get some of that. A lot of Hollywood actors, are using Facebook, Snap Chat, Instagram, Twitter, for their soapbox, and create a lot of controversy and comments and get themselves publicity. It is the modern way.
What someone like Frankie is doing is a little different. He really didn't start doing that until AFTER he got his deals, had records and was somewhat successful. He uses it as a tool to keep touch with his fans, and people who usually come to see him live. That is actually the purpose for that. He is following the model of Taylor Swift, who did it very successfully when she first started out. They put little blurbs, conversations, some music, to give their fans "something extra", like a private concert. Frankie, has a legion of guitar devotees, so many will tune in for their "private lessons." The women will tune into see the cute guy talk JUST TO THEM. Sometimes they might do Facebook chats. I have recently seen a lot of these, where the artist might sit in their living or bedroom and answer questions from the Internet.
I have done shows where people from around the world, sent in requests and questions. Some are "web casts," some are just interactive musings. All of them are designed to connect with fans and potential fans. And we all have to do it. Some with less success as others, some are just made for it. Had they been happening back 25 years ago, I would have been ALL OVER THE PLACE. As it is now, I do some, but no where near what I should. Just don't have the energy.
We are all trying to get fan base and market share. I, like you Phil, feel that the most effective way is to get out of the living room. We are now also politicians, and just like what is going on in the political parties here in this country, we are all out there trying to kiss babies, and shake hands. We are trying to get someone to "vote for us", our songs, our shows, our CD's,our merchandise. We are trying to get them to come see us when we go to towns where we don't know anyone. We are trying to get them to "SHARE" our music and personalities. We are trying to get them to join our ranks, and trying to get them to participate in it as well. To me, I feel being able to be where people can physically "TOUCH YOU" and get to know you personally, is the most effective way out there.
If you want to see that in real practice right now, watch what Donald Trump is doing. Millions are flocking to see him in person. Like him or hate him, he is controlling everything that is going on. And a lot of that is with him going out to people, after they have seen him in the media. There is nothing like BEING THERE IN PERSON. And entertainers who want to actually do this in the future, better understand that. The Net is fine and a tool. But it is never going to trump (pardon the pun) of being there in person. People always want to get close to their heroes. So a modern artist better keep that in mind. When you have BILLIONS of people on the Net, it gets very overused very fast. Always going to come back to personal contact.
You have seen the next level of this in the "CROWD FUNDING", "GO FUND ME", KICK STARTER", and other fundraising sources, from artists and groups, getting people to donate to recordings or artists. We see that in charities, and individuals, raising money for their various causes, political, cause they need health care, recovering from accidents, whatever. I feel we will soon see people trying to get bailed out of jail by doing things like that.
We are in the social network world now. It is inevitable and is what it is. For me personally, I think people put ENTIRELY TOO MUCH INFORMATION up on the Internet. But it is what it is. In some, like the current campaign going on with Big Ed, and the song we wrote 24 NOTES, it can raise money and awareness, at the same time, promoting the Band Big Ed has. Sometimes it can be shameless self promotion.
Some people will make money, just like the people Kevin talks about. But more are just getting their moment in the sun. Andy Warhol said "Everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes." I think he was correct, but now I think it is more like "Everyone will be famous for FIFTEEN SECONDS." And then FIFTEEN NANOSECONDS.
It is fast, it is fleeting and it is the world we live in. Use it however it fits you, but you have to use it. For good or bad, it is what it is.
MAB
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