HONESTY OR HATE? SPAM OR MARKETING?..... YOU BE THE JUDGE!

………”YOU WORRY BOUT THE WRONG THINGS, THE WRONG THINGS”…….(c) Mr. West

So……I already typed up a little about this months ago which can be read here ( http://tinyurl.com/ylewhuq ) but it needs to be said 10 thousand times over for newer artist, models, hell anyone aspiring to branch into a career that is built around public opinion.

HONESTY IS NOT HATE!! & SPAMMING IS NOT MARKETING!!

Let us take the first issue… your friend or random person on Twitter/Facebook/MySpace or any other social networking site ask for your opinion on a product or presentation.
So you take a look/listen and it does not meet your fancy….This is where the constructive criticism comes in. A true artist takes the advice for what it is, an opinion. It does not make the person a hater as long as it is done respectfully and with actual tips and not just “I don’t like it….because”… BECAUSE WHAT??
Provide feedback to the artist. Was it the hook, the beat, the curse words, the speed of the song, the LACK OF ORIGINALITY…what was it? By giving the true feedback of what you would like to see you are providing tangible data not just a hair flip and empty opinion, that would be hate….They asked your opinion for a reason and any real woman/man can take it and move on….

Now, Dear artist ….

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, ask for an opinion if you really cannot take it. The reason is like Ms Badu says “…you are an artist so you’re sensitive about your ish….” We get that. Nothing makes me madder than someone saying listen to this, you tell them what you think and 5 minutes later you are a BITCH, HATER, and host of other pleasantries. For one you are in the spotlight, get ready for the millions of interpretations that will be taken on your product. If my friend is 467 pounds and wants to be in KING mag…..should I tell her “yeah girl go for it” or go to the store buy a copy of the mag, go through it with her and show her the “items” they display and explain their target market?
If you want me to lie to her you are nor a friend or someone whose opinion should be valued. No one says feedback has to come across in a harsh matter but it should always be HONEST. Develop a tough skin when you enter a public market, you will have fans, foes, and f**kers who are just dream killers. Consider the source and either use the response to further develop or weed people out of your life. After a while if you are truly listening you will start to understand the difference in the 3 F’s…….understood?

Lastly ……….. SPAMMING IS NOT MARKETING

I absolutely love the internet. I am a SpaceTwitBookCon addict (MySpace,Twitter,Facebook,TCON). I use them for humor, keeping in contact with friends, keeping up on news and networking. As we have all welcomed the internet into our homes there is also a certain level of security we must have. Not just in virus protection but also in privacy. So yeah…watch what you put out there.
Back to the main point….posting links on the internet all day is NOT grinding. A Marketing plan is inclusive of many items, street team, internet, radio, and actually being seen live. I have seen groups at Open Mics that have zero internet presence but am a fan because they put on a show like the 30 in the audience is 300. Also part of marketing is understanding how to segment. As my girl Mrs. Maxx says “What would I look like passing out club fliers (scantily clad women) in church?” Know your target market and treat them with respect. Ever notice how even your banking institution ASK you would you rather receive updates via email or print? Yes…they get it and want to meet your needs. Tailor your marketing to your intended customer. If ask you to stop posting links randomly on my facebook status’s that have NADA to do with my post…respect that move on…. Do not then assume I hate hip hop, I support ___ , I ride with the other side or any other ridiculous claim you can come up with.

My first concern is your link popping up 12 seconds after my status update may really look like SPAM. My second concern is my own contact list/friends who may then not want to post on my page because YOUR link looks like SPAM…..get my drift. The aggressive approach is NOT THE MOVE….trust. Third concern is moreso for you not me…..how many people are randomly clicking? Is your work in vain? Presentation says a lot in marketing and if you do not understand how to make sh!t look like sugar you have already LOST. Build a relationship first, spark up a conversation, just do something a little more than seeing an opportunity to go BAM HERES IS MY LINK NOW WHAT….crickets…….

As the saying goes “One mans trash is another mans treasure” Not calling a certain item trash but it may not float my boat….accept and move on…but learn from it. Develop a plan, hire a marketing firm, have a consultation, pay attention to your surroundings and BUILD. ……..

And if you don’t believe me follow me on Twitter @Cali_B and you’ll see the random links/spam sent from people I have never talked to…. I have clicked on maybe 15 out of 60…if that…

With that said…I go back to Mr. West …. …………….”You worry bout the wrong things, the wrong things….”

**I understand a lot of this may be common sense…but common sense isn’t all that common…*