“Don’t use seven words when four will do”- Rusty (Brad Pitt), Ocean’s 11
Artists are so starved for attention, that when given some, it’s an endless episode of blathering and overstated opinions.
The great artists have a way. A way of sizing up the interview or situation and delivering the goods with a sharp knife. Making the point without over indulging their self indulgence.
We don’t care about all the things you have to say…we care about THAT thing that you communicate so clearly, so convincingly, that it flows through everything you say…so you don’t need to go overboard with words.
Lots of people who are only kind of into college basketball can act like they’re really into it, and no one will balk at them or laugh at them.
March Madness is more fun when your friends participate too. Like Facebook.
Everyone understands how a tournament works.
When you pick an upset correctly, you feel superior. Like you knew, you had the pulse. And no one can tell you otherwise. It feels good.
All the teams are trying really really hard. True intensity and passion are pleasing to watch.
As with all underdog victories, they make us feel like we can win too. Because regardless of the bravado and puffy chests we constantly present to the world around us…we all believe we’re underdogs.
March Madness happens…well, in March. Football is over, baseball hasn’t started, the NBA is far from playoffs, most people don’t care about the NHL. People who love sports need something to get behind. A single elimination college basketball tournament is perfect.
In division one college basketball there is only one team who ends the season with a victory. It’s a pure winner take all. Everyone has a chance, only one ends with a smile. (Ok, there is the winner of the NIT too…if you want to count that. I don’t.)
There are a lot of people involved in March Madness. 68 teams, all the coaches, fans, announcers, TV stations, advertisers, cheerleaders, graphic designers, vendors. And people are magnetic. If there’s a lot of people involved, there is more magnetism.
It makes people feel connected (less lonely) and hopeful.
p.s. Go back and read this again. It has everything to do with your career in the entertainment business.
The names of the bands you fill that list with is feels like it’s EVERYTHING.
Especially starting out, you’ll do anything to add cool bands to your list. Some of those bands you actually opened up for and then sometimes…
You’ll include bands you were on a festival with, or bands that you played on the same night in the same city…in a venue kinda sorta in proximity to the cool venue with the cool band.
And I get it. That bullet point list is important. To be able to rattle off a list of bigger bands you’ve opened up for CAN open up the next door.
But the list is just a list. It’s static. It says you pulled some favors, woo’d an agent.
Much much much more importantly, once you got the opportunity to open up that show or tour: what did you do with it?
Was GETTING the gig (being able to add it to your list) more important than anything you did AT the gig?
When you can tell someone you got to open up for Maroon 5, that’s impressive.
When you can tell a story about something you DID while opening for Maroon 5, that’s building more than just a “we’ve shared the stage with” list.
The special pre-sale code for the fan club tickets is: frontrow.
The offer is always great…the reality is so often less than great. You have to sign a two year agreement to get the deal, the items on sale are not the cool items, tickets close to the stage are available but not front row.
The fine print is a let down. The fine print takes the specialness away. Turns excitement into ho-hum. The details tell us the offer wasn’t really for us, it was for the person/artist/company making the offer.
What if instead of the fine print taking away from the consumer, the fine print added?
What if when people bought your VIP ticket, they got MORE access than expected, and there were LESS rules?
What if when people bought your deluxe package, they got a handwritten thank you card that wasn’t advertised as part of the package?
When they bought a pre-sale ticket they were sent two?
When consumers experience the details of what you’re offering, what do they find? More access, joy and fulfillment…or a list of limitations?
Is your follow through better than the advertisement?
