Getting A Sell Out

If you want to sell out a show you could…

1. Reduce the ticket price on the assumption that the lower the price the bigger the pool of people who will say yes.

2. Find more (or develop more) people who want to pay full price.  

The first one is really attractive because changing the price is easy and will make you feel like you did something. And it might work. But if it does, that starts a domino effect. You’ll always be reducing the price because it’s easy and it worked once.

The second one is much more difficult and it takes a lot longer but it works every time.

The first one is based on a generalization of how the public views money.

The second one is based specifically on how a segment of the public views you.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Having The Ace

The thing about having the ace (the one more thing, the unexpected excellence at the end) is that it changes everything that comes before it too.

When you know you have the ace, you yourself become better and therefore your fives and nines and jacks and queens magically become better too.

Aces are few and far between, but if you play long enough you’re sure to get one.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Sayings At The End Of The Meeting

“I’ll do everything I can” or “I’ll do everything in my power” or “Let me know what I can do”

are really great things to say at the end of the meeting in order to look good in the moment and make it seem like there’s something generous on offer.


Similar phrases that are great to say at the end of the meeting (or the beginning, or anywhere in between) that can’t help but actually be helpful…

“Here’s what I will do for you…” or “How can I best help” or “Send me an email to remind me to do that for you”


I want to come back to one out of that first group…

“Let me know what I can do”

You can find out real quick if they’re serious (or not) by letting them know what they can do. And sometimes people really do mean it.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Hot Fudge Sundae

The best part of the hot fudge sundae is when you get just the right amount of ice cream mixed with just the right amount of hot fudge all in the same bite.

That’s the whole reason of ordering the hot fudge sundae. That bite.

Then self-serve fro-yo places got popular where you could have all your favorite ice cream flavors and all your favorite toppings all in one bowl.

So that’s exactly what I would do. I would pick all the individual elements I loved. All the highlights all in one place.

But it turns out in a bowl full of lots of highlights nothing really sticks out. There’s no emphasis. No direction.

If you want to highlight hot fudge the best thing to do is put it with vanilla ice cream…and leave out the brownie bites, cookie dough, strawberries and peanut butter cups.

The point is not necessarily to have all the best individual ingredients (although it’s always tempting). The point is to have the best sundae. To setup and emphasize the purpose. To have distinct, specific direction.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Reporting From The Rain

No need to stand in the rain storm to report that there’s a rain storm.

But it makes for better TV.

So when they are standing in the rain storm reporting on the rain storm, now we know why. Standing in the rain helps win the game of TV.

If you’re in the TV game, you should always stand in the rain storm.

If you’re in the game of weather, it pays to stay inside and use your tools.

But more than anything, know what game you’re playing.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

The Albums’ New Place

The album is finally finding its rightful new place.

Which is to say…you don’t have to make one.

When no one is keeping track you can make whatever you want, we just want it to be good.

Put out a single, a bunch of singles, an EP, an album, a double album. We’re simply waiting for a project you’ve poured thought and care and excellence into.

Any pressure you feel to put out an album is self induced.

It’s a new normal.

***The idea of the album is still being used in label deals and publishing deals. But it’ll get phased out. An album will be a release option if you have a group of songs that ought to be released all together, but it won’t be written into the deals.

Once the album gets omitted from the contracts, it’ll truly be a new frontier for the way songs are released.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com