As a musician/artist in today’s world, you have a very big challenge: the fact that people are ignoring you on purpose. They don’t mean to, and most are not even aware they are doing it, but nevertheless, you are being ignored. You are being ignored by people who have learned to survive by shutting out the ongoing and obtrusive images, smells and sounds of modern day marketing.
There are solutions to this problem of course, and Seth Godin offers a suggestion:
“I think we have an opportunity to create beauty and genius and insight
and offer it in ways that train people to maybe, just maybe, loosen up
those worldviews and begin the trust.”
The topic of Seth’s post can be found in a terrific piece from the Washington Post. An author asked a world renown violinist, Joshua Bell, to play in the subway to see what would happen. Not realizing the magic before them, most folks ignored him. Though they had beauty and genius, the way it was offered didn’t support trust. It was the wrong context.
Which makes me think it’s all about context and authenticity. People are searching for authenticity – things, people and experiences that have and/or add meaning and significance to their lives. Of course there are fads that run counter to my thoughts, but things that last do so because they’re authentic. Likewise, people expect certain things, people and experiences at certain times and in certain ways. This means they are constantly walking a fine line of searching and ignoring. They are searching for authenticity and automatically ignoring all things counterfeit – things they’re heard and seen before.
You can’t fake authenticity and although you can stand out by simply STANDING OUT, I don’t recommend that path. I suggest you carefully consider what you have for people and why it has and/or adds meaning and significance for a group of people’s lives. Then figure out where that group is looking and how you can position yourself right there in such a way that you can’t be ignored.
One final thought: Understand that this will change over time. For instance, an aspiring
singer/songwriter might need to be in front of, and authentic for, the
people who can help them get recorded (what will add meaning and
significance for THEM?). Once a recording is produced, the
context/authenticity is all about the folks who are looking for
recordings.
Be sure to read the linked to pieces for more insights.
