Recorded during the Music Pro Summit by CDBaby and Indie Week, today’s episode is a Q&A with artists Quanthem, who is a coaching client of mine, Eli Glenn who goes by Always the Grimm and hosts the Zensational podcast, and Alex Hajjar who hosts the Social Animals podcast. We had an inspiring conversation about the importance of an artist’s story in attracting fans, media and industry, personal branding, and pushing your comfort zone to show up authentically.
Artist Identity & Story Coaching at Music Pro Summit
TRANSCRIPT:
Hello and welcome to episode 73 of Sing! Dance! Act! Thrive!
It has been longer than the normal break between episodes this time and honestly, it was because I was not feeling inspired. For the podcast, but also what I was posting on social media and the whole way I have been communicating about what I do, who I coach, and how I help them.
I had a breakthrough idea last week and I have jumped in to make it a reality so changes are coming very soon. Stay tuned for a new name, new focus, and new inspiring content. My purpose is still all about arts, entertainment, and creativity so I’m confident that you will all want to come along for the ride.
Recorded during the Music Pro Summit by CDBaby and Indie Week, today’s episode is a Q&A with artists Quanthem, who is a coaching client of mine, Eli Glenn who goes by Always the Grimm and hosts the Zensational podcast, and Alex Hajjar who hosts the Social Animals podcast.
We had an inspiring conversation about the importance of an artist’s story in attracting fans, media and industry, personal branding, and pushing your comfort zone to show up authentically.
Intro:
My whole life I have been passionate about arts and entertainment. When I was a kid I was so shy but I was drawn to the worlds that musicians, actors, and dancers created.
In my creative entrepreneur journey, I have been a photographer, makeup artist, journalist, artist manager, publicist, or now coach. The motivation behind all it was to help performers succeed.
As a coach, I help artists, musicians and actors attract fans, media, and industry so that you can make a greater impact and income.
This podcast is another resource I created to educate, motivate and empower artists to stop letting fear and a lack of knowledge hold them back from achieving their dreams.
So today at the Music Pro Summit I invited some artists on the show to ask whatever questions they have about personal branding, social media or publicity.
Transcript – machine transcribed so I’m going with done is better than perfect
[00:04:35.260] – Speaker 1
And let’s get it started. So I will call on Quantum.
[00:04:42.840] – Speaker 2
Hi, Diane. How are you doing? Good. How are you? Good. Great. We had a great day in your conference, so it’s wonderful.
[00:04:52.800] – Speaker 1
What’s your highlight so far?
[00:04:55.050] – Speaker 2
So the highlight was the Facebook master class with Rick Barker. Actually, he used me as a Ping pick for Facebook ads, and I volunteer myself. I’ve been very great and I really liked it and all the other discussions collectively, I can say I cannot leave any discussion out of my highlights, actually. So it was very good, very well managed. I really like the whole conference, Daryl City, baby and all team what they did.
[00:05:23.580]
Cool.
[00:05:24.300] – Speaker 1
So tell us a little bit about yourself.
[00:05:26.080] – Speaker 2
Sure. So then a solar musician composer from Oakville in Ontario, Canada. My music is in India alternative rock genre with fusion of other genres like jazz, Blues. And I don’t live it myself, but top friendly rock if you want to summarize it, I’m a Spotify artist, basically digital native kind of artist. I started reusing my music on digital platforms and last year when all the shows and everything got canceled because of COBIT. So I really focus on the digital aspect of the music business. And the response was very positive so far, in a way that maybe I think I don’t want to go back to the old pro.
[00:06:12.960] – Speaker 1
Right.
[00:06:14.330] – Speaker 2
Cool.
[00:06:15.720] – Speaker 1
Paul and I work together. So we’ll tell everyone that I actually already know everything about you. But what is your question for today?
[00:06:23.670] – Speaker 2
So my question was actually done. Thank you so much. And you’ve been a great coach on the branding and the overall high level. The strategy of my music, something I really appreciate. We have very good sessions. Some part of it was tough. You asking me questions to dig into my personality and my music music persona, which was great and helped me out a lot. So in line with what we successfully did and managed to do so so far, my question is that how the arts storyline impacts his music fan base and basically his music life and trajectory in the eye of the audience, externals and people who are passing by his or her music, how his or her the meaning, the storyline impacts their music and how important it is.
[00:07:17.140] – Speaker 2
That’s my main question.
[00:07:18.780] – Speaker 1
I think it’s vital. Like, you know, I stress exploring personal branding before you even get to the marketing because it’s all about your story. You know, there’s tons of artists out there creating and no matter how amazing your music is, there’s so much competition, it’s hard to get attention. And in order to attract the super fans, the people that are going to really support you. You need to kind of connect with them on a personal level. And that’s where that’s all personal branding is, like a lot of people shy away from the marketing and branding and all that because they think it’s like you’re going to put a persona on you.
[00:08:08.540] – Speaker 1
But it’s just exploring what your vision is, what you really want. And the most important is why you want it. You know, why does this career matter to you? Why does music so important to you? And that’s also why I introduced myself the way that I did. I didn’t start out with, hey, I’m a branding, social media coach. Whatever. No, I started with my why I started with the reason I do what I do, why I love performers so much. And I lead with my passion.
[00:08:46.670] – Speaker 1
And everything I’ve done was to help performers succeed. And that will connect with people more so than the facts of. Yeah, I’ve worked with some famous people. And so as a musician, people want to know your story. They want to know what drives you. They want to know the behind the scenes. And so your story is the basis. I think of everything. That’s why it’s important to kind of take the time to really explore it and then share it with the world through live appearances. You could tell stories on stage, on video, on social media and connecting with people.
[00:09:37.140] – Speaker 1
And then hopefully your music rocks, too. And then you got a super fan that’s someone that’s going to just support you in whatever you do. And it’s the story that’s going to connect to them.
[00:09:49.540] – Speaker 2
I see that’s a very valid point. And you think we need to keep highlighting the story line or do the persona of the artists throughout the Carrier music carrier would say everyone’s going to give you different advice.
[00:10:06.500] – Speaker 1
Like, my whole thing is staying authentic. And so I I’m not interested in working with artists that want to create a persona. And, you know, I’ve pushed you. I’m like, no, tell me who you really are. The ideas I had to break this man because, yes, there are artists that are successful by having a persona and hiding behind it. But it’s just gotten so much that in order to build an audience, you need to be real with people. And so it’s just a different area that we’re living in.
[00:10:46.940] – Speaker 1
You know, like, a lot of the artists back in the day, they were all mysterious, and that was cool about them. But they would have a harder time now because it is all about being authentic and being your true self and showing who you really are. And that’s what’s going to make you stand out from all the other musicians that are just putting out their music and letting it speak for itself. We don’t want ourselves to be judged or you don’t want to put it’s scary to put yourself out there.
[00:11:20.130] – Speaker 1
And that’s also why I’m on a mission to, like, get artists to break out of their comfort zone and to face the fear that might be holding them back. And you know, I struggle with this too. I’m an introvert. I don’t want to put myself out there. I don’t want to do video. I don’t want to do this stuff, but my dreams are bigger than my comfort zone. So I push myself and it’s that connection. And every time, like, even you might have a mix of things you post.
[0:11:55.760] – Speaker 1
But I’m sure you’ll notice that the time that you post a photo of yourself and a story that’s a little bit more personal. You’ll probably get tons more engagement. Yes, you are the one where you’re putting this graphic and saying, Go listen to my song.
[00:12:14.070] – Speaker 2
Absolutely. You’re right. I experienced it. And actually I was a bit hesitant because I opened up first for you, like on my persona and my character behind it and my life story. And when I started after listening to advices, started to post more of my face because my music is also abstract, some kind of thing. I don’t have my images on my artwork of music or anything of that sort. So. But when I started to do otherwise, like putting my image in front, having some kind of a personal feeling, just one sentence, one paragraph about the topic or lyric or a song or sharing it behind the scenes story.
[00:12:49.670] – Speaker 2
The impressions were actually like ten times and other other person.
[00:12:56.780] – Speaker 1
Yeah, cause people connect to story. And also, I think you have to do things in baby steps. If your personal story is traumatic in any way, you also have to be prepared for the feedback you might get. So I don’t recommend just throwing everything out there. If you’re not ready, you want to share things that you’ve already kind of overcome and you can be in there’s ways of telling your story without telling every little detail of it. Just get a little. It’s the general part of the story that people are going to connect to because not everyone is going to have the exact same situation, but it might be something similar or they get where you’re coming from of what drives you.
[00:13:48.540] – Speaker 2
That’s awesome. Thank you.
[00:13:51.000] – Speaker 1
What is your website? Where do people find you on Spotify and social media?
[00:13:55.740] – Speaker 2
So it’s basically quantum, which is merger of quantum like quantum physics and computation as well as Antem, which is a music part of it. So we spell it out is www.
[00:14:08.390]
Qu.
[00:14:10.940] – Speaker 2
Anthems. Com quantum. And I want to Spotify social media everywhere. I would love to know back from you and your audience and just me. Yes, we look you up from Diane session and I’ll be more than happy to exchange with you and your audience. I appreciate the opportunity. Thanks.
[00:14:33.990] – Speaker 1
Wonderful. How I got into this was I was a publicist for a long time for like 16 years. I was an entertainment publicist, mostly working with musicians, some actors and films and things like that. But music industry is where I’ve been and publicity. And when I started, publicity was a lot easier to get for independent artists. And back then, you didn’t have to be so open with your personality and story. And you didn’t have to have everything together in order to get pressed because there was a lot more music journalists out there.
[00:15:18.380] – Speaker 1
There was a lot more I could pitch media. I could pitch a newspaper, a couple of writers at each newspaper across Canada to cover an artist or do a CD review. Those people are gone now, especially in Canada, like, there’s only a couple music writers that write for the daily papers. So it has to be syndicated. So mainstream media for independent artists that are not already well known. It’s really hard. And that’s part of why I’ve transitioned is that I love working with up and comers.
[00:15:55.460] – Speaker 1
I love working with Indies and people would come to me for publicity, and they just didn’t have the things that I need to get them press. And those things would be that personal branding. I find musicians are so passionate about their music, they create it, they create their music, they’re ready to release it. Okay. I need to promote it. So I’ll hire a radio promoter and a publicist. And then that’s all I got to do. But you’re missing building the fan base. You’re missing professional photos that showcase who you are.
[00:16:37.400] – Speaker 1
I want to look at your picture and kind of have a feel for who you are. And that comes with going through the inner work of personal branding. It’s figuring out your story and also that story because your bio, sometimes most artists BIOS are so and so was from this city. Did this like it’s just fact, it’s dry. It’s the highlights. But okay, you’re sending, like, every other bio, and you’re not telling me anything like that connects me to want to read more. And so again, that’s why we explore your story.
[00:17:17.880] – Speaker 1
And we explore your why behind this? What is your motivation? What are you inspired by what inspired your music? Like, yes, what inspired you to get into music, but also what inspires the music that you’re putting out the song. Tell me about the song and all those stories is what connects people. And without that and without, like, a high social media following, I can’t get pressed and especially the social media, because if I were to pitch a media outlet to cover this exciting artists, like, I’ll talk them up of how amazing they are as an artist.
[00:18:02.360] – Speaker 1
The song is amazing. The video is amazing. You really should cover it. They’re gonna go to your social media. And if there’s not much happening next, they’re going to go to the next artist. Just because there’s so many artists and so much competition for those few media spots that are left that they want you to. They want to see a lot of activity on your social media. And it’s not about numbers because you can buy followers, you could buy spins, but it’s harder to get engagement.
[00:18:35.380] – Speaker 1
So I’d rather you have less followers. But I can see that people are commenting on what you post, and there’s a dialogue back and forth that shows that. Okay, you got a community there, then I’ll cover you. And so the media. It works the same way if you’re trying to get an agent or any other, because that’s why I say I coach to attract the fans. Media industry, because that’s what you need in order to get the gigs that you could actually make money at. This, whether it’s media or industry, they want to know that you have a fan base or they come on board with you as much as everyone wants to rush into the marketing of it.
[00:19:20.420] – Speaker 1
And even when people come to coach with me, a lot of them want to skip the personal branding stuff and get to the social media and PR stuff. But again, that’s the how you first have to figure out the who when, why, where you know. And without that, you don’t know what you’re promoting. And so personal branding is that exploring who you are, your values, your vision, all this stuff that goes into what you’re promoting so that you have a story to tell when you get to social media and publicity.
[00:19:59.380] – Speaker 1
Alex, if you have a question, you can unmute yourself and come on. Yeah.
[00:20:03.540] – Speaker 3
So now I’m just going to ask, like, for artists, is there anything like, as a coach that you advise them not to do or odd voids, avoid them developing or something because it might be a predatory practice that they leave them into a losing ground. Or even if the followers or anything like that.
[00:20:25.980] – Speaker 1
I find a lot of artists like they they do rush to pay for the things that are quick wins. You pay for guaranteed Spotify playlist. You rush to pay for ads or like, cheap PR campaigns that guarantee you results. Those are if they’re anyone’s guaranteeing you anything, there’s something behind that like it. If a playlisting company is saying, I can guarantee you’ll be on this many playlists a lot of times, that’s because they own those playlists and the work they work it so that they can guarantee you’re going to be on this video playlist.
[00:21:18.500] – Speaker 1
And these playlists are huge because they put all their artists on there. And so there’s all this stuff goes behind it. If they’re guaranteeing anything, there’s something up there. So you want to be sure if you’re hiring someone to represent you, whether it’s playlisting, radio, promotion, publicity, any of it, you want it to be organic, you want it to be earned, not this guarantee, because usually what’s guaranteed is like, you know, less than stellar outlets. Or maybe the person just takes on anyone and everyone. It’s not that they believe in you.
[00:22:03.900] – Speaker 1
And you find that a lot with the cheap services that are not that expensive. You’re like $300 for a dollars do it. But they’re doing that because they can take on 100 artists and not really get the personal attention. So that’s something to think about.
[00:22:24.960] – Speaker 3
Maybe like if you contracted someone to provide you with a media package to get your voice out there to get your work out there, what are some signals or some red flag that I should be looking at to be like, this is not effective. Is it an immediate thing that they can recognize how long before they should really rethink? They’re strategy for promoting with the person that they’re contracted with.
[00:22:55.170] – Speaker 1
Okay, so when you’re looking to hire someone, I think do your research. The best thing is a referral. If there’s another artist or an industry person, you trust that. Hey, I’m looking for a publicist. I’m looking for a rate of promoter. Who do you recommend? The referrals are going to be a good indication, especially if it’s artist other artists that have used that person and had great success. That’s the greatest thing to do. Google everyone times. Just the name alone brings up some things that kind of tell you something.
[00:23:38.300] – Speaker 1
And then look at who they’re working with. Just because they’ve worked with big, famous people doesn’t mean there for you either. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they know how to break an unknown artist. It’s a lot easier to get press and radio and promotion. All this stuff for artists that’s known that’s easier. I would look for someone that has had success with up and coming indie artists at your level. And I’ve had success stories of, hey, no one knew this band and then that person, I work with this publicist and they got me all this stuff.
[00:24:23.620] – Speaker 1
Our career just took off. You want those kind of stories? Look at testimonials on their website. But also, if you know anyone that they’ve worked with, just reach out to them, that’s the best. But sometimes I’ve hired people that I didn’t get a referral, but you get a feel for people if you Google them and see the stuff that they put out, that’s kind of where video comes into is that you can kind of get a connection with them. Always talk to them before you don’t have to do the big meeting, but like, ask your questions.
[00:24:57.190] – Speaker 3
Thank you. I appreciate the.
[00:25:00.980] – Speaker 1
Bye. No problem. Who is this eg person? Talk to me.
[00:25:06.460] – Speaker 4
Perfect. So my name is Eli Glen. I am a local artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I’m currently independent. I also host my own podcast called Sensational.
[00:25:23.100] – Speaker 1
What’s that about?
[00:25:24.310] – Speaker 4
I basically wanted to just create a place where I could just speak about anything. If I had a rough day at work and it really made me think about life as a whole or made me realize that I needed to change something in my life. I would share that. And earlier you said how you are an introvert, and that really resonated with me because it’s it’s hard for me to sometimes connect with people or push myself to connect with people. And podcasting really helped me with that.
[00:26:15.440] – Speaker 4
I got to interview my first a little bit of a bigger person. I don’t know if you know who Haley Jean Penner is, but she is an author of a book called The People You Follow.
[00:26:28.440] – Speaker 1
Okay.
[00:26:31.080] – Speaker 4
And her father is a children’s artist.
[00:26:37.460] – Speaker 1
Readiness. Penner, I’m like, I wonder if it’s Fred Penner related.
[00:26:41.020]
Yeah.
[00:26:42.990] – Speaker 4
So that was a great podcast and interview. I guess my question for you isn’t really for marketing or most of that because it’s really more about me just coping and just speaking, what techniques would you give for calming yourself and focusing on an interview or a podcast if you’re nervous?
[00:27:13.260] – Speaker 1
I think a lot of that goes back to really doing the exploring thing. And another thing about personal branding is that it’s exploring your skills, your strengths, your weaknesses, that you might want to work on, your personality, your accomplishments, all of that kind of builds your confidence. And part of when I coach artists in the branding part, we are dealing with things that you are just saying, like the anxiety and the fear and limiting beliefs. There’s a lot of limiting beliefs that hold us back from really putting ourselves out there.
[00:27:56.840] – Speaker 1
And that’s why that part of the coaching. It’s my favorite part, even though everyone else wants to skip it. But I understand why they want to skip it because it’s deep, inner work. It’s really opening up about who you really are and celebrating your accomplishments. And part of that is also figuring out your story. And a lot of this is it builds your confidence so that when it comes down to putting yourself out there, you at least have that to back you up. Okay. No, I do have something to offer, and it’s figuring out what you have to offer and who’s most likely to appreciate what you have to offer.
[00:28:40.400] – Speaker
That’s another part of it, too, is in between the personal branding and social media. I still want you to figure out who your audience is, who is your ideal super fan? Who are you talking to when you are talking on social media? A lot of that is building your confidence as well. And then it’s a little bit easier. It’s still hard to put yourself out there. But at least if you are very clear about who you are, what your mission is, and the main thing is knowing your why that’s a huge part is like knowing the motivation because it’s so easy to give up when all the challenges and obstacles and our fear or anxiety of putting ourselves out there fear of judgment, fear.
[00:29:33.880] – Speaker 1
There’s so much that’s going to try and stop us and so especially if a career in the arts, you want to get really clear on your motivation behind it. Why were you drawn to music in the first place? Why do you want to do this for a living like this is your calling. Why is that and get really clear on that? So again, when the challenges come up, you’re more apt to keep going and not let the fear stop you slow. Part of coaching is I help artists identify what those beliefs are that are holding us back.
[00:30:19.240] – Speaker 1
A lot of times. It could be a child to experience or all these things that maybe have happened to us. Or why do we struggle with this and it’s addressing it and trying to counter it, you know, is that belief true? Your fear of putting your music out there because you fear that you fear failure or you fear that you’re going to be judged and it’s really exploring that fear of. Well, why do you feel that way? Is it really true? What other things could be true?
[00:30:55.790] – Speaker 1
And it’s looking at the other side of it is like, you know, it could be true that you put your music out there and everyone loves it and you’re successful, and you know, it’s focusing on the positive of it instead of getting bogged down by the fears and another part of knowing your mission or why you’re doing this is I was saying, like, I don’t want to be doing this. I’m pushing myself now to do video. I don’t want to do it. That’s the last thing in the world I want to do is do video and reels.
[00:31:31.780] – Speaker 1
And IGTV I’ve been putting it off. I’ve been telling people I’m doing it this year, and I still am just starting to. But it kind of comes down to. But if that’s what’s holding me back from achieving my dream, I can’t let that happen. So we have to conquer it. And so I find, like, coaching has changed my life, my coach artist. But I also have a lot of coaches. And so now I was DIY. I was do everything myself for so long and just floated without a plan, go with the flow with my life and figuring out things.
[00:32:16.250] – Speaker 1
I’m good at figuring out things myself. But I discovered with coaching is that they already figured out what I’m trying to do. And so it just gets you where you want to go faster because they’ve already figured it out. And so when I knew that, like, okay, video is my last, not my last. They’ll always be challenges. But my thing that’s really holding me back right now is my copywriting in my video. So I have coaches for that now. And so I’m working on storytelling through writing and storytelling through video.
[00:32:53.100] – Speaker 1
And I’m gathering video ideas, and I’m making a plan, and I don’t want to do it. But, you know, one of my mentors says my dreams are bigger than my comfort zone. And that really hit home to me because I’m like, yeah, you’re right. I have big dreams and going on video is what I got to do to accomplish it. Then I’m going to do it. And so it’s something that you could think about, too. Like when that fear and anxiety is to explain to kind of explore all that.
[00:33:28.040] – Speaker 1
And it starts with figuring out what you really want, why you want it, what is your motivation behind it? And then to build your confidence by exploring your strength and what is unique about you and your story? Like, what parts of your story could you share that people will be drawn to you for? And then they get attached to your music, too. And a lot of times we do you want your music to speak for itself. But if you think about your favorite musicians, artists, actors, you probably like them for more than just their craft.
[00:34:09.920] – Speaker 1
A you know, you’re attracted to the way they look, the way they dress, the way they act, they’re really cool in the stories they tell. And maybe they’ve experienced something that you connect with. That’s what really turns into a real sad. And that’s what you’re striving to attract as an artist.
[00:34:30.360] – Speaker 4
No, thank you. That was amazing and super informing. One thing I’d love to just add to that is with the fear is looking into that fear before I go onto a podcast and really digging deep because I do feel like I have been skimming a little bit bit with podcasting, and I haven’t really fully been putting myself out there. So maybe I should jump in a little bit more into more often.
[00:35:11.590] – Speaker 1
You do it, too. And that’s why I chose podcasting. First of all, the things I could do. It’s like, okay, I got to put yourself out there more. Okay. I’m not ready for video yet. I’m like, yeah, I like talking to people. I love interviewing. So okay, I start with interviews. So and when I first started, I would do insane research on the artist or whoever I was interviewing. And again, that gives you confidence because you’re just prepare for everything. But now I don’t do any of that.
[00:35:49.380] – Speaker 1
Who am I interviewing? Okay, let’s go. I just want it because I’ve done it so often now that it’s like, it’s not scary. Yeah. Maybe the few times where it’s someone I’m a real big fan of, then I might get a little weird about it, but for the most part, but I think if you’re still fearful about the podcasting, then I should be doing more solo shows, more coaching show. But again, until you’re more comfortable doing that interview puts the spotlight on someone else, and you can still practice your own communication skills and you’re still putting yourself out there.
[00:36:33.920] – Speaker 1
And you can kind of podcasts are all about conversations, too. So it doesn’t have to be you ask a question answer. Yeah. You could put yourself into the conversation as well. And the more you do that, you get more comfortable at that as well.
[00:36:51.300] – Speaker 4
Yeah. Thank you for that.
[00:36:53.410] – Speaker 1
No problem. I tried to cram six months of coaching in 20 minutes. Yes. And also, if anyone is listening and wants to look more into coaching with me, if you just go to my website, Diane. Foy. Com, you read the page. If it connects with you somewhere on that page, there is a button to book a free intro session, and we can just see if it’s a fit to work together. I would recommend taking advantage of that as well. And I don’t know if you saw at the beginning download that free resource because that’s kind of the road map that I take artists through.
[00:37:38.40] – Speaker 1
That I quote where we start with you. It’s called the fans, media and industry attraction playbook. And I take you through personal branding, social media, do it yourself, publicity. And that’s kind of what I coach on. There’s some people that come to me and they already have a lot of those things down. Then they might go through the program faster, but I find the beginning sessions are the most important because it is that deeper work.
[00:38:11.860]
Yeah.
[00:38:12.470] – Speaker 2
Thank you, Diane. I have a question. Actually, I’m sharing an experience and I want to get your opinion about it. Since you were talking to Ellie, you talk about validation that. Don’t worry about it. Just do your thing. So what I learned at the beginning of my music, when I want to publish it publicly, I was very afraid of this. I had this fear of validation. Why if people say this or that because especially I’m doing alternative frog rock, so it might not sound familiar to the years of many, some people.
[00:38:50.60] – Speaker 2
Probably that was my initial thought, at least. But over the time I learned, I don’t have to get the validation of hundreds or thousands of people, like fans or listeners or people who come across my music. I just need the validation and inputs. A few handful people like critical kind of inputs, like decisions I had with you or I had with other coaches or very few people pro in the music industry. Let’s say, in terms of the video or visual or the music or the sound quality or the weight and the depth of the lyrics and all of that.
[00:39:24.740] – Speaker 2
So once I have that validation and normally they come up with some kind of a one, two or three points from their opinion. A lot of things about the music or art is subjective, but I get those inputs and I apply. I have very good ears. I try to read between lines, but that was the conclusion I drew, actually, that I I don’t have to listen or be worried about, like, thousands of people hear billions of people on the planet with different taste, flavors and interest.
[00:39:50.120] – Speaker 2
And it’s very subjective. I just need opinion and inputs. And basically it’s expert help and support from few handful people. Would that be a right assumption and conclusions? Sure. Okay.
[00:40:04.010] – Speaker 1
Because you’re not for everyone. I think when I was younger, I was one of those people that I didn’t share anything about myself and everyone loved me. You know, it’s because I’m just easy to get along with because I’m not sharing my opinions on anything. But then you don’t really make an impact. You know? You have to. It took me a long time to own who I am. Take it or leave it. And you’re not going to be for everyone. And with music, same thing. There’s going to be people that hate your music, but there are going to be people that love it and concentrate on them, the people that are not into it.
[00:40:51.820] – Speaker 1
They’re not your people. And part of that, too, is figuring out who’s most likely to appreciate what you have to offer. Let’s go find them.
[00:41:00.490] – Speaker 2
You’re absolutely too, right. Honestly. I mean, I didn’t come across any kind of, like, hate or negative kind of comments so far. That was more of internal fear I had built up over the years. Or what if I was playing music for years, for ages since I was kid, but nothing published publicly. I used to perform a lot publicly, but publishing, distributing it. It’s a different pro level story. So that was my worries in real life. I realize. Okay, I don’t have to worry about that at all.
[00:41:32.350] – Speaker 2
Actually, you’re absolutely right. People who dig it will come across and then follow you or they like or put a comment or send you a DM or whatever or come to your shows and all of that. All right. I’m happy with you.
[00:41:46.750] – Speaker 1
Part of that, too. Is that not as much anymore? Because now there are many media reviews to get. But before you put your music out there and as a publicist, I just cared that you got a review. I don’t care if it’s good. Don’t care if it’s bad because people don’t remember that all they remember is, oh, I’ve heard that bad before. Where did I hear that? Oh, my sat in the paper. They don’t remember. And also sometimes a bad review. If you kind of get to know the reviewers that might make me go, oh, so and so hates it.
[00:42:23.020] – Speaker 1
I’ll love it the way they describe it. Like feedback like that. Like if you saw a bad review, but he described your perfect your ideal kind of music. Aren’t you curious to go check it out?
[00:42:40.160] – Speaker 2
I hope I don’t get bad reviews.
[00:42:42.930] – Speaker 1
But I think the more you put yourself out there at some point, whether it’s a bad review or someone saying something insulting on social media, someone doesn’t like you. When you start putting yourself out there, it’s gonna happen, and you just have to be able to go. That’s not my person. And a lot of times it is the people closest to you that might judge you the hardest, and you just have to go. I’m not creating my music for them.
[00:43:13.520] – Speaker 2
That’s true.
[00:43:15.470] – Speaker 3
I got I’ve got one friend of mine who listened to every podcast that I put out every single week, and you give me a review every single week, rain or shine. And it’s not always good. But again, I’m not making that contact just for him. Right? I’m making it for anyone who’s willing to listen. So the overwhelming majority of feedback that I’ve got cyber really good or helpful, right. And you suggesting right. So a lot of people when you put material out there might, you know, might be giving you constructive criticism.
[00:43:58.620] – Speaker 3
It’s just a matter of recognizing it and then adjusting it. So it’s not necessarily like for other people that hate it. Sure. Ignore those people. You’re not making anything for them. But if someone has something where you like, that might be a good idea to try, maybe splash it in there and see if you like it. If you don’t, it’s not for you as well. And it’s not for them at the end of the day. But it’s like, like I said, you’re not always making a music for a specific person, and you’re just making it for yourself.
[00:44:25.420] – Speaker 3
You bound to find people who enjoy it. Everybody. That’s very true. Very true.
[00:44:31.090] – Speaker 1
Everyone’s still learning, too, no matter how far ahead you get, you’re still learning people saying bad things about it. Like you said, it might just make you learn something. And maybe maybe he’s right about that. Maybe I’ll check. I’ll think about doing that next time or, you know, especially if you someone you like and respect gives you constructive criticism. You know, it’s like, okay, I respect his opinion. So we moved into an yes.
[00:45:03.180] – Speaker 2
Normally I ask my friends or people who I see after the performance or when there is a release, I get their input because I would like to hear, especially, you know, because regardless of your stage of where you are as an artist, you’re always in discovery. You have the families, but you always want to expand it and make it more, even if you’re in millions, you know. So I always get this feedback. And some of them are very simple. But it really helps me to refine my music creation process.
[00:45:34.870] – Speaker 2
I know that these songs, like, for example, some kind of a people with this kind of demographics or demographic of mindset or music taste would like it more. The other type of the songs, this kind of people would like it or dig it more. So it gives me a very good indication. I do this. I get it not interview, but I get this feedback all the time. I asked personally. So what do you think? Which song did you like the most to why this one?
[00:45:59.610]
Okay.
[00:45:59.890] – Speaker 2
Was up with you didn’t like it. It was more of hard rock. You want more mellow sound. So I get this kind of feedback. There are golden inputs, actually, yes.
[00:46:09.380] – Speaker 3
And you can engage now, too, right. You can engage with your fans. You have music, Instagram and Twitter and Ticktock. I don’t really know how to use them perfectly, but I mean, if you’re throwing a song of there, you can also, you know, for a story on Instagram, for instance, you can ask, what’s your favorite part of this rift, or do you even like it? Yes or no. And so you can kind of get a denotes. You know, how people feel about it. Maybe if you dis habit it if there’s a large majority that doesn’t like it, however, you kind of want to develop it.
[00:46:42.600] – Speaker 3
But like you said, you’re constantly development. So it’s a good state to be in.
[00:46:46.380]
Yeah.
[00:46:46890] – Speaker 1
It’s a great way to engage people, too, because they feel that they’re part of your journey if you include them along the way. Well, that was a wonderful session.
[00:46:59.250] – Speaker 3
Well, what was your Comcast call?
[00:47:02.310] – Speaker 4
My podcast is called Sensational, right.
[00:47:09.150] – Speaker 3
Okay.
[00:47:09.830]
Cool.
[00:47:10.190] – Speaker 4
I don’t know if you said your podcast.
[00:47:13.760] – Speaker 3
No, maybe not. My podcast is called Social Animal. It’s an interview style exporting telling podcast about friendship. So I interview get mostly musicians that artist authors, comedians about. I asked about a dozen or so questions about their closest chosen connections from their friendships. And then I also ask what they do for food and what they do for fun and what’s next on the horizon. But it also kind of gives them a bit of a platform to talk about what that’s awesome.
[00:47:49.420] – Speaker 4
I am checking that out for sure.
[00:47:51.900] – Speaker 3
Yeah.
[00:47:52.560] – Speaker 1
I’ll include information on all you guys and your links in the show notes.
[00:48:01.760] – Speaker 2
Thank you. Thank you. Take care.
[00:48:05.940] – Speaker 1
I hope you enjoyed that and got something out of it. The Indie Week online conferences coming up November 9 to 13th, and it will be five days of industry panels, workshops, mentorship and networking for the music industry and artists. So be sure to check that out at Indie Week dot com. And I will leave some links in the show notes for the Social Animals podcast, the Sensational podcast, and for quant them, and you could check them out as well. Well, that’s it for now. Stay tuned. I’m so excited about the relaunch, the rebrand of this podcast, and I’ll be bringing you even more variety of creativity and artists to be inspired from.
[00:49:05.370] – Speaker 1
And I will do more solo episodes because I think I’m finally passionate about what I’m going to be talking about. So stay tuned for now. You can catch me. Yes. I’ve changed my social media user names as of right now. No more Diane For, and I am Diane Voy Rebels. A little hint. Anyways, check out Sing Danac Thrive dot com Zero 73 for all the details of this episode, and I will be so excited to introduce some new things to you soon.
