 Being likeable as an artist is a much overlooked skill, usually dominated by the desire to seem cool, aloof or too damn swaaag for all you bad bitches out there.
Being an artist is an exercise in being liked, not just being entertaining. People are far more likely to spend their time and money on you if you seem like a person worth investing in. It struck me this morning as I was watching a Kickstarter campaign video that the desire to be cool and quirky, backfired on the artist when it came time to speak to camera and their fan base directly, eyeball to eyeball. And of course ask for money! Even then the desire to seem cool seemed to intercept every moment of genuine personality and humility, to the point that it felt plain rude. The delicate balance of cool Vs likeability is certainly hard to pull off, but if you want a large and loyal fan base it is a balancing act that could be the difference between a career in music, and a career waiting tables. What do you think? I would love to know your opinions on the importance of likeability in music. Jamie
2 Comments
Bob Garrard
12/18/2012 05:17:52 am
Jamie...at the end of the day, people like to do business with people they like/admire or have something in common with. A sales pitch with no passion other than the person's passion to close a sale will make it a one time transaction. A fan base you want for life, or for a long time to have the follow on sales. Its like the difference between being book smart and street smart. Book smart will by a diploma for the office wall. Street smart will buy you instinct and opportunity. If you do the latter with some charisma, you wont have to worry about too much.
Yes I totally agree. No one wants to do business with someone who is arrogant/rude etc... Jay Frank in his book 'Hack Your Hit' talks about getting your core fan base, and that being something you have to nurture to grow. Leave a Reply. |
Jamie Muffett
I am a British Producer, Mixer & Musician who is privileged to live in New York City. Archives
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