Sucky Music Still Sucks – Go Practice!

by Katie Morse

There’s this notion that if you build something people will come. That notion is crap.

There’s also this notion that if you invest time, resources and energy into social media to build a presence, that people will automatically love you just because you’re there. That notion is also crap.

If anything, social media has shortened the life cycle of stardom to almost nothing.  How many bands do you know that were unknown one day, only to be the “next big thing” the next? Out of those, how many are still popular?

Before you get out there and start telling people about who you are any why they should care, focus on your product. Focus on creating something people will care about, THEN get out there and start talking.

I’m not saying wait until you’re perfect, but don’t expect social media to cover up the fact that you may not be all that good. Put out stuff you believe in and constantly push yourself to be better. Prepare for honest feedback and embrace it. It’s a tough lesson to learn, and a tough spot to be in, but congrats – it’s reality.

Aim to not suck and start from there.

Tagged as: behind the scenes, music

  • mschneider718

    Couldn't agree more, as an avid musician – but a marketing professional by day – I am always shocked and more often annoyed when I see a) bad bands posing as a real music outfit or b) come-lately marketing kids assuming they are hot shit because they have used Facebook and Twitter.

    Nothing beats practicing and writing killer songs – just as nothing beats sound, multi-channel approaches to engaging customers.

    I always took a “hands off” approach to music marketing; as I really detest the industry. Our fans as a result are rabid and loyal due to our authenticity. For example, my last band has not been together for nearly three years – yet I still get requests on a nearly weekly basis from promoters asking us to play a club or festival. Scary, but that is the value of really being true and well, a good act.

    Always happy to share my thoughts and my music in more depth.

  • http://twitter.com/HubertGAM Hubert Sawyers III

    This is why the music industry is in such a pickle. They were putting out sub-par material and dressing it up really pretty. People have begun to see through it and are voting with their dollars.

    I can say from paying attention from folks in my own scene. There are those that are really good at engaging and building communities around them. They are the cool kids and everyone wants to be around them. Then you have those that are just really talented and they attract their own crowd. Right now, there is no one that really has both of those qualities around my way. Whoever that happens to be will be a megastar!

    It's funny. I went on a Twitter rant about practicing yesterday. Then this blog post… something's in the soon-to-be-spring air!

  • http://candidkatie.com/2010/04/30/6-tools-to-help-create-noise-about-your-noise/ Music. Marketing. Social Media. » 6 Tools To Help Create Noise About Your Noise

    [...] Note: if your noise doesn’t qualify as wonderfully crafted, start here. [...]

  • http://candidkatie.com/2010/08/16/you-dont-become-a-rockstar-by-acting-like-a-diva/ Music. Marketing. Social Media. » You Don’t Become a Rockstar by Acting Like A Diva

    [...] You Don’t Become a Rockstar by Acting Like A Diva Posted by Katie Morse in best practices, marketing, strategy TweetThis may come as a shock, but “making it” in the music business isn’t just about having a lot of talent. [...]

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