Let me tell you something about “Fans”

This article was brought to my attention by some daily social media update email I get. Featured in this newsletter was a post written by Seth Godin based on author Kevin Kelly’s revelation which affirms that anyone can make enough cash to live, as long as they’ve got a thousand lemmings trotting along with their wallets wide open. I hate it when people start stepping over boundaries, especially when they don’t know what they’re talking about. In this specific case, Kevin Kelley encourages artists, musicians, hookers, whatever, to hunt and gather a hub of a thousand people to exploit as “fans”, with the ultimate outcome being that you (as the artist) will be able to accept money from these “fans” for all the awesome shit you’ve been able to provide.

These people, whom somehow strangely resemble ATM machines are referred to as “True Fans”. These fans are characterized by Kelley as:

… someone who will purchase anything and everything you produce. They will drive 200 miles to see you sing. They will buy the super deluxe re-issued hi-res box set of your stuff even though they have the low-res version. They have a Google Alert set for your name. They bookmark the eBay page where your out-of-print editions show up. They come to your openings. They have you sign their copies. They buy the t-shirt, and the mug, and the hat. They can’t wait till you issue your next work. They are true fans.

I know for a fact that I have NEVER done any of the above. I really like Justin Timberlake. I know all of his songs, I own 3 of his albums, I record his SNL specials, and the presence of his face really does influence my purchase of an US Weekly over a People Mag, but never have I (nor will I) spend $55 on a vintage ‘NSync underwear set. Does this make me any more unworthy of Justin Timberlake’s love? Is my dedication and “Fan-dom” not good enough for JT?

Sure, when it comes down to it, I realize that this brainless blog post was intended for impressionable marketers and no respectable artist would ever favor one fan over another. All fans are good fans and you should be thankful they’re supporting you in however way they are capable of doing.

So don’t go around publishing crap like this because all it does is make fans and potentials realize that you’re only in the relationship for one reason. We need to stop seeing people as $$$$$$$$$$$$$. This is most people’s first mistake AND THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING.

When “Personal Branding” goes too far

As we all know, the internet has become saturated with a bunch of self-made reality stars thanks to the advent of social media. Everyone is scamming to get a moment in the spotlight and unfortunately, as technology advances, people will find new outlets for “personal branding”, even if it means that you will be carrying around a strange man’s face on your cell phone.

It’s one thing to be followed on Twitter for saying silly things and giving random advice here and there, but when does this whole “personal branding” thing step over the line? One particular instance of uber-vanity was brought to my attention by this lovely TechCrunch article yesterday. Here’s an excerpt:

Yes, Brian Solis – Valley PR, always-on web 2.0 schmoozer and occasional TechCrunch contributor – has his own app, available through Apple’s app store. Thanks to the app, Solis fans can view photos of their hero, read his latest tweets, track his speaking appearances and even see when he’s visiting a town near you. That last feature also generates the most sinister alert box I’ve ever seen on a hand-held device” “Brian Solis would like to access your location. Allow?”

And while I couldn’t bring myself to actually download his application, I did check out it’s info page in the app store (and took some screen shots for your enjoyment). Who does this guy think he is? What’s up with all the strange facial expressions? CREEPY.

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Free Music for the “Holidaze”

Its freezing in the Bay Area and it makes me want to run far, far away, to a tiny island where its 96 degrees in the shade. Anyway as for digital music, Slightly Stoopid is giving away free music this Christmas. Another great example of using Social Media for marketing your band. Check it out here:

From Online PR News.

Slightly Stoopid Lights Up the “Holidaze” with Exclusive Track & Digital Sampler Giveaway

Los Angeles, CA – Southern California Dub/Rock pioneers SLIGHTLY STOOPID have released a FREE 7-song digital sampler via indie-music hosting site bandcamp.com.

Coined by many as “the gift that’s giving”, the free sampler consists of the official music video of their highly requested single 2AM and seven other Slightly Stoopid classics from previous releases, including a special composition entitled Stoned Saga. The exclusive saga is a compilation of multiple songs, which originally appeared on the bands 1998 release The Longest Barrel Ride. The tracks have been newly comprised and molded into a single, epic musical journey and has never been available for download before this promotion.

The band is encouraging everyone to join in their holiday spirit by sharing this gift of free music, which will be available for download until 11:59 PM PDT December 24, 2009.

Get your free sampler and spread the word this holiday season by visiting www.slightlystoopid.bandcamp.com.

Sharing is also made easy as a Facebook event has been set up in honor of the release here: http://bit.ly/StoopidHolidazeEvent.

To keep up-to-date with all things Slightly Stoopid you can follow the band on Twitter: http://twitter.com/slightlystoopid