If your familiar with this blog or the overall mentality of this site then you will have heard of the Trent Reznor model for marketing yourself (if not here it is; connect with fans + reason to buy = profit…for more info on the watch this video). But what you may not of heard of is 50 Cent’s take on how to achieve the first part of the equation…here’s a condensed version of that;

1. Crush all distance – “In this day and age, to reach people you must have access to their inner lives — their frustrations, aspirations, resentments.”

2. Open informal channels of criticism and feedback – “It is much different when you interact directly with the public, hear in the flesh their criticisms and feedback. You create a back-and-forth dynamic in which their ideas, involvement and energy can be harnessed for your purposes.”

3. Reconnect with your base – “The goal in connecting to the public is not to please
everyone, to spread yourself out to the widest possible audience. You have a base of power — a group of people, small or large, who identify with you. Keep your associations with it alive, intense and present. Return to your origins — the source of all inspiration and power.”

4. Create the social mirror – “Instead of turning inward, consider people’s coolness to your idea and their criticisms as a kind of mirror that they are holding up to you…When your work does not communicate with others, consider it your own fault. You did not make your ideas clear enough, you failed to connect with your audience emotionally. This will spare you any bitterness or anger that might come from people’s critiques. You are simply perfecting your work through the social mirror.”

Not only is 50 great at making club anthems, and getting shot, but he also has numerous insights on how to become, and maintain popularity. After his last album didn’t live up to standards he set in the past he needed to rethink and rework the way he went about the creative process.

He engaged fans on twitter and his own website, responding to their comments and critiques of new tracks that he had leaked. Going as far to abandon tracks that got a bad reaction…showing that the opinions of the fans mattered more than his ego, and utilizing the huge potential for feedback the artists have via the web.

What does this mean to an independent artist?

While it’s definitely easier for someone in 50 Cents position to throw away material that gets a bad response, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing an up and coming musician can learn from his approach. He clearly understands that if you want to sell music for a living, your going to have to sell it to someone…and if you want to keep those potential “someone’s” coming, and coming back you gotta realize who they are, what they want, and what they think.

In the ever changing music industry where The Long Tail approach to sales is ever more relevant I think 50’s philosophy is most valuable to indie musicians looking to create their own scene or niche in the market. You don’t need to play every weekend at your local club (I’m not saying don’t do that) to create a connection with fans.

Be proactive on the web, let them know your listening, and take advantage of what they’re telling you…because they having the buying power and by default that usually makes them right.

For more 50 cent wisdom and general marketing strategies check out coppyblogger

To check out a list of Robert Greene’s work click here

Technorati Tags: 50 Cent, Bryan Boake, Connection with fans, Music Marketing Strategies, Robert Greene, Trent Reznor Model

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 5:49 pm and is filed under Music Business, Music Promotion, Wisdom. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.