Derek Sivers - The Perfect Artist Pitch

[ouralbert]

This is sound advice indeed. So, I should say "I sound like a cross between Boards of Canada and The Beatles".

[bestunknownguitarist]

The purpose of a musician is to make music, not be a business person. Also, are you two suggesting that the musician who just happens to have the talent of bullshitting people, deserves all the gigs? Let's be upfront about this. I challenge you, Ariel and or Derek, to answer that question.

[masstsnk]

@bestunknownguitarist If you want to be a successful musician you need to treat yourself and your music as a business. Music is no different to any other form of entrepreneurship and the quicker musicians who lack this, realise this, the quicker they will be able to achieve their goals.

[theoryallogist]

i make music between Dr.dre and Dragonforce.

[RageicaNiels]

"my music in not music, its art!!" - "orly?"

[paulamcmath]

Makes perfect sense to me - thanks, Ariel! Here's my pitch...

"I try to sing what I can't say." This song encompasses a secret that I was trying to express. I couched in the metaphor of Queen Elizabeth. "If I can't have you - I'll stay the Virgin Queen."

:-)

paula mcmath

[bethbetty]

This is valid info...artists need to at least categorize themselves into genres if they're going to be placed in a store or distribution catalogue for sale. Of course, you can stay totally unique by just selling at shows or out of the trunk of the car.

[BrendaK66]

Derek is priceless, and you're beautiful, Ariel! Great piece. Composers can create all the transcendental music they want, but if no one (even themselves if no one else will do it for them because it's too "new") markets it, no one will ever hear it!

[DominikTheProducer]

Thank you guys! Good advice!

[lammyakamrtrue]

I am an artist, not a salesman.

I already wrote, produced, sang, played guitar, bass, & put all the drums/beats together on 4 albums.

I''ll never be a good salesman, just like most salesmen

can't write hundreds of songs!

Besides, a vouch from someone else about how great

the music is, is 1000000 times better than me telling you how great I am!

Fuck it, I suck, don't listen.

[GomersRevenge]

The free advice in this series is excellent! These are sincere people trying to help those that want to connect their music into a business setting. I only want to tell them however that I AM THE RARE INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS INVENTED A NEW GENRE!! If you listen to the first part of the Centrifugal Satz Clock you will see that miraculously Omni is a fresh new musical method. Good luck Derek and Ariel, I wish you the best of life.

Steve Kusaba

[gordonbell]

I would like the job of polishing Derek's head!

[tomsfunband]

Derek is a good guy and has been a great help! Thanks for the great info!

[definiteNZ]

I dont why people are getting angsty on here - theres alot of truth to what they are saying. Telling people what you do or giving them at least a reference point IS effective and important. You may think about your own music 24/ 7 and believe it to be revolutionary and different etc but if you want people to show an interest it isn't bad to give them a reference point.

[RICKCRITT]

They are talking about marketing, people; not music. Business has to do with the least common denominator. So, yeah, it's going to be stupid.

[xenop9]

The "Ariels" of the world are diminishers, whittlers, lesseners, label-makers cutting away at spirit in order to attempt to sell it for their own gain. If you're not careful, you might actually listen to them and validate them. Once you do, you'll notice you feel like you've had something taken from you... They are mosquitos buzzing around an artist's ears just to draw blood to feed themselves. Swat 'em away!

[xenop9]

Musicians make music. People like this "Ariel", whomever she is, like to pigeonhole music and musicians for commerce - fitting music and people into boxes for sale. The greatest artists of all time don't fit in boxes.

[MUSIKALPRoPHET]

@xenop9 she deserves a good tassle from my penis :D

[alessandrobuonpensie]

Hi Derek

very good.

Buon...Pensiero

[JMLegends]

This is brilliant advice. I've been in advertising all my life, and have been fairly successful at promoting my music for airplay....but you made me realize I could do even better! Thanks for examples. :-) J. Morris

[chipgallmusic]

"Pee brain"....what the hell is that about...

[NoOneWorldGovernment]

Even though there are some good points, comparing music or any form of art with business (the guy at the Post Office) sounds lame to me.

[xenop9]

however, Derek is kind and supportive-love him!

PS Ariel-Here is marketing tip for you!

Tip #1

1. don't insult the very audience (musician) you are targeting.

[xenop9]

here's a hint! you come off sounding like a real bitch!

[SeanClarkeMusic]

Great video, thanks! The dreaded yet MAGICAL definition:)

[billtmiller]

Thanx Derek and Ariel.... GREAT TIPS. I have been diggin' HostBaby & CDBaby and DEREK for eons and even though my ORGY OF NOISE music is NOT mainstream commercial, I still want the masses to HEAR IT. Your whole Sound Advise series here on youtube is excellent for DIY clues. Jam on.

[UllaLindstroem]

GREAT...thanks for sharing...I just LOVE Dereks ways of explaning things! :-)

[RochelleHansonMusic]

lol. Derek is funny :-) He's know's his stuff tho! What he's saying is absolutely true :-) keep the vids coming they're awesome.

XOXO

-Rochelle.

[mondoprimo]

Derek is the best.

[tiffrandol]

always love Derek! ;) thanx ariel.

[marcusunlimited]

hmm

[DanielNathanBandVids]

Derek has the best analogies.

[oyonada]

Thank Much Derek and Ariel to share.

Greetings

[growiser]

fantastic advice

Great examples that made it clear...I need a better pitch!!

[cybsterdj]

You Rock Ariel! good stuff

[doe333]

Great video - here's two people with a lot of awesome ideas for indie musicians.

[25thHOURfan]

I first read about the importance of the pitch in Bob Baker's "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook." I think this is a great starting topic because SO MANY artists overlook this powerful little tool. Thank you and I look forward to more!

[goldhat3]

I like it. Derek is a sharp guy. This should be a good series.

[kaegi7800]

we need more please

adriana

[officialstevencravis]

I always enjoy hearing Derek speak about anything!

[sugarmt99]

Thanks for posting this Ariel. Enjoyed your session at the Taxi Roadshow.

[AfricanABC]

Thanks for sharing, can't wait to hear more!

[teddybut]

awesome, thank you both so much