Hey Comrades!
See the title of this post? You've gotta imagine it in THIS voice:
It's been a crazy day! I got to skype with a comrade "across the pond", as he would say,
teach in my new office, learn from an expert that men should never wear sandals (mandals), and launch my new YouTube series,
ComradeTV.
So, I was plotting the Revolution with Comrade Coben in the UK, commenting on his cool accent, and doing my best redneck impression complete with a trucker hat. "Howdy, neighbor!"
He was telling me that his band,
Violent Karma, used a nifty promotion method with great success. You know how Facebook event invites annoy us all? He printed up a bunch of personalized invitations, and
mailed them to his fans for a CD release party. Coben got a 50% turnout! FIFTY PERCENT! That's UNBELIEVABLE! When's the last time a cold impersonal facebook invite has worked out that well? I'm so doing it next time I've got a big gig. It's such a great idea, and I'm so glad he shared it!
It tied right in to a theme that I've been thinking of lately. I believe I mentioned how I heard a great speaker who's also a Google employee say that, to really stand out in today's digital world, go analog! Handwrite stuff, send thank-you notes, and take the time to really see things through.
I think we can forget what an honor and privilege it is to have people listen to our music (or look at art, etc.) We can also forget that it's nice that people take the time to talk to us or to make life a little easier.
I left my office building at about 9:30 pm this evening, and there was a carpet crew there with a few hours of work left ahead of them. When they finish, they'll be driving six hours back to North Carolina. These guys, besides being quality craftsmen, are super nice. They worked with me to make sure I could teach without interruption, and they really didn't have to. They chose to, and I so appreciate that. I left them with some mountain dew, as I disapprove of pepsi when it's a mega job. It just doesn't work!
So, this personal connection stuff has been rattling around in my brain lately. I arrived home, and got this on facebook from a local person:
Thank you so much for your ongoing support! Due to the overwhelming number of requests and friends, I will no longer be using my personal Facebook profile. I would love for you to follow me and interact with me on my Official Fan Page! Here you can stay up-to-date with all of my exciting ventures, and I would love to hear back from you as well!
Click the link below and "Like" my page today.
Hey dig, it's a form letter telling me how to receive more form letters!
If I ever thank you for your ongoing support in a form letter, cut 'n paste this blog, print it out, wrap it around a dead fish, and mail it to me. Priority mail, please. With delivery confirmation.
I know that sometimes, logistically, it's impossible to keep up. I'm bad at returning email. I mean, REALLY bad. But I'm gonna get better. This is an example for me.
And, since I really am thankful, I'm going to email every follower of this blog, and every fan on my facebook music page and say "thank you!"
I should probably hand write some of 'em notes. But my writing's terrible, so guys, I'm really doing you a favor!
Technology's great, because we can have friends we never could have had before. But I, for one, am going to be extra careful that I don't lose the personal connection.
THANK YOU for listening!
- Josh