September 16, 2006 | In: Music
From Criticism to Construction
So there’s been a big discussion over at Shlog about my post about Derek Webb’s release of his album Mockingbird.
I definitely want to be someone who fosters change rather than critism, so I figure that if I’m going to criticize the way the “Free Mockingbird” promotion was handled, I’d better be willing to offer alternate ideas.
So….over the next few weeks I’m just going to do a big fat brain dump of all my indie internet marketing thoughts and ideas.
Now while Shaun may have said, “…she’s not only a friend and an indie industry voice but somewhat of an expert on indie music marketing…or quickly becoming one. I think she’s brilliant.” (yes, I trimmed that quote in such a way as to present myself in the best light possible. I’m afraid my head is growing as I type.) I do want to offer this giant qualifier:
I’ve never worked on a label marketing team. I’ve never tried to market my own album…because I don’t have one. I’ve never….
wait for it…
even been to Nashville.
If you can get over the shock of that last statement, I will say that I do have a background in the web and web development and although I spend my days watching Elmo, playing tag and changing diapers, I also adore thinking about the web and ways to help indies utilize the power of the web to promote their music.
So take the ideas that I’ll share over the next few weeks for what they are. Ideas. Untested. Untried.
Please interact and share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions and perhaps together we can come up with some revolutionary ways to help promote great music.
Tomorrow I’ll post a list of the topics that I’ll be covering in the coming weeks.
(For all of you not remotely interested in the music industry, fear not. I’ll still be writing all my regular random entries as well.)
7 Responses to From Criticism to Construction
thecachinnator
September 16th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Kat, I just wanted to inflate your head a bit more. I think you’re terrific. I think the way you conducted yourself through this whole discussion has been the picture of professionalism, maturity, and grace. You’re an inspiration to the younger and more hot-headed among us who are too quick to push buttons labeled ‘Submit’ and ‘Publish.’
As I’ve said before: You = Rock Star.
Curtis Summers
September 17th, 2006 at 10:09 am
Kat,
Bravo for your work in helping us all talk through these things. I appreciate it.
Sometimes fostering change comes at the cost of criticism:
derek webb viral marketing out of my comfort zone: a technical look
Kat
September 17th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
Thanks for the encouragement guys!
I do hope that it will be an interesting discussion. Don’t be shy (because I know you both are just so shy) about sharing your thoughts and wisdom over the next few weeks.
Cach – you just had to mention that you’re younger, right? Seriously, thanks for the kind words!
Curtis – Interesting read! You really know your stuff. I’m still amazed how you debugged that css issue the other day. You’re like a techie Hardy Boy.
Seth Ward
September 17th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
Hey Kat, I just wanted to say that I admire your honesty and integrity. You stuck to your convictions and like Cach said, showed grace, kindness and respect. I thought you communicated your thoughts and ideas beautifully and you left plenty of opportunities for responses without setting argumentative traps.
I also understand the other side of the coin better now as well. I am glad that Matthew spoke up and made an effort to explain the process as well.
Christians should learn from each other and no one prominent artist, preacher, teacher, theologian should get too big for their briches to receive admonishment.
Sometimes I think Christians surround themselves with other like-minded people who think that they can do no wrong. It is a dangerous place to be.
Anywho… we love ya. Keep on keepin’ on.
euphrony
September 17th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
Kat, I actually have a friend that I will be referring to your site for reading this week. Don’t make me look silly
(I know you’ll shine. I read you’re stuff enough to see a brain with organized ideas.)
Kat
September 18th, 2006 at 4:23 am
Seth,
I agree. One thing I’ve never really liked about blogging is that it’s so easy for a a discussion to become a gripe fest. Everyone just agrees with everyone and nothing is learned.
I really do appreciate it when people, like Matthew, are willing to share their thoughts, even if it’s against the flow. Frankly, if no one disagrees with me, I don’t have the opportunity to learn anything. From Matthew’s participation in the discussion, I learned that I need to communicate better when writing about something potentially sensitive. As one of Derek’s friends, of course, Matthew is going to go to bat for him. We should all have friends like that.
(Let me clarify again, that I think Derek is great and had the best of intentions with this promotion. I, in no way question his integrity or honesty. )
With the posts that I’ll be writing I hope that we’ll be able to turn this discussion in the direction I’d always hoped it would go – towards discussing effective and clearly communicated marketing methods that set clear expectations and don’t leave room for distracting misconceptions.
Thanks for the kind and wise words Seth.
Kat
September 18th, 2006 at 5:12 am
Euphrony,
I’ll do my best not to embarrass you.
(Why do I have a feeling I’m going to be saying that a lot when my kids are teenagers?)