I have unashamedly stolen this from Frank Kern – a much respected internet marketer – who put it on his blog a few days ago.
I’m not going to apologise too much as I felt that the content of the video is so applicable to the people who read this blog that it’s worth having it hosted here (rather than just tweeting the link to Frank’s blog), since I want to be able to come back and refer to it in the future – I’ve already watched it three times!
What you’ve got is a video compilation of snippets of wisdom from Will Smith. It doesn’t matter what you think of Will for you to get something out of watching this video. Why? Well, you can’t argue with the fact that he has achieved massive success as a recording and performing artist, then as a TV actor and finally as a movie star – maybe the presidency next?
Who knows, but the whole piece is worth a look. In it he gives his own spin on a lot of motivational thinking that you may have heard before. I don’t subscribe to that school of thought wholeheartedly. I believe that you’ve got to set your goals and work towards them but positive thinking isn’t going to get you there on it’s own.
And that’s what Will says here too. Set your mind on the task and go for it, for sure. But, and this is the crucial part that so many people miss (and we talk about it a lot here and in our free eBook), you need to work at it and be focused.
As he says right near the start, Will doesn’t count himself as especially talented, but he works harder than all his competition to learn the skills he needs to get there. His reflection on the lesson his father gave him and his brother by getting them to build a wall proves the point. In short, he sets his eye on the prize, gets his head down and works his heart out until he gets there.
Do you?
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks so much for posting this video. I am absolutely dazzled by Will Smith’s positive mindset, clarity and conviction and knowing that he really lives by everything he says is truly inspirational.
Brilliant!
Luck is a factor. I agree positive thinking is important, and work ethics too… Despite all of this, you still need luck. Or you can live in a dreamland in your head where everything happens for a reason and where life is fair…
Bob – couldn’t agree more. Delusion on the part of aspiring artists is a great cause of misery and delay in working out what you need to do to improve. That said, you do need to do as Will says here and set the goal and believe that you are going to get there.
Ian
Hi there,
Sorry to hijack this thread, but I was looking all over your site for a way to email/contact you and I couldn’t find anything. Can you let me know how to email you?
Thanks!
Jason
Jason – you can email us at support@makeitinmusic.com. A contact section is something that will be coming in the site revamp!
Me and my friend did all he says, in 30 days we made this. Would you please comment if this is good enough or we are just dreaming.
http://webdesignshop.net.au/musicdemo/
Thanks
Ben
I listened to the material and it’s definitely got potential. So, no, I don’t think you’re dreaming. At least 95% of the demos that I hear aren’t this good.
I think you’ve found a sound that works for the music and I like the tone of the vocal but the delivery is a little too straight and lacking in variation. Keep thinking about how you sing and how to find the melody for the vocal line.
The songs are OK but not as good as the backing tracks. Have you downloaded our ’10 steps’ ebook? – there is stuff in there about the subject matter of your songs. The more you write the better they will get.
Build out a site in Wordpress and get profiles on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and last.fm. Build relationships with bloggers who are into similar music and you have a shot.
Keep coming back here as we are going to launch a course that takes you from your bedroom to releasing records with a fanbase ready to buy them. It won’t be available for a few months yet but it’s going to take you by the hand and show you everything you need to do.
You have enough talent to succeed – keep working on the song side of your sound and you’ll be OK. BTW, ‘Bitter End’ has the best hook – “the go figure it out” line.
Best of luck.
Ian
Ian;
Thank you so much for the quick reply and your support. I am very glad you said those things. I have read the 10 steps pdf and it has been very helpful.
I don’t quite understand what you mean by “The songs are OK but not as good as the backing tracks”.
Would you please explain that?
Thank you very much
Ben
Ben
I mean that the music, the programming and the sounds are strong, but the lyrics and the lyrical subject matter aren’t strong enough, nor do i think there is enough variation in the vocal melody.
Does that help?
As the 10 steps says, you need to find clever ways to say I love you or the reverse, as you have with that line ‘go figure it out’.
Ian
Yes ian, what you say does make sense and it is clear what you mean now. Thank you.
At this stage, what would be the next thing we do? We know a few labels around who ARE looking for bands. Should we just send them the press kit? We are thinking about sending the cd with a cover letter . Would that be the right thing to do?
Thank you
Ben
I’d do a bit more writing and recording and get the demos sounding better in terms of songwriting and build out your site and start building a fan mailing list by reaching out to blogs etc.
Better to wait and have a great package than what you have now. It’s on the way but not going to get you a deal that you want.
Ian
Ian;
Hello. We finished another 3. That gives us 12 originals (and 1 remix). The quality of these last 3 is better with bit different structres and instromentations. (I really doubt if lables need to hear more than 12 tracks). Got the domain name and the website is ready as well. About to do a photoshoot as well. My spance and facebook will be up and running within next week.
Any last words?
Thank you Ian
Ben
I’d turn the website into a Wordpress one and I’d start building a fanbase before punting your stuff to labels personally.
Labels want to see that momentum beofre you approach them in most cases.
If you do want to nonethless approach labes, much better to get an introduction from a connection who knows them rather than submitting blindly….if you can.
Ian
Our new course – launches in a month or so, covers exactly this process.
Ian
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