My beginnings of cheering artists began within the walls of my business, Flava Coffee House-Seattle, WA to establishing a globally recognized personality as Lady Flava of Flava News, I try to process why artists struggle to get beyond where they are today. One day I will write a book and include my thoughts and observations in detail but this is just a taste of what I feel holds them back.
1) Faith that they can and are deserving.
2) Willingness to financially invest in themselves.
3) Not understanding they are a business. Not having the tools in hand to conduct themselves as such when faced with a potential business connection (whatever that may look like.)
4) Not doing the needed research.
5) Not working as a unit, as a team with the understanding of what needs to be done and what each person involved needs to commit to for the common goal.
6) Be personable not personal…Be comfortable in talking to people and share what you do…give them enough to draw them in, then point them in the direction for the experience of your art online and in person.
7) Lack of respect and support from the fans that claim to believe in their talent.
8) Targeting the wrong audience who time and time again show their lack of support.
9) If your approach as proven to not work, have the ability to think outside the box, to find creative ways to do it different with the possibility to obtain favorable results.
10) Karma (not being right by those that support them, using people.)
11) Showing lack of appreciation.
This is just a short list of my observations and opinions…
As you can see, I have put some thought into this. I love the passion behind the creative souls…I too ponder why I am not able to make moves like I feel I should at this point in the game. I have people tell me all the time that they love me, believe in me. I was once told by a business mentor figure that I need to stop supporting starving artists and seek out those with some financial means to pay for my services. Build my success and then reach back to help those that I am really passionate about.
I believe in building together for a common goal…that numbers are more powerful than struggling in going it on your own. Recently I was told by a East Coast colleague that the reason some people don’t join with me is because they are waiting for me to build my own success before they get involve.
As I think about who I am and what I do in support of artists, I think about the similarities that artists and small business owners have. At what point do we get it right after years of investing time, money, energy and perfecting our craft?
Do we project our shortcomings on others or do we accept responsibility for what we lack and do something about it?
Supporting artists that are not in the mainstream spotlight is such a challenge. I love the challenge and feeling the passion. On my journey as an artist cheerleader and mentor, I understand there is a need for so much more that goes beyond the passion and perfecting the craft. Some artist will get it and some will never. Some artists are easy to support and others aren’t.
Do we live in a world of people that live off the “I” factor or the “WE” factor. Do we really not understand that needing money to grow is really NOT a TABOO topic, it is a necessary means.
I would love to hear your thoughts as to what I shared on this blog.
ALL ARTISTS START AS AN UNKNOWN CREATIVE SOUL…It starts with them as to how far they will go…
~Lady Flava of Flava News/Flava News Radio~
Lady Flava News 