BLACK paPR Report

PR from an African American Perspective

RT @sethgodin Seth’s Blog: Opening Acts and Rock Stars

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Seth's BlogI’m a fan of Seth Godin and follow his blog Seth’s Blog for inspiration and to shake up my thinking. Seth’s April 10 post, Opening Acts and Rock Stars hit home and I wanted to share it. He is talking about marketers but could easily be referencing PR professionals and publicists. Moreover, it can be applicable to the way we treat clients. 

Opening acts and rock stars

The opening act has the toughest gig in town. The audience isn’t here to listen to you. They’re restless. Perhaps you’ll get a few seconds to earn their attention, but not much. Your gimmicks will fall flat and you might even get booed off stage.

The rock star, on the other hand, has the crowd chanting for him before he shows up. He starts a song and people applaud. They sing along. They finish his lyrics for him.

Most marketers are opening acts. The ad or blog post or tweet is a desperate attempt at attention, at keeping people from switching it off or booing. The posture of the marketer who is an opening act is unstable and a little sad.

Some marketers are rock stars.

How’d that happen?

I’d argue that the two keys to becoming a rock star marketer are:
1. settle for a tiny audience that views you as a star, not an opening act. Then grow that audience.
and
2. Be really good.  (READ THE REST HERE)


Written by Robin Caldwell

April 11, 2009 at 10:53 am

One Response

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  1. Nice ! :) .. Thanks buddy..

    JessicaBoido

    May 10, 2009 at 11:00 am


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