Season 2 of The Pick Up Artist approaches and the pick up community awaits with baited breath, or does it?

After the excruciatingly staged first series of the program where Mystery PUA and two exceptionally strange looking individuals calling themselves Matador and J Dog schooled eight hapless AFCs on how to deliver canned openers to a series of uninterested girls, The Pick Up Artist is back. As I recall the series ended with two suspiciously good looking finalists, the lucky winner of the prestigious title of ‘Master Pick Up Artist’ being Kosmo. With a K.

It’s hard to know how much the contestants will have learned having been schooled by J Dog, whose keeerazy hairstyle resembles the finished product of a primary school art class, a far cry from the ‘rockstar look’ he claims on his website. He’s also English, and speaking from experience it is not difficult for an English person to get laid in America. You don’t need to have tight game, as opening your mouth is usually enough to extract squeals of delight and admiration from American girls.

The next purveyor of Mystery Method craft is Matador, a man for whom the word ’sleazy’ may well have been invented for. Dressed in his safety net of all black (maybe he hadn’t read Mystery PUA’s thoughts on peacocking), Matador spent most of the last series saying very little whilst standing around looking somewhat glum, similar to a spoilt fat child who’s been last to be picked for a five-a-side kickabout.

Then of course there is Mystery PUA. I couldn’t really tell if he was genuinely supportive of the people he was trying to train, or was simply using the program to boost his now sizable ego. A man who was quite possibly once thoroughly deserving of the title, The Pick Up Artist, was now resting on his laurels of fame and financial security brought to him by The Mystery Method. We saw him do very little in the way of in field demonstration, apart from in the first episode when a girl told him that she loved him, to gasps of amazement from the resident AFCs.

The fact is, the first series taught nothing about pickup, and was just another reality TV show, with any value painstakingly extracted by the powers at be. Is Mystery PUA one of the best pick up artists in the world? At one stage of his life I’m sure he was. Is the Mystery Method still of value? Yes, if taught by the right people.

So what can we expect from the second series? No doubt the contestants will be geekier, and more outrageously socially inadequate, a number of whom will break down in front of the camera at some point, gushing about how Mystery PUA has ‘opened their eyes’ after they’ve just introduced themselves to a girl for the first time in their lives.

Perhaps J Dog will shock us all by showing just how absurd a hairstyle can be for a man approaching middle age. Maybe Matador might actually risk drowning in his own hair gel? Who knows? I would say that I’ve got my sky plus and notebook ready in anticipation of the second series of The Pick Up Artist, but that would be a massive lie.

A long time ago is someone tried to convince me that the art and entertainment scene Singapore was anything but boring, then I would refuse to believe them and tell them to start drinking stronger coffee. But this was some years ago and definitely Singapore has truly been transformed from a slightly mediocre city of bright lights to a lively arts and entertainment destination with a reputation that resonates all over the region and even Asia Pacific.

Lets talk about arts and heritage. The National Arts Council and some other governing bodies have pulled together their efforts and truly created a Renaissance City from almost nothing. Now, not only do we have the buildings, but we have quality acts, plays and exhibitions to show to the world. The National Museum and Heritage Gallery are some locations that boast Asian and worldwide exhibits taken from the best and the brightest from neighbouring countries. As a tourist attraction the architecture of these places and more is a definite draw, but as a purely spiritual attraction, these museums have outdone themselves with creative, innovative and unique exhibitions and performances, indoor and outdoor that has inspired much laughter, applause and wonder.

Just look at the Esplanade; touted as the ‘Theatres on the Bay’, there are more than a few hundred plays, recitals and concerts playing within its massive wall and multiple theatres in a year. It plays host to the famous Mosaic festival and some internationally acclaimed and locally produced shows. Ian McAllan graced the ‘durians’ with his presence in a bestselling performance and rendition of King Lear.

The nightlife and entertainment scene is no slouch either, with more than 300 bars, lounges and clubs all over Singapore. Can you imagine that in an island that is only about 40 miles wide and 32 miles long? How did the entertainment scene manage to pack in that amount of night spots in such a small space? Well it is true and whatever your fancy, whether you want to sit back and sing karaoke, relax at a lounge, sip a beer while listening to a live band or even dance the night away, there is somewhere you can go. Singapore even boasts more than 4 acclaimed local and international microbreweries, with more than 200 different varieties of beers sold in Singapore so far. Festivals and events simply add to this resume, with the recent Oktober Fest capping of the year with one of the biggest and best beer festivals in Asia, boasting a wide variety of beers for sale.

Concerts? Of course! Big names like Eric Clapton, Rob Stewart and pop bands like Green Day and Linkin Park have all graced this island with their voices and there is definitely more to come with giant music festivals like WOMAD set to land on our sandy shores once again! There is no end in sight to how much can be written about the arts and entertainment scene in Singapore, so what are you waiting for? Dive in!.

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We’re caught in a world where time is money and extremely precious.  It’s difficult enough to figure out how to create art, run a business, and have a life but there’s one more step we need to consider that will make running a business much easier.  When we stand in service to others we create an exchange with the community and those we serve.  This is not a call to go out and volunteer for every nonprofit that knocks on your door.  I believe that when we are of service to our own community first we are given a huge advantage in the business arena.  Remember charity begins at home.

One of the communities most artists belong to is an artist guild.  If you go, how many times do elections come around and the board is scrambling to get someone, anyone who will give a year to serve.  I can tell you from personal experience that serving on your professional organization’s board is the best investment you can make in your business.  It sets you aside from others in many ways and allows you to provide your vision for the organization and the art world. 

When we make a commitment to serve we are making a statement to the world that we are firmly planted in our art business.  We set an intention to succeed and lead with that example.  As part of the leadership team you can keep your finger on the pulse of the community and realize skills you may never have recognized in yourself previous to that moment in time.  You’ll be included in marketing decisions, exhibition plans, education opportunities; all of these are things you can take and apply toward your own business.

Upon entering the coaching world I never had any intention of serving in a leadership position.  Things change quickly and within six months I was part of the leadership team.  That move led me to run for the board as Secretary and then I was asked to run for President of the organization.  When you are given the opportunity to lead it’s not just about guiding the organization, but creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and inclusion.  You become known for more than just your artistic talents; you become multi-dimensional.  The key is the more people you know and know you, the easier it becomes to run your business.  Remember, word-of-mouth is still one of the strongest selling points we can hope for in the art community.

Take the opportunity to learn more about yourself and if you want create a work of art based on your leadership experience.  Serving will provide you with insights into human nature you can’t gather in any other manner.  You get to make the leadership experience what you want it to be.  It can either be an asset or a liability, that’s your choice.  Since we’re in the business of building an artrepreneurial empire I’m guessing that you’ll find the way that suits your personality and your style to help move your business and the art community you belong to forward in its mission.

Over time I learned that as a musician or songwriter you have to learn what works and what doesn’t if you want to make money. The problem for most, I realized, is the fact that this process takes a very long time if you’re not exposed to the right social network of people. Most musical entrepreneurs aren’t business minded and really only want to handle the music aspect of things. However, that mindset is like jumping into Satan’s throat head first only to be regurgitated as a slimy green mucus. I learned that lesson the hard way but that’s another story. In order to effectively make money as a musical entrepreneur you have to carrying almost everything yourself – bottom line.

The phrase “money talks” is very true and if you don’t have it don’t expect others to eagerly throw themselves onto the bandwagon. Everyone has their own agenda. So unless you can somehow appeal to someones agenda get ready to put all the pieces of your career puzzle together yourself. This also requires you being realistic. I’ve heard so many say, “But my music is soooo hot, it’s only a matter of time before I make it! The music will sell itself!” That has to be the most untrue statement anyone could ever think. MUSIC DOESN’T SELL MUSIC, PEOPLE DO. Promotions and marketing are very large subjects that can be carried out independently using a variety of social outlets. In this article I’m going to discuss the online do’s and don’ts of promotions and marketing. Hopefully some things will get clarified for you.

Top 5 Online Marketing and Promotional DOS AND DON’TS for Artists and Songwriters

1.) DON’T PLAN ON GETTING A DEAL FROM ANYTHING YOU DO ONLINE. As a matter of fact don’t do any promotions or marketing with the primary goal of getting a major label deal. That can be a goal but be sure to always make building a larger fanbase your primary goal. Even if you do not get a deal your fanbase will be sure to keep you paid as long as you keep them happy. Deals fall through and labels shelf artists all the time, but a true fan will always support you. Cater to them. Another reason to keep your fans first is because if you have a large enough fanbase you’ll actually be more inclined to find a label deal. With the recent resurrection of the one hit wonder and declining album sales, record labels want to make sure that an artist is marketable before they sign them. They measure that according to how large your fanbase is. Understand?

2.) DON’T PUT ALL YOUR ONLINE EGGS IN ONE BASKET. DIVERSIFY! I always come across musical entrepreneurs that have a Myspace or a Twitter. Maybe both. Maybe they’ll have a Facebook too. Splash a Youtube video here and there and you’ve now become every other musician. Now-a-days that’s not hardly enough. Imagine having no buses, cars, or trains and the only form of transportation you were using was a bike. Well, if you’re only using Myspace, Twitter, Youtube or Facebook (the usuals) to market yourself than you’re riding a bike while others (not many) are flying G4 jet promotional campaigns.

The online world is all about Search Engine Marketing (SEM). Look it up if you’ve never heard of it. That’s partly how Google and Yahoo determine rank on their search pages. Anyway, be sure to create blogs and update them regularly, write and distribute online press releases, create profiles on multiple sites like Reverbnation, and write articles on Ezine and other places with links to your sites. ALWAYS have a professional web site (www.yournamehere.com for example). This gives you a professional look and helps people distinguish between you and the millions of other artists out there. Also, social networks come and go but your website will be your great pyramid that stands the winds of internet time.

3.) DON’T STOP PROMOTING AND MARKETING! Constantly update all the sites you have. It’s easy to be forgotten so update regularly to keep your audience interested. Remember what Aristotle said, “Time crumbles things; everything grows old under the power of Time and is forgotten through the lapse of Time.”

4.) DON’T FOCUS ON THE OPINIONS OF FANS THAT AREN’T IN YOUR “TRIBE”. According to Seth Godin your tribe is your core group of fans. Bob Baker says, “I suggest you not be distracted by the people on the fringe of YOUR tribe. Don’t insult them (unless that’s a part of your brand identity), but don’t cower to them either.” Trying to appeal to everyone will only water down your identity and lead you to failure. Focus on the true fans. Those include the people that attend all your shows, buy your albums, comment on you sites, and support you whole heartedly. They are your IDEAL customers.

5.) DON’T INVEST MONEY IN ANYTHING WITHOUT PLANNING YOUR DIRECTION FIRST! There are so many scams out there preying on musicians for money! Due to the fact that the entertainment industry is so congested, many musicians have become desperate. Scams are constantly taking advantage of these people. Be sure to write down exactly what it is that you want and exactly what you need. That way you don’t go spending money on services that you don’t need. If you know what you want people can’t convince you that you need whatever trash it is they’re trying to sell you. Remember this quote by Alfred Montapert, “In life, the first thing you must do is decide what you really want. Weigh the costs and the results. Are the results worthy of the costs? Then make up your mind completely and go after your goal with all your might.” Cheesy but true.

Read more articles and similar topics at www.JayCriss.net

 

Let’s face it, deciding on entertainment for your next party or event is always a tough decision.  Everyone wants to provide their guests with the best entertainment for the best night out. But what do you get? Who do you choose?

DJ’s are common. Yes they have the latest top 40 songs and are in control of music all night, but unless you have $400-500 lying around, I recommend buying an Ipod, upload the songs you like, plug it in to a speaker and let your guests choose the songs they want to play. Simple, effective and saves you money.

Photographers are also common. However, unless you need 5-star shots, save your money, use your own camera and still get high quality shots.

The secret of good entertainment is a Magician!

The reason why a magician is the best choice is that he is 100% personable and 100% unique. Magic gets your guests laughing and interacting with each other that no DJ or photographer can do, plus people not many will have seen magic live; especially close up.

People always assume magic is for children, but talk to anyone who has had a magician at their 21st or 40th Birthday. They will tell you that it was the best choice they made.

Magic gathers crowds and gets people talking. You want your friends telling others about your party for weeks, month’s even years to come.

Yes, you may need to spend a bit more money, but what’s more important to you. Saving money and having an ok evening, or spending a bit more and getting an experience that you and your guests will never forgot? You choose?

Magicians can range from $200-$2000 for a nights entertainment. I get calls all the time for people who want me to do my show cheaper. I always tell them, that you pay for what you get. If you spend $200 you’re going to get someone who is either is starting out or someone who is not full-time. If you spend $2000 you’re going to get someone who has probably made a name for himself and or been on Television. Price is based on value, talent, and who the person is.

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I recently had an email from someone who had visited our website, liked what they had seen, but had a question about our methods and philosophy. The question was this:

“What about if I am an artist and I don’t want to change my profession and also I don’t want to have another job on the side? I want to keep my work and have great benefits from that.”

In other words: I don’t want to do anything apart from my acting career, and I want to get well paid for it. What do you think about that?

My immediate response was a mixture of amusement and irritation. Of course, for everyone pursuing an artistic career, what we all ideally want to do is get paid a ton of money for doing what we love (just make sure you have had your financial education before this happens – you don’t want to end up a morality tale!). If you are a dramatic actor, making $100,000 per episode for being in a high quality night-time drama is about as good as it gets. For a musician, platinum albums generating millions in residual payments is where it’s at. For a sculptor, having ones work on display in private collections and museums world-wide would bring home more than enough bacon for any number of New York apartments and trips to South America. But, assuming that it may be some time before we find ourselves in those enviable positions, what are we going to do about money?

And that, I think, is the problem with thinking along these lines. Sure, there are those, very few, people who are lucky or talented enough to walk out of their acing schools and into full time acting careers, or whatever other artistic endeavours you chose. But, for the rest of us, there will be a period (anywhere from a few months to several years), where we will have to do something else in order to make ends meet, while we wait for the income from our art to allow us to live in comfort.

“Have to”. Those are the operative words in that sentence. Not “want to” or “like to” but “have to”. There is a great line in “Gladiator”:

“Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to”.

Now, do you have to have another job while you pursue your artistic career? Not necessarily; but unless you are either supported to willing to live on the streets, then it is something that you seriously need to consider alongside your artist development.

For the person who asked the question above, I would say this, finally: At Abundance Bound we have tools to help you work out exactly how much you need to earn in order to live (email us at mailto:info@abundancebound.com with “Chart of Expenses” in the tag line for help with this). Having gotten that number, you can then find work, be it your own business or a regular job, that will provide that amount in the least time possible, leaving you free to pursue your art around it. If you can sell enough pieces or work enough days to not need anything else, then that is truly great for you, and the focus now becomes what to do with the money you are earning, so as to get the greatest benefit out of it (that is where financial education comes in)

But, for the rest of us, truly consider the options before you. Take control of your financial lives so that you can pursue your art free form the crushing weight of financial stress. Bite the bullet and handle things now, so that they do not get out of control later. And, above all, never stop focusing on your artistic success, because by doing that, all things are possible.

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