[.ca] Self-Promotion for the Creative Person: Get the Word Out ... (ISBN 0609806262)

Should Creative People Remain Clueless About Self-Promotion?:
One of the major difficulties that creative persons as artists and musicians have is promoting themselves. In fact, I would have to go so far as to say that many of these individuals are clueless when it comes to marketing, networking, creating a niche image, selling, gaining publicity and the benefits of the Internet. They may even be bogged down by stringent guidelines or the "what will people thing and say" syndrome if they dare try something novel or creative to promote themselves. Author Lee Silber is an entrepreneur, graphic artist, drummer, and workshop leader, radio and talk show host. His most recent book, Self Promotion For The Creative Person, is a packed filled guide aimed primarily at the creative person who may be very talented as a musician or artist, however, seems to be lost in the shuffle when it comes to recognition. Silber divides his book into eleven topics that he examines thoroughly, namely: making yourself more marketable, right-brain marketing plan, hustling and persistence, i.e. taking no for an answer, creating a niche for yourself where you become memorable, getting across your message, networking with the right people, word of mouth marketing, selling yourself without comprising your beliefs and objectives, creating positive publicity about yourself and Internet marketing. Each chapter is prefaced with an appropriate quotation related to the topic at hand. If you look at the chapter entitled "Show Off (Get Your Ass Out There)," Silber quotes Martin Scorsese who said: "It's important who you meet-after all, if you meet forty or fifty people, the one person who will produce your first film might just be there." The author then goes on to elaborate what it is to show off and he delves into the sub-topics of how having a high profile helps, as you never know whom you will meet. In other words, treat every person as if your professional life depends on it. Other suggestions in the same chapter examine ideas as to going where the action is, proving yourself to skeptics, get out and meet people, don't turn down little gigs, attracting the media, developing a fan following, challenging yourself, and many more hundreds of ideas and suggestions. What is interesting about Silber's book is that it is filled with hundreds of very useful suggestions and ideas, all centered on creativity. After all, the book is addressed to creative individuals. Why should they not be able to leverage their creative talents in marketing and promoting themselves? Another useful feature of the book are the "action item" and the "ask a pro" short paragraphs that are sprinkled throughout. An example of an action item: "write the kind of review you have always wanted. Paste your product at the top of a best-seller list. (I pasted the name of this book at the top of the New York Times best-seller list). As for "ask a pro," Silber includes sage advice from such individuals as music writer, producer, and musician, Bart Mendoza, songwriter, Jason Blume, media relations consultant, Joan Stewart, author and self-promotion specialist Ilise Benun, graphic artist and author, Chuck Green and many more. The author also has included quizzes that reinforce the learning process of many of his ideas and suggestions. A look at the networking quiz, you will notice 10 true or false questions that immediately make you examine your networking techniques or your deficiencies. The book's strongest points is that the author effectively proves that it is a myth to believe that promotion is both a waste of time and beneath the artist or musician. As Silber states in his introduction, "if you maximize your creativity and craftiness, self-promotion can be a right-brained affair." There is so much interesting subject matter in this book, that it would be very difficult not to be able to find and immediately apply some idea or advice in promoting your creative talents. Norm Goldman Editor of Bookpleasures.com

How to Start a Buzz around your Work:
Self-Promotion for the Creative Person teaches creative self-employed people how to promote their talents and services quickly and effectively. It shows artistic people how to tell the world about the benefits from their talents and services without wasting their time or money. It includes innovative ideas, cost-effective methods, and a wide variety of marketing approaches to build a business or develop a successful career in the arts. As the author of a series of books for Creative people, the founder of five businesses and a well-known teacher, speaker and radio-talk host, Lee Silber knows what he is talking about and knows how to get it across to his readers. Using his own experiences, Lee explains how to use word of mouth, the Internet and various methods of networking. The author begins by helping readers clarify for themselves exactly what they do and shows them how to articulate it to others easily and quickly. He shows how to stand out from a crowd, to start a "buzz" about your work and to create marketing matrials and methods that work. He suggests readers choose a few things to do right away so they can see the immediate results. I would advise any self-employed and/or creative artists to read this book, try the many exciting ideas and put it where you can find it because you'll want to refer to it frequently. Reviewed by Maryanne Raphael

After thirty years in the business, I thought I knew ...:
... what I was doing. All that time I worked with some of the top creative advertising people in Memphis who shared ideas with me as we worked for some pretty big clients like Holiday Inn. Somehow, when it came to promoting myself, especially the true art that I do because I love it, the song of my soul, I wasn't selling the work that meant the most to me. I was baffled and discouraged. I mean, that is why I got into this business in the first place. I have tried reading and applying all the rules, but none seemed to be a proper fit for my brain, my heart, my world. Then I read this book. This guy understands what it is like in here. Using visual, emotional images, and humor he gets the points across in an organized, interesting way. He innoculates the reader with hope. Everytime I read another section, my mind started leaping off from his ideas into my own. I felt like I was drinking a pot of coffee ... I got excited, like he was a cheerleader excited for me personally. He covers everything. This book approaches problems in a variety of ways, so it helps open up new categories , new ways of problem-solving. Practical,fun,and a gentle, but true mirror on the ways we sabotage ourselves. This book has changed the way I think. Wish I had read it years ago.

Self Promotion for the Creative Person:
I LOVED this book! I have been trying to find a way for years to make things happen as an artist, but everything I found in other books seemed futile. This book was an inspiration! Things I can actually do to make my career happen! Lee Silber definatly knows what he's writing about and it's not boring (How's that for new and different in a self promotion book). I actually would get excited about my carrer like I should be.

Best in series:
I read this one first. And, I'm reading the "Career Management" book as well. I really enjoyed this book. It has helped me promote Phillustrations.com a great deal. I use Lee's suggestions regularly! Great quotes, great stories, great tips, well-researched, and fun to read!