a indicently dressed ladyAllow me to say that most today’s marketing campaigns are filled with dirty gimmicks. Be it for movies, music videos, skin products, food, automobiles, talent shows, lotto, virtual services, etc. I say dirty because most will arouse your sexual appetite while you are lured to take the desired action. Believe me, we have got so much used to it such that we do not even notice the negative impact it has on us; both the marketers and the consumers. There seems to be no other world free from such. It is amazing how much criticism one can get from posting this article. I don’t want to reference religious and physiological effects that have resulted in today’s sick society just from these haunting marketing gimmicks.  

 

A confession was made by the late South African music artist Lucky Dube who said his children once asked him why the girls are dancing nude in front of a video camera. This was during a music video recording session for one of his reggae songs. It is interesting how children conceptualize some adult practices that are discouraged to them.

 

Don’t be deceived, these gimmicks are not at all the drivers of success but success comes from within and is right in your hands. It is not in the half necked woman advertising your product, not even from the romantic sexual activity clips that show in the music videos, the nude lady pictures on the wall, etc. but it’s directly from your effort.

 

Whether you have a passion for art, writing, music, photography or poetry, you quite likely feel that you’re filled with unbounded creativity. Why, then, does all that creativity seem to dry up when it comes to marketing your special talents? Why must you continue to work in obscurity? If this is your frustration, it’s time for a change. Use some of the following real-life techniques to help you launch a new promotional campaign.

 

1. Start Somewhere, Anywhere – Do Something Now

 

No reason to withdraw is good enough if there is a solution to it. Never let the lack of money, knowledge or connections stop you from at least taking the first small steps toward getting recognition and exposure for your talents.

 

I could have waited forever if I had to seek for the so called perfect timing to publish a book. My best seller ‘Business Insight and Money Making Ideas’ couldn’t have raised the flag of our nation even so high even in neighboring countries. I was just ready to publicly display my project and thus I attracted the relevant support.

 

Just because my book wasn’t published by well known publishers, it didn’t mean I had to treat it lightly. I sent press releases to local media, promoted my book on radio shows, and published a review in one of the local magazines.

 

There is surely something you can do right now to expose your talent.

 

2. Use Low-Cost, High-Impact Marketing Gimmicks

 

Word of mouth is laborious but has great impact and is cost effective. All you need is connecting with the right, people of influence in your area of interest and get tips and advice on how to go about spreading the word.

 

3. Describe What You Do in 10 Words or Less

 

When you get an editor, director, gallery manager or other important contact

on the phone, he or she may very well ask, “So what exactly is it that you do?”

How will you respond? By hem hawing around about how unique your craft is and how you “hate labels”? Don’t get caught in this trap. You should be able to define your creative skills in 10 words or less. Why?

 

Two reasons:

1. So you can quickly communicate your creative niche to media folks, industry people and potential customers.

2. So you can use it as a gauge by which to focus all of your performances, titles, artwork, photos, ads and more around a consistent theme. People (including you) shouldn’t be confused about what they get from you.

 

Examples: If you’re blogging like me, use a phrase such as “I write to encourage people to explore their talents.” If you’re singing, say “I specialize in Gospel music”.

 

4. Do It Yourself

 

Who else can clearly define what you want and how you want to do it? Nobody except for you. Don’t wait to be “discovered” in a talent search forum or for your lucky break to come along. Instead, start making things happen for yourself with the little you have and grow.

 

5. Combine Your Efforts with Other Creative People

 

There is power in numbers. Instead of thinking about being in competition with other creative people, start brainstorming on ways you can combine your marketing muscle with theirs.

 

6. Give Away Promotional Samplers

 

This is very useful for starters. If you are not yet a celebrity and trying to find your way to success, you need to offer a taste for your recipe to that people can decide on what they know. Many may not buy same time, but they can refer back to your whenever the need arises.

 

7. Call Your Work Sweet Names

 

Whether your creation is a novel, film, theatre production, music CD, book of poetry or art exhibit, give it a name that will create some curiosity and excitement. If it’s an occasion you are planning, market the results and not the activities.

 

8. Understand How People Benefit From Your Talents

 

It’s not enough to just create your art, writing or performance and throw it out into the world. You must know why people are attracted to what you do. What physical and emotional payoff do your fans experience when they enjoy your form of creativity? It also works well if you also consume your own product. For example, if you design and print Christian theme t-shirts, wear some of them while promoting to consumers.

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