Deliverers

The game is filled with talkers. People who make a bunch of claims about what they’re gonna do or brag about how much they’ve already done. And for those of you who are new to the game or your profession (or the workforce in general), it can be easy to be convinced to buy into the hype.

After all, we want to believe. We are hungry and ready to accept anyone who is willing and able to help take us to that next level.

But talk is cheap. And unfortunately many can’t seem to get past the talk in order to back it up with action.

I mean, I once had a guy in Whitefish, Montana tell me he was the most important person I would ever meet in the music business. He was drunk, but somehow said this all with a completely straight face.

And that was just one of many. But it’s part of the game. Weeding out the bullshit in order to get to the treasure is a big part of what we as managers and agents do. That’s why we get a bad rap as “gatekeepers”, but the truth is the artist probably doesn’t want to deal with everyone who needs something from them, so they assign that responsibility to someone they trust to act on their behalf. And hopefully that person has the experience to communicate effectively in a timely manner.

There are a few other great results that come from experience. For one, as you ascend in your career, you will find yourself in more accomplished circles, surrounded by veterans you can rely on for background checks. Also, your BS meter catches things much faster, so hopefully you can avoid getting finessed for your time, or even worse your money.

One truth you can’t avoid is that you can’t cheat the process. You aren’t just going to be accepted with open arms by successful moguls in your field when you haven’t worked nearly as hard or accomplished nearly as much as they have. So you have to build with others who are at your same level, yet just as driven as you are. But I digress. Back to the regularly scheduled program.

Often talkers win. They’re the premier salespeople, and they know just what to say in order to manipulate their customer/client/victim. And if you don’t buy what they’re selling, they have no qualms moving onto the next person and then the next until they catch a fish on their line.

Luckily, my energy never vibed with the talker. To put it bluntly, they annoy me and turn me off rather quickly. And unfortunately, I see it more now than ever, being smack dab in the center of Hollywood. It’s one of my few pet peeves in this business. All talk, no action.

There have even been many times when partners or associates have tried to tell me what I needed to say in order to close a new client/artist. To put it briefly, tell them what they want to hear, even if it’s not true. But for some reason, I never followed their advice. I could never oversell my accomplishments or my position in the game in order to impress someone.

It didn’t feel authentic, and to be honest, I don’t really feel the need to put on a dog and pony show for anyone, because if that’s what they’re impressed by, they’re probably not the right fit for my personality type. I am who I am, and I do what I do.

I prefer to work with deliverers. Those who say just enough to let you know that they know what they’re talking about. And then they go on to overly impress you time and time again.

Ultimately, the only thing that matters is doing and completing. Which means making excuses and acting entitled without putting in the work are grounds for dismissal.

So be a deliverer. And surround yourself with doers. You can’t lose!

Thanks again for all of your support. If you continue to gain insight from my words, please share this newsletter with your friends, homies, mates, besties, and comrades.

Til next week.