We know that to really get someone to like your work you have to move them emotionally. Only then are people really willing to surrender their precious money. Yet when I sit down and think, "What moves people?" I get stuck.
I found this blog post from the 49 Geniuses article Betsy shared. It's from gapingvoid.com, It says this:
"In 2016, all the really big winners in the business world are driven by something much greater than their best practices. Best practices may be the outcome, but at their core, they manage to sync up intellect and desire. They not only have the ability, but the will to win. It is our will, our drive, our emotional connection, which propels us towards being truly world-changing.
When we say that nothing happens until somebody feels something, that is what we mean. You don’t get to be the best at anything without a burning desire...
Attach emotion to logic and anything is possible."
Really?? It's all about the emotions?? That's sounds so easy, but I find it really hard to communicate what moves me deeply. I thought maybe I should try and make a list of those things, but even then something kind of seizes up inside, trying to pull a dark veil over its face, whining, "...But I'm not ready to come out yet..."
No emotional connection, no changing the world. So simple, yet so hard.
Any thoughts?
Changing the world might be as simple as serving meats which are raised in a free range environment. It resonates with people in an emotional way.
ReplyDeleteSeth Godin uses the example of Picasso not needing a camera. Picasso shared the world with us how HE saw it through HIS eyes. Picasso's view provoked emotional responses from people... love it or hate it.
I like this concept of Emotion + Logic, but, ditto to what your dad said. I think we think too hard about this stuff. ;)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite parts in "Art & Fear" is the pottery class experiment. If we replace that one perfect piece of pottery with the concept of deep emotional connection/expression, just like the students attempting perfection, we probably won't ever reach it because of the doubt and insecurities that crop up.
Two artists that inspire me greatly not so much with their quality of work, but by their quality of growth are Gabriel Picolo (http://gabriel-picolo.tumblr.com/) and Piper Thibodeau (http://cryptid-creations.tumblr.com/)
-Both of them started with the self-imposed challenge of making art every single day.
-Both of them started out by drawing loads of fan art for months; what they each personally loved/emotional connection.
-Both of them, 2-3 years later, are now focusing more on their own "original work" (in quotes because of "Steal Like an Artist". ;)
-Both have followings of tens of thousands of people by just sharing their artistic journeys.
I think emotional connection is going to be something that automatically inserts itself. It's the producing and sharing REGULARLY that's the rub for most of us!
I love Picolo's work! I remember seeing his drawings on DA back when he was doing a drawing a day for year (I think it was the same guy...) Just sharing what you have does go a long way.
DeleteBetsy... you madeth goodeth point there at the end. But, it were kinda sharp and it kinda hurteth.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies! If it eases the pain at all, I was only thinking of myself when I wrote it. I think I've failed more daily art challenges than anything else in my life.
DeleteI agree that I can think too much about connecting. Kind of like the perfectionist mindset brought out in Fail Faster. Nobody connects if there's nothing I out out there to connect with. I've always had trouble with the idea of picking a target audience. How do you just pick an audience? I understand picking a style or picking a specific craft and saying no to potential distractions in order to...well...specialize...but don't you have to test things out on people before you know what they like?
ReplyDeleteYou read my mind. I'm starting to think that "target audience" concept is something that was created for those who lack common sense and is getting outdated. Sally and I were watching the rebooted Voltron cartoon yesterday, and it was going along kind of OK, showing some promise, but then! Out of no where, completely against the mood of the story moment: a fart joke.
DeleteI can only imagine some guy who has power over the show said "We need to make our target audience of 7-10 year olds laugh! Put in a fart joke!" and the rest of the staff had to obey.
At the risk of sounding conceited, I think the Luntaos and Barreiros are too intelligent and passionate to have to rely on things like target audience testing. We all have exceptional taste, so if we make something with mostly just pleasing ourselves in mind, and make an effort to share it with the world consistently, long term, certainly, we should see success!
(So easily said... why is it so hard to do?)
I'm glad to hear you have such confidence in us! :D I know I have a lot of ideas and a lot of things I like, but that "showing up everyday for two years" commitment needs work. This blog helps, though. I feel it really does.
DeleteShow up. Share. That's going to have to be my new motto :)