So much great information and now I have to go to work. Brian, I don't know how you even have time to find all this great information. I look forward to and dread reading your posts each week, because I am so busy already. So I guess my Golden Rule has to be to make time to play every day. I love the 25 rules. The one I like the most, and loads of people I have played with don't do, is number 5, Listen. Sometimes I will go to a jam with people who just want to show off all their chops, take their turn in the limelight with a solo. It's like everyone is so into themselves, that its hard to actually jam. Some of the best jams I had when I was a teenager, was living at an urban commune, in summer, we would light a fire and have anything from 5 to 30 musicians turn up and we would jam all afternoon and into the early hours of the morning. Most of these people were really good semi pro musicians, and people would come and go. There were no egos. People were always keen to show off new chords, new techniques and share tips and tricks.
Luigi, I always like getting feedback from people who like to read the newsletter on a regular basis. I totally hear what you're saying when it comes to loving and dreading the newsletter...there's so much good stuff to learn from. It's a blessing and a curse. Back in the early days of the newsletter, years ago, I would only put 6 links in, but then I started to find so many things I truly enjoyed, and all guitarists are different, so I decided to put in all my favorite links, and have the readers pick and choose what they wanted to check out each week. Do you enjoy that format, or do you think less links would work better? I'm always trying to include just what I think would be helpful or entertaining.
I'm working on my own goals for this year with guitar. But I totally agree that listening is one of the most important things. You can tell right away when someone knows how to be in a band, and play with others, and when they're just out to show off. I think as we get older, hopefully a lot of that ego goes out the door. I'm also working on making time to practice something new each day. It's tough with a regular job, kids, and other commitments, but I'm finding ways to get rid of other stuff that doesn't fit that goal. One of my resolutions for the year was to consume less, and create more. I'm hoping I can come back at the end of this year and say it was a success!
Thanks Brian, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the format, the problem in this case is that it is really good and, like you I have very little time. I used to have a hugely successful email list where I wrote weekly posts about news in the area of telecommunications and mobility. I did what you are doing and people loved it. In fact I sold my mobile computing consultancy for a healthy sum of money, and went with it, on the basis of having 35,000 subscribers. Finding and curating the stories and making them relevant and useful was one of the most enjoyable parts of my working week. I just feel like a kid in a lolly shop when I read your posts, but I only have 10c and I'm on my way to school.
Thank you so much Luigi. I've been at this newsletter for a number of years, and just like you, it's one of my absolute favorite things I do each week. I love talking about this stuff, and being entrenched in the guitar world. Do you have any tips on getting more people to sign up and read the newsletter? I'm always looking to connect with new people.
So much great information and now I have to go to work. Brian, I don't know how you even have time to find all this great information. I look forward to and dread reading your posts each week, because I am so busy already. So I guess my Golden Rule has to be to make time to play every day. I love the 25 rules. The one I like the most, and loads of people I have played with don't do, is number 5, Listen. Sometimes I will go to a jam with people who just want to show off all their chops, take their turn in the limelight with a solo. It's like everyone is so into themselves, that its hard to actually jam. Some of the best jams I had when I was a teenager, was living at an urban commune, in summer, we would light a fire and have anything from 5 to 30 musicians turn up and we would jam all afternoon and into the early hours of the morning. Most of these people were really good semi pro musicians, and people would come and go. There were no egos. People were always keen to show off new chords, new techniques and share tips and tricks.
Luigi, I always like getting feedback from people who like to read the newsletter on a regular basis. I totally hear what you're saying when it comes to loving and dreading the newsletter...there's so much good stuff to learn from. It's a blessing and a curse. Back in the early days of the newsletter, years ago, I would only put 6 links in, but then I started to find so many things I truly enjoyed, and all guitarists are different, so I decided to put in all my favorite links, and have the readers pick and choose what they wanted to check out each week. Do you enjoy that format, or do you think less links would work better? I'm always trying to include just what I think would be helpful or entertaining.
I'm working on my own goals for this year with guitar. But I totally agree that listening is one of the most important things. You can tell right away when someone knows how to be in a band, and play with others, and when they're just out to show off. I think as we get older, hopefully a lot of that ego goes out the door. I'm also working on making time to practice something new each day. It's tough with a regular job, kids, and other commitments, but I'm finding ways to get rid of other stuff that doesn't fit that goal. One of my resolutions for the year was to consume less, and create more. I'm hoping I can come back at the end of this year and say it was a success!
Thanks Brian, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the format, the problem in this case is that it is really good and, like you I have very little time. I used to have a hugely successful email list where I wrote weekly posts about news in the area of telecommunications and mobility. I did what you are doing and people loved it. In fact I sold my mobile computing consultancy for a healthy sum of money, and went with it, on the basis of having 35,000 subscribers. Finding and curating the stories and making them relevant and useful was one of the most enjoyable parts of my working week. I just feel like a kid in a lolly shop when I read your posts, but I only have 10c and I'm on my way to school.
Don't change a thing :)
Thank you so much Luigi. I've been at this newsletter for a number of years, and just like you, it's one of my absolute favorite things I do each week. I love talking about this stuff, and being entrenched in the guitar world. Do you have any tips on getting more people to sign up and read the newsletter? I'm always looking to connect with new people.
Are you on Twitter Brian?
Yes, I actually have a personal and biz account. I'm @ChasingSound on Twitter, Instagram, etc.
Cool, now following you. What is your social media strategy to get more subscribers?