DISQUS

Alice · 7 months ago

I am so proof that you are doing this right, I think you're hysterical, and anytime you post something, I think, ooooh, Johnny. That'll be fun. I seriously almost signed up for PM just on that basis. And I'm 29 and have NO IDEA who Snow is. So...yeah. I don't know what you were doing with your youth.

BrandonSW · 7 months ago

Damn. This is a good post. You just changed my mind about something entirely. You just made the whole "Brand You" concept clear. Nice.

I remember Snow and that song. Except, the first few times I heard it, I was POSITIVE he was singing about "Goat Farmers". Goh-t Fah-mrrr....

remarkablogger · 7 months ago

Johnny you're ridiculously right about this.

Out of all the people doing photoshop tutorials, the guy who does "you suck at photoshop" is one of the most well-known, because he's hilarious. Not boring. He teaches the same crap as all the other photoshop tutorials everyone else does, but he stands out.

Johnny B. Truant · 7 months ago

I so did tell you what to call it. I just did it in a separate email, and your email inbox is like a black hole. I was suggesting "HOW TO SCORE CUSTOMERS BY NOT BEING BORING"

Ha!

Jason D Barr · 7 months ago

I remember Snow. All I have to say is... 1992? I'm really that old? You suck, Johnny. You ruined my Saturday night.

I guess that's not all I have to say. I enjoyed the post. I've come to the realization lately that it's really not worth it trying to be someone you're not, in order to gain followers or acceptance or whatever. You're either gonna fall on your face, or you're going to get people to fall in love with someone that isn't really you, and you're going to have to keep up the charade forever. That sounds worse than just being yourself, doesn't it? Great post.

Paul Gillespie · 7 months ago

Snow. Um, no. I'm your age and either you've got a seriously better memory than I do, or you're just, well, unique. I'm voting the latter. :)

Great post, BTW. This is very helpful, and something I know I need reminded of from time to time.

Andy Fossett · 7 months ago

Yeah, I remember thinking Snow sucked in junior high.

His album was called "12 Inches of Snow." It inspired me a few years ago to call my CD "4.75 Inches of the Andy Fossett Rock Supreme."

Alice · 7 months ago

Ok, that's the funniest thing I've read all day. LMAO.

Ms Constantine · 7 months ago

I had no idea who Snow was till a couple of years ago when I was working with a lady a few years older than me. (I was only 7 in 1992 but I definitely know who Vanilla Ice is, how can anyone not know Ice Ice Baby? It's on Singstar!) I promptly looked up this crazy song she was referring to and learnt how to rap/sing the chorus. I don't remember it now, and I haven't listened to the song since. But I know what you're talking about.

Tim Brownson · 7 months ago

You muppet Truant you should have called me up. I know I don't own this blog but I would have got the Snow reference and that's way more important.

You can lick my bum bum down any time big boy.

As long as it doesn't actually involve any licking or touching of my bum that is. Nipples are fine, but my ass is right out.

At least for the first couple of dates anyway.

Johnny B. Truant · 7 months ago

I also have to point to my buddy Naomi Dunford. How many people do online marketing? Five hundred million? Yet she's a big cult hit because she's so incredibly irreverent.

I'm not saying it's necessary to be controversial or way out there, but at least be yourself. Jason is right on... you take your shot, be yourself, and people will either like it or not. Whenever I wonder if I should write something, I think, "Well, is it what I really think? Is it how I really feel?" And if the answer is yes, I do it and cross my fingers.

ChristiaanH · 7 months ago

You bring up an excellent point here, if you make sure you stand out people will remember you.

Being boring is easy, just have a look at your twitter screen and see how many boring people are out there. "I just fed my cat" doesn't make an impact. "I just finished shaving my yak" however will probably get you noticed. But seeing as nobody in their right mind would shave their Yak I doubt you can use that one. Just imagine how many razorblades that would cost. On the upside you would have more than enough wool to make an awesome rug that would smell a bit strange.

Just to prove you are right ;)


ps. No Yak was hurt during he typing of this comment, at least, not by me.

Johnny B. Truant · 7 months ago

I'd like to point out that I made the post immediately following Tim's well BEFORE he commented, but that it was held in moderation. Now I look like a dumbass following that butt comment with one that's all marketingy and earnest.

Ralph Carlson · 7 months ago

So you are saying it's not good enough to have a product with value. It doesn't matter if nobody notices. And maybe if somebody notices, they might never realize that it doesn't have value?

Johnny B. Truant · 7 months ago

The other important thing to keep in mind about Snow is that people, they say he come from Jamaica, but he bornnraisedin'necticut.

Johnny B. Truant · 7 months ago

@Ralph - I actually answered this question earlier in the PM forums, so I'll cut and paste my answer here:

--
I'm saying that you need to not forget to be a real person with a real personality. A product is a product, and the product has to be great. But don't forget that you are a part of it. I want you to not be boring as you go through the process and meet your peeps.
--

Yes, the product has to be there. I don't want to suggest all form and no function. But as Michael said, personality can make you stand out if you're otherwise in a sea of relative sameness.

Ralph Carlson · 7 months ago

I appreciate your point.

ericabiz · 7 months ago

I don't just remember it, but I ALSO have "Informer" on MP3. Do I win the "least cool" award? ;)

-Erica

Jonathan Mead · 7 months ago

Johnny actually has a 10,000 CD collection of white rappers that cities of over 400 people never knew about.

And actually, every post about marketing Johnny does involves a white rapper. It's really strange... but somehow it works.

Johnny B. Truant · 7 months ago

That's totally true. Totally true.

Lynn Crymble · 7 months ago

Snow - yes I remember him and the song. Apparently, at 36 I'm freaking Miss Ellie here (that's an 80s reference so no one will likely get it).
I was a waitress in a restaurant that turned into a night-clubish thing after 10 p.m. and that bloody Informer song played every Friday and Saturday for over 6 months.
Not too happy with you Johnny for bringing that up.

And speaking of bringing up - while I agree with showing people who you are and being interesting. Something about "personal brand" makes me throw up in a mouth a little.
Just be yourself for fuck's sake. And if you're not interesting in person, I think it's really hard to make yourself seem so online.

Now, I know the words "personal brand" never made it in this post and for that I'm grateful.

nette · 7 months ago

I remember snow and vanilla ice. And in 1992 I was 7.
Your jokes are the whole reason I make it to the end of your posts.

Gyuri Grell · 7 months ago

I remember seeing Vanilla Ice on MTV, but Snow? Who dat?

Oh, and I'm all for making ProjMo more fun! Go Johnny!

Johnny B. Truant · 6 months ago

Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D39Lm_HRfOs

Have fun getting that shit out of your head.

Gyuri Grell · 6 months ago

Right back atcha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8BxbdQqMRE

Genevieve · 6 months ago

You and Navarro are the reasons I joined a membership site that relies primarily on video, when I effing hate video. That's some serious marketing right there. I'm off to go download Snow. Back then, I listened to it only on headphones so nobody would know.

ACRocker · 6 months ago

Johnny --

Not only do I remember Snow, I have his album. Literally. Album.

As for the Vanilla Ice reference, the only thing that sucked worse than his heavy metal phase was his movie Cool As Ice. Also a classic. He was known to utter cool shit like, "Yo Cat, drop that zero and get with the hero." Yup yup.

From one 33 year old to anotha... word to your motha.

www.adamspeaks.com

Martin · 6 months ago

*sighs*

I remember Snow. I even bought his CD. I think it was a CD...possibly a tape.

kyliejowiser · 5 months ago

Isn't Methuselah a tree??

brandonjames · 5 months ago

I think there’s a fine line between owning your brand and product and controlling ones ego. This whole concept of financing freedom is to develop a more complete, happy version of yourself. It has been said that the ego is the main element in our lives that disrupts our peace and causes suffering. Having your ego so closely tied to a product could lead to a great deal of suffering when that product changes. While the ego and a successful brand have some interplay, I think it's important to work on ones ego and get it to a state that is fluid and easily changeable. That why, when your product or the market shift, so can your ego.

annaly · 5 months ago

Your writing is so honest and you've obviously found your life's purpose. It's really a joy to read you.

NomadicNeil · 4 months ago

This is exactly the way I'm approaching things. IMO this applies to every facet of your life btw.

NicholasR · 4 months ago

Nice post, and I remember snow, I was only 8 years old back then.

Breki Tomasson · 3 months ago

I not only remember Snow, I still have his album in my record collection.

And no, I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Andrew Caldwell · 3 months ago

You kids can't remember snow? C'mon, that tune would be rocking out ring tones everywhere today.....

Good post too Johnny, there's too many stale 'how to blog' blogs around the place these days...

Sean Oliver · 3 months ago

And the one MC Shan. Which makes me mad, because thats how ALL english as second language folk pronounce my name, SHAAAAN. Really. Penn, Connery, Young probably don't have that problem.

Why not make a SUSP. That way, when people ask what you are about you could go, "SUSP".