It was 2002 that I learned the most valuable lesson of my lifetime. Your dreams and passions were for sale. A market was born with the birth of the internet that before never existed on such a large scale. It became a billion dollar business to take what dreams you had for your future and exploit them for the mighty dollar.
Back in 2002, I was merely a college student that was going to school to become a recording engineer. During my time in college I was hired by the legendary Brian McKnight’s brother to help him coordinate talent expos for unsigned talent. Little did I know and what I would soon realize is that this wasn’t what it was thought to be. For the thousands of hopefuls, it was a chance for unsigned artists to get their music heard by “executives” in the music industry for their chance to “make it big”. Each hopeful paid $50 to Fred McKnight for the opportunity to get heard. But only I really knew who was listening. As the talent expo began, Fred McKnight placed me and other college students in the seats that were supposed to be held by Industry executives. Let me be clear in saying, we were nothing at the time. Not one of us had an inside link to the industry, and none of us could help any of these hopefuls get their shot. Yet we sat there and listened as we were instructed. We sat there while hundreds of hopefuls, who paid their fee, walked up to our tables for us to listen to their music.
What a scam, I thought. How could someone use the name of their famous counterpart in a way to get money out of people’s pockets in exchange for such bs? Though this was an in-person view of what dreams for sale means, the internet has abused this market in ways that I never knew existed. Now instead of a Fred McKnight using his name to sell a service that he had no intention of following through with, websites, dj’s, influencers, celebrities, and so many more did the exact same.
Through the years I have witnessed, first hand, dreams being sold and billions of dollars being cashed in. And for what? Never once did I see an actual opportunity that came about to anyone, at least nothing substantial. Instead, I see websites claiming to get music heard “all over the world”. Those websites that display your music all over the world, aren’t necessarily lying. Sure, your music is placed on the internet, all over the internet and throughout the world, but no one is searching for you. I’ve seen DJ’s, Celebrities, and Influencers, use their fame and connections to “get you heard or seen”, all for the mighty dollar, but is that what is really happening? More than likely, these people pad their pockets, all for you to say you might have a chance. Did you ever cash in on that “chance”.
Social media platforms “boost” your posts, but how many of those boosts actually translate into dollar signs in your pocket.
Understanding the game is necessary to surviving it. Being aware of the predatory practices to capitalize off of you is key to avoiding them. Reminding yourself that your passion and your dream is most important to you and there is a market that cashes in on that dream.
May I be the one to tell you that if someone of influence sees that your product is worth an investment, you do not have to pay for that because they will approach you to invest. Million dollar people approach value the same way, with an investment. It can be an investment of time, money, access, and opportunity, but if your product is worth it, YOU will not bear the expense. After all, you’re the creator of your product or service. Don’t let someone sell you a dream that you can accomplish with hard work and by protecting your ownership and perfecting your product or service. Take it from someone who has witnessed time and time again, Dreams are for sale.
Sereniti Sparkles 