The Economy and Your Brain

I'm friggin' sick and tired of the news. I understand that people are being laid off and that banks are going out of business and that we're all going to be swallowed up by a giant vortex of financial ruin, that we'll become a third world country, that cats will be eating dogs and that Godzilla is invading wallstreet.... ENOUGH ALREADY!

I know that this economy has affected a lot of people. But, believe it or not, listening to the media's doom and gloom only perpetuates the problem.

The stock market (and every other financial institution) increases and decreases value through speculation, through confidence and through fear. The more we listen to and accept the media’s interpretation of the financial status of America, the less confidence the consumer has, the more we’ll be sucked into that vortex.

How does this constant barrage of hysteria help you or me? It doesn’t! It only depresses us all - even people who are not directly affected by the economy.

What can we as Rebel Entertainers do about it? Here’s what. Turn off the friggin’ news every time you hear about death and destruction. Change the channels on the TV when they talk about “financial collapse”. Clear your mind of all the doom and gloom.

Replace that time with education on how we can market our shows better. Inspirational success stories. Take this time to re-tool your business. Re-tool your services. Re-tool your thoughts.
We are Americans, damn it. We’re a creative, innovative people that are not controlled by the reportings of the media.

I’m not being blind to facts of the economy. I understand very well what’s going on, but I also understand the effects that the media has on our psyche.

Here’s some good news that they don’t report:

Battery Companies - Business is up because people are keeping their electronic devices longer.

Vasectomy surgeons’ - business is (pardon the expression) up.

Bowling Alleys - Business is up because people are looking for cheaper entertainment.

Auto Repair Shops - Business is up because people are keeping their cars longer instead of buying new ones.

Grocery Stores - Most are up because people are eating out less.

Comfort Foods (junk food) - Business is up because people eat when they’re depressed.

Here’s something else. People that had ten million dollars in the bank, still have five or six million left. Our fees are still a drop in the bucket to the affluent. If you want to make some money, you may have to sell to a different market, or re-think your marketing. But the money is still out there.

Here’s something else that most people won’t tell you. Now is the time to INCREASE your marketing, not decrease your marketing.

Why? It’s simple Very soon, you will see less competition in your markets. Less direct mail, less ads, less everything. Entertainers will be going out of business right and left. The people that are aggressive NOW, will keep the lions share of the business. A year ago, I saw the writing on the walls. Instead of being timid, I did a HUGE marketing campaign for my particular market and literally took a number of my competitors out of the game. While they were waiting people to call, I was going after the calls.

In this economy, only the very best will survive. The entertainers that are sitting by their phone, just waiting for it to ring, will die on the vine. Being depressed and being in-active is not the way to go. Instead, take this opportunity to be aggressive and go for it.

It’s time to market smarter and more thoughtfully. Turn the negative TV and Radio time into positive study time!

Only when we change our attitudes about the economy and our own businesses will the economy start to turn around.