Since becoming a blogger six years ago, I have sat and observed how the blogging industry has taken over the way EVERYBODY get’s their information. And I have been a champion of that shift. Bloggers have become the “tastemakers” that determine today’s trends in music, entertainment and Hollywood.
I, along with my blogging brethrens’, tiring efforts are responsible for certain artists getting signed, hit songs, and brands & products becoming household names, at least when it comes to the vast land of the internet.
And though most bloggers happily log into their computers logging in hours and hours to bring our readers the latest on any and everything, I don’t feel that I’m alone when I sit back and think to myself, “what’s in it for me.”
My inbox fills up with 1000’s of emails a day from hopeful artists who want to get their talents and brands out to the masses. As of late I have been very particular in who I get behind and what I blog about. Since leaving the safe halls of SOHH.com, I’ve learn how to better understand how to operate an internet business [and let's be clear this is a business]. And in a time where the world, particularly the entertainment industry, have come to rely on bloggers in the capacity in which they have, it’s high time bloggers start to become more respected in the game.
“What’s in it for me,” has become a daily mantra that I have adopted. Anything that Gyant blogs about is done out of luv, but it’s become abundantly clear that the industry I hold near and dear to my heart is severely undervaluing my industry.
I can’t go one day without someone reaching out for something that at the end of the day does nothing for me.
Certain publicists, record label executives, artist and managers get it. And every time they reach out to Gyant there’s always something in it for me that is meant to motivate me a little more.
But more times than not a lot of people look at what I, and many other bloggers do, as a hobby. People still think that we get our rocks off by blogging/talking about them. And that, that’s “payment” enough.
Yesterday, while talking to Jeezy, the top selling MC and I made small talk as he did some publicity for his brand new sneaker he’s got with Adidas. Jeezy immediately showed me luv, and even offered to give gyantunplugged.com an exclusive gift for my readers. [more on that later]. It immediately got me to thinking, “If Jeezy can take note of a bloggers value in today’s time by making sure that his event benefits him and me, then why am I wasting my time on those who don’t?”
New comer Verse with Interscope records rounded up a few top bloggers, and took everyone to lunch on him just to show that the Virgin Islands entertainer gets it and wanted to set a good first impression. Other artists have flown bloggers around the globe to tag along on their exclusive events.
Ron Hurd at Def Jam always provides bloggers with whatever they need within reason. Ron has invited me to chop it up and attend private lunches with the likes of LL Cool J and Jeremih. Ron, and Def Jam understands the need to make it inviting for media [bloggers] to cover their artists.
Rico Brooks over Block Entertainment sent me over a bottle of Cristal and Aces of Spades champagne one time after reading a blog I did on both celebrity beverages of choice. The President of Block ENT has executed many ideas that Gyant and Gyantunplugged.com have benefited.
I ran into the owner of trendy clothing line Cavi Clothing. After speaking to him about me being a blogger, and understanding that his brand needs internet luv, I was shipped a box of exclusive clothing that left me eternally grateful.
One artist called me up for a meeting and presented me with $2,000 cash just as a thank you for embracing them and looking the other way when gossip ish develops that’s clearly not true.
Promoters, Hannah Kang, Botchey & Zae, and Laura Giles ALWAYS show luv to the bloggers on their now very well-known and established “Investment Club.” I’ve never seen a blogger have to pony up cash when they roll through their spots. I’ve come with 5 deep sometimes and it’s never been an issue.
The list goes on and on.
To those who have looked out, I will ALWAYS support no matter what*. And their standard should be adopted by the masses as the blog power becomes more and more powerful with each passing day.
One artist who I got behind when everyone said I was crazy, has gone on to sell records, sold out tours and gets free swag from today’s top companies on the regular. Has that artist, or his manager looked back and shown me love on anything? Nope. These days I rarely hear from them unless its to post a new song, or do damage control when they post racial slurs on their twitter page.
So, while it’s great to say that I was directly responsible for getting hip-hop fans and other bloggers to take dude to the next level, I got to ask, “whats in it for me?”
Another artists manager calls me regularly to keep showing love to his artist who is immensely talented, but who’s fanbase needs improving. Never once has anyone from this artists team reach out and say, “hey, we appreciate what you’re doing – what can we do as a thank you?” And subsequently I have declined covering this artist in any extreme capacity.
There’s tons of examples to use, but the point of this blog is to check ALL y’all out there who think that bloggers will continue to look out for you when you’re not looking out for us.
Am I advocating ponying up cash for a blog ala payola – absolutely not!
But “luv” can be shown in SO many ways. Why not buy an ad on a blog site, offer to do a site takeover, when you’re out on tour fly a blogger out on YOUR dime, take a blogger to lunch. Or hell if you’re too lazy or stupid to think of anything innovative, simply put some money in a bloggers hand when you spot them out with a simple, “I appreciate you, or “Thank you.”
And this notion extends to artists, record labels, broadcast and cable networks, who want bloggers to essentially WORK in helping them promote and advertise their product. Because when you pull away all the layers, that’s what you’re asking a blogger to do.
And lets be clear, inviting a blogger out to your event is NOT luv because we know you’re going to be expecting coverage on our site the next day.
* Since alot of people are misreading my, “I will ALWAYS support no matter what.” No, you can not buy my opinion, but the “support” will always be there. Support comes in MANY ways.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Tags: Sound Off, What's In It For Me
good post.
Good post Gyant. I wouldn’t be where I am today honestly If i didn’t have your help.
I dunno…….. this is getting real close to Payola. Not that it is illegal but this can go left real quick. I can see buying ads and swag antrips but cash ….. think hard Gyant you don’t want it kknown youi are taking cash!
I first want to say ArronBright.com and the .com-ers (people that support what we do which includes your very own K.I.M thanks for the comment) are supports of Gyant and Kim. The reality is what your saying is true and “the blog” world has definitely played a crucial role in creating a paradigm shift in journalism and media. Gyant and Kim you guys are at the very begining of a new horizon for media so its gonna be hard at first but what I can say is being different is the new black (that was a lame) the editorial focus and content at gyantunpluged (excluding Kim) is the same as every other “hip hop blog” but of course you have your own spin (WHICH I LIKE). Gyant, why should we as viwers continue to log in – if you answer that the ad dollars will support your dream. We are in a whats next world look at myspace remember them the same thing will happen to blogs so if you connect with us now we will stay with you if not will find the next cool blog and probably check in from time to time….”I’m just sayin” (LOL)
I remember when Jermaine dupree went in on you when you were at SOHH and when I saw that I said you had something, now how you optimize your current shift is critical to transitioning gyant unplugged from a “hip hop gossip blog” (sorry) into a lifestyle blog with a hip hop theme that brands (like coke and Mc Donalds with that more ad dollars than some record labels entire marketing department) can utilize as a platform to promote their products and services. Relationships with publicist (and most artist publist are just their friends handling emails and basic stuff true publicist integrate their client or brand into media (gyantunplugged.com) and develop comprehensive publicity campaigns in conjunction with the marketing plans that are conceived and implementing by Marketing Directors) only gives you content and reliable sources relationships with Marketing Directors across multiple industries – that your viewers use is where you will find people that understand the reach that your brand (blog) has.
The music industry is on life support which means the advertising/marketing dollars are tight so its going to be hard to run gyantunplugged with support from the music industry and yeah I remember when you said Asher Roth (that’s the artist that he’s referring to I’ll say it for you) was gonna be the truth but Kid Cudi stole the tour. What I would say is most business fail within the first year due or real marginal socces due to to lack of planning and analization (S.W.O.T), you have an audience what you do with us and where you take us is up to you and K.I.M (Finally Gyant blogged about something that was worthy of me commenting inside joke with me and K.I.M what up girl). You and K.I.M should take sometime and think about where you want to see the blog and us as viewers in five years and start to shift us to that direction and we will follow if you don’t we’ll find another new blog, that’s the world we live in. Its a next world but if you build a connection we will follow you and probably support (put or money behind you) if we believe in you. Gyant you never know who’s reading your blog, this comment was wriiten by the lamest blog ever http://arronbright.com/ sorry no spell check and I kind of agree with fkiznoyd your haters will take it another way but if you didn’t have haters gyant would you have gyantunplugged.com
@arron
Thanks for your comment!
My blog isn’t talking about the business side of my site. I understand all the ad and marketing stuff.
What I’m talking about the belief that bloggers don’t matter when it comes to thinking of us outside of our perceived capacity.
I’ve had label execs call me asking for me to get behind their artist, come out and interview, produce, produce, produce. And I’m supposed to do it? Why?
And lets be clear the publication industry, particularly magazines, gets heavy money from the music industry.
I know of a very well-known magazine that charges 14k for the cover. Other publications don’t make a move unless they are getting ad money from the labels.
Back in the day when writers used to travel all over the world with artist for exclusives and features. Do you really think the label wasn’t footing that bill?
All Im saying is if you want me to come to your event, keep the edge off of YOUR gossip, look the other way, and over all support you make it worthy of bloggers to do so.
Also, though GU may seem like every other blog, it’s actually quite different in terms of the content. We go in over here.
I think with the decline of the print magazine industry – labels need to take, pay attention, appreciate the online bloggers even more. They wine and dine the print pubs why not the bloggers.
Get ‘em Gyant.
#1 STAN
[...] Donalds with that more ad dollars than some record labels entire … Read the original post: Sound Off: "What's In It For Me", Ron Hurd, Rico Brooks, Young … Share and [...]
[...] the rap blogs everyone knows are run as businesses. They have big sponsors, put on CMJ events, even score awesome payola from actual recording artists! Though I think the artist in Gyant’s story is going to want [...]
[...] this is a good read if you want to get the perspective of a veteran: Sound Off: Gyant Asks, “What’s In It For Me?,”Ron Hurd, Rico Brooks, Young Jeezy, Cavi Clothi… Since becoming a blogger six years ago, I have sat and observed how the blogging industry has taken [...]