How to sell your art without selling out patreon

[@JackConteExtras]

I remember the first time I played a show for actual, real FANS. Fans who actually came to see my band. It was at a laundromat & cafe called brainwash cafe. Yes, it was a cafe AND a laundromat -- the idea was that you could come do your laundry, and while you were waiting, you could order food. It was a weird idea, but it worked. It held about 40 people. They had a little microphone at the back of the venue strung up to an old speaker on a broken tripod in the corner. Bands would occasionally come and play there to a room full of people waiting for their laundry. It was a vibe. But the owners were rather “receptive” to any band (you didn’t need a huge following), so Pomplamoose, my band, signed up to play a gig. We were thrilled that they would have us, because frankly, we had no fans. BUT…. two weeks later, when it came time to play the show, HUNDREDS of people turned up to see us. The place was PACKED. There was a person standing so close to my keyboard they were touching it -- sometimes even bumping it forward as the crowd waved back and forth. There were also over a hundred people OUTSIDE, peering in through the windows of the venue, too. They were spilling into the streets. Cars had to drive around them. Halfway through the show, I strapped on my accordion and went outside to play a song for all the people who were waiting to see us out in the cold. It was one of the most magical, memorable, important moments of my life. It was the first time I had made something that really CLICKED. This video is the story of how we got it to click.

[@jacobollivier]

Thanks so much for doing these videos Jack, I'm LOVING them!

[@undeadsinatra]

It remains one of the greatest, most insane shows I've ever seen.

[@JackConteExtras]

@@undeadsinatra you were THERE?!?! NO WAY!

[@undeadsinatra]

JackConteExtras dude, absolutely! You probz don’t recall, but it was the first time we met in person! I was the next to last person in the meet-and-greet-after-the-show-line, had y’all sign one of those posters you had printed out (had it framed! Still hangs in my house!), introduced myself as someone who worked at iTunes. [note to other aspiring musicians- that is no longer true, I can be of no help. Sorry.] For the historical record for anyone else reading this: Danielle Ate The Sandwich opened the show. Julia Nunes was there but didn’t play (and had a terrible cold). And I believe Hank Green stopped by at the end after doing some Harry Potter gig that night also in SF. For the right kind of KZbin music geek of that era, it was quite the gathering of “stars” under the same roof.

[@juStb4u]

Amazing story of magic indeed. I'll never forget the feeling of playing my first gig (and every subsequent 150+ gigs) and having the love & energy of the crowd fill me up, but more so, the inner feeling of pure bliss in doing what I had set out to do...in doing what I love most. My mantra to this day has always been - play for yourself first - (as though there were no crowd) because if you can be totally happy and enjoy what you're doing in that instance, you'll never compromise your authenticity or integrity...and you'll know you're in it for the right reasons.

[@firsthandaccount]

So many people on the internet are self proclaimed “masters” who “only want to help others succeed”, yet hold all their most important secrets to themselves and those who give them a ton of money. Jack truly is the opposite, he doesn’t even say “I can help you” he just lives it. He leads with action, and as an artist, I can’t thank you enough for helping us in every way you can. Actual, legit, useful, help. Thank you Jack

[@pattasgames6066]

There are no 'secrets'

[@firsthandaccount]

pattasgames 😂

[@TedNemeth]

There simply could not be a better person to have started Patreon. He is a treasure.

[@austinmcconnell]

I remembering watching this talk in 2016 and being so inspired. Thanks, Jack.

[@projectatlanticmusic]

Jack, you are absolutely killing it with your recent uploads! I love having these essays to watch and listen to for inspiration and encouragement. Keep 'em coming!

[@Camkobo]

I love you man, truly. I don't know what the world would do without you. YOU are changing the world.

[@notchomsky1234]

I really enjoy listening to almost anything that you have to say. There’s something about your speech style that is excitingly smooth. It’s friendly and certainly not aggressive. As I get ready to ascend up the Patreon latter, your existence and public image is very comforting to me. I can almost see light at the end of the tunnel. But as always, even if you had something great to say about anything, nobody was listening before the internet. Now, it’s very different. Now, almost anything people have to say can be medium for greatness.

[@JimineyBob]

Well done! I really like the advise here and I have seen it work for myself too. A few months ago I changed my packaging from 2 min sketches to 30 second sketches and shared them on Reddit. I have more than doubled my subscribers in a matter of 3 months and I’ve been uploading to KZbin for years. Keep the packaging fresh and keep your soul the same 😄

[@ChadsCustomCreations]

Holy crap, I feel like I just stumbled onto a free talk that Google would pay millions for to be spoken to their employees.

[@RedLeClerc]

This is exactly the information and motivation that I needed in my life right now. I've been feeling at such a loss for how to get more attention on my music, and my brain has been focussing on changing the music itself, which just makes me feel empty and sad. Changing my packaging is exactly what I need. Thank you so much Jack!!

[@SymphanyinSorrow]

Its almost like a book. Its the content in the book that will make the impact, but it is the cover (packaging) that will pull people in initially.

[@SammySideFX]

Jack, these videos mean the world to me, I've been ramping up my work ethic towards music as I become more and more desperate to succeed and your advice keeps me inspired and motivated not to give up! Thank you so much for everything you do!

[@hurleyman77]

Don't be AFRAID of selling out. You have given such a good way to think about this. I often worry about selling out, but selling out is difficult to avoid until you have a way to think about it. Your "box" analogy is so helpful. There's one qualification that I think is worth adding. Don't be AFRAID of selling out. The problem I'm struggling with right now is I don't know what's in my box, and what isn't, yet (I'm almost 40, so it's a little embarrassing to say that, but embarrassment leads to not making art, so that feeling will have to take a back seat). The only way I'm going to find out what's in my box is BY SELLING OUT, and then having that feeling of "Oh... I really cared about that... it sucks that I betrayed it..." and then RESPONDING to that feeling by saying "Let's put that thing in the box, and not change it again." If I'm AFRAID of that process, I won't ever learn what it has to teach me. You have so many good things to say, and they've been really helpful to me as an artist. I don't mean to detract from them at all, simply to add that fear is the mind killer. Don't be AFRAID of selling out. Learn what it has to teach you about what to do next.

[@JROtoons]

The KZbin algorithm is "the coho" here

[@Daantjer]

Ever since I watched your nothing works talk almost 2 years ago I was impressed by your ability to explain in a talk presentation format. I'm really glad you're doing these!

[@malandarn]

I’ve never heard someone communicate this whole concept so well.

[@JSMinstantcoaching]

Adjust your packaging not your soul. I remember just a couple of weeks ago I was confronted to a situation where I had to choose between making a video that I am doing from my soul, or making a video based on the success of a former video. Today I am glad I stuck to my soul. I have just watched your funnel definition, everything cllicks. I am still a small channel, but it's good to be helped by your content.

[@tavusion]

Your recent videos have been providing massive value, thanks and please keep em coming 😊🤘🏻

[@7thperspective666]

This was soo good. I swear you are one of the best presenters i've seen. The idea behind this video really resonates!

[@BehindtheBrand]

Spot on. Good advice Jack...I feel that too and it has served me well.

[@HallsEmporium]

Thanks for covering this topic again. I’ve seen the original video of you talking at Patreon HQ about packaging vs the box and it just hits so right!

[@juStb4u]

Really insightful Jack, thanks for sharing this! Incredible how just one small (yet really significant) change to your delivery or packaging or what have you can change so much of the outcome. Never compromising who you are or what you stand for represents the ultimate form of creative integrity and is a must for anyone to command respect & longevity. I've only recently gotten acquainted with Patreon through one of my favourite musical artists Henry Saiz who started his Patreon family in April and he by far is a perfect example of an artist doing it for the right reasons and not selling out.

[@christopherwood1668]

Jack, I 100% feel this.. but as a photographer posting on Instagram, rather than a musician playing in a café. It might sound dumb, but I absolutely hate square and 8x10 crops. I love Panorama's, 16x9, 2x1's, and instagram punishes you for posting them, or doesn't even allow you to post that size. I've been researching ways to share my images without social media, and you've inspired me to continue to adjust my packaging and not my soul. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@bbacalhau]

Hey Jack! Just wanted to say that I've been loving this videos and they have been really useful! All the best!

[@magiccosplayuniverse]

WOW! Jack this spoke to me on all the levels. Thank you for sharing this!

[@BorutPeterlinPhotography]

Thank you Jack Conte, this is a great advice and I know really well what you are talking and I appreciate that you've put it into words!

[@yasminajacaj1347]

man thank you so much for this video, I was pretty motivated and in the mindset you discussed in the video pre-pandemic but i’ve been pretty down and doubting myself as of late, this video couldn’t have come at a better time

[@ManfredAckermann]

I still have the videos from KZbin that made you special. The art in production amazed me... Thanks for having the balls to go through all the shit you had go through.

[@AndyGlover]

Such a great message. I think artistic integrity is an awesome thing to value, it lets you be you, no matter what the medium! You always keep it real, Jack, and I really appreciate the value these videos bring. Thank you for sharing.

[@FKeyPianoMan]

One of the most enlitening chats on marketing music. Thank you Jack!!! You have inspired me

[@jessieferriol]

I need to change my packaging, thanks for the interesting idea.

[@realmanuches]

Wow so insightful.. thankfully you will have this band to be a backup financial source as your company burns to the ground LOLOLOL

[@knutchen]

Thank you so much for these thoughts on your journey! They are gems to me!

[@andrepazmusica]

Jack, i always loved your vlogs, so glad u doing this again....

[@drdemi]

that's great, jack! i really think that as artists we should take time to define ourselves. i guess we created so much resistance to defining ourselves - because obviously we want to be free. but defining ourselves without challenging our freedom is so key! it lets us know what actually is important to us (and feels like freedom to us) and what doesn't

[@cobralyoner]

Jack I love seeing more videos from you!

[@ShivKachiwala]

You are a great storyteller Jack! Glad you are doing all this good work! Peace

[@meyerjoseph5901]

I am running into this problem. I am glad you're making a video on how to actually sell art.

[@michaelbrindley3487]

Cheers mate honestly being 18 and starting out this has helped me alot 👍

[@jeffreyjbyron]

I used to play at the CoHo too. FloMo freshman year...And I worked at the Dink across the the way ;-)

[@TheTwoTonesLive]

Instagram has been my ‘Co Ho’. It’s exactly how Jack says it, I was writing in a style I thought people on Instagram liked, rather than what I myself was in to. I stopped making that music a long time ago now, but hearing it so eloquently put by Jack there really speaks volumes. I hope more people stay true to what’s inside their box.

[@InfectedEnnui]

This is a great distinction to make--which aspects of your art you can feel okay changing for marketing purposes. Identifying the core aspects of *your* art that you can never compromise on. Was hoping for more practical tips though, based on the title. This is really more about how to *think* about selling your art, than it is about *how* to sell your art.

[@neuroxik]

This is *the* shit. Content and delivery are so valuable and condensed! I really needed this right now, thanks!

[@winetechguy]

Jack, this is an amazing treatment for creators and their journey to finding their audience. I'm coming at this from the other side. I'm not a creator (musically anyway), I'm part of the audience. I don't feel like there is a great way for me to find the creators that I'm cued up to be a big fan of. Example: I like therunningmates, and yes I found them because there was a Cranberries song that I was watching covers of (I think it's hard to cover Delores O'Riordan), and they had covered it. I still think there could be a more efficient way for me to find bands that appeal to me, so I can be a loyal follower, and perhaps patron. Best/Les (tech entrepreneur, food nerd, music lover)

[@WasabiNoise]

This is very inspiring, thanks for making these essays!!!

[@MatthewBlackMedia]

I feel like I just 8 years of wisdom from a 20 minute video. This is exactly how I needed this lesson “framed” no pun intended.

[@ARTSessionSeries]

This just blew my mind! Thank you

[@mrfleamino9350]

Thank you Jack

[@vancalven]

Man i love your videos. Super passionate and real. Awesome words for every aspect in life. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation to create and be free. Love from Argentina! Also was wondering how weird it would be to see you without a beard lol

[@71460music]

I've been making music that no-one listen to for years and I'm loving it. I got on Spotify in case anyone might enjoy it who knows, but I enjoy so much doing it I honestly don't care if it's not heard. Although of course I would like to be liked (that's something human I guess).

[@JackConteExtras]

that is such a beautiful attitude, and RIGHT ON. it reminds me of an amazing video essay that i love by adam westbrook, called "painting the dark." it's about Vincent Van Gough who apparently painted for over a decade... without selling a single painting. Because for him, painting was an "autotelic" activity. he wasn't making money. he wasn't getting famous. he wasn't even showcasing his work. he just loved painting. When something is "autotelic" it means that you're doing it for the sheer joy of the activity, ITSELF, rather than for the expected reward or outcome generated by that activity. For Van Gough, painting was truly autotelic: he just loved painting, and he was doing it because he loved it. He didn't have to sell paintings to make it worth his time, because the act of painting, itself, was worth every minute he had. so I guess what i'm saying is, you have the same attitude that Van Gough had -- you're doing it for the sheer joy of doing it. which is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

[@didnotkn0]

Hey I got a question. Whats up with Patreon moving to a payment model more profitable for Patreon? I heard its taking from creators, is this true?

[@JawShoeAaa]

i still miss the way pomplamoose changed as a project, as most things do. I generally think back on the jump cuts and Dad's home. It felt like something possible for anyone with a fun sensibility and a knack for the art of compilation. the use of clip-able moments every second meant you could see the vocals being recorded at the same time as the drums and the hook and the chorus all at the same time and its use of space was so efficient that now when i see the way its done now. But thats not to say that the old Hail Mary , Be Still , Centirfuge, Little Things , Experation date , those jams mettioned really need a deeper representation in the attempt at being a creator and approach each upload as its own The Playlist PomplaSongs is easily one of my favourites on the site.

[@jonclement]

how the heck do you write these "essays" ? I'm just as interested in HOW you wrote it...then WHAT you say.

[@eviewhy]

I agreee!!! I loved the video he did on Elle Mills breaking down how she actually composes her videos, would love to see that here with these essays!!!

[@MrJamesgibbsIII]

Great video! :-D It's amazing the very little adjustments to detail as an artist you have to make is so frustrating but so necessary to draw traffic to your artistry is mind boggling. But as humans be are drawn to what we are drawn to. So if something catches your attention, and you don't know why it has your attention so much, the same thing can work in your favor if you do the work. At least that's what I get from your video among other little things. But I will say that as a very accomplished musician and artist, you have a new fan of your work from me. I love your work ethic and your passion for what you do. You are very inspiring. Keep up the great work. I will be following you.

[@CoreyWagnerChicago]

This really spoke to me on another level. Man.... Thank you

[@plica06]

Another amazing video from a master.

[@JamesSmith-cy2fp]

So, just recently, I came to this concept, I think it's a Taoist concept that, "A bowl is only as useful as the empty space inside it, like a window is only as useful as the size of the hole." I get it, internally, but I been contemplating a lot about how to explain this. How can I share this concept, in English. And this video hammers that nail, right on the head. We come up with great concept, and ideas, and great products, and probably even make great products. Awesome. You built a window. Wow! What a neat bowl. But as cool as that is, with it's intricate design, and paint, and features... What will a bowl do that a painting cannot? What will a window do that the 5'x5' section of wall cannot? Why a double set of 4' wide doors, instead of a single 3' door? (I have a handicap daughter in a wheelchair who can tell you why.) Anyways, I've been studying design, for sometime as a project that I am working on to change my life forever, and this concept of selling the void is something that I am finally just starting to understand the concept of, and just as I was just getting it, I come across this video which stamps a punchline, confirms what I've trying to wrap my head around in a nice, neat package/summary, just like how 80s cartoons would have a wrap-up summary, at the end, when a couple HeMan characters, or GI Joe guys would come out and say, "If you noticed, in todays episode, such and such happened, but it was this noral characteristic that helped our hero save the day..." So, this was a long-winded way of saying thank you, thank you, thank you. This has definitely been a very critical piece to the runway I am building that will allow me to take off with my future. Thank you.

[@sirtibz9753]

Thank you for everything that you do.

[@euartista]

What a message, love it! Interesting what is your constant value and the perspective of variables to yield different outcomes. Thank you Sir!

[@norbertsierschynski8120]

You are active legend Jack

[@mswdev]

It's the meaning of life, our frame can make a huge difference, this is deep. :)

[@MrandMrsLivingLife]

This is very good information. Thank you for sharing

[@TravandCor]

Great video once again, thnx

[@CaRadJa]

► PLEASE MAKE POSSIBLE ON PATREON THAT WE , CREATORS ON A REGULAR BASIS , COULD MAKE THE PREVIOUS MONTH'S MATERIAL (VIDEOS , IMAGES etc.) PRIVATE OR AVAILABLE TO UNLOCK FOR AN ,,X" AMOUNT OF MONEY ... THAT WOULD BE FAIR FOR THE PATRONS WHO PAID FROM THE BEGINNING , IN REFERENCE WITH THOSE WHO ARE NEW AND CAN INSTANTLY SEE ALL THE MATERIALS EVER CREATED (for which the first ones paid several months of memberships) 🎻✌️Great video by the way !!!

[@GLASYS]

Hey Jack, thank you for these videos! I'm interested in your thoughts on the short lifespan of new art these days. We release something we spent weeks or even months on , it gets some attention for a day or so (could be 1000 views or a million, doesn't matter) and within 24-72 hours it fizzles out and it's almost as though the content/art ceases to exist. So then we try to create more and more content (often sacrificing quality for quantity, or risking burnout) just so people don't forget us. It's something I struggle with a lot. Sometimes it almost feels pointless to release things when I know they're gonna be forgotten within a day or two.

[@suparickyprime]

WOW! ....THANK YOU !!!!...... GOOD STUFF!

[@TubeJamesTube]

Love your videos jack!

[@SaiChooMusic]

Great metaphor! Thanks for the video.

[@buccaneerpenguin]

Very similar vibes to certain ideas in David Byrne's "How Music Works"

[@freddougly1509]

You basically just described the conceptual concept of a salesperon's "bag."

[@freddougly1509]

bag = box

[@EdutheStoryteller]

Great for photographers

[@parablemovies]

This video is AMAZING

[@MRMT2000]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with 78 tabs open at the same time

[@marcusjayallen]

my favorite video of yours

[@mynameisneb]

Suddenly all of JackConteExtras videos are being suggested to me. Maybe this is a sign for me

[@albertomontesinos]

Dude, you're a fucking genius.. Great inspiration... please keep it up keeping on

[@SanathKumarNaibhi]

What if? like me, the song choice is inside the box. I mean I prefer being unknown/known to few than be famous by someone else's song.

[@ujkim1548]

You da man Jack!

[@waynefredrickson951]

Loved this thanks

[@LHSlash]

This is a great video. There is a lot in here.

[@jeroenfigee]

10:15 > Really interesting subject. When you phrase it, like you did, its bllllllll ughhhh :-) . But then, in the 90s I thought, I need to make stuff more commercial, so I took a swingbeat approach on a song and that thing turned out so great. Still love it. I also kept the 'me' in that thing, so it was 40% modern and 60% typically me. Worked like a charm. . Your topic raises the question.... can you sell out and still make it artsy and interesting? . Can you make stuff they want and still make it the best possible, so the artist will enjoy it too? . Thumbs up from me 👍🏻 Big fan of your work and admire what you have accomplished ! :-)

[@Faizzuu]

wait, this is a new video?? i thought i was watching an old video since im surfing through all of jack's vlogs. and i totally agree with his point tho, packaging your art doesnt matter how simple would give it more millage its baffling.

[@TCCR]

I gave the 667th thumbs up so I feel like a savior.

[@inimei_g]

The idea of Patreon is so great but what changed my Mind was the Fact, that I write in three Languages, also in Turkish...In Turkey you really got this meaning Problem...In Turkey "Patron" means "Boss"...you can't say there "be my Boss"...that's crazy...🙄🙏🏽

[@olli2591]

Well, you don't sell out this way, but you will also risk mostly gaining fans that like your packaging, but don't actually care about your art. And you said, like probably most artists, that you care most about the things inside the box. Which should also mean that you want fans that care about the things inside your box. But now you tricked people into your art only by using a packaging they like and most of them won't care about what's inside. Many artists have used the cover trick over the past years and most of them have not been able to stay successful. You guys are an exception and I think that's because you managed to actually reach some people that care about what's inside your box over the years. But that was mostly luck. And also, isn''t only doing covers a huge compromise? Of course, you can change a lot about a cover, but it will never be 100% YOUR song. And yes, I know that you guys still create your own tracks, but they're never even remotely as successful as your covers. Which makes me wonder: Do most of your listeners really care about your unique style, your footprint, your soul? Or did they stick because they like your packaging?

[@Dan-Black]

Very well said! That's a great thing to recognize -- to figure out what's important to you, what's not, and what you can adjust without hurting the parts that are important to you. 9:54 to 10:53 - I noticed you didn't mention any specific songs that you regret. Would you mind naming any of them? Or are you trying to avoid it so you don't hurt anybody who likes them, or maybe trying to avoid drawing attention to them? (Or maybe you're avoiding hurting the people who worked on them with you, if applicable.) Even if you won't name any, could you tell approximately how many of them fit that description? (Is it just a few, or is it… more?) Do you still perform any of them, or have you tried to let them be quietly forgotten? Heck, I think it would make a cool video for this "extras" channel just to rant on one (or more) you don't like and let out some of the anguish and frustration, to give it a proper "go to hell / sorry not sorry" sendoff.

[@robertkielty5094]

What is my relationship with the box?

[@chanceblevins6682]

If you are putting in work you are not selling out you are buying in.

[@postmanpat6]

I hope Sargon comes for you. I have my popcorn ready.

[@colinadevivero]

You are amazing

[@sirdiealot7805]

I find it peculiar that song choice isn't part in your box as a musician, but it's your box.

[@SuperCharizard101]

Honestly it sounds like if you had stayed true to your "musical soul" in the coffee house it would have been annoying for the students trying to work there. I think not compromising on your soul is fantastic, but also asking "am I the right person/artist for this venue?" and then walking away if the answer is no can be just as important.

[@BalladofJanine]

Checkthisstuffout! That's my blue

[@Theworldisabeautifulplaceyakno]

Thinking about how to apply this to my photography

[@1thomson]

So, let's see. The medium is the message? Why does that sound familiar? Hmm. I'll have to think about that for a bit. If I remember, I'll get back to you. 😋

[@oissakify]

Great video 😍♥️♥️♥️

[@macnugget]

I didn't sell out, I bought in!

[@giulianogirelli]

sorry but that could help me better understand your point, you wrote "julia nunes all my loving" in the search bar, not "the beatles". or it's me i do not understand ?

[@DaveConrey]

Sidenote: I found boxes on the internet. You can buy them on Amazon. Just saying.

[@jokkemartens8065]

Damn this is good..