Every platform starts the same way. Some innovative programmer creates a powerful new tool. Then one of three things happen.
- One of the soon to be trillionaires pays millions or billions. They embed it into their platform.
- One of the soon to be trillionaires pays millions or billions just to kill it.
- The creator becomes one of the wannabe trillionaires.
THE RESULT? The people the platform was designed to help are screwed.
The Silicon Valley Get Rich Quick Scheme
Every watch Shark Tank? I have. Almost every episode.
Every year, dozens and dozens of tiny entrepreneurs scratch and claw for a little help. They just want to be seen. They just want to feed their family and pay the rent.
Every year a few tech guys pop up with their apps. They promise a new mousetrap to solve a problem no one knew they had. They millions of capital raised. They have burn rates. They have massive debt. All they need is a few more million from a generous VC to keep the lights on.
They are getting paid. They are on salary. The billionaire sneezed a few million their way. If that app fails. They will try another. It’s a casino game any Las Vegas whale craves.
Sometimes someone has something that truly benefits the world. Love those moments. Mr. Wonderful chastised someone for not knowing their numbers. Then complains about $100k, saying I NEED TO OWN THE WHOLE COMPANY FOR THAT. Then gives some random app $1 millions for 2% advisory shares.
QUIT YOUR DAY JOB?
I wrote my book QUIT YOUR DAY JOB to help actors create work for themselves. I wanted to show how I have been day job free since 2005.
At the same time I want to help artists avoid the pitfalls. There are more folks making money on our dreams than their are jobs working actors.
We need headshots, but unless going g after Hollywood/Broadway starring rolls you don’t need $1000 headshots. If answering ads for $200 gigs on actors access, use your phone. Not a selfie. Pose. Natural lighting is fine. But your phone is more powerful than the camera a guy used for my first headshot in 199 (something).
Day job free since 2005. I haven’t had a so called professional headshot in 20 years. I booked TV costar roles off my homemade shots.
Take classes. Train. But most of you don’t need to spend money on “coaching”. You need to be on a stage practicing your craft with other artists and great directors. You don’t need to pay to perform. You certainly most likely dont need to spend $2000+ for the honor of showcasing for free at a social called “comedy school”.
You need an agent/manager. But legit agents and managers never charge upfront. Professional casting directors never charge you to audition. I am even against most “networking” events. They are money makers for put of work actors preying on another’s dream.
I want to help change all this!
This is why I tell folks DON’T BUY MY BOOK. Emsil me and I’ll send you the PDF for free.
For five years I have been complaining about losing GOLDSTAR as a tool to fill seats and generate some income. It was a major blow to my marketing plans.
In thay five years, social media and SEO have compounded the problem. I told a few people the other day, NEVER MIND. DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB!!!
I will be fine. What I do still brings in corporate clients and schools, the backbone of my income. My expertise in using improv to teach invaluable life skills awards me a loyalty I often question.
If I ever have imposter syndrome, it’s WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS? THmhen I slap myself and remind myself of the life time of hustle to get a ticket sold or book a client and then the quality work I and my teams deliver EVERY DAY.
I hate the word DESERVE. I DESERVE… I don’t deserve anything. But I have EARNED everything I have!
THE FUTURE IS NOW
For five years I dreamed of assembling a team. In 30 years I have collected a roledex of artists, theater/club/venje owners, entertainment lawyers, producers, and chosen / found family (our fans, students, and clients).
I had this idea of creating a new GOLDSTAR. A platform where an artist and a fan can connect. A single platform that is a better YELP, LinkTree, MailChimp, and TodayTix for indy artists and smaller venues. A community builder that truly helps artists and venues an artists earn a living.
GOLDSTAR had a community of LIVE experience providers. As a producer, I gave up a cut of my ticket, offering a discount, but Goldstar filled seats with zero marketing dollars from me. And I intern used GOLDSTAR to experience new shows, classes, and even a tourist traps. Fun local activities I wrote off.
I have been dreaming on of a way to bring this GOLDSTAR expereince back. I now have the team and the means. Just you wait!
If you are an artist, a venue, a show, an experience provider, etc reach out. I am looking for beta testers for a new type of service app. Or better, an old type of service app. One that is not infected by the goals of Silicon Valley and investors. This will be something for YOU to build YOUR community. A discoverability platform without AI, algorithms and greedy CEOs.
Walt Frasier 