Analog or digital? — A culture of gifts
A client confronted me with an odd opinion: He doesn’t want his work (music) to be released online. No MP3! Bad quality! Pirate copying! No. Never. No!
Let’s face it:
Anything that can be digitalized, WILL be. And anything digital that can be copied, WILL be…
Time to take it to the extreme – just imagine: Digital stuff, everything that can be converted into ones and zeros, will be available for free. RIAA or GEMA won’t stop it. The publishing houses won’t stop it. Hollywood won’t stop it. Apple won’t stop it.
Only »analog« experiences, like concerts, meeting people (yes, in the real world, not on facebook), painting/drawing (yes, material matters), products (clothes, porcelain), etcetera, can be monetized.
Scary, right!? But I think it’s worth it to think about this ‘vision’ for a second. Can your business, your art be digitalized? May be it could be reckless to ignore it. The record industry can tell you a thing or two about it.
Why don’t try this one:
You should give away a digital version/part/piece of your art as a gift.
Share it. And it will multiply.
Also it will enhance the value of the analog experience of your art. You will surely receive interest and appreciation for it.
Foodnote:
The notion »art« refers to Seth Godin.
Check out his book: »Linchpin – Are You Indispensable?« (Affiliate link) and his blog post
»The hidden power of a gift«.