Rise of the Social Media Manager

In today’s society the way we communicate and deliver a message is far more different from the way people used to do it in the past. These days the social aspects that typically took place at the market, the barbershop or nail salon, happen all day long on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. At any given time of the day you can read someone’s opinion on trending events taking place in sports, politics, religion and many other facets of our society.

With this in mind, companies have taken a new approach towards marketing their products to consumers. Whether it is pay per click emails, affiliate marketing or generating likes and followers for their business or fan pages, the truth is the game has changed. Although many businesses are taking advantage of social media, it is also a viable option for many musicians.

However, in order to reap the benefits of your input, it is important that any artist or band view himself or herself as a company, a brand or small business first. If you don’t establish this mindset before publishing your material or generating awareness for your next project or performance then you are already at a disadvantage. Basically, unless you market yourself like you are a ‘somebody’, nobody will follow your call to action.

I experienced a bit of this early on in my career. Before there was Facebook, I generated an interest in my music by passing out burned cd’s of my tracks; I also did open-mics and karaoke nights. In the end I thought I was making progress, until I saw that much of the work I put in to marketing myself in that way only got me a handclap, or a good job from my target market. Basically everyone felt like they knew me and there was nothing special or unique about what I did. They all thought that it was my hobby, when in actuality it is my passion and my meal ticket.

In fact, one of the things I was missing was a social media manager. I could have told more people about my music, sold my music, and performed my songs all at the same time without leaving my house. In this case, I would have more time to actively pursue my craft instead of become bogged down by the excessive tweeting and posting online.

As time goes on more artists are increasing their presence online, which allows them to create a closer connection with their target audience while spending more time on their craft. Although some artists may have accounts, blogs, and websites many are not using them to there full capability. This could result in a lack of motivation and output to pursue one’s dream. The excess work can sometimes be too much when an artist has to also manage their online presence in addition to their in-person network, marketing, and production efforts. 

However, it is up to the social media manager to stay on top of the latest trends and the correct way to use and monetize social media. In the end, to help combat this issue, I plan to establish my company, as a key social media management outlet in my target location. Is anyone out there feeling Highly Educated? 

What Does BookT Mean?

After being introduced to my music for the first time many people want to know where my stage name came from. Some theories about the name are that it came from the WWE wrestler, BookerT, Booker T. Washington or Booker T. and the MG’s. In fact, the name 'BookT' stems from the influence of society, family, books and media on me, Thomas Earl Jones Jr. The word, “Book” is a metaphor for hidden knowledge and intelligence. It reflects my view that knowledge before self prepares you for your own purpose and destiny. It also acts as an educational disclaimer that knowledge is within the T; which stands for everything Thomas encompasses that begins with that letter, for instance, Thomas truth, Thomas’ tone, or Thomas’ talent.

I came up with the name in high school, however, since 6^th grade I have been writing poetry, spitting rhymes, entertaining and enlightening people I come in contact with. When I was in school, I was well known on the open mic and talent show scene. Like many rising artists I also passed out the mixtapes and sample cd’s to create a buzz for myself early on. Nowadays I use smarter more precise means of promoting my projects. Social media is a huge part of how I continue to advance the appeal of the ‘BookT’ brand name.

As much as anyone else considering a career in music or entertainment, I want to be successful. On the other hand I realize this generation of young black men continue to face many obstacles. Not to mention many of them still are raised in single parent homes. I want to lead this generation into a positive social enlightenment through my artistry. Basically, I want to use my music and my entertainment as a platform to perform a larger greater work for the social enlightenment of society. I try to listen and provoke thought into people by showing them other routes to take to get their mind out the box. As a teenager I often felt alone, misguided, bitter, hopeless, and aggressive. Instead of channeling that energy negatively, like many others in my community, I chose to remain positive and express myself creatively. In the end, the more you know yourself, the faster you find your way.

Listening to Others Will Get You Somewhere

Creating a detailed business plan is not as easy as some people perceive it to be. Just when you think you have things all figured out there is always something new to add, remove or further modify before unfolding the plan. Which is why research is very key to understanding many different facets of any succesful business plan.

In fact, my research on industry professionals allowed me to not only critique my logistics and business model but also my motives, vision and my integrity behind constructing my company. As Mark Cuban maintains, some of the key aspects to look for in a business plans is if there is an actual need for the product or service. Which led me to find out if there is a need for my service and what location shall I provide that need. As a result I changed the target location of my plan from Los Angeles to Raleigh, NC. Although my plan works in both locations, the need is greater in the smaller market of Raleigh. The following list illustrates main three reasons we decided on changing the location.

1) Most business owners in the location don’t know how social media works or how to use it in its most effective ways.

2) We knew the area better and it was the location base for many of our consultants

3) There was not a large presence of companies like ours in the market

Though it is great to make changes and make sure your bases are covered before going into business, one of the most important sections of a plan is the financial document. Investors want to see have you calculated your expenses, income, and overall risks versus your rewards. They ultimately want to know have you calculated their ROI. One of the key changes I made to my own documents came from when I read an article on Daymond John. He mentioned putting up some of your own money in your initial investment to show investors you believe in your product and in yourself. As a result, I did just that to incorporate more investors into my company. It also helps me pay off my debts faster and reciprocate more down the road. In the end, there is always more we can learn from one another to help nurture ideas and create lasting impressions in our industries.

BookT- ITB (web show) "BookT Returns to Raleigh"

Season 2 of the web series and documentary of BookT. Inside the Book returns with Book still on the road performing tracks from his upcoming album as well as his mixtape Datbullshit (http://www.datpiff.com/BookT-featuring-Thirdnastee-Datbullshit-2-mixtape.286131­.html). We also take a look at the man behind some of the production and the first verse of Book's hit "Feelin Fresh".

Hope you guys enjoy the video. Like it share it.
Big Thanks to everyone involved in bringing this one together,
Third, Mr.RaleighNC, Volume 11 Tavern, Lady C and Collins.
Ja Know!

For more music, blogs and video on BookT visit: www.bookttv.com

Business Insight from the Experts

In constructing my business plan for my company, Highly Educated Management & Production (HEMP), I came across a multitude of information, analysis and viewpoints from many knowledgeable experts from various fields of business. In particularly Michael Porter and Daymond John have expressed the importance of a successful business plan many times throughout their career.

Porter is currently the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor, at Harvard University (Burhoe, 2011). I credit Porter with giving me insight into what owners and investors are looking for in a business plan as well as understanding the role of competition. According to Porter competitive forces drive the rivalry of existing companies. It is important that competition is there to maintain the integrity, level the playing field and create constructive analysis for business improvements and satisfaction.

Daymond John is the CEO and President of a clothing company called FUBU.  Using $100,000 in start up capital, he launched his company in 1994, and by 1998, FUBU had made $350 million in revenues (Burhow, 2011). In my opinion this was a great example of putting your money where your mouth is. In this case, I learned from John that it is important to put some of your own money up for startup capital.  According to John, if you are in debt and have nothing to contribute to your business venture, it looks bad to potential investors (2012). 

In the end it is important to adopt concepts to my business plan that are practical and wise. Since both experts have been through the phase of constructing business plans multiple times over I aim to use some of the advice given to cultivate my own success for the future.

Sources

Burhow, S. 2011, March 31. Expert Views on Business Plans.

         Retrieved from http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/

BookT...The Future

 With so many inspirational people passing away year after year from Bernie Mac, Michael Jackson, Don Cornelius and now Whitney Houston, it is no wonder why music and entertainment is in need of a breath of fresh air. Before I get into the article I must send my condolences out to the family of Whitney Houston. Although I never met the woman she was one the pillars of my own dreams for success in music and entertainment. Because of her I believed all my life that I was the future; in the words of Chris Brown “Look at me now”.

I began writing rhymes in a summer school English course back in the 9^th grade. Considering I failed the course during the regular school year due to depression from deaths in my family and divorce, I chose to allow my written words to express my pain and sorrow rather than talking about it freely or conveying actions out of result. In the end, I created the artist BookT. The knowledge before self kid who grew up street savvy but also knew how to process information and ultimately remain socially aware.

Since 2003 I’ve been rapping and producing tracks as well as performing many of my songs on the road; traditionally performing at my fans request. In fact, most recently I had the opportunity to go to Los Angeles and perform for the first time. As a response to various messages from my fans through social media and mobile texts, I decided to come out and give them a show. I have a new mixtape out that I was promoting as well as new music videos on Youtube. Altogether, it was another way to instill brand awareness and recognition for my artists as well as my company Highly Educated Management and Production.

It is important to me that people follow their dreams and listen to the voice inside of them guiding each step of their decision-making. One year ago, I was dismissed from my position as a store manager. I did not know what I was going to do next or how I was going to provide for my family. In the end, I chose to follow my dreams and finally listen to the voice inside. As a result I feel as though I’m ‘destined for greatness’. 

Living a Little Boys Dream in LA

As a young kid from Raleigh, NC I was always a huge follower of the game of basketball. I collected, sold and traded player cards as well as dominated my friends all the time on the court in and after school; mimicking players from Jerry Stackhouse and Vince Carter to Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant. Whether it was my NCAA team, the UNC Tarheels or the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, I had my teams and players who garnished my full support and ultimately made a fan out of me. Over the last five months I’ve lived in Hollywood, CA I decided to make it a daily objective to live out my dreams.

In fact, one of my life long dreams was to attend a Los Angeles Laker game. I speak in past tense because this week I got the opportunity to check it off the old bucket list. Ironically, I attended the game where the Lakers played North Carolina’s own Charlotte Bobcats. However, it was not an impressive performance by the away team, with Charlotte losing 106-73.  Kobe had 24 points and Andrew Bynum was a ferocious beast inside the paint all night, grabbing 11 rebounds while solidifying his place as the leading All-Star candidate at the Center position.

Although I watched the game I was marveled by the arena and its ambiance of greatness, the banners, the coaches, the players the history and especially my tickets. Thanks to Stubhub.com I sat approximately 10 rows from the court. I could not believe I was sitting right next to major media analysts and journalists like, CBS’s Jim Hill and ESPN’s J.A. Adande. As an aspiring writer and journalist it was as if I caught a glimpse of where I shall be some day.

The interesting thing is that I did not think about going to the game until I took a look at some of the player’s season stats on NBA.com in an effort to cast my vote for this month’s All-Star Game. While browsing the web I was prompted over 5 times by numerous companies to buy tickets for the next home game. At first, I did not pay any attention, but after a while the digital marketing took full affect over my impulse, and for about three days all I could think about was whether I was going or not.

The price for the tickets was the major concern for me. Luckily, I clicked on about three to four ticket sites to research the seating location before making my decision. After purchasing my tickets I was asked if I wanted to share my purchase on facebook. In my opinion, this was in an effort to make my friends jealous or build their impulses as well to generate likes or future business. Because I’m such a nice guy I decided not to rub it in. Instead I figured I’d blog about it. Until next time folks.

Video Source:

LA Lakers vs Charlotte Bobcats Full Highlight Jan, 31 2012 [video file] Retrieved    

     from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXj1cFWXMWo