Schiavello’s Post

This Sunday! Easter Bunny, food, shopping, and more! This Sunday! Easter Bunny, Music, Food, and Shopping at the Swing into Spring Community Event 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! Check out this blog article!

A week ago, I went to a cozy cafe.  It taught me a big lesson.  How to make your cafe unforgettable:  - Greet every guest with a smile. A simple hello can make someone’s day.  - Decorate with heart. Warm lights and comfy chairs invite people to stay.  - Offer a special drink. Create a unique blend that people can’t find anywhere else.  - Host small events.   Music nights or book readings create community vibes.  - Listen to your customers. Feedback helps you grow and improve.  Want more tips on creating memorable experiences?  Comment “YES” below! Let’s build amazing spaces together! #linkedInmarketing #cafes #krishvijain

As I continue to preach community & feedback loops for festivals and the importance of this , many concert and festival promoters ask me how to cultivate and grow their platform. Here's a quick reminder: Community isn’t a platform. It isn’t the events you do. It isn’t the merch you give out. It’s so much more. It’s the relationships. It’s being there to celebrate your goals with your members, and even mourn when things don't work out. Community is a feeling, a vibe you get with like-minded people. It’s knowing you have people you can count on and trust. It’s also being there for others when they need you. Communities are not about 'scaling'. It's about reaching out to real people that are real fans of your brand, and this takes time. It takes many 1:1 relationships. But the moment you start to get it right, you'll see the light at the end and you'll know deep in your heart that this pillar becomes your spine for your movement!

"...dark humor." 😞 Jamie Dunphy As tough as things are for our small businesses in #Portland they will never advocate for, joke about or even allude to violence being the answer to the challenges they face. 1. Anyone running for elected office or looking to serve as a public official should never be referencing words of violence when debating issues facing the community (especially in public settings). 2. To specifically mention "firebombs" tells me either you don't know the very real history in the US (and in Portland) where firebombing actually occurred OR you know the history and you just lack the ability to to articulate yourself in public settings in a professional way. 3. Saying that small businesses in the community referred to firebombing when giving you "feedback" and that you were just repeating what they shared with you tells us you have a problem taking accountability for the words that come out of your mouth. Our local business owners have enough on their plates and you throwing them under the bus to deflect from your poor decision making shouldn't be something they are burdened with. I was hoping to read this article where one of our current city council candidates took complete accountability for their poor choice of words and vowed to do better. Instead, I got someone who deflected, shifted the blame and showed little ability to be empathetic. This is not what leadership looks like, this is not how you advocate for our small business community and this is not what what we need on our future city council. Andrew Colas I am sorry you have to take your time away from your company and family to entertain comments like this. I am also sorry to the small business owners, artists and creatives who are working so hard to make our city better and to earn livings, you don't deserve to be part of stuff like this. I look forward to seeing an apology from MusicPortland board and leadership for the insensitive (at best) choice of words by their board member since he doesn't appear willing to do. Better Portland Anyeley Hallová Ciara Pressler Camille E. Trummer Meara McLaughlin

New Orleans hosts several major events throughout the year, each drawing significant crowds that can temporarily boost the city’s population. Here are some notable examples: ● Mardi Gras: This world-famous festival attracts around 1.4 million visitors annually1. The city’s population swells significantly during the two-week celebration, especially on Fat Tuesday. ○ ● Jazz & Heritage Festival: Known as Jazz Fest, this event draws about 400,000 attendees over its two weekends1. The influx of visitors adds a substantial number to the city’s usual population. ○ ● Essence Festival: This music and cultural event brings in approximately 500,000 people each year1. Held over the Fourth of July weekend, it significantly increases the city’s population. ○ ● New Orleans Saints Home Games: The NFL games at the Caesars Superdome can attract up to 73,000 fans per game1, adding to the city’s population on game days. These are only SOME events, that highlight how New Orleans’ population can fluctuate dramatically depending on the time of year and the events taking place. ** Truly, New Orleans has many other events year round, where people typically book many months in advance. (Superbowl 2024, one air bnb operator stated that their units are booked for the Superbowl already, and they looking at a projected $8000 for the week, not to mention Mardi Gras, with will occur approximately the same time)

Today’s issue of The Club List gets into a long-running quirk that’s as pervasive among music industry veterans as it is among creators: After a while, some people get stuck into starting from “no.” You’ve probably heard these phrases. They read like religious mantras after a while. I have heard them echo through cocktail mixers, record label offices, green rooms, and - strangely enough - after-parties with the band. I refer to this as The Culture of No. “Why would we do that process differently?” “What makes you think THAT would work?” “Why should I take 10 seconds to hear that band?” “Why should I listen to anything new when I already know what inspires me?” There is a whole subtext to The Culture of No, involving negative thought loops and such, that I am barely scratching the surface with. But this is about something I’ve found repeatedly to be true, when presented with another person’s art. You are not going to be tainted by starting from maybe. Starting from no will make you a dinosaur. Starting from maybe leads to growth. Read more, and subscribe for free, at theclublist.net.

“[T]hink about your audience. Your audience is not everybody, no one's is. Who is prone to listening to your music. Go where they are.” Bob Lefsetz The Lefsetz Letter Understanding that your audience is NOT everyone requires acknowledging that your service or product is NOT everything to all people. Know what you’re offering and how it’s different from what your competitors are offering. Know your audience and the issue that might make them care about you. Then figure out how to demonstrate that you understand their needs and have the experience and expertise to help. And, as Bob Lefsetz says, "go where they are" and show them. There's more than one way to make that happen. We recommend creating high-value content for your (tightly-defined) audience. Need help creating content or defining your audience? Reach out to see if our approach is a good fit. (Bob Lefsetz is a music industry lawyer who isn’t afraid to share his opinions about the music industry. (Among other things.) He’s been blunt enough that apparently one of Taylor Swift’s songs is about him, and not in a good way. Or maybe not. You can find out more about his writing here: https://lnkd.in/eCVbXZU6. It’s a great read if you’re a music fan. )

The first event I did as a business, after leaving the world of music and festivals, was a street festival for a business group that wanted to revitalise its economy. They had a general plan of what they wanted to offer visitors and we set about bringing back a street fair to remind the neighbourhood of the great businesses on their doorstep.  Since then I've done many community events and have learned 5 key components to a successful community event. Make sure you engage your WHOLE community. Be clear on your goal of your event and wear it like a shingle over the shop front. Community food before food trucks. Resist the temptation to book the high end (read expensive) entertainment. Make sure you contact your local Council and find out what rules and regulations you need to comply with. Community events are an amazing fabric of society and anyone can create one. If you are working on a community event, follow me for lots of event planning tips to help you along the way.

The first event I did as a business, after leaving the world of music and festivals, was a street festival for a business group that wanted to revitalise its economy. They had a general plan of what they wanted to offer visitors and we set about bringing back a street fair to remind the neighbourhood of the great businesses on their doorstep.  Since then I've done many community events and have learned 5 key components to a successful community event. Make sure you engage your WHOLE community. Be clear on your goal of your event and wear it like a shingle over the shop front. Community food before food trucks. Resist the temptation to book the high end (read expensive) entertainment. Make sure you contact your local Council and find out what rules and regulations you need to comply with. Community events are an amazing fabric of society and anyone can create one. If you are working on a community event, follow me for lots of event planning tips to help you along the way.

We are looking forward to another Playfessionals networking event, this time at AVA Minneapolis for SIP (Sudden Impulsive Play) on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Here are a few keys on how to NETWORK at a Playfessionals event: 1) Say Hello to someone you don't know. 2) Don't lead with "Where do you work?" As goal-oriented professionals, we are more than where we work or what we do... 3) Good questions, ask what motivates you or inspires you. Sometimes it's work, sometimes it is family, and other times you will be surprised. 4) Don't be transactional. Steer away from politics. 5) Genuine interest is genuine interest, don't fake it but be polite always 6) Have fun... 7) TIP your bartenders! 8) Spread the word! You've been Summoned. Enjoy! RSVP is available at Playfessionals.com Of course, sponsorships are still available 😎 DM me with any questions...