No One Leaves Unaware

I do a lot of events. I'm talking lots. Concerts, conventions, launch parties, networking events, seminars and whatever else that keeps me from going home at night.

The biggest drawback is that most booths, vendors, performers are unprepared what what happens next. They forget about real engagement that lasts when the lights go on and the alcohol fades (or comes out, depends on your personal habits).

No one wants to be sold and no one wants crap just to get handed crap.
What we do want is something that will engage us, get us thinking and most importantly; get us talking!

How do we do that?

Get something in their hands

This works up at least 2 of the human senses and can really get their brain going. Touch and site. One good example is cell phones. Show them how they can use their cell phone to get your updates, product, discounts, alerts, whatever. My best example is having a band on stage, telling their fans to text their bands' name to their shortcode and everyone in the audience gets a text back with a link to download a free song. They don't start playing again until everyone does it. That is power in your hands.

Shock and awe

On the road with Rock For Hunger during the recent Warped Tour I am man enough to admit that the non-profit next to us had it going on. The Warped Eco Initiative had the kids going crazy to recycle, had everyone buzzing about the big bags with garbage in it and created memories for everyone that participated. When putting together your campaign, make it fun and make people go out and do something good that is shocking, creates a (small) scene and then rewards them.

Call to action

What do you want me to do? Your banner with your website and logo looks sweet, but what is the point? Telling me to sign-up, buy a CD, come out for a free consultation, etc is the key. If you only have a mailing list, make it fun, but make sure that people know what to do and why they are doing it. If you don't ask people won't do it.

I know almost all my readers go to live events. *What makes you remember the people, the companies, etc when you get home and the excitement goes away?* Please join in and make everyone's lives better when they go out!

-Greg Rollett

Live Music in Orlando

In the busy land that is my life, I have somehow been coerced into playing some really cool shows with some really talented folks. First up is this Saturday night, amidst the 4th of July Hangover, I will make a return to the Social, the indie haven of Orlando. I will be playing alongside KG and the Band plus Atlanta recording artist Laura Reed. We are going by the 80's indie hair power pop inspired, 'G-Ro and the Skateboard Sneakers.'


Some great posts on KG and the Band:
KG and the Band | The Backbone of jamblr
Rock For Hunger Artist of the Week

Buy your tickets here or shoot me an email to get them without the surcharge. It's going to be an acoustic hip-pop offering from my alter-ego G-Ro. Listen to his rantings at his Myspace page.

Later in the month we get our hip-hop funk on at Central Station's Rock Bar with Fusebox Funk, Madd Illz and Daylight District.

Lastly, here is a super secret teaser of the logo for our Facebook App that should be done end of this week. If you want to be apart of our BETA testing send an email to rollettmarketing@gmail.com and I will be sure to hook it up.
Thanks guys and a more powerful and insightful Social Media or Gen-Y post will come sometime later!

-Greg Rollett

Exclusive Interview With Swamburger from Epitaph/Anti artists Sol.Illaquists of Sound

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Swamburger from Sol.Illaquists of Sound at his shop the Culture Mart of Magnolia Downtown Orlando, Florida. I also had the pleasure of being at their sold out concert at the Social in downtown Orlando Saturday night. Swam is a man of many words and has done great things for his band and this community. He has been a part of our skate, hip-hop and art scenes in Orlando and has been a big reason for our growth and development. We had a great discussion on our community, Rock For Hunger, the impact of his music and art and where he sees our community now and where he thinks its going and what it needs to survive and become the city we all know it can.

Musicians of all kinds should take notes of what he has to say. Sol.Illaquists of Sound has toured the country numerous times and continues to build and amazing reputation from their live show to their marketing to their message. Please take a watch and be sure to catch S.o.S. in a city near you real soon!

Be sure to hit up the Sol.Illaquists of Sound myspace page and say what up and keep up to date on what they are doing.

Also check out Rock For Hunger for updates on all of our shows, events and news on our 2nd Annual Rock For Hunger Festival November 9-11th at the Backbooth. Be ready for Hip-Hop 4 Hunger presented by G-RO next Thursday Aug. 2nd with the AB's (formerly Asamov) at the AKA Lounge. Get advance tix at the top of this page!