This mindset shift will change how you think about marketing 

Jan 21, 2025

If you think marketing is manipulation, you’ve already lost the game. 

Marketing is about understanding human psychology, why people do what they do, and tapping into that in a mutually beneficial way. 

When used correctly, marketing can and does deeply impact the world in a positive, meaningful way. 

The problem is too many people seem to approach marketing through the lens of “what can I get?” instead of looking at it through the lens of “what can I give?” 

And it is this small adjustment that can completely change the efficacy of your marketing, your advertising, and the trajectory of your business (and your life). 


Learn to serve others 

It’s not about you—it’s about your customer. 

Too many people position the outcome of their marketing strategy to benefit only themselves. 

This is especially true in the arts. 

Listen to my song. 

Look at my photos. 

Buy my painting. 

Me, me, me. 

I get it though. 

It can be difficult to communicate or even understand your unique value proposition as an artist. 

But it’s there. 

You just have to look for it. 

The right song or playlist can change someone’s day for the better. 

Photos can evoke memories and spark imagination. 

A beautiful painting hung in a living room can spread joy throughout the home. 

Great art serves. 

The trick is to figure out how your art serves. 

The next trick is to figure out how to communicate that value proposition. 

That’s how you turn passive listeners and viewers into paying customers, and paying customers is what allows you to transition from starving artist to thriving entrepreneur. 


Become a business 

Whether you like it or not, money can solve a lot of problems in life. 

Most specifically, it can solve your money problems, and that’s no small thing. 

If you can figure out a way to monetize something you love to do—something you would do even if you weren’t getting paid—not only will you solve your money problems, but you’ll likely solve your happiness problems too (at least in part). 

And if you can figure out how to solve your money and happiness problems in a way that also serves others, then you’ll unlock the hat trick by solving the purpose problem as well. 

And mastering your money, happiness, and purpose in one fell swoop is a sure path to a life of meaning. 

But you have to have the courage to monetize your work. 

If you can’t monetize your work, you will forever be stuck in the “hobbyist” category, using your income from elsewhere to fund your passion. 

There’s nothing wrong with this, but my guess is you’re reading this because you want more than that. 

So figure out what your audience wants and give it to them. 

Do they only want your art? 

Or would they rather subscribe to a community or lifestyle that’s attached to it? 

Do live shows make sense for you? 

How about merchandise? 

Perhaps there’s a loosely-related problem you’re uniquely positioned to solve for them. 

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. 

This is your life, after all. 

Be bold. 

Take risks. 

The worst that can happen is you fall short and learn a valuable lesson. 

And that’s a far cry better than never having tried at all. 

Now get out there and use your gifts to help someone. 

If you think marketing is manipulation, you’ve already lost the game. 

Marketing is about understanding human psychology, why people do what they do, and tapping into that in a mutually beneficial way. 

When used correctly, marketing can and does deeply impact the world in a positive, meaningful way. 

The problem is too many people seem to approach marketing through the lens of “what can I get?” instead of looking at it through the lens of “what can I give?” 

And it is this small adjustment that can completely change the efficacy of your marketing, your advertising, and the trajectory of your business (and your life). 


Learn to serve others 

It’s not about you—it’s about your customer. 

Too many people position the outcome of their marketing strategy to benefit only themselves. 

This is especially true in the arts. 

Listen to my song. 

Look at my photos. 

Buy my painting. 

Me, me, me. 

I get it though. 

It can be difficult to communicate or even understand your unique value proposition as an artist. 

But it’s there. 

You just have to look for it. 

The right song or playlist can change someone’s day for the better. 

Photos can evoke memories and spark imagination. 

A beautiful painting hung in a living room can spread joy throughout the home. 

Great art serves. 

The trick is to figure out how your art serves. 

The next trick is to figure out how to communicate that value proposition. 

That’s how you turn passive listeners and viewers into paying customers, and paying customers is what allows you to transition from starving artist to thriving entrepreneur. 


Become a business 

Whether you like it or not, money can solve a lot of problems in life. 

Most specifically, it can solve your money problems, and that’s no small thing. 

If you can figure out a way to monetize something you love to do—something you would do even if you weren’t getting paid—not only will you solve your money problems, but you’ll likely solve your happiness problems too (at least in part). 

And if you can figure out how to solve your money and happiness problems in a way that also serves others, then you’ll unlock the hat trick by solving the purpose problem as well. 

And mastering your money, happiness, and purpose in one fell swoop is a sure path to a life of meaning. 

But you have to have the courage to monetize your work. 

If you can’t monetize your work, you will forever be stuck in the “hobbyist” category, using your income from elsewhere to fund your passion. 

There’s nothing wrong with this, but my guess is you’re reading this because you want more than that. 

So figure out what your audience wants and give it to them. 

Do they only want your art? 

Or would they rather subscribe to a community or lifestyle that’s attached to it? 

Do live shows make sense for you? 

How about merchandise? 

Perhaps there’s a loosely-related problem you’re uniquely positioned to solve for them. 

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. 

This is your life, after all. 

Be bold. 

Take risks. 

The worst that can happen is you fall short and learn a valuable lesson. 

And that’s a far cry better than never having tried at all. 

Now get out there and use your gifts to help someone. 

If you think marketing is manipulation, you’ve already lost the game. 

Marketing is about understanding human psychology, why people do what they do, and tapping into that in a mutually beneficial way. 

When used correctly, marketing can and does deeply impact the world in a positive, meaningful way. 

The problem is too many people seem to approach marketing through the lens of “what can I get?” instead of looking at it through the lens of “what can I give?” 

And it is this small adjustment that can completely change the efficacy of your marketing, your advertising, and the trajectory of your business (and your life). 


Learn to serve others 

It’s not about you—it’s about your customer. 

Too many people position the outcome of their marketing strategy to benefit only themselves. 

This is especially true in the arts. 

Listen to my song. 

Look at my photos. 

Buy my painting. 

Me, me, me. 

I get it though. 

It can be difficult to communicate or even understand your unique value proposition as an artist. 

But it’s there. 

You just have to look for it. 

The right song or playlist can change someone’s day for the better. 

Photos can evoke memories and spark imagination. 

A beautiful painting hung in a living room can spread joy throughout the home. 

Great art serves. 

The trick is to figure out how your art serves. 

The next trick is to figure out how to communicate that value proposition. 

That’s how you turn passive listeners and viewers into paying customers, and paying customers is what allows you to transition from starving artist to thriving entrepreneur. 


Become a business 

Whether you like it or not, money can solve a lot of problems in life. 

Most specifically, it can solve your money problems, and that’s no small thing. 

If you can figure out a way to monetize something you love to do—something you would do even if you weren’t getting paid—not only will you solve your money problems, but you’ll likely solve your happiness problems too (at least in part). 

And if you can figure out how to solve your money and happiness problems in a way that also serves others, then you’ll unlock the hat trick by solving the purpose problem as well. 

And mastering your money, happiness, and purpose in one fell swoop is a sure path to a life of meaning. 

But you have to have the courage to monetize your work. 

If you can’t monetize your work, you will forever be stuck in the “hobbyist” category, using your income from elsewhere to fund your passion. 

There’s nothing wrong with this, but my guess is you’re reading this because you want more than that. 

So figure out what your audience wants and give it to them. 

Do they only want your art? 

Or would they rather subscribe to a community or lifestyle that’s attached to it? 

Do live shows make sense for you? 

How about merchandise? 

Perhaps there’s a loosely-related problem you’re uniquely positioned to solve for them. 

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. 

This is your life, after all. 

Be bold. 

Take risks. 

The worst that can happen is you fall short and learn a valuable lesson. 

And that’s a far cry better than never having tried at all. 

Now get out there and use your gifts to help someone. 

  1. Read the Newsletter

Explore previous issues of The One Thing to learn at your own pace and upgrade your marketing knowledge for free.

  1. Book a Consultation

Schedule a one-on-one call with me to improve your marketing across paid advertising, social media, and more.

  1. Become a Client

Hire our team to manage your marketing across streaming platforms and social media so you can focus on what matters most—making music.

  1. Read the Newsletter

Explore previous issues of The One Thing to learn at your own pace and upgrade your marketing knowledge for free.

  1. Book a Consultation

Schedule a one-on-one call with me to improve your marketing across paid advertising, social media, and more.

  1. Become a Client

Hire our team to manage your marketing across streaming platforms and social media so you can focus on what matters most—making music.

  1. Read the Newsletter

Explore previous issues of The One Thing to learn at your own pace and upgrade your marketing knowledge for free.

  1. Book a Consultation

Schedule a one-on-one call with me to improve your marketing across paid advertising, social media, and more.

  1. Become a Client

Hire our team to manage your marketing across streaming platforms and social media so you can focus on what matters most—making music.

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Subscribe to The One Thing and receive one thing to help you improve your marketing and expand your audience—delivered every Tuesday.

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Subscribe to The One Thing and receive one thing to help you improve your marketing and expand your audience—delivered every Tuesday.

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Subscribe to The One Thing and receive one thing to help you improve your marketing and expand your audience—delivered every Tuesday.

© 2025 Tom DuPree III

© 2025 Tom DuPree III

© 2025 Tom DuPree III