The Bottom Rail by verbal shredwright

Local Love… The one way street

Live and learn. Local love is more of a one way street now a days. Everywhere you go shop local, eat local, keep it local, etc. The translation is spending with local businesses helps the local economy and in turn other locals. Therefore the idea is you shop at a local store, who hires local people, who shop at and eat at other local businesses… you get the idea. They usually have a business association of some sort with an organized effort to promote themselves.

Sad but True. Local love often does not extend to local artists, authors, songwriters and other creatives. We're not talking about the local musician playing cover tunes at the bar or the t-shirt shop selling weed slogans to tourists. We are talking about people who often endeavor in obscurity while looking for opportunities to share their talents and intellectual property with others. But if you're not Stephen King, Bob Ross or the Grateful Dead already you'll quickly find everyone is a critic.

Wait a Minute. So the people who can't play a note, never wrote a story or painted a stroke are suddenly qualified to be a critic? Yep… that's how it works. It's called an opinion, and everybody has one… and sometimes they stink like a you know what. The ironic thing is the very people you criticize and diminish are the same folks who you want to spend money at your business, tip your employees, talk you up to visitors and keep coming back. So, how is limiting or hurting their opportunities to earn a living helping you? Oh, that's right… you didn't quite think about that, while only thinking about how you want to be treated.

It gets worse. Serious local artists, authors, songwriters, etc. many times are not on display at the expensive galleries or performing at local venues. Often you find them trying to connect with audiences via their websites and social media accounts. This is their venue and storefront. Everybody knows somebody who writes, paints, etc. but not everybody shows them the same respect when it comes down to it. Your local artists, authors and songwriters are businesses and they simply want support from their friends and neighbors too... and that does not always mean your money… unlike retail stores, restaurants, wait staff, etc.

All it takes… is understanding creators and owners of intellectual properties are in business to earn a living. Although many do not get their start by focusing on sales and distribution, but rather by focusing on their craft. Remember when you first embarked on the path of your career or business? Did you learn, grow and improve yourself since? Of course you have, and so have your local artists, authors and songwriters… if you are giving them the same chance you want your business to be given.

It's really easy… to help your local friends and neighbors who are serious artists, authors and songwriters. Like we said previously it's not all about money. But, what about following them on social media, sharing their posts, sign up for their mailing lists, taking the time to see or listen to their art, take time to acknowledge their artistic growth, post a compliment, hit the like button… there are lots of things you can do to help support local creatives who are your customers too.

So now what? You can't support everyone with your dollars. But everyone can find the time and make an effort to push a button or two whether to thank or just show support for local artists and other creatives who already support your stores, eat at your restaurant, drink local beers, support local spirits and other businesses with their dollars. So if you're being honest with yourself... isn't it really the least you could do? Unless of course you want want to hurt their income... thereby reducing the very dollars they have to spend at your establishment and tip your employees. And just maybe you'll hurt someones feelings or worse... lose their business.

Many people, not just artists, remember if you don’t have something nice to say don't say anything… so when you ignore local artists many take it as you making your point. If you're not embarrassed to accept money from other local businesses and artists you should not be embarrassed to show them a little local love in return… even it is just on the internet. FYI they see you and follow you so they do notice your support for other locals and businesses.

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