Promotion the Sammy Stephens Way
This morning, over a cup of coffee, I discovered that Chris Oatley had sent me a link to the most amazing TV Commercial for Flea Market Montgomery.
It just so happens that today is my Birthday, and Chris unknowingly gave me one of the greatest gifts a person can give.
What makes this video so special is that within just a few seconds you find yourself shaking your butt to someone telling you to come on down and buy a couch for your living room. Flea market owner Sammy Stephens lets loose the funky beats and slides into a 2-minute rap with repetitive and simplistic lyrics, accompanied only by a “dad” dance and pure charm.
So far, I haven’t been able to resist replaying the commercial, and I think the song is going to end up on my iPod.
What does this have to do with Illustration?
Aside from the pure entertainment and joy that I receive from this guilty pleasure, I want to share with you the deeper reason that I feel inspired by this video.
It’s rare to witness somebody letting it all hang out like Sammy Stephens does, and such a sight can be a reminder of how much fun you could be having with your artwork and your business. If you want to evolve, you have to be willing to make a fool of yourself, be bold, and take risks from time to time.
I’m not recommending that you record your own rap video, but I am suggesting that you consider ways that you can open up and let your personality shine through. Not only will this result in greater happiness, but it will also make you a more original, intriguing, and memorable artist.
For me, this video inspires several important questions:
Are there ways that I can improve my art or my business by having more fun?
How can I make my business more personal?
Can I get away with playing this song at my wedding?
I hope you find something inspiring, or at least enjoyable, in this video. I know I did. In fact, I’m going to watch it again right now.
How do you instill your business with your own personality and style? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Related Posts:
- How to Stand Out and Be Noticed
- 10 Rules of Effective Self-Promotion
- Marketing Lessons from Fast Food Chains
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That was great! Thanks for sharing your Mini Mall Rap gift.
Hope you have an awesome day – Happy Birthday :)
You’ve got to check out http://ilovelocalcommercials.com/
Two guys who love low-budget commercials and make tongue-in-cheek versions for all kinds of small businesses. Absolutely fantastic videos. Maybe an opportunity for good humored yet shameless self-promotion for the discriminating illustrator there too.
That was an absolute killer! I have this terrible urge to head straight for Flea Market Montgomery and buy 15 couches and 26 chairs!
Your main point was right on, Thomas: a willingness to play the fool is not only liberating, it creates goodwill. I’ve been acting foolish for many years– I speak with authority… : )
Now I’m gonna have that tune going thru my head for the rest of the day– thanks a lot! (Happy Birthday!)
Thanks Mark. I had that song in my head all day, but that’s probably because I watched the video about 20 times. I’m glad you saw the deeper ideas in the commercial as well.
Sammy rocks. I mean raps! Either way, that really is a great commercial. He’s spot on with his lyrics. “I’m a flee market that’s like a mall.” SIMPLE, catchy, and fun. The best part is you’ll remember it. Thanks for the suggestion to keep your own web presence the same way. Keep it simple and memorable because in this micro millisecond word of catching a customer’s eye, branding has become so important.
That is awesome! Did anyone happen to see the Cleveland version?
This post did remind me of something that happened to me lately while drawing in a coffee shop. I can’t remember exactly what it was that I drew (maybe a goose, I’ve been drawing a lot of geese lately) but I surprised myself with the way it came out and got me cracking up. The more I draw the more enjoyable it gets.
There was a guy at my church growing up that had a mental disability but sometimes I would be walking around after the church service and he’d be in this room where they had childrens services and he’d be playing the piano and having such a great time. I still remember him playing his heart out and being so happy. He was pretty good at piano too!
Thanks for bringing back those memories.