Mojo and Momentum

Let’s make some waves. Some pointers for artists trying to market their works.

Mojo is basically magic. Magic is really not something so rare, mythical or elusive, as Hollywood might have us believe. To me magic is just another way of describing the subtle workings of nature that are not so obvious to the average person. Anything can seem quite magical, though even the greatest feats of magic always have some explanation, even if they seem elusive.

If magic cannot be rationalized away through some sleight of hand or illusion trickery, it might be explained by the use of technology. Certainly advanced technology would seem quite magical to those without access to it. Principles of quantum physics and quantum computing explain a great deal of the inner workings of nature to even a greater degree of understanding, acknowledging the role of the observer in symbiotic relationship with our experience. There are even explanations for how synchronicity occurs and how our own subjective perceptions are innately intertwined with our objective reality.

If one has the most minimal understanding of those inner workings of nature, be that through analytical understanding, ego-less observations, or even untrained intuitive connection, they will have access to the mojo that seems so magical to most. There is an opportunity to fully realize that we are the mojo; that if we utilize the magic that is within us, almost anything becomes possible, even the seemingly impossible or miraculous. Certainly there is plenty of mojo within each of us, just waiting to be utilized.

As a simple metaphoric example, let’s consider how one might generate big waves in a small wave pool. It does not necessarily take any large amount of energy to make big waves. With smaller, well-timed motions, one can leverage the existing flow dynamics to build momentum a little bit at a time. So long as the movements are strategic and properly timed, small waves may grow rapidly such that the wave pool can no longer even contain them. They might splash out and overflow everywhere, seeming like a tsunami relative to the amount of energy that was required to generate them in the first place. It can seem magical.

This example also reveals dynamics of the nature of momentum. A single large motion does not necessarily trigger momentum, but momentum often results from smaller motions that (with time and regularity) create larger movements. Another good example of this might be the dance of the moon and ocean tides. The moon needs not strike the ocean to move the water. Luna can achieve this from a great distance, and her effect resounds globally, affecting the Earth in many direct and indirect ways.

So what does all this mojo and momentum talk have anything to do with art, and what does it have to do with Shadows Illuminated?

Well art is a manifestation of the mojo within, expressed outwardly. There are many artists all around the world who tap into this mojo to create their works. Those can manifest in more ways than we can even imagine, be it through more standard artistic forms, such as music or poetry, painting or sculpture. They also manifest in less obvious, but no-less powerful forms, such as healing arts and personal embodiments. It does not take long to recognize any of the countless manifestations of art all around us.

In fact, many artists are quite avid at creating magnificent works of art; true masterpieces even. It baffled me for some time how most great artists tend to go unrecognized, while many (who may be arguably less creatively skilled) are able to garner great attention for their works. Seemingly there are variables of marketing skills and even sheer luck that can influence this dynamic. To an extent, they do, but they do not limit what is possible for artists wishing to create some momentum around their works.

I’ve witnessed so many wonderful artists make some pretty valiant efforts to market their works such that they increase their reach; so much so that self-promoting art has become highly competitive, requiring an entirely set of parallel skills to stand out from all the others. In an age where advertising is king, it can seem like only those with endless budgets or with serious marketing expertise can be successful in gleaning any attention at all. Sadly, most artists are not marketers. I can relate.

As an artist, I would prefer to just focus on manifesting from the mojo within. I love little more than being in a creative process, learning new ways to express myself, and celebrating in the results. I have been challenged a great deal in successfully marketing my works, even giving them away for free hasn’t necessarily resulted in people seeing or hearing them. Over the last several years however, I have slowly and diligently created some momentum.

Here is what I have discovered about creating momentum around sharing art:

1) Get help.

No one is an expert at everything and no one can succeed alone. Perhaps the most important factor in gaining momentum is to inspire others to assist. This is best achieved by providing value to others in similar degree that you would hope they might provide value for you. Find out what is important to others. Seek opportunities to assist them in meaningful ways, especially with a collaborative spirit that realizes the greatest potential of any project. People are inherently generous and are inclined to be involved, especially when they see how it might benefit everyone, including them. Be at source for the community that will be a stand for you and your project. If the community does not exist, create it.

2) Learn and grow.

Be willing to learn through the hard stuff. It often won’t seem so difficult once you have gained some mastery of a required skill. Even with the support of community, almost every required action will fall on the person at the heart of a project. Be prepared to learn what is needed to take those necessary actions at the time they are required. Avoid becoming stopped just because you feel ill equipped or lack confidence or resource. All of those circumstances provide opportunities to grow so that they will no longer paralyze us.

3) Keep creating.

The build-up to Shadows Illuminated was not something that occurred overnight. Shadows Illuminated is just another step on a journey that has lasted many years. As a standalone project, it could not really stand, and would not really stand out. However it is through the creation and publication of numerous projects (many which received almost no attention at all) that an entire body of work had been created that could no longer easily be ignored. It is a statistical probability (almost a certainty) that if one keeps trying (while learning and adjusting where necessary) that they will eventually succeed.

4) Keep sharing.

We are so inundated with information these days, that it is really easy to forget what was important to us yesterday. Jut because your project gets some attention one day, does not mean anyone will even remember it the next. This is key to understanding momentum. We often get excited when we release a work of art and there is an initial bustle of activity around it. Then when it is not an instant viral success, we can become stopped pretty easily. Know that it is okay to keep sharing your expression. This does not mean to overwhelm or annoy others with advertising. It is really just a suggestion to make regular strategic motions that will keep the momentum going so that it does not die out completely. Also try to provide new value with what you share so that others will be more inclined to stay engaged in the future. For example, I have found that maintaining an online blog with fresh quality content every 2-3 days is far more effective in staying in peoples’ consciousness, rather than just sharing the same work over and over (no matter the quality of the original work).

5) Spread your wings and your presence.

Be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket. There are many places to promote your work, be it online, within your circle of friends, or out in the real world. Do your best to maintain visibility in as many places as you can. Each may require only a little effort, but they all create possibilities in having your presence known. For example, I currently maintain a fairly substantial web presence. I have two websites, more than a dozen Facebook pages and a couple of groups, social presence on other networks such as minds.com and sola.ai, and numerous platforms where my works are present; such as Amazon, CD Baby, Blurb.com, GigSalad.com, etc. I communicate regularly and directly with people in my community about my project. I also do my best to introduce my project to people outside of my own circles through word-of-mouth, live gigs, or other promotional methods. The more places one can leave their mark, the more likely it is that they will be seen.

6) Be authentic.

Be you. One of the most important things about presenting yourself and your artistic work is that it is authentic. People these days are pretty tired of being deceived. There is an increasing need and value placed on what is authentic. It is something that is fairly rare right now and so to provide authenticity is highly valued by many. Authenticity comes from just being you. Don’t put pressure on yourself to look slick, to sound or behave like others, or to come across as anything that you are not. It seems like these traits (though they may have had some effect in the past) will actually work against you moving into the future. People are becoming ready to see and accept the truth of that we are, casting aside all the superficiality that has dominated our culture for some time. Go out on a limb and express yourself fully, just as you are. You might be surprised how effective your mojo is. Plus you can actually be known for who you are.

Bring your mojo. Generate your momentum. Let’s make some waves.