Can You Cover a Song and Still Have it be Great?
Better yet, can you cover a great song and still have people like what they hear and buy your music?
I say yes, but with a couple qualifiers. First, in order for your cover of a song to be great you must select a song that is well written lyrically and musically. That’s the easy part, everyone can tell the difference between a bad song and a good one.
Second, and most important, you must take that great song and make it your own. Don’t try to sound like or imitate that artist. You will sound like just another cover band. Instead, be yourself, give that great song your style and make that song work for you. Sing it how it feels right to you.
You will be surprised what happens when a talented artist takes a great song and runs with it. If you need an example of this go listen to the original version of Me & Bobby McGee by Kris Kristofferson and then listen to Janis Joplin’s take on it.
What About Covering a Business?
Now if you are wondering how this relates to a business, just replace the word “song” and insert “business”. Everything will still apply.
I’m using the example of a song because it’s something almost anyone can relate to. Covering a business on the other hand is not something most people can easily relate to. Most of us think that in order to be successful as an Entrepreneur you have to invent the next great thing or have piles of cash to start a company, but that’s not case. Plugging yourself into a system that has proven to be successful and then carving out your own identity within that system is the easiest and most successful way at becoming a triumphant Entrepreneur.
The good news is, you don’t have to sing like Janis Joplin to be successful in covering a business. You just have to take that great business and be yourself. Follow the words and melodies of that business, but make it your own and put your stamp on it.
If you do that, the people will buy and see you as the artist you really are.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Kevin, I must admit I was a little perplexed at the beginning of your post reading about covers for songs and wondering what this has to do with an online business. But all was revealed later in the post and I have to say your analogy is brilliant. You are so right…we all think we have to be great inventors to be successful, but as you say, finding a successful business model and adding a twist with your own personality is a far safer way to go that is far more likely to lead to success. Thank you for this great post. It has certainly given me food for thought.
Louise
Louise Steiner recently posted..Facebook “Like” Button html Tutorial For Fan Pages
That was a really good analogy. Competition is getting tougher. More and more people are going online with their business. The important question is how to stand above the crowd? It takes a bit of creativity and talent to “make the song your own”. It is not an easy thing to do but not impossible. Thanks for the great advice.
Lian recently posted..Time Management Tips For WAHMs
I have to say I love this analogy, and it’s obvious you know a bit about music! You are right, as well, about business — there are so many of “the same” out there, that a new fresh style is what is going to get people to follow.
Thanks for the great post!
TK
TK Goforth recently posted..“You want ME to write a SONG!!!”
Nice analogy Kevin – one as you say that everyone can relate to. It’s so important that people play to their own strengths. We are not all the same and the world would be a boring place it we were. It can take time to build up confidence to sing our own song but the world is a better place when we do.
Anne Perez recently posted..Do you need to fire your web designer
Hi Kevin ~ Great post. Your analogy is exactly the way I started my first business. I had been working for a company that did what we do now only I wasn’t entirely happy with the way that the owner treated either the clients or the line staff. So I created my own entity using a couple other successful companies as a benchmark and guide for my own.
Oddly enough one company that was thought to be the quintessential service oriented business failed miserably after their CEO made a dreadful mistake and I was able to step into that spot. Now because of the flavor that I have infused in my business model I am at the top. We are the gold standard and there are other companies attempting to replicate what I have grown into a viable business.
Thanks for a great post. It really is true that in order to be a great entrepreneurial success that you can take what has been established before you and just build on it with your own vision and expertise.
Jim Talbott recently posted..City Hall- Belfast Northern Ireland
Kevin, this is one of the best presentations I have had the honor of reading today! Amazing…
I agree, branding yourself is the unique and authentic way, to stand out in the crowd. All with being transparent, through your writing and supporting activities. Be consistent, in following-up with all communication. This will be a great key point, in standing above the crowed, per say.
It is all about building real relationships, with all who you connect with. Being the mentor, coach and leader that you are. Then listening to them as they tell you what success is, based on their determination. Next, focusing only on each step to guide them. Even if it is daily activity to motivate them, all the way. As you edify each step they take. This will create a burning desire within, for more personal growth. Now, you are coaching and teaching them how to duplicate you. They become the next great mentor, coach, leader and visionary in our industry.
You have achieve the greatest level, duplication. Now, the cycle of life continues over with each person you have build a real relationship with. Anyone who accomplish these steps will have lifetime friends and clients!
Just remembering, that you are the product. Duplication is the method to achieving the highest level of success, as you determined it to be. Last master the skill of visualization, to manifest all of your desires. All great mentors, coaches, leader and visionaries will have this one skill mastered, to share with the masses. This is priceless!
Kevin, I feel your one of our great coaches and mentor. You have displayed passion in your presentation. You give usable information that has and will continue to changes lives.
I appreciate all the supporting activities you have given. I look forward in reading your next amazing post. I know all your readers and I will gain more clarification for our journeys.
William Earl Amis, Jr III recently posted..Understanding Your Business Choices
I really like your analogy, Kevin.
I have to admit, when I was younger I usually did not like any cover for any song, unless the “cover” was the first one I knew. A song would stamp itself on my mind, my heart, my soul… intermeshed with my very being. So, to hear another do the song, it was like a shoddy image of the “real thing.” This changed when I learned to really listen to a piece of music, and hear every individual instrument, and hear the voice of the singer as an instrument, and hear how they all fit together into a wondrous whole that was different while the same. Now I can appreciate a song if it’s done well, no matter who is doing it.
It’s a perfect analogy for network marketing or any other kind of online marketing. Another illustration of your point might be the many different varieties of chocolate cake. Each one similar, yet unique.
Willena Flewelling
I agree with you that covering a song is like creating a new business from an existing model. I was afraid for a moment that I would have to sing.
Hey Kevin!
I love music (although I didn’t found time yet to play music myself … time will be soon on my side!) and I took up to compare the song you suggested in the post to listen on YouTube… I even found an interpretation from that song by PINK (like her work as well very much). This analogy is a great confirmation for everyone out there that they can make things happen when seen under the light described and follow as well some principles, which William Earl Amis, Jr III has pointed out in his comment above with the follow up process and the role as coach and mentor. Additionally I would point to the below link about “A simple lesson about leadership” I published recently and underline the importance of DANCING LONG ENOUGH with VALUE as well (what a great connection.. Music here and Dancing on the other side… hehehe).
Thx a lot for the great post again.
All the best,
Alex
Alexander Paul recently posted..How to create a Movement – A simple lesson about Leadership!