13128: A Huge Lesson From Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

Hey there, hero!

If there was ever a guy who didn’t look the part, it’s Rick Rubin.

He’s the first to admit he’s no performer. And when someone who knows he’s no performer narrates his own book, be very very thankful that he’s a genius.

His new book, The Creative Act, is filled to the brim with wisdom on how to be a creative soul. Even if he’s not the best author-as-narrator, the book is worth listening to, and you’l forgive the sing-song amateurish nature of his delivery…

…because the content is so amazing. Here’s a link:

https://voheroes.com/get-thecreativeact

One of the big takeaways has to do with how important the audience and what you think it wants. It’s a gamechanger. And here’s a hint: it’s not about pleasing the biggest audience.

Have you read/listened to his book? Can you resist being an audience-pleaser? If not, are you going to?? Let me know in the comments below.


Responses

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  1. This philosophy you’ve articulated is simultaneously empowering and confusing. Because, in every coaching session and VO Heroes course, I’m reminded that I am serving my “audience of one.” Soooo….is that single audience member, ME??

    I pose that question with tongue firmly lodged in cheek, but I’m curious how one should balance those two “audiences.”

    1. The “audience of one” in the VOHeroes training is very different from the audience I’m talking about in this video. There’s no balancing to be done.

      The “audience of one” is an avatar you design yourself to have someone to talk directly to when doing your performance – one person, not a crowd (not “I’m speaking to any housewife that wants to make dinner” – that doesn’t work), that is very specific and representative of the target audience for the product or service.

      The audience being spoken about here is usually the casting entity that you might be auditioning for, and the message here is to remember that you can’r read their mind about what they are looking for in a performer. It has nothing to do with the “audience of one” that you’ll speak to when reading the copy and helping that audience of one get their problem solved.

      Hope that makes sense.

  2. I get these emails, David, because at one time I considered trying VO. I just listened/watched this video about “second guessing”. Whoa, and what a present. This message directly hit the cluttered space hanging out on my acting path. And for me… getting closer to personal authenticity is everything.

  3. My actual play Dungeons & Dragons podcast is something I produce for me and my players. If other people like it, great! If not, no big deal. We’re proud of the podcast and we have fun creating it. That’s what matters most.