[rolan86]

So this is going to sound very very far-fetched, but here it goes. So I am a musician and see this as part of my identity. I was in my first official band this year in college, and am very proud of that, however I am finding this hard to do now. We played many, many shows throughout the year, and while I am proud of all of them, almost NONE of them were official. For the most part, they were just playing at some party, for someone's birthday, filling in for someone at the last minute when they dropped out, or playing in some store etc. So while many bands play venues, have legit shows, I feel very insecure about the shows our band played, and have trouble saying that we played many shows, because in many ways it just feels like a joke. I had this weird obsession with having to have a flyer in order for it to be an "official" show, so for our last show, nobody made one (nobody EVER did for our shows and this started to get me really frustrated, so I finally just took the initiative and made one myself), so I made one myself, and posted it around, and after the show, felt really proud of myself. FINALLY we had an official show, and I felt like I had now officially been a part of a band. Everything felt great. Then about a week later, I realized I had forgotten to put the price for the show on the flyer. Now to most people, this would just seem like oh well, whatever. But to anxious, obsessive me, it was devastating. This meant that the flyer didn't matter, the show wasn't official, we never played any shows, I wasn't in an actual band, etc. etc. And now I am just kicking myself for not putting a stupid "5$" on the flyer. How I missed that I have no idea, but it is just driving me mad. It's like I feel I can't even call myself a musician anymore. I just want to accept this blunder and be proud of what I have accomplished this year.

Not far-fetched to me...I think it's great that you are pursing your dream.
Everyone has to start somewhere, right? I mean the greatest of the great mostly started in garages and playing little bars, clubs, filling in, etc. until they got their "break".

And wanting to put some marketing and pr into your band sounds very reasonable to me! Afterall, it sounds as if you are more comfortable now and ready to take that next step!

Question: do all the band members feel that way or are they happy with the status quo? (have you discussed your goals for your band?)

Regarding the flyer...I can totally understand how you would feel devastated by the faux pas. It is actually an important piece to the message you wanted to get out there to the public. And it didn't get out there. So yes, that would ****.

On the other hand, you took the initiative and MADE the flyer. You made an effort. "noby EVER did" this for your shows before and you had to go it alone so you didn't have any second or third eye to proof your work.

And maybe you are thinking, "well the PRINTER should have brought it to my attention. Or my SO/BFF looked at it and didn't say anything". Unfortunately, with printing, they don't look at your work for typos, only for the specs to make sure everything is in line. And as for your SO/BFF, unless they are in PR/Advertising/Marketing for a living, there is NO WAY they could know.

This is what a Manager is for, and I don't think that is what you signed up for, right?

So your frustration is totally understandable.

However, I hope you will also find some light in all of this. And some positives. You made the effort. You took the extra step. You are ready for the next phase of your dream. Y

ou are not perfect (I have worked in the industry for 25 years, and the rule with creative, copy is that there are never too many sets of eyes when it comes to proofing work - just an FYI).

I've literally seen people get fired from their job for putting the wrong graphic on an ad.

**And the graphic only had one little change that was barely recognizable to the human eye**

I think you are awesome, and I hope you will (a) continue to pursue your dreams wherever they may lead you and (b) you will TRY really hard to focus on the positive and find the good in your efforts!

(can you have a little round burst / sticker made by VistaPrint (really really inexpensive, btw) that matches the poster motif / color that you can just slap right on the poster. Nobody will even notice the difference AND it may add a little umph! to your artwork)

[Leed]

I agree with everything Rose said! I'm pretty obsessive myself and I probably would have felt the same. But Rose hit the nail on the head. With all you accomplished and everything that you did, you should feel mighty PROUD of yourself. Not only did you perform in the band, but you pretty much acted as their manager!!!

I think it's great you took it upon yourself to do this, and get the word out about the shows! I say KUDOS TO YOU!

Take care & God bless! Hugs, Lee