The population of the USA was between 200 and 300 million during this era. For a record to reach the gold status, approximately one person in 500 would have purchased a copy.
Think about that a moment. One out of five-hundred was considered a major success. It's a surprisingly low ratio. Imagine a candidate being elected to office if only one voter out of 500 chose them.
Yet, if you had a gold record, you were considered to be very successful. Your music would be played widely on radio stations. Magazines would interview you. Concert tickets would sell well, and some venues would sell out.
Demographic data helps to clarify the numbers. People in youthful age brackets tend to buy more recordings than the rest of the population. And not everyone likes that same type of music. Include these factors, and the gold record might sell to one out of twenty or thirty likely buyers. It's a better ratio, but it's still a surprisingly low benchmark for success.
I take three lessons away from the Gold Record phenomenon.
Lesson 1 - You don't need to please everyone
P.T. Barnum said that you can't please all of the people all of the time. Luckily, you don't have to.
Some people will never appreciate what we're trying to do. My grandparents didn't appreciate the Beatles. That didn't mean that the Beatles were doing something wrong. Their music didn't appeal to everyone, and they were still quite successful.
Remember this principle the next time that someone dismisses your work as inferior, uninteresting, or out of fashion.
Lesson 2 - Set your own standards
Taste is beyond anyone's control. Different people like different things, and most of them will be completely indifferent to you. Some might be downright hostile.
It's okay. Let them enjoy what appeals to them. Never change course as a result of someone else's rejection or disparaging comments.
There is only ONE person on the planet whom you absolutely MUST please, and that person is YOU. Hold yourself to your own standards and adjust those standards only when they fail to lead you to where you want to arrive.
Lesson 3 - It's a blessing to be appreciated
Appreciate your "fans." They are a gift and a blessing.
Be thankful that there are people out there who feel as passionately about your vision as you do. Treat those people well. Give them your gratitude and all due respect.
And remember: Always Be Humble.
Copyright © 2014 Daniel R. South
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