Frankly - I'm insulted...

[onoffon]

I just received an email from TAXI about initiative...In a nutshell, it infers that if you don't renew your TAXI membership, you somehow lack initiative...It incenses me to no end when companies say you aren't serious about your music unless you pay the fees to expose your music through their services.If you think I lack initiative or aren't serious about our music, take a look at our SSP thread over on the SSP forum and see what kind of initiative I have.I may not be monetarily successful - but it sure hasn't come from a lack of my tenacity...Sorry for the rant - I still think TAXI is a good thing - and if I can swing it, I will probably renew even though it has never helped provide any positive licensing deals for us...I hate feeling like someone is talking down to me...

[nomiyah]

My impression of Taxi is that they target their marketing to amateurs.I thought about joining a few years ago but they kept saying that the Road Rally would be my first chance at performing in Hollywood. I've already played the Key Club, the Roxy and (the ultimate in Hollywood venues) Universal City to name a few.They lost a couple of years of membership from me because of that. But then I thought they might still be useful to a professional so a few months ago I joined.I'm sure they don't intend to insult you but Taxi might want to consider professionals in their marketing. I hope you'll stay on the forum whether or not you renew membership.Nomi

[hummingbird]

Actually, I don't think I received this email... but a friend did, I wondered what he was talking about. It kinda reminds me when I was a 'rookie' Theatresports (what's my line) player. It frustrated me that all my time studying and performing in theatre was brushed aside by the moniker "rookie". If indeed, we are being told that letting our membership lapse (or not joining) means we lack initiative... well, I beg to differ. Whether or not any of us have initiative has more to do with what we are performing, writing and producing than whether or not we buy a service, as valuable as it might be.I agree with Nomi, I hope you stay on the forum, I find your journey and your posting an inspiration.cheersVikki

[Casey H]

A few years ago I had a long phone conversation with the CEO of a respected music website company. I liked a particular phrase he used. He said "I don't like to 'tug on the heartstrings' of musicians and songwriters." He was referring to the type of advertising by tonos, TAXI and others. Thus his site does not offer any music placement opportunities. The email you are referring to reminds me of my conversation with that CEO.Aside:There have been so many sites cropping up the past few years, all saying they have great connections and leads. Most are not worth the money. If you joined all of them you would need a 2nd and 3rd job...I am not a current TAXI member. I didn't renew because my catalog was too small and I am not a prolific enough songwriter... I was also able to put tons of time into marketing on my own. Like everyone, I had many love/hate feelings while a member. I often got pissed at their reviews and non-forwards, etc.The one thing I can say about TAXI is they are honest. Remember how Tonos screwed all their members by vaporizing and not giving refunds? TAXI does give refunds to folks who are not satisfied.I may have rambled and digressed a bit... This really was all about the "tug on the heartstrings" phrase... Caseywww.broadjam.com/hurowitzwww.caseysongs.comwww.myspace.com/charles_p_hurowitz

[matto]

Wow...musicians are so damn sensitive!! If you know that you're working your ass off to succeed, why would you be insulted by an advertising form letter that's obviously not aimed at you?

[nomiyah]

What is the SSP forum? I googled it and got Scottish Socialist Party, Society For Scholarly Publishing, Statutory Sick Pay, Secondary School Program...

[matto]

Quote:What is the SSP forum?He's talking about the "Shameless Self Promotion" section of this forum.

[53mph]

Taxi is a service.Services need to make money to operate.They will tell you lot's of things to make you join / stay etc...because they need members.Don't get incensed about a little bit of advertising...look to the bigger picture of what Taxi CAN and DOES offer you as an individual....Advertising is a crock of shite. It's the service/product that I pay for using my own opinions and/or judgement.Nomi, if you've played Hollywood then you shouldn't get offended. You've done it, you've got further than most, you should be pleased with yourself.....but not complacent. You wouldn't have been thinking of joining Taxi if you didn't think you needed their service in some way.Who ultimately lost out from you not signing for a few years?Matto always seems to be the sane voice of reason....he also seems to be the only one who has reached his target of making a steady income from his music....perhaps there's a link.Than again.....what the f*** do I know.

[onoffon]

Thanks Nomi and Vikki - I appreciate your kind words and encouragement...You too, Casey - sales pitches are what they are.Yeah Matt - you are in a position where this has been successful enough for you that you automatically renew and would never receive one of these. If you were in a position where you have to figure should I rejoin TAXI or pay rent and keep a roof over my family's head - maybe you would see it differently. Whether or not you think it wasn't aimed at me, nevertheless, it was sent to me at my email address because they want me to rejoin. To question my initiative and my determination, IMO, was not a good tactic...53 - I was at the road rally - I saw how many members were there - I can count and multiply - they make a sh*tload of money - and that was just the members that could make it there. I would venture to say TAXI could easily afford to fund the creation of my jazz museum, but that's not what they're here for.Is there truly ever a voice of reason in any aspect of the entertainment industry?

[johnnydean1]

I don't think the email was directed at you.I think it was one of those periodically generated thing's just in case you forget who and what Taxi is.I think you and your band are a group of supremely talented musicians that have worked for your art and I hope you get the recognition you deserve.In three or four years time "Taxi" will be something that you call when you have handed the barman your keys.Big companies spend a lot of money on customer service.I wonder how much Taxi spends........0$