Gary Cherone.
Arnel Pineda.
Tim Owens.
John Corabi.
If you are fan of rock music, you are likely familiar with the names listed above. For those of you who are not, here is a quick rundown:
- Gary Cherone was the lead singer in Van Halen from 1996 – 2000.
- Arnel Pineda has been the voice of Journey since 2007.
- Tim “Ripper” Owens fronted Judas Priest from 1996 – 2004.
- John Corabi replaced Vince Neil as the singer in Mötley Crüe between 1992 – 1997.
Four legendary bands and each one replaced a distinctive voice with someone else. While each band continued to record new music and tour to varying degrees of success, they all lost the critical component of individuality each original lead singer brought to their respective groups.
Van Halen provides the best example the impact the loss of an integral ingredient can bring: With Gary Cherone as the singer, the group not only lost the element of danger and hedonism that David Lee Roth brought to the band, they also lost the vast majority of their audience and record sales plummeted. No one would dispute that Gary Cherone was a far better singer than David Lee Roth, but the band just wasn’t the same without Roth’s swagger, personality, and uniqueness.
The same individuality that only David Lee Roth could bring to Van Halen is not dissimilar the distinctiveness that every promotional products professional needs to share with clients. All too often, I see salespeople engage prospects and clients with a sameness that is as bland as hospital food. Do you think David Lee Roth would present promotional marketing ideas in a proficient, but boring and mundane manner? No, he would engage his target audience exactly the same way he does when fronting Van Halen – as charming ringmaster with unbridled confidence.
Don’t squander your chance to be a rock star the next time your prospect or client gives you an audience. Channel your inner frontman and share the unique qualities that make you different than every other person on the planet.
The question is simple: would you rather be Gary Cherone or would you rather be David Lee Roth?
Be Bold. Be Unique. Be You.
Bill is president of PromoCorner, the leading digital marketing service provider to the promotional products industry, and has over 18 years working in executive leadership positions at leading promotional products distributorships. A featured speaker at numerous industry events, a serial creator of content marketing, president of the Regional Association Council (RAC) board, and PromoKitchen chef, Bill has extensive experience coaching sales teams, creating successful marketing campaigns, and developing branding that resonates with a target audience. He can be reached at bill@PromoCorner.com.