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On Today's Episode of The Entrepreneurial Musician:

In this episode, Andrew Hitz discusses the challenge of receiving well-intentioned but potentially misguided advice when starting new projects. He explores how people often present their personal preferences as universal truths and explains why standing out by going against conventional wisdom can be crucial for success.

Key Points

• People frequently offer advice based on their personal preferences rather than objective insights

• Even when conventional wisdom is correct, following it exactly makes it difficult to stand out

• Using podcasting as an example, Hitz illustrates how different listener preferences (short vs. long intros) appeal to different audience segments

• The most loyal fans often appreciate unique elements that others might criticize

• Finding your own style and "leaning in" to it is more important than trying to please everyone

Notable Example

Hitz shares an anecdote about his previous podcast "The Brass Junkies" with co-host Lance LaDuke:

• A few listeners complained about long intros before guest interviews

• Other listeners specifically enjoyed the banter between the hosts and said so

• The listeners who enjoyed the hosts' personalities became loyal subscribers, not those who only came for specific guests

Quote of the Week

From Anthony Bourdain: "I'm very proud of the Rome episode of 'No Reservations' because it violated all the conventional wisdom about making television. You're never, ever supposed to do a food or travel show in black and white."

Takeaway Message

Don't be afraid to break conventions to make your work remarkable. As Hitz concludes: "So shoot in black and white. Or have a long intro. Or start your interview with the hardest question without even saying the title. Just make it remarkable - which of course means worth remarking about."