This is a 5-part series about letting people steal your logo and content… all in an effort to spread your brand and improve your profits. That’s all good, but before we really dig in, I feel like I have to give the counter-argument.

Because really, I don’t want to mislead any of my readers. And I certainly don’t want to be responsible for your heartbreak. Nothing worse than chilling in the car, only to hear your music played on the radio… by another artist.

Truth is, all the big artists copyright their stuff. If you write something incredible, you need to protect it. If you spend weeks making a beat, make sure that’s protected too. Same goes with anything else you make that will go huge. People are naturally good… but don’t be naive.

Think of the idea of letting people steal your logo and content as a marketing strategy. Something you can do to raise awareness for your brand, contribute to the common good, and increase your own bottom-line.

But just like any marketing tactic, it’s not for everyone. That whack used car dealership may make money putting out cheesy television ads. That doesn’t mean you should make one. You have to use what works for you, and only in the cases that calls for it.

Don’t be naive. Be smart. Hustle your shit, using the “let people steal” tactic when your work calls for it. But please don’t regard these next three posts as infallible, or the final word.

Just like producing great music, you have to follow your own intuition. Take advice, sure, from me and from others. But use your own internal compass as your guide.

For real.