Hi,
Offers on DrumSeller items
Responses to my “apology” email
Please note that all items listed for sale by me at DrumSellers.com are now “or best offer”. This includes my personal items and consignment gear from Steve Johnson, John Dittrich and Tom Boyle. Those listings can be seen at this link . There are hundreds of cymbals, snare drums, and other drum gear items. I have been marking them OBO as fast as I can but there are still some that do not have that designation in the title yet. Make an offer anyway, To make an offer you will need to email me George@notsomoderndrummer.com or click the contact button on the listing. In the not too distant future there will be a “make an offer” option that can be added to any seller’s listing.
From the Complaint Department
Thanks to the over 200 of you who sent email responses to me about the complaints concerning the Drumeo ad; The consensus was “Not So Modern Drummer - 200, Complaintants and unsubscribers - 5”. There were more than a few who suggested I should be charging for the service. We all know that it is very hard to get people to pay for information on the internet, but that did turn on a light bulb in my small drummer brain. Soon I will offer a premium membership with exclusive content to those who buy a paid subscription - probably from $5 to $40 a year. A “members only” section is a feature of the SquareSpace website program I use and I plan on implementing it. Please let me know what you think that exclusive content should be and how much or how little you would be willing to pay.
The great show of support from all you who responded has given me renewed vigor to continue this labor of love. I have been reading drum magazines and publications for over fifty years now and read through thousands of their print ads. Not once did I consider unsubscribing because there was an ad that did not appeal to me or that I thought was irrelevant. Though my apology was meant to head off other unsubscribers at the pass, my first inclination was to tell the handful of complainers to take their ball and go home, but that is not my style. They are all welcome back at any time and, as we say in the South, bless their little hearts.
Drumeo is welcome to buy ads again, though I will try to tailor the subject matter to this audience, not send so many in a row, and not send them at the same time as Modern Drummer. The “blitz” campaign style does not align with the sensibilities of the Not So Modern Drummer readership.
Here are some of the more strongly worded emails I appreciated -
“Anyone who would unsubscribe to a page they love because of a couple ads should go, they don’t deserve the content. I’m so tired of overly entitled people whining about irrelevant challenges to their oh so perfect lives. Imagine the actual impact on their day to day existence by opening an email, (targeted specifically to their subject of interest, not a mattress ad, manscaping, or socks), and then taking the 5 seconds it takes to decide that’s it’s not relevant and deleting it. I mean, how F’ing perfect does your life have to be that this is a crisis and forces you to unsubscribe in a self righteous, indignant huff?!”
“I didn't see any problem. Bunch of whiners.”
“Jon here from Lake City, Arkansas (only about an hour from you there in Memphis). I assume you're referring to the 30-Day Drummer course offering from Drumeo--is that correct? If so, I only received two e-mails about that, and I actually ordered the Drumeo course: for my son, who is just starting out! So I personally didn't feel spammed at all, and I think it's unfortunate that people are overreacting a bit (snowflakes, LOL!). In any case, I think you do a fine job with the e-mails, so keep up the great work.”
“Thanks for the note. For what it's worth, here's my perspective: You publish quality content, and you provide it for free. I agree that a crash course in drumming is not relevant for the vast majority of your readers. Then again, as a teacher, I am always interested in different approaches and resources. I won't be subscribing to Drumeo, but I don't think you owe me an apology. I've never doubted NSMD or the integrity of its publisher.”
“Hey George,
I’d just like to say that I love receiving NSMD and much of it has to do with your being the Editor. I’m well aware that it is no small task, and just remember that you’ll just never please everybody. I never felt put upon by too many e-mails from NSMD. I get literally hundreds of political e-mails and donation solicitations every week and unsubscribing to them has absolutely NO effect! So forge on. You’re great at what you do and it is wholly appreciated.
Warm regards,
Mark”
“Hey George,
You got to pay the bills. Nothing wrong with that. No gripe from me.
Maybe if the people who unsubscribed want to keep NSMD going with content they enjoy and want maybe they should pay you monthly so you don't have to take ads like this. If not, then they need to quiet down and allow you to run your business.
Just my thoughts. Hope all is well.
- Nate”
I appreciate hearing from you drummers who subscribe to this emailed magazine. We are all fighting in the same trench here. The drummer community is a special one.