In the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, I was practicing my drumming skills during my elective period when the school’s conductor saw something in me. He invited me to join the concert band. This wasn’t the entry-level band with mostly freshmen, but the middle-tier with mostly sophomores and juniors. This was incredibly exciting—someone other than my parents thought I was good at something!
After a year, I wanted to advance to the symphonic band with my peers the next fall. However, there was an audition, and for fewer spaces than students auditioning. As a percussionist, you have to be able to play more than just a snare or a bass drum—you have to be able to read notes and sight read like everyone else… not to mention, play every single instrument in the percussion section.
So, I set out to practice every day for three months. I made flash cards with music notes; I borrowed a xylophone from the school for the whole summer; I taught myself to sight read and how to play my advanced audition piece perfectly.
I started junior year in symphonic band.
I’m ambitious, resourceful, creative, and solution-oriented. I believe everyone should take pride in whatever they do, embrace experimentation, and strive for excellence. I don’t approve of complacency, and I’m a sucker for a good marimba solo.
Philosophy on Marketing
A marketer’s job is conceptually simple: create a strong connection between a brand and a consumer, and persuade the consumer to like and prefer the brand. Now of course, like most things, this is easier said than done.
To do this, it comes down to valuable content–entertainment, education, utility, relevant information, and community. And whether it’s B2C or B2B, you need to connect with an individual human being. So, strive to break through the clutter and be unignorable… but in a good way 🙂.
Some Thoughts
Above is a podcast episode with my good friends at Istrico Productions who were kind enough to invite me on. I shared some insights on holistic marketing strategies, the importance of brand consistency, awareness campaigns, and the art of understanding your target audience. From practical tips to thought-provoking discussions, The Stric Podcast offers a fresh perspective on everything production, marketing, branding, and more with seasoned experts.
Sara Khalatbari 