25 or More Places to Network

(c) 2008 all rights reserved

In previous posts, I've given you over 40 tips on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, upcoming music conferences to network at, telling you why networking is important and how it's helped me. Now I want to give you some physical places that you can network as a songwriter, producer, engineer, musician, artist, band, group, and music executive. Some of the places noted below are typical places but some are not typical. Later I will provide some more general places online where you can network.

• music conferences - look for ones in your area, in other cities, and even abroad. Read my prior blogs and JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com for details on upcoming conferences.
  


• music seminars - look for local groups who are putting on one-day events. Read my prior blogs and JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com for details on upcoming conferences.


• talent showcases - again you can find artists, producers, A & R folks, etc at these events. In fact, I just bumped again into Bryan-Michael Cox, Kawan KP Prather, DJ Nabs, and some of the other panelists from Patchwerk's Music University that I attended in January at Rovella William's Almost Famous Artist Showcase. You just never know who you are going to meet at these events. JaWar again has a complete list of talent showcases at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com.

• open mics - you might get a hodge podge of folks at this event but it still may be worth your time. I'd choose the ones where people have to audition to perform over just simply an open mic but still it's better than nothing. Read JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com for details on upcoming open mics.
  
• open auditions - American Idol auditions usually bring out hundreds of thousands of folks! Sometimes I wonder where all these people are at when the music conferences come to town! Seems everyone wants to sing, and not many want to learn the business! Then folks wonder why they get taken! Okay, I'm off my soap box but network at these events; learn the business at music conferences or again read books on it.


• beat battles - these are cropping up all over the U.S. for producers. As a songwriter needing producers, I'd definitely check this event out. Producers and songwriters are always looking for each other.


• clubs - I personally don't typically go to clubs. But if you want to network with DJs, you've got to go to the clubs to find them to get your music played there.


• music industry parties - join some of the newsletters to find out where and when these events will take place or read JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com


• performance right organization's parties, especially the special event parties such as holiday parties.

• songwriter organization parties and events, ex. NARAS puts on different events such as meet the producer or songwriter events, or host special parties to recognize their members.


• record pool events - there have already been two of these this year.

• DJ conferences - another great place to meet DJs and get them your material.
  
• Film and TV conferences - since you want placement in film and TV, this is an excellent place to network. Don't forget indie film and TV.

• New Media/Digital Music Conferences - the music biz is changing - stay up on the game.

• Mobile Phone/Mobile Website conferences - folks we are moving into mobile - network with phone companies about getting your music put into mobile phones.

• Award shows - if you live in LA, there are always award show events being held there. Go to some of them. At the very least you can meet and make some new fans of your music. You might even meet some people in the industry.

• Networking events outside the music business - since it seems everybody is a rapper/producer/singer, you're bound to meet other music creators at other networking events. I met a producer and singer and a woman needing a songwriter at a Millionaire Mind Intensive seminar.

• Karaoke bars - if you are looking for demo singers, this may be a spot to check out. Plus, by doing karaoke, you know that they don't mind singing for cheap (:-O
  
• Studios - here's the place where you can meet engineers, mixers, producers, professional demo singers, artists, etc. Plus some studios will have their own events that they put on. Patchwerk is one of the studios that does events from time to time.
  
• Concerts - haven't we all seen the "flyer guy" at the doors of a concert passing out flyers? You can do the same thing with your CDs and make some fans of your music.

• Music retail stores - are you kidding?! You can meet plenty of musicians, producers, engineers, DJs, songwriters, etc. at these stores. Plus, just meeting the people behind the counters who know how to work the music equipment you're about to buy is good enough reason to go there and network!
  
• Bookstores - in the music section of the book store are learners and students of music just like you!
  
• Colleges & university - Sometimes colleges, universities, law schools and even high schools have music business departments and music business groups which put on music conferences and seminars. Sometimes you may want to just go when there is not a conference, just to meet the professors and network with the students.
  
  
• Trade shows - like NAMM, NARM, NAB are good trade shows where you can network with music merchandisers. Digidesign in fact will be at NAB (April 14­-17, 2008) in Las Vegas.

• Radio Broadcaster Conferences - this will help you not only meet radio personalities, but you'll also get some good tidbits on what PMs are looking for.
  
• Gamers Conferences - since more and more music is being placed in games, you want to attend these events as well.

• Targeted Niche Conferences - go to conferences that will also help you learn what your particular niche is wanting and buying. For instance, Billboard is hosting a number of conferences this year which target teens and men.

• Record label parties - there are plenty of record labels that host events introducing either their label or their new artists. I recently attended one of those in December and met a lot of great industry folks who came out in support of the new production team, or artist!

• Producer parties - Sometimes producers will open up a new club, a new restaurant, or showcase their new signed artists. Check out those events.

• Magazine parties - I was invited out to a party being sponsored by a magazine and many, many industry people were scheduled to come.

• Music festivals - if your city or a surrounding city hosts things like music festivals, go! Make some new fans by passing out your CD. Find out who is putting it on and see if you can open up.

• Basketball/baseball/football games - arenas are always looking for groups to sing the National Anthem. Perform that song, then pass out your CD. Your name and group gets out and so does your music.

• Clothing stores - I heard this tip from JaWar - stores play background music all the time. Network with clothing stores and see if they will play your music or mix tape.

Want to know where to find some music conferences, showcases, open mics, and when they will be held? Check out my prior blog posts on upcoming conferences and JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconnection.blogspot.com

Thedy B
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!
hitsamillion.ning.com - network with others!

Network Anyway - Pt. 2

I've dedicated the past two weeks of blogging on networking. And some of my readers may be saying, but I don't feel like networking. In my last blog, I said network anyway! But the question is how do you network anyway when you don't feel like it? Here's some affirmations to help you when you don't feel like networking:

1. When you hear yourself ask, "When is my big break going to come?" Just tell your mind, "Some things happen when we least expect them to." Tell yourself, "when it comes, it's going to be great!"

2. When you feel like quitting, tell yourself, "action is rewarded." Tell yourself, "keep it moving!" Tell yourself that you've come too far to quit now. Tell yourself that if you quit now, then all the work you've done will be in vain. Tell yourself that quitting is not an option!

3. When money becomes an issue, tell yourself, you really can't afford to not network. Tell yourself, "I am investing in myself. I am investing in my career. I'm investing in my dream."

4. When you hear yourself say you hate to network, tell yourself that you love what you do, regardless of its ups and downs, its advantages and disadvantages, its rights and its wrongs!

5. When you get tired of meeting new people, tell yourself that your big break may be just one person away.

6. When you feel like you are tired of traveling to network, tell yourself that you are making a name for yourself. Tell yourself that at the very least you are seeing places you've never seen before.

You may get tired of the grind sometimes. But keep on grinding, mashing, pushing forward, seeking, expecting, anticipating, and loving what you do. Don't give up now! So network, network, network!

Thedy B
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me
hitsamillion.ning.com - network with other songcreators.

Network Anyway!

Network is just that: work! I don't know why folks think that the music business is not a J.O.B. You must work at your craft! Work at branding! Work at promotions! Work at publishing! Work at networking.

And you may HATE meeting new people. You may hate making small talk. Hate seeing and meeting fake people. HATE going to clubs. Hate paying money to go to industry events. Hate to travel. Hate the high price of gas that it will take you to get to where you are going.

You may be tired of going to event after event. You may be disappointed that you keep meeting the same old people! You may hate getting dressed up to go to networking events. You may hate being given the runaround. Hate that your phone calls and emails aren't being returned. Hate that you aren't being taken seriously

(see my previous blogs on the do's and don'ts of networking which may help with these problems)

You may be asking yourself and others, "When is my big break going to come?" "When am I going to "get on?" "When am I going to stop singing/rapping to other artists?" "When are the big boys with the checks going to see me, hear me, like me, and sign me?" You may hate a lot of things about networking but the bottom line is this: you must network and build relationships in the music business! As I said in my prior posts, success in the music business is 1/3 networking and building relationships. So network anyway!

Some things happen when we least expect them to. And because of that and because this business is unpredictable: you really can't afford to not network. You may get tired of the grind sometimes. But keep on grinding, mashing, pushing forward, seeking, expecting, anticipating, and loving what you do. Love what you do, regardless of its ups and downs, its advantages and disadvantages, its rights and its wrongs! This is the music business, not music heaven! In any business, there are things you will like and don't like. I'm sure artists don't like getting up at 4:30 or 5:30 in the morning to be on a flight somewhere or be at a morning TV show, but they grind it out. So keep grinding!

Don't give up now! Who knows, your big break may be just one person away! So network, network, network!

Thedy B

Your Network Determines Your Networth!

Networking is so important! At a recent songwriting conference, I learned that success in the music business is 33% talent, 33% hard work, and 33% relationships. Those percentages are true for any field, not just music. In fact, Peter Drucker said, "More business decisions occur over lunch and dinner than at any other time, yet no MBA courses are given on the subject."

T. Harv Iker is the best-selling author of The Secrets of The Millionaire Mind. You can google his name but essentially, he was born to immigrant parents. He started working at age thirteen because his parents were poor. He was able to go to college but left after one year to study how to become a millionaire. He started several business, and in two years became a millionaire! I was recently listening to The Millionaire Files CD that I got after attending the Millionaire Mind Intensive and heard T. Harv Iker and one of the millionaires he was interviewing say, your network determines your networth!

Your network determines your networth! He also said that you can predict where you will end up financially by looking at the people you hang around. He said that your income will be within 10% of your closest friends' income. So the old adage, birds of a feather flock together is still true.

Think about it: we have seen a number of celebrities lose what they had because of the people they choose to hang with, the people they choose to marry, the people they choose to learn from, and the people they choose to emulate. So we have to pick and choose who we want to hang with and work with if we want to be successful.

So if your circle of friends and associates aren't bringing you closer to where you want to be, then I suggest you enlarge your circle! Meet people! Meet people! Meet people! Network! Network! Network!

As I said over and over, get out of the studio, start networking more, and attend some upcoming music conferences. If your networking skills need some help, learn how to do it! I suggest reading my blogs on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, and purchasing some of the recommended books on networking. But network, love, network because your network determines your networth!

Thedy B,
Hits A Million, LLC

Upcoming Songwriting/Music Conferences and Seminars

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Well, here's your chance to get out of the studio, start networking more, and attend some upcoming music conferences. Here is another abbreviated list of upcoming 2008 Songwriting/Music Conferences and Seminars for March 2008 through May 2008. But before you go to these conferences, I suggest reading my blogs on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, and purchasing some of the recommended books on networking. That way you can ensure you are getting the most out of networking at the following songwriting/music conferences and seminars:

#1 March Events

March 25 - 29

Winter Music Conference

Mar 31 2008
BMI’s 8 off 8th Showcase: Nashville

Mar 31 2008

Billboard Mobile Entertainment Live Spring- 2008

#2 April Events

April 1 - April 5

15th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival

April 2

ASCAP Song Source

April 2

ASCAP Straight Talk

Apr 2 2008

BMI Presents Noche Bohemia 2008: Los Angeles

Apr 2 2008

BMI Presents . . .The Art of Songwriting: Atlanta

BMI Presents. . .The Art of Songwriting featuring The Clutch. This event will take place from 3:00-5:00pm at Emory University. Admission is free. Space is limited. Please RSVP evangraafeiland@bmi.com by Friday, March 28th.

Apr 3 2008

SPONY Songwriter Pitch-A-Thon: New York

April 3 2008

I Do Music

Apr 3 2008

The BMI Sessions: London

Apr 6-10 2008

Billboard Latin Music Conference and Awards

April 7 - May 1

ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in Los Angeles, directed by Stephen Schwartz

Apr 7 2008

BMI’s 8 off 8th Showcase: Nashville

Apr 9 2008

BMI Songwriting Workshop: New York

April 9

ASCAP Pop Music Awards

April 9

ASCAP Song Source

April 9

ASCAP Straight Talk

April 9

ASCAP/Billboard Latin Showcase

April 10 - April 12

2008 ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO

April 10

ASCAP's 2008 General Annual Membership Meeting

April 14

BMI’s 8 off 8th Showcase: Nashville

April 15

BMI Songwriters Workshop w/Jason Blume: Nashville

April 16

ASCAP Song Source

April 16

ASCAP Straight Talk

April 19 - April 23

2008 GMA Music Week

April 23

ASCAP Song Source

April 23

ASCAP Straight Talk

April 27 - April 30

2008 MUSEXPO

April 30 - May 4

2008 Key West Songwriters' Festival

April 30

ASCAP Song Source

April 30

ASCAP Straight Talk

#4 May Events:

May 14-17

Florida Music Festival

#3 I Got Soul Conference

June 13-15
http://www.igotsoulconference.com/

Again, if you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!

Here's a blog that I subscribe to which lists even more songwriting and music conferences: http://atlantashowcase.blogspot.com I suggest you subscribe too!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter

Hits A Million, LLC

myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!

hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!

The Do's and Don'ts of Networking - Part 3

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In my last two blogs on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences and via email, I gave you over 40 tips on how to effectively network in the music business. I've also shared with you my own personal success story about how networking has continuously changed my songwriting career. Because I believe you can never know too much, continue honing your networking skills! Continue building your songwriting library! So, in addition to buying some of the melody and lyric writing books as well as music business books, music production books, music publishing books, and music industry resource books, buy and read one or more of these well known, inexpensive, and practical networking books:


1. Click on this image for more information!

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Think you got great networking skills already? Then register to attend and network at this music conference!!! Click on this image for more information!

Again, if you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend! Thanks for reading.

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter

Hits A Million, LLC

myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!

hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!

The Do's and Don'ts of Networking through Email

(c) 2008 all rights reserved

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In my last blog, I discussed the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences. This blog, however, is dedicated to the do's and don'ts of networking in the music industry through email. Though some of these networking rules are really simple, I know personally that they are often broken. And yes, some of what I'm saying I'm repeating because the same rules of networking that apply at music conferences, seminars, talent showcases and open mics also apply via email. However, some rules do differ for email correspondence. So here are the do's and don'ts of networking via email:


1. Do say hello first. Don't be so eager to approach a music executive with your burning question or request that you don't say hello first.

2. Do say hello. "Yo, mami, papi, sweetie," won't cut it! Slang is not cute when first approaching a stranger, whether it's in person, phone or email. If using slang is a part of your "act" and a part of your show, great: Use it during the show, not in email communications to business professionals unless you already know the person.


3. Do include a unique subject. Busy music executives get a lot of email. If you want yours to be read, try including a unique subject that will get the reader's attention.


4. Do state the email recipient's name. Saying a person's name is universally accepted. Using that person's nickname or pseudonym is acceptable too. Alternatively, you can never go wrong with just saying, Hello, Mr. or Ms. _______, and use their last name. Remember rule #2 - do not call someone "mami, papi, sweetie." If you don't remember the person's name, see if the person's name is included in the email address, ask other people who went to the music conference for it, or keep the brochure/pamphlet/agenda that you received at the music conference and look for the person's name on it. If that doesn't help, try googling the name of the business and see if the person's name comes up. Or call the business and ask the receptionist for that information. If none of that helps, simply say hello and introduce yourself.

5. Do introduce yourself. You can say, "Hi, my name is ____. I'm a __________. My company/band/group is ________. I met you at __________. And my question is ___________ or I was wondering if you would do ________ or tell me _________. Letting people know where you met is a good way to break the ice. However, if you meet someone in person again, please do not say, "do/don't you remember me?" It puts the person on the spot and makes them uncomfortable.

6. Do keep your introduction short. No one wants to know everything about you during an introduction. It's just an introduction, not story telling time. Keep it simple sam mie is still a good rule of thumb. Anything too long will have the opposite effect: instead of you looking like a professional, you'll look like an amateur.

7. Do have a point to the email. Whether it is to ask a question, give a compliment, set up a meeting, thank the person for coming, or simply just to continue introducing yourself, make sure you express the point of your email. Hi, my name is X. I just wanted to introduce myself and invite you to go to my myspace page at myspace.com/hitsamillionllc. And if you invite someone to listen to your music or go to your website, again have a point to asking someone to do that. Many people email me saying yo, listen to my music. I don't typically listen when I get that type of email unless I'm told why. If you say, I'd like for us to work together, possibly do a collaboration on some future projects that I have coming up, please listen to my music and let me know if my music is something you can write to, THEN I'll listen. Or if you said, I value your opinion, please listen to my music and give me some feedback on it, I'd appreciate it. Then perhaps I'll listen. The point is to have a point to why you are emailing the person and why you are making the request.

8. Do ask just one or two questions per email. It shows you value your time and the reader's time. Asking one or two questions will also help you narrow down the questions you have to the one that is the most important ones to you. If you have additional questions, you can always send another email. Or ask the person can you set up a meeting so that you can ask a bunch of questions at once.

9. Do have a solid question to ask a music executive. Try to do your research before emailing a music executive so that you aren't asking questions that you could find out in a 10 second google search. There are some basic things that every artist should know about the music business. In fact, I again recommend you buy and read some of the songwriting, music industry, music production, and music resource books I recommended in my prior blog before approaching a busy executive, even a consultant with a question. There are melody and lyric writing books that help with songwriting issues as well as music business books, music production books, music publishing books, and music industry resource books. These books will answer some of your questions when a busy music executive cannot.

10. Do keep your question(s) short. Again, time is important so keep your one or two questions short. Plus, you want the person to be able to understand the question upon first reading it. No rambling or the executive will ask their assistant to respond with some general, "thank you for emailing us" response. If you keep your question short, it is more likely that they will understand you the first time you ask and reply accordingly.


11. Do keep your email short. Again, time is money. Don't waste it. Remember keep it simple sammie!

12. Do use punctuation. Failing to use punctuation is a major reason people won't respond to your email! Please don't expect anyone to be able to understand what you are saying when you fail to use punctuation when writing.

13. Do use spell check. I realize that sometimes we all, including myself, make spelling errors from time to time but really, try to keep the errors down to a very minimum by doing spell check.

14. Do use proper grammar. Again, use the grammar check function in Word or WordPerfect and check for grammar errors before hitting the send button.

15. Do use English. Again, slang is not appropriate, neither is French, i.e. profanity.

16. Do use capitalization correctly: DO NOT USE ALL CAPS WHEN TYPING AN EMAIL TO PEOPLE BECAUSE USING ALL CAPS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF YELLING. DoNt UsE AlTeRnAte UpPeR aNd LoWeR CaSe either. It's annoying! Instead of your message sounding, and being considered, as important as you intended it, it instead appears amateurish.

17. Do not name drop! For most people that is a turn off. Build your own reputation and then you won't have to name drop. If you are mentioning someone else's name because your mutual paths have crossed, then telling the music executive you know the mutual person is fine. If you are name dropping to make yourself appear more important, it doesn't give others that impression. Again, this tactic does the opposite by making you look like an amateur.

18. Do no lie about whom thou knowest. If you don't know someone in the business, please don't pretend to know them. The music business is very small. People do know others in the business. They can simply use their cell phone now, check your reference, and find out you're a fake in less than 10 minutes.

19. Do include contact information. Include your name, the name of your business or group, your email address, your physical address or P.O. Box, telephone numbers, and website.


20. Do include a picture. This is true especially if you are on MySpace or any other social networking site. I personally don't even reply to profiles that don't have pictures. I think having a picture is a nice touch and it helps people who remember others by face to remember you by face. And please don't use half nude pictures. Try to use the best pictures you can.


21. Do email your best 3 songs. If you email music to someone, make sure that you choose your top 3 songs and that's it. Make sure that you include the lyrics. Make sure your songs are properly mixed so that it sounds good.

22. Do not include more than 3 songs. Again, this is an introduction. No one has time to listen to a whole album! If the music executive wants more music, they can ask. Or, you can send more music in another email.

23. Do include a bio. In some cases, like for instance, in corresponding via email to a publicist, it is appropriate to send a bio.

24. Do thank the person(s). Thank them for taking their time out to read and answer your email.

25. Do ask for a follow up. Ask to meet the person, offer to take them to lunch, invite them out to an event where you plan to perform, ask can you meet them at their office or other convenient location, etc.

26. Do not spam but do be patient and persistent if the person does not follow up with you within a week. Some business professionals travel often. They need time to read and respond to their email. Some get hundreds of emails a week. Some professionals have mobile access to their email; some still do not. Do not send an email every day or every other day. Your emails will get ignored or you may get blocked. Instead, I think waiting a week after you email the person is a good time to follow up.

27. Last but not least, if you yourself are too busy to properly follow rules 1-26, hire an assistant to email for you! It is better that you appear to be a professional, than for you to send a rush email to someone and appear amateurish!

Now that you've got the do's and don'ts of networking via email, and the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, remember to get out the studio and network, network, network at the upcoming music conferences!!!

Again, if you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter

Hits A Million, LLC

myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!

hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!

The Do's and Don'ts of Networking at Music Conferences - Pt 1

(c) 2008 all rights reserved

If you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!


In my last blog, I suggested that artists, songwriters, producers, musicians, bands, groups, rappers, etc., get out of the studio, start networking more, and attend some upcoming music conferences. Big breaks in the music business have somtimes come through networking at music conferences such as the ones I mentioned in my prior blog. I recently blogged about the power of networking and how networking has really helped me in this music business.

So I decided to help songwriters, producers, singers, artists, etc., network effectively by doing this first blog on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, talent showcases, seminars, and open mics. All the blogs I'm about to publish on networking, I believe, will help you get noticed in the music business in the right way, leave a good first impression, help you possibly avoid some rejection, which we all face from time to time, and help you build some relationships with people in the music industry. (Subscribe to this blog today by clicking on the subscribe button to at the top right to be the first to read my new blogs!).

So here are the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences:

1. Do smile! Smiling says you are friendly, open, approachable, likeable, and charismatic. Great people want to work with great, likeable, friendly, approachable people. Smiling gives people that impression and it takes away some of the apprehension that a busy executive may have about meeting a lot of new people at one time. So smile and you just may have someone approach you!

2. Do say hello first. Don't be so eager to approach a music executive with your burning question or request that you don't say hello first.

3. Do say hello. "Yo, mami, papi, sweetie," won't cut it! Slang is not cute when first approaching a stranger, whether it's in person, phone or email. It just isn't cute or professional. If using slang is a part of your "act" and a part of your show, great: Use it primarily during the show, not when you just walk up to someone and are introducing yourself.

4. Do shake hands. A nice firm, solid handshake still says that you are professional and that you are about business.

5. Do introduce yourself. Introducing yourself helps give the listener some perspective on what you are about to say before you say it and hopefully it gives them something interesting to talk about. You can say, "Hi, my name is ____. I'm a __________. My company/band/group is ________. (Insert a sincere compliment here - no butt-kissing, just a sincere "thank you for the information you presented today" or "I appreciate you coming out today.") And my question is ___________ or I was wondering if you would do/tell me _________.

6. Do show appreciation. In the last tip, I mentioned that before you ask a panelist anything, show some appreciation by giving them a sincere compliment. It shows that you appreciate them, that you were listening, and that you are interested in learning more from them right now. But don't overdo it. Most people hate butt-kissers.

7. Do keep your introduction short. No one wants to know everything about you during an introduction. It's just an introduction, not story telling time. Keep it simple sam is still a good rule of thumb. Anything too long will have the opposite effect: instead of you looking like a professional, you'll look like an amatueur.

8. Do ask a question. At a music conference, as a rule of thumb, it is better to ask a question rather than make a comment.

9. During Q & A time at a music conference, do have a relevant, general, expertise type comment to make if you must comment at all. You can preference the comment by saying, "I have more of a comment than a question." But do make sure that the comment is worth everyone hearing. Some great comments that I've heard at conferences are where an audience member offered their services to the audience members, told the audience about a great opportunity, and went into greater detail about one of the topics and therefore showed some level of expertise on the subject. But just standing up just to be seen and heard is not appropriate. Keep your comment very short!

10. Do ask just one question or make one comment. At a music conference, there is typically a line of folks that would like to talk to the panelists. Be considerate of other attendees and ask one question. Asking one question will also help you narrow down the questions you have to the one that is most important to you. If you have additional questions, ask for the person's contact information and then ask when is a good time for you to contact them so that you can ask additional questions. Just say, "Well, I see there are plenty of people in line that would also like to talk to you, and to be courteous, let me move out the way. I do have some additional questions for you though so can you give me your contact information so I can reach out to you."

11. Do have a solid question to ask a music executive. Try to do your research before going to a music conference so that you aren't asking questions at a music conference that you could find out in a 10 second google search. There are some basic things that every artist should know about the music business. I again recommend you buy and read some of the songwriting, music industry, music production, and music resource books I recommended in my prior blog before approaching a busy executive, even a consultant with a question. There are melody and lyric writing books that help with songwriting issues as well as music business books, music production books, music publishing books, and music industry resource books. These books will answer some of your questions when a busy music executive cannot. When you go to a music conference, you should go there wanting to know updated information.

12. Do keep your question or comment short. Again, time is important to not only the music executive but also to others waiting to speak to the music executive. So keep your one question short. You don't want to be embarassed by being cut off. Plus, you want the person to be able to understand the question upon first hearing it. If you ramble on and on, that person will eventually ask you, "so what's your question?" If you keep it short, it is more likely that they will understand you the first time you ask.

13. During Q & A time, do ask general questions that will benefit the entire audience if you are asking a question for the audience to hear. There's nothing that I hate worst than for someone to stand up during a music conference, and use up the very few slots that are available for the audience to ask a question, and ask what is essentially a very personal question to the panelists. Your question is too personal when the facts in your question would only really apply to you and a few other people. Personal questions should be held for the time when you are speaking to the music executive one on one.

14. Do thank the person(s) you talk to for taking their time out and answering your questions.

15. Do have some promotional material to present to the panelist at the end of your conversation. Have a CD with 3 of your hits on it (but see my other blog on other ways to distribute your music), have a business card, and/or a flyer. (I will be doing another blog on how to effectively use these promotional materials to stay in contact, make a good first impression, and brand yourself).

Now that you've got the do's and don'ts of networking, remember to get out the studio and network, network, network at the upcoming music conferences!!!

If you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter

Hits A Million, LLC

myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!

hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!

Upcoming Songwriting Seminars & Conferences

Check out the following events for songwriters:

Event #1
The Southwest Georgia Radio and Music Conference is a one-day/one-night music conference and seminar with prominent music industry and business professionals. It is being held on Saturday, March 22, 2008 in Albany, GA at the Hilton Garden Inn, 101 S. Front Street, Albany, GA 31701. This music conference is anticipating a variety of tourists and fans to flood the streets of Downtown Albany, Georgia for this HISTORY making Radio Music Conference and How to Make Money Online Seminar!

Special invited guest, speakers, partners & presenters include Motivational Speaker/Author/Consultant (JaWar), Entertainment Attorney (John F. Christmas), Author/Associate Director-SESAC-Performing Rights Organization (Cappriccieo M. Scates), Music Business Consultant (Allen L. Johnston –The Music Specialist), Judge Law Radio (DJ Judge Mental), Publicists (Rovella Williams), Publicists/Writer/Public Speaker (Willie Hunter), Bar Red Entertainment (B. Brown), Come Claim the Mic Music Conference, Select-O-Hits Music Distribution, Recording Artists, Music Producers, Songwriters, Singers, S.I.R. Magazine, Photographers, Music Magazines, Media Outlets and more!

For details on registering, sponsorship & performing for the Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference Call 404-543-0675 or 229-255-4016.


Event # 2


The Entertainment and Marketing Summit returns to the Newport Beach Hyatt Regency
March 26th through March 29th 2008. For more info go to www.urbannetwork.com
or call 213.388.4155


Event #3

The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is set to take place April 10-12, 2008 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.

The 2008 EXPO's unparalleled list of panelists has grown even more. Jackson Browne is confirmed as well as:
Glen Ballard | Marilyn Bergman | Bun B | Mary Chapin Carpenter | Chamillionaire | Desmond Child | Julio Reyes Copello | Jackie DeShannon | David Banner | Amaury Gutierrez | Keri Hilson | Mark Hudson | Johnny Mandel | David Paich (Toto) | Linda Perry | John Powell | John Rich | Rivers Rutherford | John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) | Stephen Schwartz | Darrell Scott | Billy Steinberg and many more...
More...

"The ASCAP EXPO was educational, exciting, entertaining, and just plain fun."
- Rick Martin, Attendee

My list of songwriting sites!

In my first blog, I listed some melody and lyric writing books I bought and use to help me with songwriting issues that come up from time to time. In my second blog, I mentioned music business books, music production books, music publishing books, and music industry resource books that I also own and use. Well, here's a short list of some great songwriting websites:



Lyrics:

1. writingsongs.com
2. azlyrics.com
3. lyricsplanet.com

Melody writing sites:

1. songwritingfever.com
2. mltv.net
3. musesmuse.com

Rhyming Dictionary sites:

1. rhymer.com
2. rhymezone.com
3. rapdict.org
   

The Business of Songwriting sites:

1. billboard.com
2. uscopyright.org
3. songwriter101.com
4. gojawar.blogspot.com
   

Music Selling sites:

1. snocap.com
2. xingtone.com
3. myxer.com
4. cdbaby.com

Performance Rights Organizations:

1. sesac.com
2. ascap.com
3. bmi.com
4. soundexchange.com

Music Conferences & Seminars sites:

1. gojawar.com
2. gomusicconnection.com
3. mymusicconnection.blogspot.com
4. atlantamusicshowcase.blogspot.com
5. billboardevents.com
6. eventful.com

Songwriting Groups & Organizations:

1. grammy.com
2. nashvillesongwriters.com
3. chicagosongwriters.com
4. songwriters.org
5. gma.org

Songwriter Social Networking Sites:

1. hitsamillion.ning.com
2. myspace.com
3. facebook.com
4. youtube.com
5. singersroom.com
6. reverbnation.com
7. ilike.com
8. fanbridge.com

Recommended songwriting books - Part 2

In addition to the songwriting books I recommended in my prior blog on recommended songwriting books, here are some additional songwriting books that will help you with the business of songwriting, promotions and music publishing so click on the links below and purchase your books today!

Music Business Books:
1. Music, Money And Successby Jeffrey Brabec and Todd Brabec - (a must have! This is the only book on the market that I know of that teaches songwriters how to make a lot of money with their music)
2. 6 Steps to Songwriting Success by Jason Blume (Jason Blume is an awesome teacher on the subject of songwriting. He also has an audio book on melody writing but I couldn't find that book to list it).
3. All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman-(a must have! - this book answers some of the legal issues that arises with your songs)
4. Everything You'd Better Know about the Record Industry by Kashif with contributions by Gary A. Greenberg - (another must have! - helps with not getting scammed in this business)
5. The Truth About Record Pools, Music Conferences, Talent Shows and Open Mics Ebook by JaWar (a must have! If you want to know how to get the most out of going to a music conference, showcase, talent show, etc- this book will teach you how)
6. This Business of Global Music Marketingby Ted Lathrop (just bought)
7. This Business of Songwritingby Jason Blume (just bought)
8. This Business of Music Marketing and Promotionby Ted Lathrop (just bought)
9. Confessions of a Record Producer by Moses Avalon - good book that talks about how not to get conned in the music business).


Music Industry Resource Books:
1. Atlanta Music Industry Connection Ebook by JaWar - (a must have - helps with starting a business, finding an attorney, manager, distribution company, and pretty much anything else a musician, artist, or manager will need)!
2. Los Angeles Music Industry Connection Ebook by JaWar - (a must have - same book as the Atlanta book but it has all the contact information for LA attorneys, managers, etc.)!
3. The Official Contact Pages: The Music Industry Dictionaryby James Hickman

Music Publishing Books:
1. How to Pitch and Promote Your Songsby Fred Koller - (so far, a little slow - lot of stories, not enough info)
2. Getting Noticed: A Musician's Guide to Publicity and Self-Promotionby James Gibson - (book is old, some info may be out of date but some info is still applicable)

Music Production Books:
1. Sound Advice on Recording & Mixing Vocals by Bill Gibson (this book is okay -it's probably great for sound engineers though)
2. Pro Tools for Dummiesby Jeff Strong - (love this book since I'm still a beginner on Pro Tools! it answers most questions that I have!)
3. Reason 3 Powerby Matt Piper & Michael Prager - I haven't been using my Reason program so I haven't read this book yet.

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc

Recommended songwriting books - Part 1

As promised in one of my earlier blogs on melody first or lyrics first, here's my list of some songwriting books that I use or bought to help me with songwriting issues that I come across as a songwriter. (I might also add here that in addition to the first blog I did on creative ways to use your music money and the second blog on the same subject where together I listed over 14different ways to be smart with investing your money in the music business, I am going to add investing in good books as creative way #15.) I have also included a one line opinion about the books if I have an opinion. My list is definitely not exhaustive and grows all the time as I am a complete bookworm! But my list will at least get you started in the right direction. So click on the links below and buy the books today to get started!

Lyric Writing Books:
1. The Craft of Lyric Writing by Sheila Davis - (a must have in my opinion! It will take your writing to a whole different level!)
2. Successful Lyric Writing- a workbook - (another must have! This is the companion book to the first book. Excellent!)
3. The Songwriter's Idea BookThe Songwriter's Idea Book by Sheila Davis - (a little hard to read at first but still very good. Shows you how your personality type helps or hinders your writing and how to overcome your bad writing habits, including writer's block)
4. The Songwriter's Handbook by Tom T. Hall - this was my first ever book on songwriting and I still have it. Good book as well.
5. How to write a hit songby Molly-Ann Leikin - (has a good section on overcoming writer's block and if you are wanting a shorter, easier read, it's a good book too)
6. Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison (this book is okay)
7. 88 Songwriting Wrongs & How to Right Them - (a really good book to help you critique your songs yourself so you don't have to pay a song critiquing service and helping with getting your songs published)
8. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Songwriting by Joel Hirschhorn - (great because it covers broad subjects on songwriting and makes you think of more things you can do with your music)

Lyric Writing Resource Books:
1. Songwriter's Rhyming Dictionary by Jane Shaw Whitfield - (cool, but I like Random House's better)
2. Roger's International Thesaurus (Fifth Edition) edited by Robert T. Chapman - (really good book - helps you expand your vocabulary and thus your lyrics)
3. Word Menuby Stephen Glazier - (haven't quite figured out this book yet)
4. The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers - (good if you use cliche's as lyrics).
5. Random's Rhyming Dictionary by Random House - (I love this little book!)

Melody Writing Books:
1. Creating Melodies by Dick Weisman (this book includes lessons with the keyboards or guitar so get a piano or guitar to get full use of this book but it's still pretty good information on how to write melodies even if you don't play an instrument)
2. The Songwriter's Workshop Harmony by Jimmy Kachulis
3. The Songwriter's Workshop Melodyby Jimmy Kachulis
4. Melody in Songwriting by Jack Perricone
5. Melody: How to Write Great Tunes by Rikky Rooksby

Create Your Own Genre of Music!

In my prior blog called Create Your Own Style, Your Own Sound, I suggested that you stay creative and consistent and essentially "brand" your music. Well, I want to continue encouraging you to think outside the box!


Because the music industry is changing and there are more indie artists and indie labels than ever, you as an indie artist/songwriter can now find recording artists who will record your genre of music. Yes, your genre! Did you know that besides the main genres of music (country, pop, rock 'n roll, R & B, Hip Hop, jazz, Punk, Hardcore/Heavy Metal), that there are HUNDREDS of different genres of music! New genres are being created all the time! Genres are also being fused together all the time: Wikipedia has a long list of music genres that is listed from A to Z. Every letter of the alphabet on that list has more than one genre, even Q! There's even a genre called Mushroom Jazz!

So songwriters, you can find a genre that fits your style of music, or you can be like Ray Charles and make your own sound! In fact, Ray Charles was the pioneer of soul music because he was the first to secularize gospel music and add blues lyrics to it. Thus, he created his own sound and we are still singing his songs today! Ray Charles defied genre labels by being popular with pop, R & B, country, and jazz fans alike. He had hits in all four genres. So again just be creative, and create your own sound, or your own genre, whichever you like!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
http://myspace.com/hitsamillionllc

Creative Ideas for Songs - Part 3

In my prior blogs on creative ideas for songs, I talked about how to capture your ideas when they come and how to be opened to getting creative ideas for songs from anyone or anywhere. I even provided my own video on how I was inspired to write, Cops 'n Robbers. But how can you strategically, i.e. intentionally come up with creative ideas for songs? Here's a couple of places where you can start looking for themes, concepts and titles for songs:

1. Newspaper or magazine articles - great source for themes and titles.

2. Social/political events - great source to express your feelings and emotions about what you see, hear, and feel in the world. Hip Hop initially started as a means of expressing political and social injustice.

3. Current events - great source for new things to sing about.

4. Films/TV sitcoms - great source for concepts and themes.

5. Books - great source for titles.

6. Conversations - people say the funniest things sometimes. Capture those conversations in a song. Or listen for a story that you want to tell in a song.

7. Your own life - believe it or not, your life is full of songs. Think of things you always wanted to say to someone, or feelings and emotions that you wanted to express.

8. Other songs - I listen to songs that I love or WISH I had written to inspire me to write better.

9. Other people - if none of the above things inspire you, then it's time to collaborate and get ideas from other people.

Happy creative writing!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
http://www.myspace.com/hitsamillionllc
http://www.hitsamillion.ning.com/
http://thedyb.magnify.net/

Create Your Own Style, Your Own Sound!

During dinner, I was recounting to a multi-Grammy-award winning producer the other day that another engineer/singer/friend was advising me not to use a lot of harmonies in the R & B songs that I write for other artists. This singer-friend was telling me the R & B song I wrote was "wrong" because I was using a lot of harmonies and according to this singer-friend, R & B doesn't use a lot of harmonies, only gospel. According to this singer-friend, R & B uses mostly octaves. And while some of what the singer-friend was saying had some truth in it, my multi-Grammy-Award winning producer friend disagreed. The producer then started naming off groups such as Boys II Men as an example of an R & B group who are known for their rich harmonies. So he said that what the singer-friend was saying wasn't true for all R & B.

And then this multi-Grammy award winning producer (I like saying that and I'm sure this producer liked getting them) said, "Thedy, find your own sound and stick to it! It's YOUR sound. It makes you, you. It makes people recognize YOUR songs and YOUR style from others. So if the songs you write have lots of harmonies, do you!" And when I thought about it, he's so right!

Think about it: Any fan of a particular person's music can almost immediately recognize their favorite producer or songwriter's style. For example, fans of Quincy Jones, Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis can recognize them as producers of a song. A fan of Timbaland's music will know when the beat or music they hear is a Timbaland beat, a Swizz Beat beat, a Dark Child track, or a Jazzy Pha track. Same is true for Bryan-Michael Cox, the Clutch, and many other producers/songwriters. Why? Because not only have those producers/songwriters built their brand using their name, but they've built their brand using their sound! Sometimes even during the intro or the outro of the track, some producers will even put their "name imprint" into the track so that listeners will know this is their track. And because these producers have built their sound and name up and been successful hitmakers, recording artists who like that producer's particular sound will call these producers when they are ready to record their next project. It's that simple: the artist like the sound and style, and they used that producer or production team.

So regardless of the advice that I or any other "professional" give you, do you! Be you! Create your own style of music! Create your own sound! And stick to the sound that you love and that hits home with YOUR fans! While there are some fundamentals to making a hit song, some rules, and even some do's, (and that's what I am attempting to help songwriters see in this blog), there are also a lot of creative things you can do with your music and still be "right."


Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
http://myspace.com/hitsamillionllc

Song Selection for Recording Artists Part 4

In my prior series of blogs in 2007 on Song Selection for Recording Artists, I discussed three things that artists should look for in choosing a song for their next album. As you can see from my 2008 blogs, record sales are down. So it would behoove any recording artist, and I do mean ANY, recording artist to make sure your songs have the three things I mentioned in them if you want your album to have any real measure of success. Take for example, Janet Jackson....

Janet Jackson's career and her latest singles, Feedback and Rock with U, were discussed on the Frank Ski and Wanda Smith morning show on V-103 recently. Frank Ski and Wanda Smith were asking listeners the question of whether (and how) Janet Jackson can boost her career? Or, they asked, should she retire? One radio listener said that he felt the reason that Janet Jackson's come-back has not been successful is because Janet continuously chooses the wrong songs. In this listener's opinion, R & B music that is successful nowadays are songs that have soul in them and he named Alicia Keys and Keyshia Cole's music as examples of R & B music with soul. No soul, no sales. This listener felt that Janet Jackson's music lacked soul.

Another listener essentially echoed the prior listener's comments, saying that she couldn't even understand the words in Janet Jackson's songs! This listener expressed some dismay that Janet Jackson had such a great music production team at her disposal with Jermaine Dupri and his camp; yet she couldn't actually hear Janet Jackson's voice or the lyrics to the song. This listener was also disappointed in the content of the songs, saying she didn't even know what Janet was singing about anymore. She didn't understand the message in the music and even if she could, the message simply didn't appeal to her. These listeners were disappointed fans who expressed their desire for both "the old Janet Jackson" and for the old songs Janet used to sing, naming songs, such as "Let's Wait Awhile" and "Control" as songs that they remember which really had an impact on them while listening to music back in the day.

Frank Ski also compared Janet Jackson to current hit recording artists such as Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Ciara, and Rhiana, and said some people are even questioning whether Janet Jackson can compete with these artists vocally? Frank Ski said some folks think Janet Jackson can't really sing.  He was just putting that thought out there and not saying that himself.

Now I'm not hear to knock anyone else's songs and music production, and truly every artist is getting hit with a decreased in record sales - and that's across the board. But essentially, what these listeners and Janet Jackson's critics are talking about are the three things that I mentioned in my blogs about song selection for recording artists. If hit recording artists want to remain as such, choose songs that have great content, that accentuates their vocal range, and that are heart felt! Now what I'm about to say is probably not true of Janet Jackson (since we know that she is wonderfully committed to her music career.  But if you are a recording artist who believes that simply because you are/were famous before, that your audience will simply just buy your album. Not so anymore! The music game has changed! Artists with that sort of thinking will find their album sales declining as people buy the one or two songs they like and that's it. Artists who instead step up their game and pick all the rights songs for their album will find their album sales continue to hit a million record sales and downloads. So pick songs that again have great content, show your vocal range, and that are heart felt and your record sales will be unchartered. Just ask Alicia Keys, Ne-yo, and Mary J. Blige!

I believe in Janet Jackson!  I'm an fan of hers but I am more of a fan of her older work.  I wish her newest album much, much, much, much success to put her fans at ease and her critics to shame.  And I just believe that Janet Jackson has the skills, heart, the presence, love for her career, and love for music to come back and hit a million record sales! I'd love to write some songs for her too and I hope to work with her in the future.

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter,
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc