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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!
