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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!!!
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Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!
hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!
