Not So Good Things I Noticed About The Music Industry

I would consider myself a part of the music industry...loosely. I make beats but it's not the way I make a living. For those of you who are trying and haven't quite made it yet, I want to share some things I've experienced and some things to be prepared for. First, you must develop thick skin. You are going to have bad days when people say your music sucks. You are going to have days when you want to quit. If you put your heart and soul into your product and you stand behind it 100%, keep pushing. The music industry is saturated with artists, producers, and managers so you have to do whatever it takes to stand out. Don't be afraid to stick out like a sore thumb. The whole landscape of music has changed and most of the shot callers are in it for themselves. They want to make as much money off you as they possibly can so you should develop the same mentality. They don't put alot of money behind your music. Don't expect follow-up conversations. If you get a meeting with a label, company, etc, don't leave that meeting without signing some type of deal, agreement, contract, or something that guarantees some type of business transaction will happen. If you have a bonafide hot record, work it in the streets yourself. Take it to the strip clubs. Take it to the regular clubs. Most radio stations now play unsigned artists on a regular basis. Do your homework. Pass it out at music conferences. Get the point? Make the record execs seek you out. You will have more barganing power that way. Reverend Run said your network determines your net worth. That is so true in the music industry. If you are not a part of the right circle of people, you will not be presented with the same opportunities as someone one who is. Friends give work to friends. So don't expect alot from people. But be ready when opportunities arise and be prepared to create your own.

10 Things to Do Immediately After a Networking Event

Courtesy of TJsDJs


10 Things to Do Immediately After a Networking Event

The true color of networking is often revealed after the event itself. The emails that get traded, the connections we make, and the relationships that continue to grow. Here are 10 things to do immediately after attending a networking function (conferences, seminars, business clubs).

1) Send email. Don’t wait for the next day or the next week. Chances are you won’t get around to it-and even if you do-they may not recall. Send an email to everyone you took a card from. Even if you don’t see an immediate connection, just say thanks.

2) Connect on Facebook. My favorite strategy. I look the people up on Facebook using their business cards and add them to my network. Now, I know their birthdays, their occupation, and their day to day status (literally!). Best Rolodex in the world.

3) Put one thing into action. Too many people walk away from networking events feeling good, but doing nothing. Take one decisive action from what you learned.

4) Introduce two people to each other. One of my colleagues, Jim Penny, is a master at this. He finds one person at each event and introduces them to someone else he thinks they should know. Now, where those two people take the relationship is up to them, but he is always remembered as the guy who made the introduction!

5) Contact one PRP (Potential Referral Partner). One of the best ways to grow a business is through collaboration with others. Joint ventures can be amazingly powerful. Whenever I network, I try to seek out one referral partner. This can be someone that I can send business to or someone whose clients we can help. The best PRPs are those who can figure out a win-win situation. Example: A web designer sends a printer work, while a printer recommends the designer to their clients.

6) If you took pictures, put them up on Facebook. Tag them whenever possible. Pictures are best posted when the memory of the event is still fresh. If you follow #2, then you can also tag people you have added as friends. Pictures are a great way to attract people to your profile as well.

7) Blog or write about your experience. Whenever I come back from events, my mind is spinning with new ideas. If I don’t get them down, they are lost. Bullet point ideas or write them across your white board. Just get them down!

8) Make sure your website is working well. If you met a lot of people, the chances are that they will check out your website. Make sure that it is up to date and a good representation of who you are.

9) Thank the host – if applicable. This especially applies to local events which are put together by one individual. A quick note thanking them will go a long way.

10) Check networking supplies. Yes, check your stock of cool business cards, pens, and stickers after your event – and before the next one. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to order cards overnite before I learned this lesson. Check your stock after each event, and you will thank yourself later!

2009 One Stop Shop Producers Conference

Music Conference 101

I have attended my fair share of music conferences and they can be a gold mine or a waste of time; it’s up to you. The music conference that I have attended most often in the Atlanta area is the Atlantis Music Conference. I also attended the Radio One Music Conference last year. For the most part, these conferences allow individuals who are looking to make it in the music industry an opportunity to meet and interact with those already established inthe music industry. Music conferences are based upon panels. Loosely, a panel is a group of “experts” on a specificsubject who lend their knowledge and answer questions. Panel guests have included DJ Toomp, Khao, Bangladesh,Brian Cox, Adonis, Young Joc, Gorilla Zoe, Polo Da Don, DJ Unk, and the list goes on. The Atlantis Music Conferencealso gives new artists the opportunity to perform in showcases around the city over a three day period. As an artist looking for exposure, this is the part of the conference you should want to be a part of.

I have compiled a list of things to do to maximize the time you spend attending music conferences. These are just suggestions.

1. Arrive Early, Leave Late - The more time you spend at a music conference, the more time you have to mix and mingle.
2. Network, Network, Network - Take the time to introduce yourself and meet as many people as you can. There are also lawyers,filmmakers, clothing designers, etc. that are just starting out just like yourself. No better way to start your own network.
3. Advertise – Have CDs, t-shirts, flyers, postcards, and business cards made up to represent you, your artist, or your company.
4. Perform – If the music conference offers the opportunity for you to perform, take advantage. You never know who may see you.
5. Ask Questions – The panel sessions allow you to present questions to the panel guests. Ask intelligent questions that will help further your career.These question and answer sessions are not intended for self-promotion or to ask the panelists if you can give them your demo. Be considerate of others.
6. Video – Video tape the panels if you are allowed to do so. You will be surprised how much information you miss.