There is truth in the quote from Harvey Mackay that states “The quality of your life depends on the quality of your relationships.” The Music Industry is no different as much of it is built on relationships. Many doors are opened through personal friendships or acquaintances. Like any profession, being good, or even great, is not enough. Knowing how, when and who to network with is essential. Connecting with as many industry individuals as possible is crucial for progression. Having the right conversations and connections to create the right song can make all the difference.
Connections:
Society tends to give importance to those who are “connected”, but what does that really mean? Connections can be a matter of perspective, so be sure you strive for connections and not just contacts. There is a difference. Just because you once got a message back from an industry professional or met someone at an event and exchanged information, does not mean that you have a connection. A connection is someone you've met in person, have an open line of communication with, mutually support one another, have known for some time, can relate to genuinely, can trust and has developed into a quality relationship. There's a sense of mutual interest or advantage to the affiliation.
There are several ways in order to achieve new relationships. Join professional organizations and attend events that are relevant to your goals. Support other musicians. Be an active participant in opportunities that are presented to you. Use social media to support sites that will mutually support you. Don't be afraid to support other artists as they may support you as well. Understand that helping others helps you, so reach out, be the example, the leader
and volunteer.
Use your connections to establish a team that can take you to the next level. Be sure that each team member is as talented as you are. A strong team pushes everyone to do their best. In the age of social media, it’s not difficult to conduct a search to measure an individual’s success, personality and past experience. Evaluate each opportunity that is presented as well as each individual you welcome into your career for the value, proven accomplishments, connections, loyalty and safety. No one can reach their full potential and goals without a team who can take them there.
Communicate:
Remember it’s never what you say, but how you say it. One of the most basic ways to demonstrate professionalism is how you communicate with others. What and how you say things will change how others perceive you. It establishes your reputation. Whether you're approaching a record label, a manager, a publicist, requesting PR on social media or seeking guidance from someone established, being professional matters. Remember that everyone is busy, so be sure to have all of the information you need and be clear and concise. Be respectful of their time and efforts. Just because you have someone’s contact information doesn’t mean you can call or message them or their other colleagues at any time. In this day and age, it is easy to find information; however, be sure you never infringe on other’s privacy. Know and respect boundaries.
Sometimes there are no second chances, so always be polite. Understand that a little thankfulness goes a long way. The “golden rule” of treat others the way you would like to be treated, always applies. Psychological studies have proven that people like those who have a positive attitude and display a competent personality. Positivity is contagious causing people to want to be around that individual. Presenting yourself is important, but be just as interested in what the industry professionals have to say and ask questions. Understand your surroundings and who you are speaking with. The reality is, there are times when you never know just how connected someone might be. There is truth in the statement that it is a small world and news travels fast, so always end on a positive and professional note. This advice translates into every career, so be genuinely happy, interested in what others have to say, be kind and be confident. Keep in mind this applies to every e-mail, phone call, text, stage presence and social media exchange / post. Every time communication occurs with others it establishes your reputation, so stick to being professional to ensure that the message that is being conveyed represents who you want to be.
Create:
You can’t just dream, you have to create. What you create for music, forms your reputation and potential future, so don’t settle. Because it is important to brand building, carefully establish the message you want your fans to receive from your music. Singing cover songs may show off your vocals, but you need your own songs and brand, so the industry will know who you are and the message you want to send. Be realistic. There may be those stories of a music executive discovering a musician, but the reality is that you have a better chance at winning Power Ball. As an artist, you have to create your own competitive product to be noticed. Record companies are looking for artists that have already developed and invested in themselves to a certain level. They are looking for artists who go above and beyond. Why should a record label invest in you, if you have not invested in yourself? This is why connections and communication are so important. Create quality content over quantity and know everything produced by an artist, should have their unique sound and represent who they are. Artists are in a competitive market that is filled with talent; thereby, making it even more critical to be creative in order to be noticed. That can’t be accomplished without having experienced music producers, writers and a trusted team of music industry professionals working on your behalf. You may have the equipment or software to produce your own music, but unless you know how to use them properly, you can’t produce the same kind of music that a professional can. You not only want, but need that refined sound that will set you apart from everyone else. As an artist, you spend years developing and investing in your vocals and talent, so why would you sell yourself short when in production or in any aspect of your team.
Industry professionals look for those who take action. Stay focused and driven. If you work on your craft daily, there will always be improvements; therefore, obtain your motivation from the journey instead of the destination. Enjoy the process of connecting, communicating and creating, because it will leave you with quality relationships that will automatically better your life and increase your odds for success.