If you want to thrive in any industry nowadays, you need to learn how to build a network. There’s no business where this is truer than in the music industry, as you need to learn where to position yourself to meet the right people who can help your career take off. With that said, here are our eight tips on how to connect at music networking events:
1. Attend networking events
Networking events are golden opportunities for you to meet new and interesting people, and some of them may be able to help you to get where you want to be. If you’re not used to the idea of hanging out with a bunch of strangers, don’t worry – just start off small. Go to local music events first and start building your connections there. Someone you meet there may know someone that you can work with sometime in the future, but before you get there, you have to get to know the right people. It all starts with one event. Getting to know people will be small steps upwards in the ladder that you have to climb, and we promise that it will get easier with each event that you attend.
2. Do some research
When you’re looking to attend music networking events, you have to prepare yourself for it. Don’t go in there with guns blazing, without having prepared what you will do or say, as that’s a quick and easy way to ruin your reputation. Do your homework. Find out who will be at the event, learn more about what they do, and use this as an opportunity to get in touch with them. You want to make sure you know as much about the industry as possible before you attend these events. That way, you can keep the conversation going and not have it end in awkward silence.
3. Learn how to sell
You know who you are and what you can do, but what you need to do is make people believe that you can do it. That’s where the sales pitch comes in. You have to admit that the sole reason why you attend these events in the first place is to advance your career through networking. That will help you to have a clear objective and approach to what you’re supposed to do. Having an idea of what you should do will help you to prepare the perfect pitch for what you’re trying to achieve. Raising awareness of an album debut and looking for a music label to sign with requires two very different approaches, and you will have to pitch your presentation differently. After you’ve figured out what you want to pitch for each situation, practice that pitch, refine it, and make sure to plan for each scenario so that you don’t get caught off-guard by any surprise answers.
4. Prepare yourself
First impressions are everything when you’re building new contacts, and the best way to make a good first impression is to be a professional. You don’t want to walk through those doors looking lackluster when somebody is trying to talk to you, as they will probably remember you as someone who is unimpressive for years to come. Think about it – if you see someone who can’t conduct themselves in a simple social situation, how can you trust them to play confidently on stage? The same is true for when you’re trying to present yourself at these events as well. You have to trust yourself and stand tall. Be confident in who you are and your ability to demand attention and respect from those around you. This will give people a reason to listen to you, which is the key to success in this business.
Don’t forget to keep your business cards, notes, and a pen with you so that you can give out your contact information to people and keep track of what’s been said. Keep track of all the business cards that you collect and take note of what deals each person offers so that you don’t forget. Also, be sure to follow up on your contacts within a day or two after the event.
5. Be Yourself
Being yourself means not letting others dissuade you from showing your skills, character, and charm. It also means that you shouldn’t try to be someone that you’re not, as that will build a false expectation that you may not be able to uphold. Although it may not be an outright lie, it’s still not a good way to start a relationship. The basis of every good relationship is honesty and trust. If you come off as someone who’s pretending to be someone you’re not, people will feel it, and they will be turned off from trusting you with their business. If you’re starting to feel nervous, take a step back and gather yourself. Inhale for five seconds and exhale slowly, thinking about who you are, why you’re there, and what you have to offer these people.
6. Walk around the room
You shouldn’t hang out in just one corner of the room, as that will limit your potential to meet new people. Instead, make a point of walking around from one part of the room to the other, striking up conversations with people of interest as you walk by. Who knows? Maybe your best contacts are the people who you’ve never heard of before.
7. Maintain the relationship
It’s never a bad idea to be nice to someone, especially to those who you may work with in the future. Trying to keep track of the important days of your contacts’ lives can help you to come off as a caring person who pays attention to detail. You never know how far a birthday card can take you, which is why it’s a great idea to send them out to your contacts during special occasions. It’s a way of nurturing a relationship and making sure that it doesn’t die out.
Promoly is a music promotion platform for musicians. If you’re looking for a music PR service to deliver music to your mailing list, get in touch to see how we can help today!
