How to Network in the Music Industry

Networking is a must in the music industry, even if you hate the idea of it. It doesn't have to be anything more than meeting fellow musicians or music lovers and brainstorming ways to work together to produce great music—don't make it anything more than it is. Networking can be easy if you find the right avenues and follow some advice.

Attend Music Industry Events

There are tons of music industry networking opportunities: from music industry trade shows to local musician meet-ups. If you're not especially comfortable networking or don't have a lot of experience doing it, then start small.

Instead of jumping into the conference hall at Midem right off the bat, try visiting a local event and meeting musicians there. Mingle, talk to everybody that will talk to you about whatever they want to talk about. You should be patient when networking, and establish relationships before trying to pitch anything to anyone.

While this approach may take some time, it will pay off more than introducing yourself and starting right into your plans to take the industry by storm.

Get used to mixing in a room of strangers and making small-talk about your own projects. As you continue going to these networking events, you'll see familiar faces and be able to catch up on their projects as well as let them know how yours are going. People will remember you as someone working hard to make it, not someone trying to leech off of their successes.

Do Your Research

Confidence is key when you are networking, and doing a little homework before any event will help you feel ready to conquer the room. When possible, try to find out who will be attending an event (for instance, before a trade show, check out the attendee database).

If there are some people you know you want to make a connection with, find out what you can about their business and current projects, so you sound knowledgeable when you're talking with them. Knowing a little something about them will also give you some conversation starters.

Practice Your Pitch

Know your spiel. You don't want to go into conversations sounding like you're reading from a script, but devote a little pre-event time to thinking about how you will describe your work in a clear and concise manner. This rehearsal time is especially important if you are pitching things or looking for business partners while networking, as opposed to simply making connections that might come in handy down the road.

If you get a chance to sit down with the label you want to license your new album, and they ask you what you're working on you don't want to be unprepared. You should have it prepared already. "We've just finished recording an album of Joy Division covers done in a flamenco-inspired style."

Be Prepared

Making network connections isn't similar to the end of the night at a bar or club. You don't ask people to plug their numbers into your phone or jot numbers down on your hands.

Get some business cards made up with your name, company name (if applicable), email address, and contact number and get ready to hand them out to the new people you meet.

If you are promoting something tangible, come prepared with promotional material, if possible—a label sampler, a promo of your band, some samples of your cover art—whatever is relevant. Try not to invest huge amounts of money into promotional material for these events.

Especially at large events, people tend to collect this stuff and then realize when they get home that they are never going to listen to it. But it is still worth it to come prepared, so you are at least in the position to put something in the hands of a potential new business partner.

You never really know when that one important person is going to hear or see your stuff and become incredibly valuable to your career.

Be Yourself

You're good enough, you're smart enough, and doggone it, people like you. But how should you talk to people? Just be yourself. You'll see all kinds of behavior at networking events, from people walking around saying, "I'm networking! I'm networking! Wanna network with me?" to people just quietly chatting with a few folks. If you've prepared, feel confident that you've got everything you need to make new business connections.

Remember that the point of networking is to build mutually beneficial relationships, not to immediately start begging for favors. You might find someone to work with, in which case you'll be helping each other, or you might not.

There's nothing wrong with either outcome. Not making a viable business connection doesn't mean you have done anything wrong. If you have brought business cards, give one to everyone you talk to. They may come across something later and remember you, "Oh hey, I know a person that does that!"

Don't Fake It

If you don't know something a musician is talking about, or don't understand a music industry term used, don't pretend. Admitting you don't know is far less embarrassing than faking it and being wrong.

Everyone has to learn the ropes. There's absolutely zero shame in that. Embrace every learning opportunity. If you are constantly pretending you know, then you will never learn. Picking up new knowledge is positive.

Relax

You're not doing it wrong. Some people love business terms, so they talk about "networking." Nothing wrong with that, but if the idea of formal networking makes you break out in hives, remember—networking is just a fancy word for talking to people who work in the same business as you.

Don't create a lot of pressure for yourself. Being quietly confident and knowledgeable is just as "impressive" as being Mr./Ms. Schmoozey Pants. Do your homework, be yourself, and you'll be just fine.

Work the Room

Resist the urge to sit in the corner chugging your beverage of choice with a friendly face. Make the rounds and meet new people. If you are new to this kind of event and a little hesitant to strike up a conversation, set yourself a goal to meet three new people and call it a day. You can work your way up to more as your comfort level increases.

Provide Advance Notice

Especially for large events, if someone is attending that you know for sure you want to meet, it never hurts to drop them an email just to say hello and that you look forward to meeting them.

Be Open-Minded

You never know who is going to make a big difference in your music career—and you never know when or if they might h. Every connection you make is valuable, even if the results are not immediate.

You might have created a shortlist of people you want to meet at an event, but you should welcome every conversation and connection. You never know whether that kid you blew off is going to end up being the big shot agent who would be perfect for you five years down the line.

Follow Up

The most important part of networking happens the next day. Follow up with your new contacts, even if it is just to say, "enjoyed chatting—keep in touch."