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By Scott F Horton
Merely one person alone can only do so much for your career, for this reason,
you'll need to build a team of experts who all have a stake and interest in
your career.
Your team should include a:
- Manager: As the most important member of your team,
your manager will oversee all aspects of your career. Look for experience
and contacts.
- Booking Agent: Your agent gets you live gigs and negotiates the best
deals and guarantees. Opening for high-profile acts is highly desirable.
- Entertainment Lawyer: Your lawyer ensures your contracts are in your
favor and you are not getting stiff ended. In the music industry, lawyers also
act as a gatekeeper and can pass on music to their influential contacts at
record labels.
- Business Manager: Your business manager handles the financials and business
aspects of your career. Since an artist's income usually comes from a variety
of sources and royalty streams, it is not simple task.
A strong team of players mentioned above will help you get in touch and make
deals with music publishing companies and record labels.
Getting in touch with music business higher-ups:
Conferences and Showcases: Attending, mingling, and showcasing your music
at local and nationwide music conferences can connect you personally to some
major music industry players. People like to meet face to face and making your
case in person can do wonders. Look into South by Southwest and MIDEM. Stand
out, make an impression they can't forget, leave them with something physical
in their hand, and follow-up with the contact after the conference.
Social Networking: It is a bit harder to get noticed over the internet, but
in some ways, also much easier. You now can find contact information for your
targeted contact via Twitter, Blogs LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Soundcloud
and more. Post and record videos that attract a large number of followers and
follow industry contacts as well. Interact with them slowly and don't ask too
much of them right away. Make sure your profiles showcase the best of your
music and fan base so you impress the contact.
Doing Your Thing: Sometimes the best way to get in touch with a music industry
executive is to keep doing what you do best and wait for them to come to you.
If your music is great, you have die-hard fans, tours booked, albums selling,
industry people will notice your success and want to be a part of it.
Location, location, location: Placing yourself in a music mega center such
as Los Angeles, Nashville, or New York, will make meetings easier. You'll be
able to attend organizational meetings in your city, invite others to your
showcases, and mingle where the contacts mingle. If you're physically in the
same area, it opens new opportunities for you.
In addition to the hard work it takes to create a music career, it is encouraged
to always press on yourself, make connections, and keep improving your craft.
With time and commitment, you may make the contacts you need to help your career.
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