Get Out! Making Connections In The Music Industry

You've been doing this music thing for a while now. Writing new lyrics, producing new tracks, shooting videos, social media marketing, copyrighting your music, but are you getting out? Everything you want can be found online, from buying fully produced tracks to creating collabs, however humans seek social interaction. As the old adage goes "It's not what you know, it's who you know. " While I would argue both are important, it's absolutely true that it's all about who you know.

I once heard another saying that I now tend to live by. Luck= Opportunity + Preparedness. The opportunity part directly equates to social interaction. People have tasks they need to complete. This equates to opportunities for others, and people typically reach out to people in their circle, in other words people they know. Sitting at home, you don't get a chance to go out and meet a wide variety of people. Not on a deeper level where your first at mind at least. Make it a point to go out at least once a week to a music related event. More if possible.

In my early days in the industry as an emcee with Stronghold, an underground rap group in NYC, my good friend Poison Pen would close out every show. Not performing...he did that too, I mean he would stay until the lights came on and the venue kicked everyone out. He knew something then, that I grew to learn. It's all about building relationships. Go to the same 3 places regularly and the people their get to know you. When it comes time to find someone who has a song that fits a tv show, or if someone needs an artist to perform, they know exactly who to go to...you.

I also had to learn to get off the couch. Once I did, positive things started happening for me. Besides, let's face it, if you're a musician you should be gigging anyway, and if you're not gigging, you should be out there learning from the people that are. The music industry is a community, and to be part of that community you have to be in the community. If you're not in the studio, you should be where the music is. Either performing or learning from those that are. Preferably both.

When you're out there, truly get to know people. Find out what they do in the industry, what do they like outside the industry. Get more than their Instagram, get their cell number if you can. Check in from time to time and see how they're doing. Send them an article or a post that they may be interested in. Give people a reason to want to stay in touch with you. When you get out, you start to make connections that actively advocate on your behalf. While there are a lot of "hatas" out there people genuinely want to see other people win. Build your tribe. People will watch what you do online, opportunities come from who you meet in person. Good Luck!