Investigate Before You Contact
If you are trying to etch out a living in the music industry you would have to keep in touch with a host of people at various levels having several types of expertise. Whether it is for finding the right company or label, or someone to write a good review for your album or trying to hire a talented music manager, you would always need some specialized talent to help you out of situations. It would not be wrong to say here that contacting the right person at the right time could be one of the most critical steps to achieve success in the music industry.
This may sound silly, the first time you read it. Of course, you have the phone numbers and e mail addresses of the people who matter. But is this all? Do you really know the specific expertise of the person featuring in your contact list? Would he or she be the perfect candidate for the job you have in mind? To get things done in this industry, you not only need to know the right person at the right places but also know their specific expertise. Here are some good reasons why maintaining a smart contact list makes good business sense:
- Targeting saves time. Imagine sending a soul album for review to someone who does not write reviews or is clueless about soul music! Or, worse still, sending your music to every record company listed in the directory! You are not only wasting their time – as they really have no use for what they receive, but also wasting your time and energy by wrongly targeting.
- Targeting saves money: Sending out digital samples may not cost you a pile, but imagine sending hard copies of your music to the wrong audience. Postage, cost of enclosures added to other incidentals could add up to a significant amount – which when wrongly targeted is simply throwing your music down the drain.
- Targeting shows your true involvement in the business: When you send the right demo to the right person – the recipient immediately recognizes your seriousness of purpose and realizes that you have done your homework right. They instantly agree to help you out as it is evident that you respect their time and talent. You have hit the right chord in their psyche.
Of course these rules are flexible since the whole business can be flexible depending on your skill, experience and needs. For example, if you are friendly with a song writer, he could always help you out with suggestions and recommendations regarding any support you may need to grow in this business. Even then, it always makes more sense if you constantly update your contact list. Finally, it could be an excellent opportunity to come across a country music reviewer putting you on to a soul music reviewer who truly understands the kind of music you are playing and gives you a 5-star rating.
If you are a musician and looking for band space to practice,
contact Empire Rehearsal Studios for more information.