The necessary social distancing and safety protocols associated with the COVID-19 pandemic were a major blow to the music industry, with many artists unable to make money due to the lack of touring. Now that vaccines are making the rounds, musicians are again able to get out into the world, share their music, and advance their careers.
With this new freedom, it may be a good time to think about expanding your network while considering ways that you can create an income without having to rely exclusively on your inner circle and the promoters and bands with which you typically associate. To help you out, we have some tips on how to make new connections online, make the most of meeting in person, and some ideas for earning money that you may not have previously considered.
Profiting From Music
While we will discuss some ways to expand your network, it is important to realize that there are many other ways to make money with your music than just touring within your local scene. By understanding that there are different ways to engage with audiences and gain wider appeal, you will give yourself more opportunities to reach out to new people in different branches of the industry. For instance, you may decide that you want to teach music to others, and to do that, you can reach out and network with tutoring groups and music schools.
Another option to make money as a musician is to license your tracks to media companies for use in TV commercials, movies, and promotional campaigns. This is often done by providing a sample of your unique music to marketing companies to determine if it might be a great fit. If you network with professionals at a licensing company, they could also inform you of open calls for music, and you could submit based on the criteria they need.
Then there are the many opportunities to play session music or become a touring musician for existing bands. To get these gigs, you can create a demo tape, reach out to recording studios, and show them what you got. You could also create your own website and offer your services online. Becoming a session musician will require big-time skills, as you will need to be able to play a variety of styles. If you feel you are a great fit, start networking and see where it goes.
Networking Online
One of the easiest ways to start your networking journey is to reach out to people online via a platform like LinkedIn. While there, you can join musician groups or reach out directly to a specific individual. Before you reach out, you will want to spruce up your LinkedIn page by adding a professional headshot, a list of the instruments you can play professionally, and organizations or bands you have played with in the past.
When using LinkedIn to network, it is okay to show a bit of your style, but you don’t want to be too casual. You still want to be cordial and professional so you can get to the business at hand. Once you do join a group of like-minded musicians, become a vocal member by providing smart insights. If a member of the group stands out to you and seems to be of value, then reach out to them on the side and start a conversation while expressing your desires and what you bring to the table.
There are other ways to network online as well. If you are looking to showcase your music to a larger audience, then consider sites like YouTube and TikTok, where you can record some of your best stuff and show it to the masses as you never know who will take notice. Twitter is another great online resource where you can share links to your content and like and comment on the links of people you would like to network with and see where it goes.
Play Different Events
Of course, one of the best ways that a musician can share their talents and find networking connections is by getting out on the road and playing gigs. However, it is important to realize that the shows you play do not need to exist only within your network. Although concerts are fun, there are a lot of other events where you can play music and meet new people. For instance, local festivals, charity events, and event openings often have music playing in the background, and the musician playing it could be you.
The chances are good that the event organizer will be in attendance at these functions, and if they are impressed with your music and your personality, you could book more events in the future. Better yet, the professionals you meet could share your name with the people in their network, and suddenly, you could have an all-new music career that you never even considered.
Of course, impressing the people you meet is key. Again, always be cordial, and if the person you want to speak with is too busy at the moment, then ask for a better time to meet. When you have an appointment, you must never be late, so you will want to make sure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape to avoid a breakdown. To do so, complete regular vehicle maintenance by changing your oil regularly, keeping your tires inflated, and topping off your fluids when necessary.
Perhaps the most important part of networking, either in person or online, is to follow up. It is only human nature for people to not remember your entire conversation, so after a couple of days, reach out to that person again, tell them how nice it was to meet them, and then summarize what you spoke about. After that, give it some more time so you don’t become a nuisance.
Now that you have learned more ways to connect within the music industry, get out there and make it happen! This is the chance to make the dream of a full-time music career a reality, so meet everyone you can and leave a great impression with the tips above.
Courtesy of Indiana Lee
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