Secrets of Successful Networking

I’ve been working recently with an amazing singer-songwriter. She is smart, driven, talented, and very attractive, so it surprised me when she told me that she was completely terrified by the idea of networking. She knew she needed to do it to advance her career, yet she hated the idea of it. We chatted for a while and I discovered that to her, networking meant schmoozing (read: acting fake and pretending to like people that you really don’t like) and kissing-up to people who hold important positions in the industry. I could understand why the idea of it turned her off (her idea of networking turned me off too)!

While there are people in our industry that, for whatever reason, approach networking in this unpleasant way, this is NOT what networking is really all about.

Dictionary.com contains the following definitions for Networking:

noun. An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.

verb. To interact or engage in informal communication with others for mutual assistance or support.

So, in essence, networking really just means making friends. Isn’t that what friends do, help and support each other?

Watch any child and you’ll see how it’s done. A child goes off to school and the very first thing she does is seek out other kids to be friends with; kids who share similar interests. It’s also one of the first things many of us do when we start a new job. Having a network of friends at school or on the job provides us with moral support; help with a project we can’t quite figure out, coverage if we need to sub out on a gig, etc.

The entertainment business, like many businesses, is one that is built upon personal relationships. So building these relationships is vital. I once got a very important piece of advice that has served me well throughout my career. That piece of advice was “Don’t make contacts, MAKE FRIENDS”. Think about it, who are the first people you call when you need someone for a gig, recording session, songwriting session and the like? People that you know and trust. The wider your network of friends, the more opportunities you will find you have and the more opportunities you will have to help others. I got a call a couple of weeks ago from a band that needed a singer that evening (their regular singer was sick). I already had a gig that night, but I was able to refer them to several excellent singers who are in my “network”.

There are many great ways to network (parties, gigs, etc) and a few key ways that you can make these opportunities really work for you.

o Go where other musicians are. Sure, it would be great to go to a party where you may have the opportunity to meet someone like Clive Davis or Max Martin, however there are far more opportunities to meet other great musicians who are at various points in their careers. Open mics, club shows, workshops and clinics, parties, networking events… – these are all excellent opportunities for meeting other musicians and people who work with musicians.

o Go with the idea that you may be able to help someone else. Let’s face it; there aren’t too many feelings that are as good as truly being able to help someone else.

o Go with the right attitude. You never know who you might meet. If you go with the idea that you have to meet someone “important” you may very well overlook the person who might wind up being a great friend and ally. You never know where a great opportunity may come from.

o Go prepared. I always carry a small supply of business cards and CDs.

o Go with purpose. Go with the intention that before you go home you will have made at least one new friend.

In building your network, you are building friendships and relationships. This takes longer and requires more effort than making contacts, but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that it is infinitely superior.

I would love to be a part of your network. Please feel free to e-mail me anytime at Jennifer@devastudiosboston.com and let me know how I can help you!