2013 ASCAP Expo Top Takeaways + 4 Ways to Rock Your Follow Up

Whether you attended the ASCAP Expo in LA last week or a recent music conference or not, as a musician, conferences have probably been in your past or are likely to be in your future. Conferences give you an amazing chance to learn from experts and network with people at all levels of the music industry.

I wanted to give you two things today. One ofthe top takeaways from this year’s Expo and my top tips for How to Rock Your Follow Up and make good on your investment.

Part I – The Top Takeaways from the 2013 ASCAP Expo

– “I kept asking myself, why am I not making it? I’m the total package! The truth was, I didn’t have the right team. Without my team I don’t know where I’d be.” Katy Perry
– “Fear is the biggest enemy of positivity.” Jill Scott
– “Add another section to your chorus to make sure your hook is there. Don’t forget when making a sincere song to make it have a hook.” Darrell Brown
– “Songwriting is like therapy for me. It’s very cathartic.” Katy Perry
– The best songs usually come from collaborations.
– In the creative process, get your ego out of the way and serve the song.
– The most successful music entrepreneurs (and the two go hand in hand these days) have faith and enough self esteem to pick their battles and compromise.
– It’s a good sign if you feel like you’re the least talented one in the room. It doesn’t mean you are, but it means you’re pushing yourself and working with people who will teach you something.
– Stay true to yourself. It may not be recognized in the short term but it’s essential to make it to the top.
– Be generous. We are a community and word travels fast, in both directions.
– Mike Posner talked about how his early connection to Big Sean before either of them were anyone, proved the point of rising up with those around you instead of chasing famous folks to help you – look in your own backyard.

Be prepared for anything, work with people who are better than you and say yes to opportunities and FOLLOW UP!

Sadly I missed Steve Lillywhite (who I heard was hilarious) and Ne-Yo (one of my top fav songwriters ever) – I’ll be watching the vids as soon as they come out (get yours here – you can watch the whole conference right from your laptop soon).

FYI: Ne-Yo, Katy Perry and Mike Posner all accepted CDs from attendees when they didn’t have to. They know that everyone needs a hand sometimes.

Part II: 4 Ways to Rock Your Follow Up

Here’s how the conference experience usually goes: You spend time preparing and researching and planning out your schedule and then you actually get to the conference and a million unplanned things come up and you’re meeting people left and right, running around getting inspired and challenged and so much knowledge (and business cards!) and then finally, whew! the whirlwind is over and you’re back at home.

Mission accomplished? Not so much.

The real value of a music conference depends on what you do once it’s over. That’s right – follow up is king!

Here’s my best tips on how to follow up in a way that makes you stand out and make the most of your investment!

4 Ways to Rock Your Follow Up and Make Good On Your Investment!

1. Put Your Follow Up in the Calendar

You blocked out the time to go to the conference, but did you block out time in your schedule to follow-up? Did you know that follow up is the number one thing most artists suck at? (Btw most people in general suck at this, not just artists!) We all have the best intentions, but once you’re back to “real life” a million other things start taking your attention. You put it off, then feel guilty for putting it off, and then feel embarrassed to be following up so late and you never do it! After years of “not following up well,” I’ve pretty much figured it out (I still slip up – it’s ok). Before I get home, I schedule 2 days in my calendar for following up (or a recurring smaller block of time – say 40 minutes every morning for a week). I make sure to get all of the follow ups done within 2 weeks of the conference. Don’t be afraid to spend time on this – it makes your trip that much more worth it.

2. Do What You Said You Would

Did you promise to send someone a link to your best song or a free download code? Did you offer to make an introduction or help another artist get a gig in your city? (Remember: Helping others is the best way to stand out – you don’t always have to be promoting yourself!) No matter how big or small, do what you said you would. People are used to empty promises and will be impressed when you take initiative (and go above and beyond!). And if you exchanged info without a clear goal in mind, just send a quick note saying it was great to connect and start following them on Twitter.

3. Use the Segmenting Feature on Your Email List

Don’t ever add someone to your fan mailing list without permission (you getting their business card does not mean you can add them to your list!) – but you might want to make a grouping or segment through your email program (Mailchimp, AWeber, FanBridge, Constant Contact) that is tagged with the conference you met them at or the type of business relationship they are. Keep track of connections in each area of the business, so that when you need to reach out to those people – 6 months, a year, 3 years down the road – you’ll be able to find them! And if you did promise to send everyone you met a link to download your best song, you can write one e-mail and send it off to everyone in your group for that conference. Although I wouldn’t send it as a group email, I would send each email individually and personalize each one. Group emails don’t pack much of a punch.

That said….

4. Be Sincere & Selective

Automation is great – and you never know who will be able to help you later, but it’s best to be targeted and specific with the people you really want to get to know. Choose the 3-5 people you met that you would actually like to develop a close relationship with. (Don’t forget artists! Your fellow artists are generally much more accessible than higher-up industry folks!) You shouldn’t just throw out a giant net trying to catch anyone and everyone. Find your people. Just like you find your true fans, you find your true co-creators and business partners by being honest about who you are and what you want. Develop friendships first. Offer to do something to help their career. People are people. We want to feel understood and appreciated, not taken advantage of.

Use these tips right now or factor them into the post-meeting plan for your next music conference!

Thanks to ASCAP comment contributors Eleanor Dubinsky, Zuri Star + Tamar Haviv.

What opportunities have come your way because you followed up after a conference or after meeting someone in person? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

©2013 Cari Cole, Vocal Mag, Inc. All Rights Reserved.