How To Make A Music Conference Memorable For You and Everyone You Meet

Arguably the most important activity at a music conference is networking. Most people think networking is talking about you and what you do. But networking is not about you – it’s about the other person and getting them to respond to you in a way that’s effective.

I heard Dan Kimpel call it “the fine art of maximizing your personal presence and personal relationship skills to make a difference in this business.”

He also went on to say that “You have to establish who you are as a person before anybody takes you seriously as a songwriter. Positive energy attracts positive energy.”

Networking takes place over a period of time – it is not instantaneous. The truth is, people tend to do business with people who are on their own level. Think about what it is you have that would make someone want to work with you and let them know what that is. The most valuable relationships you will most likely make at a conference are not with industry – it is the other people you meet who are on a similar level as you. People to whom you connect with, and network with, for the future. It’s important to connect yourself with other people who share the same aspirations and creative power that you have, in order to maximize your career as a songwriter.

As much as we’d like to think we can make things happen for us in our careers, we really can’t. We can only put ourselves in a position where things can happen for us.

Think of it this way. When you have a conversation with someone and it’s all about them – how do you feel? Probably the next time you see them, you’ll avoid them. Self-centered people are just not interesting to talk to.

But, what would happen if you knew how to engage people in such a way that they left wanting to know more about you?

Your Music Conference Prep List:

1. Research who is attending and who you want to meet (start with who is speaking on the panels.) Find out what they look like, what they’ve done, who they are. Zero in on 15 – 20 people you think would be worth meeting. Circle 5 – 7 whom you make a plan to meet. Look for them during the conference – not just at their panel.Here’s some research questions to answer and some specific things to prep for your conversations:

a. Name.
b. Where are they from?
c. What do they do (exactly)?
d. How did they start out?
e. What artists have they worked with? (Tip: if you sound anything at all like an artist they have worked with, use it later when they ask about you.)
f. Why do you want to meet them?
g. What do you want from them?
h. Ask them what their next project is and what their current goals are.
i. Then tell them about you – give them your elevator pitch. Explain who you are, why you are in music and why you are at the Expo. Then shut up! If they want more from you they’ll ask 😉
j. End the conversation by saying you’d like to send them a song you think they’d like – and ask if that would that be ok? If so, ask for a business card with their email. (Tip: Don’t put them on your email list right away. Get in relationship with them first and then – if it’s appropriate, ask them if it’s ok that you add them to your list of updates.)
k. After the conversation, take out your notepad and jot down any details you want to remember (you most likely won’t remember specific stuff by the time you get home.)

2. Prepare a good Elevator Pitch: Who are you and why you are here (at the conference). People will judge you based on what you are wearing and how you communicate – 20 seconds – it’s fast. You need a strong 2-3 line delivery that describes who you are, what you do and why you are here. And be sure that if you describe your music, it is a direct match. Nothing turns people off faster than if your description is a wish list rather than reality. (Test it out first on your 3 most constructively critical friends who know music.) Also – have your top 3 achievements in your music career on the tip of your tongue – in case you are asked.

1. Do not hand out CD’s. Only bring 10 CD’s or none. People do NOT appreciate being asked to carry them around. It’s much cooler to ask someone if you can send them some music. Pass out those 10 to the top 10 other attendees that you bond with (musicians like to carry them around ;)). Or just send them an email with your top song (even cooler). If it’s really good, they’ll go find the rest online.
2. Plan to make connections with 50 new people and follow up with a quick note within 1 week.
3. Treat people with respect. Don’t be pushy – be polite. Don’t blow people off. Network for your future.

This year we are one of the sponsors at the Expo. Our table is by the Hollywood Ballroom. Be sure to come visit. We’d love to see you in person and give you a hug. And we’re running a really cool contest and have some great giveaways – check out the deets here:

GET READY TO STEP UP TO THE SPOTLIGHT WITH CELEBRITY COACH CARI COLE

A premiere opportunity awaits artists at this year’s ASCAP EXPO; for the first time attendees will have the chance to meet face-to-face with Celebrity Vocal coach, Award-Winning Songwriter, A&R expert, and New Music Biz Consultant CARI COLE, founder and CEO of the CARI COLE VOICE AND MUSIC CO. Cari’s New York City studio (a vocal Mecca for over two decades) is always fully booked, but here at ASCAP EXPO you’ll find no wait-lists; just on-the-spot, on point advice, and answers to the questions you’ve been dying to ask an elite industry pro about your craft, your music, your career and developing your unique brand.

All visitors to Cari Cole Voice & Music’s table will receive a FREE copy of Cari’s “Making Money Making Music” Video Success Series, an insider’s guide to building a sustainable career as an artist-entrepreneur.

Artists who want to shine an even brighter light on their showmanship while at EXPO should stop by and submit a video to Cari Cole Voice and Music Co.’s “Best New Music Artist” Contest. The winner and runner-up’s will cap off their ASCAP 2012 experience with a performance at a private industry event immediately following the close of the conference. Get a shot at sharing your musical talent with industry – who knows, maybe you’ll go home with the title of “Best New Artist”!

To apply, send in your video prior or at the conference. Stay tuned for a link for submissions – coming soon! Submissions close 4/21 at 12 pm. If you plan on attending ASCAP; stop by Cari Cole Voice and Music Co.’s table and let its innovative founder set you on the path of self-discovery as an artist so that you may begin your own successful journey in music. (http://www.caricole.com)

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Look for our tweets before and during the EXPO on the #ascapexpo hashtag – and we’ll be announcing a special hashtag just for our peeps attending soon.

Cari will be at the ASCAP EXPO from April 16 – 22nd please email her team if you’d like to set up a meeting.
©2012 Cari Cole, Vocal Mag, Inc. All Rights Reserved.