Indie Music Industry – The Power Of Networking
Having many individuals that know who you’re is always a value and not a hindrance.
Just the other day I got a call from an individual who wanted to find out if I has been available to play bass with their band. I declined due to not having the room to take on another project but I gave them the number of an individual else I knew that would fit the bill perfectly.
That day, that performer found a new bass player and so the story goes.
That experience got me thinking that pretty much everything that I do in my dealings with the music industry is based on who I know.
individuals prefer working with others whom they trust will do the job they want them to do or prefer recommending others for jobs that they can’t tackle themselves for one reason or another. I recognize that when this particular performer that was looking for a bassist finally found one through my network I was proud of myself. I was glad to stimulate an individual out.
That’s what networkings really all about though isn’t it? Helping people?
For any person who is just starting out my recommenndation is to find as a lot of individuals and go to as a lot of functions and concert as you can.
Immerse yourself in your Regional scene.
The more that people know who you are, the more opportunities that will open up for the taking. Become the squeaky wheel that gets all of the oil. Have that belief in yourself that you are worth knowing and don’t be afraid of knowledge.
One thing that you don’t do however is to get to know individuals for what they might do for you. Get to know them for who they are as a individual. Others might spot your insincerity a mile away (especially us cynical musos) and that is a real turn-off.
Personally I’m chuffed when a person asks me for recommenndation or just wants to have a chat about how things are going for them, but only If they are genuine about it.
A great place to start networking would be at open mic evenings.
Get yourself involved in an open mic and just walk up to a person and say “hi”. Everybody is there for the same reason so there is some common ground. You can perhaps ask them Assuming that they’re going to be performing on that night and go from there.
Do not forget, the more you network the more you’ll be known and the more you’re known the more work you’ll get.
In time your ‘little black book‘ of names will become your greatest asset.