could work with . That ’ s just the way it happens - every time .
Make your first meeting a pleasant event - maybe a partnership will bloom on the spot - but , more than likely , the actual business connection will take some time . Embrace the present ; but aim forward .
EVERY EVENT AND ELEVATOR RIDE IS A NETWORKING EVENT Many events are specifically called “ networking ” events ; however , it ’ s important to remember that literally every time you ’ re in the company of industry peers , friends , and icons is a networking opportunity .
Always be prepared with business cards and a 10-15 second elevator pitch that quickly shares what you do , some of your credits , and a goal or two . Imagine meeting someone you ’ ve always admired in an elevator and they ask what you do . Avoid nervous stammering and be prepared for your next elevator opportunity .
FOLLOW UP ! Nurture your networking investment by following up each meeting with a brief and polite email . Make the note short so you can demonstrate that you value their time and won ’ t abuse the contact . A simple note will be quick and efficient to write and will show that you understand a busy professional ’ s lifestyle .
Make up a template that you can customize for each email . Something as simple as , “ Hi ____, I really enjoyed meeting you at the ___ last night . I look forward to hearing what happens with the ____ you were telling me about ! Please let me know if I can ever be of service . Thanks , Jimmy .
Always reach out immediately after an event so that the memory of the time you spent won ’ t fade from your new contact ' s mind . And , if you don ’ t reach out right away , there ’ s a greater chance that you ’ ll forget to altogether .
BE . REAL . PERIOD . Don ’ t pretend to be something you ’ re not . Seasoned veterans in the music / audio world can smell the bull from a mile away . If you ’ re starting out , just trying to get to know people and looking for a break , be honest about that . Everybody has been in that same position , so honesty will net much better results than arrogance and fakery . Arrogance and overly aggressive pressure are the death of a blossoming relationship .
Here ’ s what most industry professionals want from new talent . They want someone with a reasonable grasp of the skills and experiences required to do the gig . But , the paramount qualification is the ability to work hard with a stellar attitude . Humility , a desire to learn , willingness to work long hard hours with no dip in enthusiasm , and ultimate respect for everyone around are fundamental traits for achieving success in this industry .
BAD AGGRESSIVE If you want to succeed in anything , you ’ ll need a taste of aggressiveness in your character . Aggressiveness is a little like salt . If you add just enough , something that ’ s bland becomes magical . But , if you add too much , the entire culinary masterpiece is irreparably ruined .
Pestering and hounding are off limits . Unresponsiveness is a response . When someone doesn ’ t reply to a couple emails or a phone calls , they might be just swamped and can ’ t imagine spending a minute to reply . People involved in simultaneously occurring intense projects realize that it ’ s not about the single minute required to reply . It ’ s really about scattering their focus and the time it takes to find their way back into the productivity groove . It ’ s best to understand that .
Waiting for the next opportunity to make a great impression is the best approach . When that opportunity arises , be gracious and kind and definitely don ’ t put them on the spot . They ’ ll often apologize , which gives you a perfect chance to be extremely gracious . Again , you ’ ll be making an excellent impression by demonstrating how great you might be to have around .
GOOD AGGRESSIVE Reach out to new contacts right after you meet them . If you don ’ t hear back , that ’ s okay because you ’ ve demonstrated that you value meeting them and that you are a person who knows how to follow up and follow through - those aren ’ t particularly common skills because they don ’ t come naturally . Reach out again in 2-4 weeks with another polite simple email . Don ’ t be afraid to ask if you could possibly tour their office or meet them for coffee at a location close to them and at a time that ’ s convenient for them .
There a good chance you still might not hear back , but maybe you will . At least you ’ ve made another point of contact . If the contact has a commercial location , it ’ s a little easier to schedule a time to drop by , so you have a better shot at setting up a meeting . If the contact works out of a personal office and is super busy , it ’ s just not likely that you ’ ll get somebody to meet you anywhere … until … wait for it … until they need you !
Since you ’ ve been the modicum of respectfulness , courtesy , good will , and positivity - and because you ’ ve not once even winked at condemnation for not getting together - there ’ s a really good chance that you ’ ll get the call ! That ’ s the pay-off ! You ’ ve done it ! Now isn ’ t that better than navel gazing in your cave and wonder why you ’ re not getting ahead ?
Bill Gibson Teacher at Berklee College of Music Online , content creator for LinkedIn Learning ( Microphone Concepts and Techniques ), and author of more than forty books and videos about live sound and studio recording . Most recent book releases : The Ultimate Live Sound Operator ’ s Handbook , 3rd Edition , and The First 50 Recording Techniques You Should Know to Track Music . He also recently self-published an eBook / Audiobook combo called Stream Great-Sounding Audio : Guide for Streaming Church Services and Other Events .
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