Surfing music industry web sites is only useful up to a point. You can see what types of jobs are being listed, identify which critical skills and abilities employers are willing to pay for, and confirm which geographic regions appear to have the most opportunities. You can even apply for industry jobs that are posted online. But in mentoring and teaching music students and career-changing industry professionals for the past fifteen years, the most expedient way of learning about jobs, landing interviews and making the connections that can help launch your career have come from students who put themselves out in the music business flow: they pressed the flesh, handed out and collected business cards, and met new industry people at least two or three times a month.
If this sounds scary to you, it’s OK. For just about everyone, it is a bit daunting as you learn how to connect with new acquaintances in a professional setting. I remember some of the first times I had to “work the room” when I had transitioned from working behind the mixing console as a recording engineer, to going out to meet people who worked at various Northern California ad agencies that our recording studio wanted to do more work with. The first couple times out, I was a little nervous, but with business cards in pocket and a smile, I simply introduced myself to new people, said a few words about what I did and my interests, and pretty soon we found a common topic that we could chat about. When it was time to move on, I gave them my card and the offer that if they ever needed any help with a radio or TV commercial, I would be happy to assist them in any way possible. I was pleasantly surprised to find that when I got in my car that evening, I had collected four business cards, and given out about eight. The next morning, I sent a short hand written note to each person whose card I had received. Within the next year, one of them became a regular client of our studio. I had learned that consistent networking led to more work for my company, a valuable lesson that energized me to get out and do even more networking!
Remember, every single person you meet in the music industry started out in a similar position to the one you are in. They have all worked their way into the industry and up their respective career ladders. Every time you attend an industry event, it’s a chance to widen your circle of industry connections. Getting a job in the music business means widening that circle until it includes the person or persons who see your potential and want to tap into your skills and knowledge to help their company or project succeed. Once you’re in the industry networking flow and possess relevant marketable skills for your target market segment, you’ll be in a position to secure an industry job that will confirm your music industry career is on its way!
About the Author: Keith Hatschek currently heads up the Music Management program at University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. He has more than three decades of experience in the music industry in various capacities including professional musician, engineer, producer, marketing executive, PR professional and educator. He has written two books on the music industry, How to Get a Job in the Music Industry, and The Golden Moment: Recording Secrets of the Pros, both available from Hal Leonard Publishing or at Amazon.com.
