Is Networking Important in the Music Business?

Question by Ashton:


Sometimes it feels like it's not the talented ones who make it. What do you think?


Answer:

Hello Ashton,

We've all heard the saying: "it's not WHAT you know but WHO you know". It's true in all businesses. And it's even more so in the music business.

You might be the greatest, brightest, most talented songwriter or musician but if you have no connections in the music business, your chances to make it are definitely lower.

The concept of business sounds cold and impersonal. But every business is made up of people. Every decision is made by people. And when people make a decision, they use their gut feelings much more than pure logic. That's why they probably won't care about your talents as much as their relationship with you. People do business and work with people they like. If they don't know you, they don't know if they like you.

If you take a look at any successful person's road to success, you'll definitely see how their network of connections helped them get to where they are today.

So I suggest that you should start networking with other songwriters and musicians. And it's not a hard or gruesome job to make new friends, is it? :) But networking is something you should do wisely. If you do the wrong thing, you might burn bridges. There is a book I like about this topic: Networking Strategies for the New Music Business by Dan Kimpel. I highly recommend that you read it first then start your journey...