I loved the post Tye White started and Hypebot picked up on advice for those wanting to work in the Music Business. I thought I would continue the conversation below:
1. Read Music Law in the Digital Age-The best book I have seen on the ever changing digital music industry.
2. Research. Whether you go into the concert industry or the digital music side of the business do research and make sure you understand how your company makes money. The music industry, especially the digital side is made up of very small margins. Try to think of ways to help your company grow and be proactive on how exactly you can help.
3. Attend conferences and mixers. Even if you are new and don’t have a job in the music industry yet you can still attend these. In the bay area there is a great conference called SF Music Tech and there are also SXSW mixers where you can mingle with people in the industry. Come prepared by making your own business cards, researching the speakers and attendees. Be sure to follow up after with thank you notes.
4. Find the people willing to spend time/talk with you and seek those people out. There a lot of people in the industry who guard their knowledge closely to the chest whereas there are folks who LOVE to talk. As an intern or someone looking to find out more information seek out the talkers and become close to them. Informational interviews are great way to learn more about how someone got the job they did. In these interviews focus all your energy and question on this person, they may give you great advice. This advice was borrowed from my interview with Andrew Prince, VP at the Venue Coalition.
5. Find a trusted group of colleagues/friends in the business. Whether you work with them, meet them at a conference or on twitter try to assemble a few trusted people to put in your corner. Whether they send you job postings, or you help them with your cover letter, someone in your industry around your level can be a great way to support each other to achieve your goals. Having someone to support each other during the difficult job impasses over a few drinks can also do wonders for the soul. Always make sure your giving as much as you are receiving.
Does anyone have any advice to add?
Great advice; most of this is sound advice no matter what industry you are in. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Dutchbaby, Thanks for your comment hopefully this will help others trying to find work!