Networking in Music Production

Importance of Networking

• Networking is vital for personal and professional growth.

• Definition: Networking involves reaching out to people, establishing connections, and getting oneself known in the industry.

• How it works:

  • It involves connecting with individuals who are closer to your target person (e.g., artists, producers).

  • For a music producer wanting to work with a major artist like Future, one should start by connecting with Future's team including producers, A&R reps, managers, and engineers.

• Networking Analogies:

  • Networking is like climbing a ladder or creating a web diagram.

  • You reach out to individuals one step below your target to build connections that eventually lead to your goal.

How to Network Effectively

• Strategy for Networking:

  • Leverage existing relationships and connections to get to your desired contacts.

  • Focus on becoming known in your niche area, such as music production, and utilize your mentors and peers to facilitate introductions.

Utilizing Resources for Networking

• Genius.com:

  • A powerful resource for music producers to identify potential collaborators.

  • Search for artists you want to work with, then access their albums to find collaborators listed in the credits.

  • Example: To work with Future, explore his albums to see which producers, songwriters, and other collaborators were involved.

• How to Use Genius.com:

  • Search for a specific artist and find their albums.

  • Identify all collaborators linked to those albums, which can lead to new networking opportunities.

  • Example: If targeting Future, review his latest projects and note the names of other producers or individuals involved.

Practical Steps for Reaching Out

• Crafting Your Message:

  • Personalize your outreach to resonate with the recipient's work and contributions.

  • Aim for consistency in outreach: rather than sending a couple of messages sporadically, increase attempts to connect.

  • Aim to send out direct messages or emails multiple times a week to maximize exposure (e.g., trying around 5-6 times weekly).

Conclusion

• The treasure in networking lies not just in reaching the top-tier artists, but in building a broader network that can support your growth and open doors to new collaborations.