the process

After posting my music business mini-series, I got some questions/requests for advice about reaching out to people to talk to and how to form questions. Here is my best attempt at sharing all of those tips! 

1. Getting Connected

My best advice for this is to be naive. I honestly forget rejection is an option and that is probably why I have been able to do what I have. Forget people can say no. Forget people will not reply to an email. And if they do, what's the big deal? At least you tried...or try again! I know that is a big ask but once you get into the habit of just not caring about rejection, you will forget it even exists. Your dreams are too big to dwell on rejection and the what ifs. If someone says no, try again when you have grown your roster of connections and numbers. 

I sent an artist a DM asking to interview her manager. Within two hours, a time and day was set. A few months later, I did the same. Another week later, my third interview had been conducted. Because of that, I shared my journey and ended up with my first Nashville job. You can't think about different outcomes because you will never know unless you actually try (I don't like Hallmark but I am really starting to sound like them).

With that being said, the actual hardest part is finding the contacts. The first contact is always the hardest but then it will get easier and easier. Like I said, my first connection was made through an Instagram DM then an email was given. It pays to talk to people at concerts and to meet the artist, then stay active on their, as well as your own, social medias because then they will recognize you and help you out. If this tactic is not attainable, look up managers and producers on google. After researching people, go to their social medias. There is almost always an email or number given in their Instagram bio. If not, check their website or their artist's website. Towards the bottom there is normally a "booking" or "management" email.

For the most part, people in the industry want you to talk to them, at least every person I have talked to has said that. You connect with them. You tell  your friends, you post it on social media, etc. They get publicity, which means their artists do too. People in the music industry are also always looking for interns so this will help you get recognized and will give you a better chance at landing one. If you go to the company's website, there will most likely be a "careers" tab where you can find an internship application. 

Another useful source is LinkedIn. I got my second interview/phone call through LinkedIn. SOLID Nashville is also great about getting people in touch, doing webinars about the music industry, etc., and it really might be your best source to getting involved. 

2. Forming Questions

I occasionally put on my Instastory asking for questions to ask managers, producers, songwriters, etc. I get about 20 responses but use maybe two or three. The rest I come up with. I sometimes draw questions from other interviews. For instance, my next interview is with a female entrepreneur and my favorite book of all time is Girl Code by Cara Alwill Leyba. Leyba always does an interview with her featured bossbabe at the end of each chapter. I was flipping through those questions and they inspired some of my own. I try to not copy anyone's work, but some of my questions are similar to ones you can find there.

Some examples of questions I ask:

• One aspect/part of your job that you didn't realize would be so important?

• How do you get started?/What got you into ____?

• How do you pick and choose who to work with?

• Advice on ___? (Internships, connections, etc.)

• What is your mission statement/what people want to take away from your work?

• How easy/hard is it to set up boundaries in your career?

Questions don't have to be lengthy or very in depth in order to be considered good. Your curiosity and willingness to talk to people is enough. Because of how you set up your questions, it will turn into a conversation (the next point) and the person you are talking to may answer multiple questions at once (this happens every time), and even go further in an area you didn't know to ask about.

3. It's A Conversation

I say this as I am extremely nervous for my interview next week. I am currently prepping the questions and the style of the conversation with her. We are meeting for breakfast and I like this setting way more than a zoom call. Virtual calls are great to hide the actual nervous wreck you (and I) can be, but there is nothing like feeding off of someone's energy in person. When doing an interview, remember that it is a conversation. It is okay to get off topic if neither of you are in a time crunch (which is another thing to be aware of, for them specifically). They have probably been in this scenario of being interview so many times that they will try their best to make you feel comfortable and welcome, so it will be more of a conversation than some bland Q&A session. Worst case scenario, admit your nervousness. They will understand and will help you adapt to the conversation. 

You want your questions to be somewhat tied together in case the conversation does get awkward or drops. This way, neither party will get worried about having to fill a void. 

I hope this post helped anyone wanting to explore their career field and make connections! I tried to remember the majority of questions I got, and I tried to retrace my process for this. Remember to have fun. This is a first impression, but it is also kind of an energy read, in my opinion at least. If you have any other questions about my previous two blog posts, either submit a contact form, comment, or email me at mjillian.blog@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you! 

Finally, thank you thank you thank you all for the love on this mini-series! These blogs got shared a bit in Nashville which is crazy to me. I appreciate it! I will be selling stickers soon too! Those will be posted on my Instagram (marisa.jillian) in a few days and I will post a reminder, eventually, on here, too. 

Let’s Get Connected!

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