How to network without feeling like a gronk

Amelia Jenner / FBiRadio

1/ Be yourself

Very cliched, I know, but there is a reason everyone says it. DO YOU!

2/ Come prepared

Work out exactly what you want to get out of the day. It will help you ask the right questions and in turn get the most helpful answers.

3/ Wear a fun T-shirt

It’s a good icebreaker! 🙂

Emily Collins / MusicNSW

1/ Ask questions

Find out what other people do, how they do it, where they play, how they promote their music etc – being interested in what other people do is a great way to get a conversation started, as well as get your research done at the same time.

2/ Know how to describe what you do

If someone asks what kind of band you play in, make sure you’ve got an answer. Don’t mumble and say your sound is kind of a bit of everything, but really unique. That doesn’t mean much to anyone and won’t get them interested in what you do.

3/ Networking is just meeting people and making friends

So being genuine is really important. Don’t be annoying and push your brand new single into someone’s face and ask them for their business card right off the bat. Ask them about what music they like. Be interested and engaged. If they’re in a band that you think you might like, make an effort to go and see them play.

At the end of the day, the best connections you’ll make at FEEDBACK won’t be with our guest speakers – they’ll be with other attendees. Forming a community around what you do is vital, and what better place to make new friends than with a bunch of other people who really love music?

Rebecca Young / Collective Artists

1/ Research the panellists before the event so you can get a good idea of who you want to speak to on the day.

2/Make friends!introduce yourself to your fellow FEEDBACK attendees. You never know how those connections may help in the future.

3/ Practice your spiel before the conference. That way when people ask what you do/why you’re there, you can ramble confidently!

Anand Krishnaswamy / BBE

1/ Do your homework and prepare.

Nothing beats being prepared. Prepare, prepare and then prepare some more. If you come to FEEDBACK prepared you’ll get the most out of it. Plain and simple.

Put some time into researching who will be there. Learn a few facts about them or their company and throw it into the conversation. Ask a pertinent and relevant question.

As an employer, nothing impresses me more that seeing someone who’s put in work behind the scenes to ready themselves for the occasion. We’re always looking for people to stand out, and more often than not your level of preparedness is what distinguishes you from the rest.

2/ Good intentions. Be yourself.

Far too often I see people jump into the music industry expecting big salaries, parties, private jets and to become best friends with their favourite artists. Wake up! This is not real life. The industry, for the most part, involves a whole lot of administration. Blood, sweat and a heck-load of tears.If your motivations are true and you’re willing to work hard, then the music industry is for you. If you want glitz and glamour then you’re probably not in the right place.Come toFeedbackwith the right intentions – otherwise, you’re just wasting your own time.

Most importantly, be yourself. Allow your personality to come through. We’re not expecting you to be a certain way –all walks of life make up this world of ours –so don’t put on any fake shit.

3/ Ask questions.

Newsflash: you don’t know it all. We don’t know it all. Most days I wake up amazed at how little we truly do know. Every day we are all learning new things in the music industry so come toFeedbackwith an open mind, and a willingness to expand your current state of knowledge. After all, there’s no such thing as a bad question.

FEEDBACK 2017
Monday June 12,11am – 4pm

Vivid Ideas Exchange – Museum of Contemporary Art

$20 + BF –TICKETS