Last week when I was in LA, my producer, Gary Gray, and I met with a new publisher I signed with and her assistant at her office in LA. We were in our meeting for about an hour. We talked about how and why she established her company, we talked about her charity work with under privileged kids. Gary and I talked about our past and how got to know each other and different projects we've been involved with. We talked about a lot different things. We talked about almost everything but... music.
When we left the meeting I wasn't quite sure how to feel about it. On the one hand, we all seemed to connect really well. Our conversation flowed the entire hour and we probably would have kept going but my publisher and her assistant had to leave to meet someone for another appointment they had scheduled.
When Gary and I left the building, Gary looked at me and enthusiastically said, "That went grea!" "The meeting was a ten out of ten" he declared. "Really?" I asked. "Do you think so?". Although I certainly didn't think the meeting went bad, I wasn't sure if it had gone as well as Gary thought. Although we had a great conversation and definitely got to know each other better, we didn't really talk about music that much at all. The owner of the publishing company, Cynthia, touched on music a little bit here and there, but it definitely wasn't the focus of the conversation.
As the next few days passed and I had more time to reflect on our meeting, the more I agreed with Gary that our meeting had in fact gone quite well. One of the things that Cynthia, the CEO of the company we met with, said in our meeting, is that she likes to work with people she likes. It's a pretty simple concept right? Who doesn't like to work with people they actually like and connect with. If I had to choose between working with someone I liked and didn't like, I would prefer the person I actually liked and got along with. Of course, I would expect their work to be of high quality too. That's a given.
So although we didn't really get into the details of music or music licensing that much, by the end of our hour long meeting we had all gotten to know each other a little better. Cynthia and her assistant left a really good impression on Gary and I. They both seemed like genuinely nice people who care about what they do and respect the musicians they choose to work with. As much as I want to make a good impression on people that I potentially work with, I also want the people I work with to make a good impression on me. I want to align myself with people who have my best interest at heart and who have integrity and passion for what they do.
There are clear advantages to signing with the right publisher or library. The company I signed with has an office in LA, they have six or seven full time staff members. They have an Emmy award winning catalog of music. Their CEO is a former executive for one of the major networks. They have connections and relationships that I simply don't have. Of course I'm giving up my publishing for the songs I have them represent, but I also gain a major player in the industry that has their finger on the pulse of licensing for tv and film. They know who is looking for what and they know where my music fits into the grand scheme of things.
There is a lot you can do online these days in terms of networking and connecting with people in the industry. Most of my training emphasizes networking and connecting with people online, because you can do it from anywhere. However, even if you're working with people online there are things you can do to make a good impression. Whenever possible try and connect with people on the phone or on Skype. Try to get to know the people you're working with and let them get to know you. You can of course license your music without ever speaking with the person or people who actually license your music, but it's much more effective to build real relationships with people.
Who would you prefer to work with if you had a choice and all other things were equal? Someone you know personally and have spent time with or someone you only know as a name in your inbox?
Share your comments here:
http://www.90daymusiclicensingchallenge.com/blog/the-humanity-of-networking
For in an depth training on how to license your music in TV, films and more, join me in the next 90 Day Music Licensing Challenge starting on May 18th. Register by May 10th and get four free bonus courses.
http://www.90daymusiclicensingchallenge.com/
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