Are You Following Up Properly with Your Music Biz Contacts
  By
Jeri Goldstein, Copyright 2006, The New Music Times, Inc.
Persistent and
consistent follow-up is one of the key elements to a successful touring
career. This holds true whether you are trying to book a gig, land
an interview with a local or major paper, get a record deal or find
an agent or a manager. Those who simply send out their promotional
packets and wait for a response may as well disconnect their phones
and save on the monthly bill--you won't get a return call.
This business is filled with very busy people trying to handle
all of the thousands of incoming requests for gigs, articles, record
deals and management deals. If you are serious about what you do,
then nothing could be more important than follow-up on every contact.
If you are the one selling your act, you need to be the one making
the follow-up calls without expecting calls from your prospective
buyers in return. You are not the first and last thought on their
mind, but they must be the first and last thought on yours if you
want the gig, the interview, or the deal. Follow-up
should be done professionally. While speaking to your contact the
first time, after promising to send your promotional packet, indicate
that you will check on the packet's arrival in a few days. Make
a note to yourself to follow-up with that person in four days and
mark the date in your calendar. If you send something overnight,
call the next day to make sure it arrived and the mailing service
to whom you paid big bucks, delivered on their overnight guarantee.
If you send them a link to your online press kit, you can call the
next day or discuss it with them while you're on the first call
right then...
Read
the full article here.
Jeri Goldstein is the author of, How To Be Your Own Booking Agent The Musician's & Performing Artist's Guide To Successful Touring 2nd Edition UPDATED. She had been an agent and artist's manager for 20 years. Currently she consults with artists, agents and managers through her consultation program Manager-In-A-Box and presents The Performing Biz, seminars and workshops at conferences, universities, for arts councils and to organizations. Jeri has released a 3-hour seminar on CD-ROM, Marketing Your Act. No expensive conferences to attend-learn at your convenience to boost your career. Her book, CD-ROM and information about her other programs are available at www.performingbiz.com or phone (434) 591-1335 or email Jeri at jg@performingbiz.com.
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