Professionalism is a two-way street
So I'm always preaching to indie musicians about being professional. You cannot go far with a bad attitude, thinking you are better than everybody else. The road to success has many splinters and road blocks and you do your best to navigate it but along the way developing a bitchy attitude will set you back. Way back!We like to work with people we like. Plain and simple! Check the attitude at the door.
But what about when it's the music industry person being a jerk. It is a two-way street, you know. They should be just as professional.
A friend of mine was trying to apply for a music festival. She contacted them via Myspace nicely asking for the best way to submit a press kit and their response was less than favorable. I read it. I thought it was rude and condescending.
When it's the musician being unprofessional we call them a diva or asshole. But when it's an industry professional what do we do with this? Sometimes we can't do anything because they have the power. But we can refuse to work with people who treat us like trash. Is it really worth it to give in to their behavior? No! In my friend's case, it cemented the fact that the festival is run by people she would rather not work with.
Remember, it's always a two-way street. We want to work with people we like and who treat us with respect. No matter how you slice and dice it this is a business based on relationships. Nurture the ones worth having.
Copyright © 2007 Madalyn Sklar, IndieMusicCoach
Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach, consultant and author. She founded IndieMusicCoach and has spent over 11 years working with a wide range of independent musicians all over the world - U.S., Canada and Japan thus far. Her goal is to help indie artists achieve greater success in the music business by working smarter not harder. She is also the founder of GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest and largest online community of indie women musicians, with a vision of bringing together and empowering musicians from around the world.
Madalyn is available for one-on-one consulting and coaching at affordable prices. Check out http://www.indiemusiccoach.com/ for more info.
Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 15 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.
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Great post Madalyn!
Mike Hirst
www.hirstmusic.com
Posted by
Michael Ezra Hirst |
6:28 PM