Meet three new people every week
That’s your simple goal to expand your network. Every single week, meet at least three new people that could help your career.
Have a real conversation — something more than text on a screen. Ask questions, get to know them, and make a personal connection. Learn what they’re looking for, and how you can help them.
At this rate, you’ll meet 150 new people each year. The more people you know, the better.
One of the biggest pop stars in the world right now got her start by meeting 50 people per day for a year! Before her first album, her manager took her around America, meeting every promoter, producer, radio director, video director, writer, editor, publisher — every person in the music business that could help her career. Just five minutes of hello, handshake, and “nice to meet you” with this charming future pop star. It must have been exhausting. But after a year of this, there were 15,000 people in the music industry that had met her face-to-face and will always feel a personal connection to her.
Though you probably won’t go to this extreme, it’s an example of how far you could take this idea.
If we assume your music is great, and you are a likeable person that people enjoy helping, I’ll make this prediction: The number of people you meet will determine your success.
I would like your advise and some more promotional tips and how to promote the album am promoting.
It sounds like what you need is Music">sive.rs/coaching">Music Career Coaching?
What is the A, B, and C list exactly?
Derek,
Good points... I am not in the music business, but in any business, or life in general, it is a great habit to keep meeting new people.
I have not been doing this like I used to. Thank for reminding me!
Eric Foster
You're so smart!
I met a magician named Bodine Balasco on a "mastermind" vacation to LA visiting the Magic Castle with my travel club compadres. I called him a month later and he mentored me on "structural tension charting" to help my sales career and get " desired results" or what I really want in life. Robert Fritz taught Bodine. Bodine is a worldwide Fortune 500 sales coach. He helped me change my life.
Hey Derek! Love your musings brother!
What do you mean by "A, B, or C List"?
I've recently been seeing the need to keep in touch with the influencers and connectors in my network, and was curious as to what you meant by ABC lists!
Thanks for all the great content. Keep creating my friend.
Dan LeMoine
@danlemoine
Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic
“A List” is slang for “the most important or powerful people”. Then “B List” are slightly less important than A. C less than B. — Derek
What is A B and C list?
Answer:
A B and C list is a way to put people in three different lists. "A" list being a list of people who you may want to keep in touch with more strongly and these people are more likely to help you in your goals.
"C" list for people who may be very helpful but on a relationship building priority list are lower than B and C.
People in the A list, you may want to contact them more frequently, make an effort to make a personal connection etc.
Hi Derek. As I am studying different people's blogs today, on how to do things, the one thing I cannot do is be fake. To "get to know people" for my personal selfish ambition is really not what I can do or wish to do. Use and be used . I want my art to be appreciated , of course, and developed, but I love people and want to be true to that.
Just my 2cents..:-) as I am studying....
I love the way you think.
I really appreciate that you are an action person and sensitive to others.
I wish you were my friend
LyLy
I am going to meet one new person a week; and go from there. Three is a bit ambitious now for me.
Ed
Hi Derek!
I'm a singer/songwriter based in London and I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading this and your article "It's all who you know?" Thanks for sharing, and I will be sure to have a pizza delivery guy on speed-dial from now on;)
Berit*
http://www.beritmusic.com
I received a promo email about some new kit coming from a local music store. It had one or two very amusing typos in the copy. No big deal, can't recall the details now - it's a few months ago and my memory chip needs an upgrade, but it was quite funny. So I told them their proof reading was awful, to which they agreed and thought whipping the perpetrators was a good idea. (Yes this was a completely OTT response and we knew it). But a laugh and relaxation can make a difference in how people can get through the trials of the day. Their efforts have been noticed, it's not like the usual shouting into a canyon that is the result of so much web communication. So they know at least one person read their e-bumpf and got back to them on it. It's positive feedback in a roundabout way. Now I have to pop in some time and see what new sounds are around fro my library. I can mention I have a new CD release but only (soon) available in the US so it's just a download for us mere mortals.
To Rachel at #10, I hear you sister. See my comment at the end of Derek's adjoining post.
I might add: As the commander on Babylon-5 said, life is so hard that people keep looking down at their hiking boots. How wonderful if we can be nice enough to help them look up. If someone asks me about my day or my pet dog, then that helps me, regardless of whether they are doing so partly for themselves. Then I try to help others as I have been helped.
If I set my intention on helping others, then the words will come.
Here's another thought for Rebecca and all of us:
Today I telephoned a contact whom I haven't seen for a couple years, a man important enough to have 150 employees. I called during his commercial consulting hours.
I wanted free advice, and he gave it, and I was heart warmed when he said he wants me to contact him in two months to let him know how I did.
You know how some sorts of music are associated with certain feelings? Our ambient feelings as we talked were what we had to offer each other... feelings of help and goodwill and benevolence.
Encouraging our warm smiles was what I as a "little guy" had to offer. Lord knows we all need warmth in this world.