Communication Skills for the Music Business
By T. Perry Bowers
We have so many ways to communicate today. Texting is my most used method, although I’m trying to switch a lot of my customers over to email. When an email arrives my phone doesn’t buzz me. I actually have to open my email app to check for incoming communication. When people email me instead of text, I have a little more control over my life.
This blog is about how I like people to communicate with me. I’m sure most busy music industry professionals appreciate the same. I like efficiency and courtesy in texts, emails, calls and in person.
Efficiency
If you have a question, ask it. A short introduction in any form of communication is fine, but get to the point as quickly as you can. I know – you’re a great person, you ‘re friendly and kind and your family loves you. But, I already have a lot of friends – and a family. In fact, I have four children and that’s enough! So, just lay it on me – I can take it. If it’s a complaint or a strange request, don’t be shy, just out with it. Maybe I can’t help you at all. But let’s find out as quickly as possible, so I can send you on your way – somewhere else to get your needs met, and I can go watch my daughter sail a boat across Lake Calhoun! Thank you very much.
Courtesy (Please and Thank You)
Efficiency doesn’t mean you have to lack courtesy. Even a text shouldn’t forego courtesy. I get texts like this all the time:
“i nd studio tm asap”.
What? That’s great, I’m glad you want to use my studio, but that text (though it is short and to the point) lacks both courtesy and efficiency – not to mention, grammar!
“Could you please provide me with three times the studio is available in the upcoming week? I would like to continue recording my album ASAP. Thank you.”
See, that is a much better text. It’s courteous because it uses both please and thank you. It’s efficient because my response could potentially solidify the session. Literally, the next text could lock it down. I respond:
“Great, Thank you for reaching out. Would 7/15, 7/16 or 7/17 from noon to 3pm work for you?”
Most likely, the response is going to be something like this:
“7/15 at 3pm is great, see you then, thanks.”
Boom! That’s efficient.
Do your best to set up your communications to be as courteous and efficient as possible. Think a few steps ahead to the end goal and think about the person on the other end. Most likely, they’re very busy. Let them know you respect their time and expertise.
Texting
Texting lends itself to informality. Between friends, it’s great, but when you’re in a text conversation with a professional, grammar is good. There’s nothing wrong with crafting full and complete sentences. If you find yourself using shortcuts, ask yourself, “is the shortcut for me or them?” Probably it’s for you as the writer of the text. Reading a carefully crafted and grammatically correct text is easy (writing one is not so easy). Don’t send a text that is difficult to decipher. If it’s hard to understand, you’ll just annoy the person receiving it. They don’t have time to be translating bad texts. So, when you’re texting a professional, remove your casual thinking. Be formal, respectful, efficient, courteous and grammatically correct.
Calling
Don’t they teach phone etiquette in school any more? Did they ever? This is really my pet peeve! When you call someone, the first thing you should do is introduce yourself! Don’t ask somebody a question until they know who you are. People in the music industry have built their businesses on personal relationships. Your ability to communicate is paramount to the success they will have while working with you. I get a lot of calls like this:
Me: “Hello, Taylor Sound Studios.”
Caller: “Uh, uh, is this a studio?”
Me: “Yes it is. How can I help you?”
Caller: “I need some recording time – today if possible!”
Me: “Ok. What’s your name?”
Caller: “Fabies”
Me: “Ok, what’s your last name?”
Caller: “Why do you need that?”
Me: “I just want to be able to put you into my contacts.”
Caller: “Ok, Johnson.”
Me: “Have you seen the studio before. Would you like to take a tour?”
Caller: “Yeah, that would be great.”
Me: “Ok, how does Tuesday sound at 2pm?”
Caller: “Great.”
Imagine how much easier that call would have been for me if they had introduced themselves and asked about the product or service they were calling about in the first sentence. Something like this:
Me: “Hello, Taylor Sound Studios.”
Caller: “Hi, My name is Fabies Johnson and I would like to get some information about your studio. Could you please tell me about your facility and your rates?”
One sentence and already we’re getting somewhere. I like it when someone introduces themselves and tells me a little bit about who they are. For example:
“Hi, my name is Fabies Johnson and I’m a local rap artist. I’ve been in studios a few times, but this is my first serious project. “
With that I know just what is going on. There is nothing cryptic. No ego. Just honest communication and I can work with that.
Emailing
I think most transactions between professionals should really happen via email. When you send an email, you are saying, “ hey, let’s work on this, but it’s not an emergency. Get to it when you have time. I understand you have a family and a life beyond my needs.” Right?
You should definitely send an email if it’s after business hours. An email is necessary when you want a record of the transaction and for any business bigger than a three-hour recording session. But it’s a good idea to send emails even when it is only a three-hour recording session. Why? Because emails slow you down a bit. They force you to have a plan. If you think that everything needs to happen right now, relax and get friendlier with your email.
Emails are usually turned around within twenty-four hours. Your amateur band is not going to wither away and die if you don’t have a place to rehearse today. Your rap career is not going anywhere if you can’t lay down your rhymes tonight. So get a plan, slow down and send an email.
In Person
There is so much more to communication when two people meet in the flesh: more signals to read. You can see what they’re wearing and how they’re wearing it. You notice how they walk. Is it with their head held high or slumped over? You can see them and hear them, and unfortunately, sometimes you can even smell them! Maybe it goes without saying, but bathe yourself! In the music business, you can get away with a lot of clothing choices, but no one likes to be inundated with unpleasant odors.
Your appearance is 101, but the most important thing I want when I meet someone in person is punctuality. Be on time. Always. Be exactly on time, or even be five minutes early. Don’t ever make a person in the music business wait for you, especially someone who is a landlord. My bread and butter are rehearsal-space rent. If you show up late to an appointment, you’re showing me that you have little respect for my time and that makes me think paying rent late could be a problem too.
If we’re meeting about something other than rehearsal space, and you’re late, I’ll probably think you’re not seeing the bigger picture. You haven’t yet evolved to the point where you understand that your time and especially other people’s time is our most valuable commodity.
For god’s sake, if you are late, apologize. Even if you’re five minutes late, let the other person know that you’re aware you have wasted their time. Don’t make an excuse. Don’t call out traffic. Traffic is never the problem. You’re the problem. Just say, “I’m late. My fault. I apologize. I will do my best not to waste your time again.” And then move on. You’ve already burned up enough of this person’s time. Get to business.
The music business may seem like a casual affair from the outside, but once you’re inside, you realize the people who actually make it in this business are hardcore folks. There is a lot of money to be made, and even more to be lost.
You might see famous artists interviewed who act like they’re Joe-cool and pay no mind to the customs of the traditional business world, but believe me that is just an act. The music business demands as much, if not more, business acumen and strategy as any other business. Treat the profession and the people in it with respect and with a little luck that respect will be paid back to you someday.
