Successful SxSW: the Tao of the Conference
2010-03-21
Last week I did a talk at the SxSW music conference called “Successful SxSW: The Tao of the Conference.”
It was really just advice for musicians attending the conference, so may not apply to you, but most of what I said is in this article and this free e-book.
SxSW was nice enough to film it and edit it into this 5-minute overview:
But the real highlight were all the submitted videos from some brilliant musicians and music-biz people. Each just 30 seconds to 2 minutes, sharing a quick tale and lesson for people at a music conference. I showed 24 of these on the big screen during my talk, but here are the links to ALL of them. Enjoy!
- Big Kenny
- Be nice to everyone, make friends. You never know who is going to offer you your first break.
- Have fun playing music, enjoy other people's music, make friends, be nice to everyone; You never know who's going to offer you your first break. Love everybody!
- http://www.bigkenny.tv
- Ari Koinuma
- Visually communicate who you are and what do you have to offer. Big name tag, different as everyone else's is great way to do it.
- Wear a big name tag advertising what you do and inviting people to talk to you. Give people an opportunity/excuse to talk to you.
- http://www.thoughtfulguitarist.com
- SunSpot
- When you are at conference, don't be afraid to go out alone. You will meet more people that way and you will get out of your comfort zone.
- If you are a band, split up at a conference. Divide and conquer! Go out alone, meet people, go outside your comfort zone, create opportunities.
- http://www.sunspotmusic.com
- Maury Rosenberg
- When you finish your gig, go around the room and introduce yourself to people, because you will never know who is watching.
- Walk around after a gig, introduce yourself to people, you never know who is watching and what opportunities may arise.
- http://www.musicbusinesstutor.com
- LaFamos PR
- Before and after the panel circle the room 3 times. If you are in a group, split up. Afterwards go around the room one more time, but altogether. Go home and do follow up.
- Circle a room before or after a panel 3-4 times so you will be familiar to people you introduce yourself to. If you're in a group, split up. Make connections, collect business cards. Circuit room again with your colleagues and introduce them to your new contacts. Recommended reading:Networking Strategies For The New Music Business
- http://www.lafamos.com
- Tim Ferriss
- Skip what do you do stuff, when approaching someone new. Try to have personal connection. Get them to share their personal stories. Care.
- Go up to panel/organisers and introduce yourself. Ask if there is anyone they recommend you should meet. Be self-deprecating. Skip the 'what do you do' question. Make friends, real connections. Buy people beer!
- http://www.fourhourblog.com
- Jeff Kaye
- Always think of helping others.
- Think of helping others.
- http://www.35daysinmay.com
- Sven Hansen
- People you will meet are your guests, treat them that way.
- Treat the people you meet as your guest.
- http://www.free-floating.com
- Duane Levi
- Distinguish talkers from genuine people. It saves you time and it separates fake from real.
- Separate those who like to talk from those who are genuine.
- Larry Weintraub
- Learn, take the best of the best, watch what others around you do, that will make you better in what you do.
- Learn, watch, study, ask.
- http://www.fanscape.com
- Jody Whitesides
- Be open to suggestions, that is the best way to make relationships and way to improve your material.
- Be open to suggestions. Be prepared to change.
- http://www.jodywhitesides.com
- Cat
- Show up, go to as many panels, sessions, shows as you can. Have fun.
- Show up! Have fun.
- http://www.thecheapseats.net
- Randall Williams
- Find your niche - the thing that you do, that nobody else does. Do it really well.
- Find your niche, do it really well then leverage everything you can to help other people with it. They will help you in return.
- http://www.whereisrandall.com
- Richard Danjolell
- Smile for the cameras ;-)
- Smile for the cameras! You don't know what opportunities might arise from the photos!
- http://www.musicrd.com
- Tom Salta
- Follow up!
- Follow-up on the contacts you make.
- http://www.tomsalta.com
- Wendy Parr
- Ask people questions and learn. Follow up.
- Talk very briefly about yourself. Meet people, ask questions, learn. Follow-up with the key things that people will remember from your introduction.
- http://www.wendyparr.com
- Greg Rollett
- Be personal, do due diligence and connect.
- Get personal, do your research, find out about the people on the panels in advance of meeting them.
- http://www.genyrockstars.com
- Craig Crawford
- A personal nice letter as follow up can do miracles.
- A lot of good things have come out of conferences. Handwritten letters are a good way to follow-up.
- http://www.craigcrawfordplayers.com
- Jim Bianco
- Say YES to everything, give you opportunity to promote yourself.
- Make the most of every opportunity to promote yourself. Say yes to everything.
- http://www.jimbianco.com
- Jim Powers
- Don't get down on yourself. Expect troubles, stick with your music and you will do just fine.
- Bad things happen, roll with it. Even if there is hardly anyone in the audience, you never know who is in that audience.
- http://www.mintyfresh.com
- Panos Panay
- Make the most out of dance. Conference is just a ticket for dancing. Have the courage to make people dance with you.
- You have to take action to make things happen.
- http://www.sonicbids.com
- Lou Paniccia
- Document everything, film everything. Get home and make an original video of your experience.
- Video everything, not just your performance/showcase. Put it to good use when you get back.
- http://www.oranjuly.com
- Alyse Black
- Think long-term. Think, how you can build mutually beneficial long term relationships.
- Think: How can we build a mutually beneficial long-term relationship.
- http://www.alyseblack.com
- Joe Laviolette
- Give away your music to people who have asked for it.
- Be selective about who you give your CDs to.
- http://www.rattletree.com
- Meg Okura
- Keep promises, be flexible and spontaneous. Over-prepare and go with a flow, be ready for anything.
- Be professional and well prepared (over-prepare) but be ready for anything (to go wrong) and go with the flow.
- http://www.megokura.com
- TShaka
- Interact with everybody.
- Every encounter may lead to an opportunity.
- http://www.blackrootsunlimited.com
- Marina V
- Wearing interesting and original outfits, might get people come up to you.
- Wear clothes that people might comment on - good icebreakers.
- http://www.marinav.com
- Trevor Roark
- If someone goes wrong during your showcase, perform like nothing has happened.
- If something goes wrong during your showcase just continue as if nothing happend.
- http://www.greenteaworldmusic.com
- Tina Shafer
- Connect. Listen. Follow up.
- Connect, listen, follow-up.
- http://www.songwriters-circle.com
- Thaddeus Rex
- Ask questions, start dialogues.
- Ask questions at panels, it introduces you to everybody there.
- Suz Doyle
- Handmade personalized chocolate bars with name and brand on it is a great way to connect with people.
- Create and giveaway unique and remarkable merchandise that people will come to you looking for.
- http://www.suzdoyle.com
- Ron Irizarry
- Personal level connections after showcase works so well.
- In the exhibit hall after showcase, be personable, get to know people. Opportunities will follow.
- http://www.ronmusic.com
- Greg Spero
- Give, give, give. Be generous.
- Give, give and give some more.
- http://www.gregspero.com
- Robin Bennet
- Play at as many places as you can. Be grateful for that.
- Play as many times as you can, you never know who is watching you.
- http://www.thisistruck.com
- Robert Van Horne
- Always be prepared to have with you something what represents you and only give it to people who request it. Always thank those people who have inspired you.
- Only give your CD to the people that ask for it. Thank people that have inspired you.
- http://www.robertvanhorne.com
- Jessica Paige
- If you really admire someone, let them know.
- If you admire someone, let them know.
- http://www.jessicapaige.net
- J Sider
- People around know a lot. Ask and get advices from them.
- Ask and discuss when given the opportunity for advice. Speak to lots of people.
- http://www.rootmusic.com
- Jennifer Vazquez
- It is all about follow up.
- Pay for quality one-on-one meetings with experts, Google them in advance. Follow-up.
- http://www.jennifervazquez.com
- Paul Cullen
- Spend all the money you have on finding your niche.
- Find your own niche, set yourself apart from everyone else. Cross promote with product.
- http://www.paulcullen.net
- Nikc Miller
- Document on video people who you will meet. Post it on Facebook with tagging those people in it. This gets you new friends and fans.
- Video people you meet, get their full names, friend them up on Facebook (follow-up) and tag them in the video.
- http://www.flutesquad.com
- Mikhail Tank
- Communicate with everybody around you. Be open.
- Communicate with everyone around you. Be open. Connections happen. What you need will come to you.
- http://www.mikhailtank.com
- Jenn Ashton
- Offer help, give your hand. You never know what will come out of that and if it doesn't at least it feels good.
- Offer to help. You never know what could happen.
- http://www.raveonstudio.com
- Ranj Singh
- Do not hesitate to talk to people. Just do it.
- Do not hesitate to speak to other people.
- http://www.ranjsingh.com
- Mike Lawson
- Finding a new product which needs a little work to get ready, can change your life.
- You never know who you are going to meet, what opportunities may arise that could change your life.
- http://www.lawsonmusicmedia.com
- Mick Flores
- Have a CD on you all the time.
- Have your CD on you at all times. You never know who you might run in to.
- http://www.gidgetsgaga.com
- Tori Sparks
- How being a passenger on cruise and your connecting with others, can get you unofficial special concert.
- Create your own opportunities.
- http://www.torisparks.com
- Michael Puskas
- Present yourself well, groom yourself well and keep in mind that every single person is perspective lead or potential client.
- Present yourself well. Everyone is a potential client. Think the long-game.
- http://www.free-floating.com
- Mario Sevayega
- The best connections are the other bands, other artist who are sitting next to you in the rock club.
- The best connections you are going to make are the other bands you meet.
- http://www.myspace.com/mariosevayega
- Lenedra Carroll
- Ask. Ask to be listened to. Finding an empty room is enough to be heard.
- Approach a panel member after a panel and ask to perform for them right there.
- http://www.lenedracarroll.com
- El
- Handmade business cards with name, picture and website on it.
- Make personalised business cards with your photo, name and website only. Give them to everyone.
- http://www.bayislandrecords.com
- Beth Isbell
- Find out where the lawyers are, talk to them, make your career happen.
- Find the Lawyers, they're the ones that make things happen.
- http://www.myspace.com/bethisbell
- Julie Shephard
- Speak up in front of crowd and ask questions.
- Don't be afraid to stand up in front of a crowd and ask questions.
- http://www.julieshephard.com
- Jon Goldmann
- Always be nice and helpful, you will never know who you might be sitting next to.
- Be nice and helpful, you never know who you might be sitting next to.
- http://www.thesessionspot.com
- Cort Delano
- Singing on the yoga class, can get you on the radio.
- Think 'outside the box'.
- http://www.cortdelano.com
- Charles Alexander
- Find out what people are looking for first. Then instantly customize and give away USB drive with music they are looking for, it is a cool pitch.
- Personalise your pitch. Research who is going to be at the conference that you want to speak to.
- http://www.charlesalexander.com
- Bill Pere
- Successful attendees are those who are coming to learn and network. Performers are missing out this essential part of learning and connecting.
- Go to learn and network not just perform. This business is driven by relationships.
- http://www.billpere.com
- John Batdorf
- Go to conference to learn. Then apply what you have learned to improve your own show.
- Go to biggest shows to inspire you and learn then apply what you learn.
- http://www.johnbatdorfmusic.com
- Jody Friedman
- Find a way to be different. Jody stood out by including piece of chocolate with his CD.
- Be different, stand-out.
- http://www.jodyfriedman.com
- Jim Vilandre
- Always be open to possibilities, sharpen your people skills. Be real and make real friends.
- Sharpen your people skills. Develop your craft. Life is not about you, its about caring for others. Make real friends. Be open to possibilities.
- http://www.jimvilandre.com
- Giuliano Baglioni
- Laid back approach and talking about other things that work, can actually lead to work
- Take the laid back approach. Talk about things other than work. You never know when you will bump in to people again.
- http://www.sigmared.ca
- John Mazzei
- Go out and get your dream assignment by: targeted networking, a killer demo and being ready for success.
- Targeted networking, a killer demo. Be ready for success when it comes. You can do it!
- http://www.johnmazzei.com
- David Sherbow
- Treat everyone with respect.
- Treat everyone with respect, even Drunk Mike.
- http://www.myspace360wizard.com
- Elana James
- You never know who is in the audience.
- You never know who is going to be there, even if they don't talk to you on the night of you show.
- http://www.elanajames.com
- Andrea Nardello
- Be social, have fun and things will happen.
- Be social, good things will happen.
- http://www.andreanardello.com
- Adriel Luis
- Giving away USB drive instead of CD is: compact, innovative and indispensable.
- Give people something compact, innovative and indispensable so they will press play.
- http://www.ill-literacy.com
Huge thanks to Ivana Sendecka, Dan Morelle, and Beth Isbell for the one-sentence summaries! Thanks again for your contributions, everyone!
watched John Batdorf, muso, probably in his early 50's, top session singer, involved in recording in pro albums(?) from the 70's, also a film composer. Went to a music conference (?for the first time) 5 years ago, thought he would do really well, didn't, but went and watched the bands/acts that were doing really well, and learnt a lot, which influence his next album. If we see a great act/band, we should learn from them.
This guy is a beatles fan.
makes me want to try to get to the states for a music conference!!!
You rock Derek... I sooooo enjoyed all this stuff. One heck of a job buddy. You are truly a musicians friend.
Wow! What a resource. You outdid yourself with this one. Thank you. I didn't get to make the panel (with an interactive badge) so this is much appreciated.
Nice man. Thanks!
Ah nice presentation Derek! Jim Bianco's video, choice =)
wow.now that's what you call - meaningful content aggregation!
Wow who cares about the raw footage... Its the content that makes these clips gold... Soooo good there Derek thanks for all you do for others....and its a lot
Suz Doyle: put her photo and details plus her catch phrase "Monty Python meets Phantom of the Opera" on a chocolate bar, and gave them away at the conference.
Suz Doyle: put her photo and details plus her catch phrase "Monty Python meets Phantom of the Opera" on a chocolate bar, and gave them away at the conference.
Jessica Page: Singer songwriter from Melbourne, went to a conference, where her musical hero was speaking, she attended all his lectures, by the end he recognized her, and asked her to email him her songs, which he loved and later orchestrated for her. If you admire someone, make it show.
Trevor Roark: "If something goes wrong with/during your showcase, press on as though everything is OK"
The performance may well still pay off.
It is really interesting idea. I shall try it today.
Good stuff, Derek. It's about them. Thank you.
Very cool derek! Good talk at March 17 2010, SXSW.
Aaah....you know 'The Secret' my friend. "It's not about you" You learn it, live it and teach it.
*Big Hugs*
Kellie Frazier
dot com
Very nice Derek, and thank you for this video cool stuff.
This presentation (the first at my first SXSW) helped me get SO much more out of my experience. Some of us aren't great networkers and we're not accustomed to navigating massive conferences like SXSW. Derek, your tenets stayed with me throughout the week, and hopefully for long after, and their value paid massive dividends.
I think the most useful things from the presentation were 1) You are who you pretend to be, so pretend to be outgoing, and 2) When meeting/talking to people, remember, it's NOT ABOUT YOU!
If your aim was to perpare newbies to get the most out of SXSW you succeeded with flying colors. Thanks so much for sharing your advice with the world. It was great to meet you.
Dave from Illinois.
Thank's so much for opening my mind
cheers
Efrat
Yes, but how is the rest of your month going? Wedding much? As you implied in your comments, just showing up is 90% of success. Well done. . .on both accounts I'm sure!
"Acoustic Rock" by the way.
actually, this could be useful to anyone in sales.
Your comments are all right on, Derek, and echo my experiences at my first ever conference, last fall's FAR-West Folk Alliance gathering. Listening is essential. A good memory is handy too!
Enjoy it just wish I made it to SXSW in time to see you in person. Follow up and follow through is key and I am in the process of doing that this week.
Sounded like you had an attentive crowd.
I'm in the process of watching the vids and making notes, you can get them here: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhtsqpd5_315dzq6znfv
That was really good. Thank you for the information.
Great job Derek,
I have been watching the clips, they are useful and interesting.
I will come back to watch the rest!
I think it's really kool, Derek, the way you go out and try to help other musicians all the time.
Kudos....
Derek my brother, thank you once again for being you! The "life lessons" that you are committed to sharing is truly making an impact & helping to change the world one TRUTH at a time! All my love - DJo
Can someone do the filtering for me and point me to the ones that are "rock band" related only, ta
Not sure if you're kidding or not, but a rock band can often get the best ideas from listening to advice from non-rock-bands. And vice-versa. -- Derek
Hey Derek,
Long time no see via the Net that is...but that's a great vid! And with great advice! Can't wait to see the others.
Haha, you said it, Derek, no such thing as a conversation anymore, they talk, I kinda listen. Which is why I mostly stay home - or go to the mountains to hang out with, and listen to the birds - they have much more interesting things to say than most people do :D . And, they seem to like the banjo
.
Thanks for all that you do.
first of all THANKS for everthing.only wish I could participate more.Derek reaches out and we are here.What can I say?Love Flo
Hey Derek - that video clip is great. Sad to miss it in person though I wanted to thank you for using my clip. Hope it provided some value to the attendees. Watching the other videos gives me hope that there are some musicians and industry folk that get it, and they are going to have some huge successes this year and in their future.
Great job, Derek! I'm so glad your talk was recorded so those of us who weren't there could enjoy it!
I wish we could have attended the conference "proper", but we had an amazing time at some of the surrounding unofficial events in Austin during SXSW. I think your advice applies nicely to non-conference events, too!
One quick question- could you please correct the web site you have listed above with our video link? It should be sunspotmusic.com
Thanks again for sharing your wisdom and that of others- and congrats on a job well done!
Fixed! Thanks for telling me. Loved your clip! -- Derek
Wisdom is the ability to learn from others in order to connect with them, in all walks of life. and success the reward. Well said Derek, and Thank you.
Derek it's wonderful that you solicited all that wonderful advice from conference goers. What a fabulous inclusive idea! I've watched this video 3 times & wish I could have seen it 25 years ago, when I went to every conference I could get to. Cause then, it was all about me...
Here's a surprising observation, at least IMHO. Usually you have 100s of comments. This video might be the best advice you've ever offered and yet it's not getting much traction (yet).
What gives?
Usually my articles are just a few paragraphs - a 1-minute read - but this time there's a whole hour of watching to do. I'll bet people have it bookmarked to come back to when they have time. -- Derek
Dear Derek,
I couldn't agree with you more about what you say about promoting yourself, and really tuning into others and asking questions about them. I have done just that at a few networking opportunities, and you know what, I didn't hear from anyone. I think along with what you say you also have to find a way which you aluded to to implant you in their brains. I'm not just sure how one does that, but I'm quite aware that most people only want to hear something pithy from me, and they are mainly interested in what you can do for them. Honestly I imagine as you well know that is very difficult. Having said all this your points are well taken, Derek. Sincerely, Clay Wilson
Dear Derek, I forgot to thank you for your very informative and sensible talk my friend. Sincerely, Clay Wilson
Derek, do you know Neil Strauss? You guys seem like you could be cousins and I'm not just referring to the hair style! ;)
Haven't met, no, but have a lot of mutual friends. -- Derek
Hi Derek!!
I am happy for you all that the conference was such a success! I really appreciated your video clip and all of the other hard working musicians comments. Thank you!
In all the giving we do, may it be from a true heart, ... motive is everything.
Have a super day!
Rachel
Derek,
Thanks for the great advice and everyone's tips. I'll be passing on the link so a few others can catch the video.
Everyone's thoughts remind me a lot of an old book on my shelf by Dale Carnegie. It's classic ideas are timeless.
Thanks,
Greg Brent
Music Powered Strategies
What a great resource and inspiration to drawn on prior to and even after going to a conference. Great work Derek!
Cool!!!
Well,old dogs can learn new tricks. I actually got to play for a few hours in a 6th st. club during SxSw. Aside from the bandmenbers( they were very busy), everyone was friendly and worth knowing as people. Folks I never would have met were it not for that gig. Did it do anything form my career? Hell if I know. But the crowd was hungry for music, unlike the saturated audiences often found here in Austin. Bottom line it was fun....I'm re-membering how to have it. Seems like most of what was given at the outset by Derek and friends was correct.
I could listen to you "Derek"
All Day..........
Eddie Wells
Thank you for this e-mail.
very cool, thanks, Derek!
Love the business man analogy and the comments from other visitors are really constructive.
Great job Derek,
I have been watching the clips, they are useful and interesting.
I will come back to watch the rest!
Grateful! Derek,
Rae
I really like the part about the business man in the suit that gives you his card and asks to come see him between 11 and 11:30pm. That made my life. Now I have to take that and figure out how to flip it!
well done on this one, bravo!
A lot of great advice in that video. Definitely one of the best ways to network is to ask questions and listen.