Thread: Anyone else NOT bringing a ton of CDs?

<p>To the conference this week? &nbsp;Seems completely pointless to me no one's going to listen to your CDs. &nbsp;The key is to get their info and email them music afterward.</p>

Now he tell's me... Now i have to take back all the Jewel Cases and CD's I just bought. lol. But you do have a good point, pressed out about 50 cd's the night b4 and didn't really get a call back from anyone. Some people, but not who i was aiming for.

<p>believe it or not, some people do listen to CD's. I've gotten call backs before from conferences (TAXI moreso than DP). It all depends.</p>

<p>The only responses I've gotten ever from anyone were from tracks that were emailed to them (or actually sitting down with people, but that's a whole other issue). &nbsp;I'm just collecting emails and hitting them all up afterward. &nbsp;I did both last year and felt like I just wasted a bunch of CDs. &nbsp;I emailed people a lot of the same tracks from my CDs, and no one EVER said they had heard them before. &nbsp;Plus they're expensive, they take up a bunch of space in your luggage, and you gotta carry them around the conference, I'm just bringing a notepad, lol.</p>

<p>Your best bet is to get a phone (preferably a crackberry, or sidekick if u have one of those) n just put their info in your phone.&nbsp; Beats the notepad idea, n your fingers won't hurt from writin' everything down.&nbsp; Your next best bet is to have some sort of business cards on hand.&nbsp; I use to think that they had to be done up completely or don't bring anything (which is tru, u definately want to have your business cards lookin' official before u actually start handin' them out).&nbsp; But, when you're on a grind, it don't even matter.&nbsp; Go to kinkos or staples or somn' n write your production name, phone number, email, websites n any other possible contacts u might have n have them print those up!&nbsp; This way, they have something!&nbsp; Lastly, I found that whenever someone wanted to hear somn' on the spot, my iPod always did the trick.&nbsp; Get some good headphones (so there's no xcuses on sound other than your mixes need to be done over... maybe) n let them hear wha they lookin' for (I always ask anyway... I never just play anything).&nbsp; This way, u pack light, your mind is right n u look right doin' your business (even if it is a lil' cheezy)!&nbsp; The phone is gonna end up bein' your best friend, TRUST ME!!!</p>

<p>Yeah, thats what i was thinking about doing was using my phone to take down their contact information. I also had this crazy idea of getting one of those Ipod Radio decks and carrying it with me and playing things on the spot. but that would disrupt other peoples conversations. lol.</p>

<p>But i'm still planinng to take some CD's, i mean its L.A. If you run into Dr. Dre, and your responce is "Sorry, i don't have any material with me, all i have is a card and my phone" and he wants to hear something from you on the spot, then your shooting yourself in the foot. lol</p>
<p>So, I say don't bring like a Ton of CD's, Just enough to be prepared.</p>

<p>Yea I'd be prepared for anything. It is LaLa land.</p>
<p>Laptops, CDs, business cards, iPods, floppy disks, whatever! LOL</p>
<p>You never know what'll happen or who you'll run into. Shoot what if someone pulls you to the side and says "Come by my office later today at so and so address to play us some tracks" Gotta be ready and have a back up plan to the back up plan.</p>
<p>That way it shows your dead on serious about your business.</p>
<p>Ofcourse approach people with correct manners and don't frisbee your shit to them across the room. They know why we're there, we know why we're there. Just exercise polite and friendly mannerisms.</p>
<p>OH! AND ALSO: I've never been to a DP conference before but from other gatherings I've been to, it's important to keep a tab on who's who. I think it's kind of tedious asking someone what type of records they're looking for. Always keep in mind what types of records they're already recognized for and who they're currently working with. Play them something they might like or be interested in and always a HIT RECORD. Always aim to impress.</p>
<p>For example, if I know so and so is working with Chris Brown on his new project, I might catch up to him casually, small talk and then ask him how things are progressing with the new CB project and then show him my work.</p>
<p>A person who knows what's current is always on top of things and it shows poise in the industry. People will take you more seriously.</p>
<p>Do your research on each attendee. Hence: Have the laptop in hand... ;-)</p>
<p>That's my secret advice to you all. Have fun out there on the leftcoast!! I wish ya luck and much success.</p>

<p>I mean DUH cheese... but, I'm still gonna play it dumb cause I don't want them to get gas'd!&nbsp; I don't kno u, u don't kno me... so, maybe u need to get to kno me n I need to get to kno u.&nbsp; This way, we can start a relationship where it won't be an issue if I call your cellphone... U WILL PICK UP CAUSE U LOVE MY TRAX N I DON'T KNO WHO U&nbsp;ARE... SO U GOT SOMN' TO PROVE TO ME, CHRIS BROWN'S MANAGER OR NOT&nbsp;- LMAO!!!</p>

<p>I mean if a motherfucker gets gassed and has no humility or is humble, I'll really show him how to be put on blast.</p>
<p>Fuck that!</p>
<p>I mean, I wouldn't go as far as being a groupie and jocking 'em. I guess what I'm trying to say is just know who you're dealing with beforehand ya know.</p>
<p>Because, shoot, I don't know who some of these dudes are, nonetheless know how they look like in appearance. LOL</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>here is an excellent email from my man Nu (who will be there) who runs musicplacements.com - that he sent this morning:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Networking in the Music Industry 101</p>
<p>Everytime I listen to a Kanye West record, I always remember his drive to network with everyone in the Def Jam office. Working for Kevin Liles at the time, I remember a young man with a Polo shirt and Louis Vuitton backpack constantly networking and asking questions. <br />For most people, networking is simply handing out flyers or a cd, however, this is the wrong approach. Your single goal when networking should be to leave a lasting impression and set up the follow up meeting or phone call. Instead of throwing your cd into someone's hand, make sure you focus on a leaving the person with a lasting conversation. Imagine yourself in the other person's shoes, if your at a concert or party the last thing you want is someone handing you a cd. Instead, wait until the show or event is over and they will respect you for waiting. If a celebrity or industry figure is with their family, DO NOT walk to them and offer your services. The last thing they will do is remember you, in fact chances are you will upset them with your disrespect for their personal space.</p>
<p>A couple items you should always have when networking: business cards, website, myspace and jump drive.. Yes a jump drive, forget cd's, most people will lose or damage your disc. I use jump drives, because they are easy to hand off and they separate you from the rest of the crowd handing out cd's. In addition, their small size and ability to carry large files allows you to give them more music. If someone wants to hear your music, its easy to pop a jump drive in to any computer, laptop, or studio console. Always pay attention to details, and present yourself as a smart, well informed individual. The final component of networking within the music industry is following up. I typically drop a thank you note 3-5 days after I initially meet the person and follow up with a phone call 2-3 wks after our initial meeting. Most folks in the music industry have very busy schedules, so don't get discouraged and always maintain a professional attitude. Emails are the best way to reach people in executive positions, so be kind and don't give up. NETWORKING IS THE KEY TO GETTING YOUR NAME RECOGNIZED.. <br />NOTE TO THE WISE: CHECK OUT THE DYNAMIC PRODUCER CONFERENCE IN LOS ANGELES THIS WEEKEND! <br />&nbsp;</p>

<p>^</p>
<p>Good Advice!</p>
<p>And remember, everyone knows everyone in this industry. That's not to make you nervous but a good lasting impression on one person will rub off on how other people treat you. You want to meet people who have good pre-judgement about you. Dress sharp and something characteristic of yourself and music.</p>
<p>It's like any other job or occupation.Except it's more of a job convention and there's a zillion applicants LOL.</p>
<p>No one said it was easy, don't get discouraged.</p>

<p>You are too much of a Genius to be so Stupid...lol.....good advice SG. Will def work on getting my networking up...but for jump drives, I really gotta feel this is going somewhere..lol</p>

<p>i liked what cheese said about the chris brown shit. but some of us (like me) most likely wont recognize the person who is working with such an artist when we first meet, so we have no other choice but to be versatile as a motherfucker and keep every type of genre of every beat (good shit of course) that we know how to make. and that jump drive SG suggested is the best soloution to this problem (for many it IS a problem). wont be at the conference, but i wish the best of luck to everyone attending and i hope to be there next year. 1</p>

<p>I get the idea on the jump drive thing, but them things are fragile, n if they're gonna listen to a file... I might as well give them a website to go to where they can not only hear my trax, but see pix n a bio.&nbsp; Makes more sense to me.&nbsp; I think u can't go wrong on the business cards n lap top/MP3/CD player (n of course your people skills for networkin').</p>