{"id":5007,"date":"2022-06-27T20:01:18","date_gmt":"2022-06-27T20:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/"},"modified":"2022-06-27T20:01:18","modified_gmt":"2022-06-27T20:01:18","slug":"the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"The five things you MUST bring to your next music conference"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/#How_to_get_the_most_out_of_your_time_at_a_music_conference\" >How to get the most out of your time at a music conference.<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/#What_every_music_conference_attendee_should_bring_to_the_event\" >What every music conference attendee should bring to the event:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/#1_A_to-do_list\" >1. A to-do list<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/#2_One_good_question\" >2. One good question<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/#3_Thick_skin\" >3. Thick skin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/#4_An_open_mind\" >4. An open mind<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/#5_Your_health_hacks\" >5. Your health hacks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/#Want_to_change_your_music_career_over_the_course_of_one_unforgettable_weekend\" >Want to change your music career over the course of one unforgettable weekend?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_get_the_most_out_of_your_time_at_a_music_conference\"><\/span>How to get the most out of your time at a music conference.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>If you\u2019re serious about your music, you know you\u2019re going to spend some combination of time, money, and effort whenever you attend a music conference.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a commitment. You\u2019re there to take things to a higher level, reach more people, earn more money, book more gigs \u2014 and you know that\u2019s not going to happen if you don\u2019t show up prepared.<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>When I say \u201cprepared,\u201d I don\u2019t mean you need to have absolutely everything planned in advance (that wouldn\u2019t be much fun).<\/p>\n<p>But you should be be ready with a few specific things.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_every_music_conference_attendee_should_bring_to_the_event\"><\/span>What every music conference attendee should bring to the event:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Swag? Promo material? Business cards? CDs? Showcase schedules? Yeah, yeah. Sure. Have those things at the ready.<\/p>\n<p>But whether we\u2019re talking about an international event like <a href=\"https:\/\/folkconference.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Folk Alliance<\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/diymusiciancon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the DIY Musician Conference<\/a>, a giant festival such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sxsw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SXSW<\/a>, or a smaller regional gathering like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nerfa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NERFA<\/a>, your focus needs to be on forming relationships first and foremost, not shoving your promo materials in everyone\u2019s face.<\/p>\n<p><strong>With that in mind, you need\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_A_to-do_list\"><\/span>1. A to-do list<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>First, what are you trying to accomplish by attending the event? Write those goals down in order of importance, and get specific. Commit yourself to concentrating on the TOP priority.<\/p>\n<p>Then examine the conference program, website, web forum, or Facebook group. Who do you need to meet? What sessions or opportunities should you prioritize?<\/p>\n<p>Basic reverse engineering: Start with the grand ambition in mind, but break it into lots of smaller, achievable tasks.<\/p>\n<p>If you can\u2019t tackle all those tasks by yourself, delegate. If you don\u2019t have fellow band members or a partner attending with you, reach out to some other musicians before the event and come up with a plan to divide-and-conquer.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_One_good_question\"><\/span>2. One good question<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s a clich\u00e9, but true: The person who asks good questions seems more confident and trustworthy than the person who appears to have all the answers.<\/p>\n<p>So arrive at the conference with one really good question. Something that might take a dozen conversations with different musicians and speakers to fully answer.<\/p>\n<p>That question will give you a concrete entry point for what might otherwise be awkward and aimless conversations with strangers. You\u2019ll also leave the conference wiser in at least one important area.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Thick_skin\"><\/span>3. Thick skin<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There might be thousands of other musicians at this thing. Some of them, lots of them even, might be \u201cbetter\u201d than you. This person has a better voice. That person makes better beats. This woman is a more charismatic performer. That guy is a crazy guitarist.<\/p>\n<p>But we\u2019re not talking about Voltron here.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s worth remembering:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You might have a unique combination of skills that is seen as \u201cbetter\u201d in the eyes of other musicians.<\/li>\n<li>If you\u2019re not as \u201cgood,\u201d get inspired to work a little bit harder on your weak points and a lot harder to highlight where you DO excel.<\/li>\n<li>The attendees are a self-selected slice of musicians, which means many of them are probably already highly motivated and accomplished. Learn from them.<\/li>\n<li>One particular conference CAN make your career, but it\u2019s not going to break your career. If you didn\u2019t create a splash, try again when you\u2019ve got things a little more dialed in next year (either in terms of skill, quality of music, or relationships).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_An_open_mind\"><\/span>4. An open mind<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I\u2019ve had my mind changed at conferences. I\u2019ve also helped other musicians change certain attitudes that were holding them back. It\u2019s the MOST rewarding thing to facilitate, and one of the most exciting things to experience when my own thinking shifts.<\/p>\n<p>If you come to a conference bitter and ready to do battle, you\u2019re going to see cliquishness and failure everywhere. With an open mind, you\u2019ll see where new opportunities are waiting.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Your_health_hacks\"><\/span>5. Your health hacks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Hotel rooms are dry. Conference hours run into the early morning. There\u2019s booze everywhere and not many green vegetables. And who has time to eat or sleep anyway?<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re not careful, the end result might be hangovers and exhaustion. In the post-pandemic age, we need to be extra considerate of our own and others health and safety. That might mean you still bring your masks with you when requested. Or it might just mean you lean more heavily into whatever <a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/musician-tips\/dont-get-sick-tour-always-keep-five-things-travel-bag\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">health hacks<\/a> you have \u2014 portable humidifiers, water bottles, running shoes. Bring them! Exercise. Eat well. Sure, party. But not full-force for five nights straight.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Want_to_change_your_music_career_over_the_course_of_one_unforgettable_weekend\"><\/span>Want to change your music career over the course of one unforgettable weekend?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Join us \u2014 in-person or online \u2014 for the DIY Musician Conference.<\/p>\n<p>$149 tickets are going fast!<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"co-button\" href=\"http:\/\/diymusiciancon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET TICKETS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-career\/the-five-things-you-must-bring-to-your-next-music-conference\/\" target=\"_blank\">The five things you MUST bring to your next music conference<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">DIY Musician<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to get the most out of your time at a music conference. If you\u2019re serious about your music, you know you\u2019re going to spend some combination of time, money, and effort whenever you attend a music conference. It\u2019s a commitment. You\u2019re there to take things to a higher level, reach more people, earn more money, book more gigs \u2014 and you know that\u2019s not going to happen if you don\u2019t show up prepared. \u00a0 When I say \u201cprepared,\u201d I don\u2019t mean you need to have [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"h5ap_radio_sources":[],"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-best-seo-blogs"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":false,"author_link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/author\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5007"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5007\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}