How approachable are you?

I believe that to succeed in today’s independent music industry, relationship building with our fans and peers is more important than ever. An important factor in that is approachability.

You need to make yourself easily contactable by your fans, venue managers and the media. Musicians tend to want to follow the record label method of hiding behind the representatives, managers, executives and other officers. That doesn’t work for the independent scene.

Make yourself easily approachable - whether it’s just by e-mail, or by phone as well. Give your people an easy way to contact you without having going to go through a long line of people before you. 

Here are three quick tips for when you attend an event or gig and want to make yourself more approachable:

- Don’t cross your hands. People say that this is usually a natural non-verbal cue to say you’re reserved and not easily approachable so no matter what happens, whether it’s cold, or you’re just bored - don’t cross your hands.

- Smile. A good natural smile makes you more approachable.

- Talk. Go and mingle with others in the crowd. Don’t stand in the corner.

What about on the internet? Participate in forums, plaster your e-mail address or other contact details all over your website. On my website, you’ll see my e-mail address on every single page. I want to make musicians feel comfortable in contacting me and know that they’ll get a response. The time spent in interacting with people pays off handsomely.

It’s the same with your music. Make yourself approachable.

Popularity: 8% [?]