If you are serious about making music a career, or if you are just looking to increase your fan base, it’s important to combine your personal branding statement, along with a solid visibility management plan. I know, I know, these terms aren’t quite what you are used to thinking about when it comes to music. And of course you just want to spend all your free time playing & practicing guitar. But I’m here to tell you that that isn’t enough. It’s who you know just as much as what you know. Having some clear “business” goals is crucial to advancing your musical career and maximizing your potential.

What is Visibility Management?

The basis for Visibility Management is networking. Making you and “your brand” more visible to fans, other musicians, and important connections. Being creative in your networking is vital, but face-to-face networking will always be the most important tool in your visibility management plan. It is much easier to connect when you are talking in person.

Bottom-line though is to just get yourself out there. Tell everyone and anyone about your music.

Self-Promotion should become a way of life. If you aren’t excited and promoting your brand, how do you expect others to? You should always be striving to grow your network and make new connections. Who knows, that record label executive could be only a few degrees of separation from you, but he will never know unless you take action.

Staying networked is a way of life. Increasing your network means:

• Creating options for yourself
• Taking advantage of opportunities
• Determining future possibilities
• Obtaining useful information
• Fostering a positive opinion of your reputation

When you are networking make sure that you emphasize these four things:

1. Your Personal Brand Statement
2. What you do Well
3. Your Skills
4. Results/Recognitions you have achieved

As cheesy as it sounds, it is helpful to memorize an “elevator speech” to have equipped wherever you go. It’s called an elevator speech because it should be short, yet concise enough for you to communicate your brand and its benefits to someone you meet in an elevator. Having a script makes you sound more professional and confident as well; two key factors of projecting a valuable identity.

Most importantly, remember the Golden Rule of Networking: Helping others is the best way to help yourself; you gotta give before you can get!

Now get yourself out there and start networking!

If you need help forming your personal brand statement or visibility management plan, find out how Jeffrey Shawn Music Consulting can help you achieve your music goals.

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