Following up with Companies

[crs7string]

Mike,

I would hope that publishers and music supervisors would be easy to access. How else could their clients contact them with an opportunity.

But, they have become trusted sources and most likely, each party knows how and when each likes to be contacted.

In fact, you can Google the high end work for hire libraries and easily find contact info for the people in charge of A&R and cold call them. That would work, but, like cold calling for prospective buyers of any product, it is far harder than a referral.

I used the phrase "trusted sources". I can't tell you how many times I have heard that phrase at the Nashville Film Festival Music Supervisor panels over the years.

I think that should be one of our goals as composers and providers of music.

Making choices on how to act and behave may become easier when one has their eye on that goal.

Done for the night.


Chuck

[mikeymike2000]

That's good advice.

[remmet]

Well, I just gotta say that I truly appreciate the ongoing dialogue on this thread. It is not all that common for people to express themselves in such honest, direct, and fearless ways, and I admire Mike, Di, Chuck, and others' willingness to struggle through this process for everyone's benefit.

The wisdom embodied in this discussion has never come naturally to me. It was, and is, difficult, and I'm still absorbing the lessons and knowledge. But looking back, it's clear to me that I have learned immensely from Taxi and its members over the past few years. Not just about music, but about conducting oneself in a professional and positive way, building relationships (still needs some work. . .), getting organized, and giving back.

So thank you all for offering so much of yourselves.

And I trust that any contentiousness or hurt feelings between members expressed in this thread will heal over time. Ultimately, open communication is the best therapy.

Richard

[admin]

I really hope you guys work this out. But I will add that the Internet has made it easy for everybody to find everybody, and that wasn't the case in the first ten years or so of TAXI. We've had to tighten up our policy due to well meaning people doing some less than professional stuff, mostly out of pure excitement and lack of professional experience.

Stay civil
Michael

[kclements]

I think we need to remember, we are not selling widgets or vacuum cleaners. We are selling ourselves - as someone easy to work with, someone who understands what is expected, and acts professionally.

I saw a great quote the other day: People fail because they trade what they want most for what the want at the moment.

Cheers -
kc

[pedrocosta]

This situation is unfortunate, and I'm not sure if there is an easy solution

I like Matt Harvey's idea of a disclaimer, on the other hand I don't think it would deter someone who is determined to contact the company no matter what.
I see Mike's point in the fact that there are very aggressive business practices out there that are "deemed" acceptable in business that could be porting over.
The forward in itself is the introduction, the targeted proposal of our product to a very specific client need. We are service providers, and if we have something a client wants, they will contact us. When they do call be prepared to do the work, listen to the client needs, and do your best to deliver it on time, on budget, and in the best quality. My first call back through a Taxi forward led to a great relationship with a music supervisor and an Emmy winning Executive producer. These relationships may lead to other opportunities in the future but those will happen naturally if there is a right fit. The relationship may lead to other opportunities for myself or other people I know can fill their need. I think that is along the lines of what Chuck was expressing.

Michael, I know you'll continue to do your best to educate members through the Rally, Taxi TV, etc. I hope these incidents become few and far between.

[suzdoyle]

Is it time for a big GROUP HUG?

,
Suz

[mikeymike2000]

Is it time for a big GROUP HUG?

,
Suz

Awe,

Well, I am willing to forgive and forget...

[sedge]

Get a bunch of musicians in a room with a task to lay the dinner table and you can bet there will be a lively debate!