First time going..... Questions. questions. questions?????

[NathanNasby]

So, all you seasoned pros out there who don't have your stomach jump into your throat from simply typing out this post......... HELP!

haha, okay so yeah, all nerves and excitement aside, I will be attending the road rally this year and it will be my first time going. I can't wait to meet as many of you as I can as you have all had a huge impact on my life and music since I've come here. I know the first year getting to an event like this is a bit like a nerve wracking whirlwind, but I know if I can get a bit prepared ahead of time I will get a lot more out of the experience. I sent a note to a good friend who has attended the rally asking some of these questions, but I thought I'd post here as well.

Forgive me if some of this has been covered in the forums, but if anyone has the time to help out that would be awesome.

1. What is the best way to have promo material? Business cards, cd's with demos. Should I have different promo material for different genres so that I don't give a supe something that doesn't apply to what he specializes in. Is the rally a place where you want to have something on hand all the time in case an opportunity arises?

2. Accommodations? I've noticed some people on the forums mention that there is a hotel that gives a deal to the attendees. Would this be the best place to book in with? I imagine if this is true then the sooner I book the better? Anyone have the name and/or the contact information for this hotel?

3. Performing? Are there many opportunities to perform during the rally? Is that something you sign up for before you go or while you are there, or are there just gigs that you drop in on and wait your turn?

Well, I could fill up this forum with questions but those are the main ones. I will also be bringing a friend this year if that's possible. He is not a taxi member, but I've collaborated with him before and he is an amazing performer and songwriter. Am I right in assuming that this is okay? Seemed to me that I was free to bring a friend for free even if they are not a taxi member?

Thanks everyone, and I'm really looking forward to the big event. Also cutting it close and hoping everything goes well. My wife is having a baby due in October O.o which is only adding to the adrenaline of this year, so it will be tough leaving so soon after. Anyway, that's more than enough for now. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Cheers

~ Nathan

[cassmcentee]

Nathan, great questions. this will be my first time so I will be watching for the responses as well.
Cass

[andygabrys]

1. What is the best way to have promo material? Business cards, cd's with demos. Should I have different promo material for different genres so that I don't give a supe something that doesn't apply to what he specializes in. Is the rally a place where you want to have something on hand all the time in case an opportunity arises?

2. Accommodations? I've noticed some people on the forums mention that there is a hotel that gives a deal to the attendees. Would this be the best place to book in with? I imagine if this is true then the sooner I book the better? Anyone have the name and/or the contact information for this hotel?

3. Performing? Are there many opportunities to perform during the rally? Is that something you sign up for before you go or while you are there, or are there just gigs that you drop in on and wait your turn?

Well, I could fill up this forum with questions but those are the main ones. I will also be bringing a friend this year if that's possible. He is not a taxi member, but I've collaborated with him before and he is an amazing performer and songwriter. Am I right in assuming that this is okay? Seemed to me that I was free to bring a friend for free even if they are not a taxi member?

Thanks everyone, and I'm really looking forward to the big event. Also cutting it close and hoping everything goes well. My wife is having a baby due in October O.o which is only adding to the adrenaline of this year, so it will be tough leaving so soon after. Anyway, that's more than enough for now. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Cheers

~ Nathan

Wow congrats on the upcoming child Nathan!!! Last year my daughter was supposed to be born during the rally, and she came early, so I was able to go.

all this stuff is discussed on the forum at length every year. here: http://forums.taxi.com/rally-love-f16.html and here: http://forums.taxi.com/rally-open-topic-f17.html

so its worth while to go back through and see what you see...but I can give a couple answers.

Promo materials: general consensus in the past is to bring physical CD's that are labelled on the cd AND the case with the song titles, your name and contact info. If you make your own, check before you leave that they all work properly.

I suppose the number you bring is up to you, and whether you make your own or pay a service to do it, or how many different types of material you bring is all up to you.

The first year I put a million cuts on my demo. The second year I put 5 cuts on, and I think I will tend towards the more minimal, showcasing the best material, or maybe the best material that is still available to be signed.

there are a number of occasions where different panels will pull a Rally Attendee's CD out of hat and critique the song - and if they like it, the panel members may ask for a copy of the CD which might lead to something down the road. So keep in mind you might want a couple more CD's if you are going to do that.

business cards are a natural yes.

Accommodations: In the past, the rally has been held at the Westin LAX hotel. I don't know for sure, but it will likely be there again. Taxi usually alerts members via email when / if they have secured a block of rooms at a certain rate. I think you can save some $$$ by booking at other hotels in the area, but for me, I like being right where the action is. its nice to hang out late in the lounge and then just go up to your room instead of doing a shuttle or walking. Plus, the more time you spend on site, the more time you have to run into people, and besides all the cool panels etc, the best thing about the Rally is the hangout.

Performing: I haven't done any at the Rallys, but many do. There are open mics in several rooms that you sign up for the day of, and I think they go every night.

Bringing a friend: you could call TAXI for sure, but I think yes, you can bring a friend gratis.

hope that helps - and I hope others with mega-rally chits correct anything that is amiss.

[NathanNasby]

Hey thanks Andy, this is really helpful! I'll be sure to go through the forum links you posted as well.

haha, this is our fifth bambino, so it's starting to feel like we know what we're doing ! Then again you never know what to expect, so just trusting there wont be any complications and that nothing's going to hold me back. We didn't expect our first to have bi-inguinal hernias or a 1 in a million auto immune disorder either . Just gonna roll with the punches and do everything I can to prepare.

Thanks again for the help.

~ Nathan

[johnbowman]

Thanks Andy for taking the time to post regarding what to bring to the Road Rally. Am looking forward to attending my first road rally, and was wondering what I should bring with me. Perhaps I will see you there.

[rdance]

everything andy said is right on. just booked my room, $123/night with taxi discount--cheap for a 4 star in LA. i definitely recommend staying there. the film tv music vibe ooozes day and night.

also, attending the rally will INSPIRE you and you'll make lots of new friends and industry contacts. hope to see you there nate! (and all my other peer-to-peer friends who have helped me so much this last year on line).

[Casey H]

Nathan... Some info here: http://forums.taxi.com/topic72927.html

Also, check out the links that Andy provided. Tons of good info here on the forum.

If you haven't already done so, contact the Westin LAX reservations and ask for the Taxi road rally rate. It should be $123.

Looking forward to meeting you!
Casey

[Silje]

Hello Nathan,

I went for the first time last year, and had lots of similar questions. There is one thing that I haven't seen mentioned yet, but that I found very helpful.

I had my music on my phone, and brought headsets (not the little plugs but the bigger ones) and a splitter. Then people can use your headphones or their own, and two people can listen at a time. A lot of us were listening to each others music in the lobby, and a CD just wouldn't be very practical, but I also used my phone when playing music for mentors etc. Found it better to not fiddle with CD's. You can always bring one for them to keep, even if you play the music off your phone.

Also, even if you choose to do that, You DO need those CD's, and more of them than you think. Last year, I brought around 10 and it wasnt enough.
a) There is a few sessions with drop-boxes, where you can put your CD in a box and the expert panel picks some - bring 2-3 for that
b) Mentor lunches: You can sign up for extra mentor lunches. Here, you sit at round tables and the mentors go from table to table while everyone eats. Most of these mentors accept CD's, so if you are going - bring 5-6 per lunch.
c) Mentor sessions/drive by sessions/other sessions: Bring at least 3-4 for submitting or if your mentor asks for one.

I would say about 15 CD's without doing any major networking, more if you are planning to

-Silje

[coachdebra]

A few suggestions:

Plan time after the conference to follow-up on your connections with personal attention.

Choose what to focus on in advance. The Classes and main stage cover a huge selection of information. It is good to choose a focus and then find the classes that address that focus. You could do very well just focusing on any one of these:

Composition
Recording
Marketing
Business Practices

Get there early to sign up for your mentoring session because the person you want to meet with may get booked up. But even if they do, some of us also offer private mentoring sessions for a fee.

Wear a colored dot on your name tag and look for others with dots - those are fellow forum folks.

On the promo CD's. As someone who often comes home with huge piles of the things - and frankly, I don't book, I don't rep, I'm not the best placement for your precious CD's. Have them available if they're requested, offer them if you've got a good engagement with the person and think that person is genuinely interested in your music. But even better - get their contact information (business card), and offer to send them a CD, it'll cost a few pennies. AND It will give you an opportunity for a meaningful follow up conversation. Plus, it will give them the break to get settled back in at home before listening to your music and help your music stand out above the huge pile.

In your networking - be more focused on the other person than on yourself. It's not "What can you do for me?" It's "What can I do for you?"

Your Coach,
Debra