TAXI.com

Every year I post that I only accept business cards. This year is no different. CDs and flash drives are just too bulky. What is different is now I will no longer accept mp3 files from people I don't know. My firewall went wicked crazy recently on an unsolicited demo submission. Honestly, if you are really serious as representing yourself as a professional in the music library business you should have some link such as SoundCloud, or a Taxi page. I can no longer accept a possibility of a virus, nor do I want any files I need to download.

Make your business card easy to read. I prefer a white "Standard" card size with black font. Big overgrown cards do not impress me. It's a pretty old marketing myth that often backfires. Fancy cards that are hard to read just get tossed.

I have never signed a composer because of a business card, but I can assure you that many did not get a second look if they were difficult to read. I am not alone among mentors in this opinion.

One last thing. If you have CDs, and you should have plenty of them (many mentors are local, or for some reason prefer them). Make sure the cover has all your information regarding you, your e-mail, and a track list. Do this on the CD as well. Put yourself in the listeners shoes. I can't read the CD while it's spinning. If you offer someone a CD and they tell you they are not taking CDs, don't push, with me they end up in a planter. So be courteous and professional. I remember those who are, and those who are not.

Dave Trotter
Studio 51 Music

I agree with Dave here (HA! I know, Dave... It doesn't happen often)...

Business cards with your contact information and a link to your music on your own website or a Soundcloud (or similar) page are one of the most important things you can bring with you to the rally. Clear and readable.

Make contacts so you can follow up. Shoving CDs at people unless they specifically ask for it accomplishes nothing except possibly making the wrong impression and feeding a CD to the trash pail in that person's hotel room.

However, you SHOULD be prepared in case you ARE asked for a CD. And you should always make sure your contact info and track list is on the case or envelope, not just on the CD. Yup, people like to reference the track list while the CD is in the player. Many folks listen in the car. And all your contact info should be on the CD as well in case it accidentally gets separated from the packaging.

See many of you there!
Casey