Career as an Artist: The Right Friends Will Make You Famous
The Art of Networking Horizontally as an Artist with your Career
It really amazes me how people are waiting on their “big break.” They’re waiting for that person to give them a million dollars to shoot their dream film. To get a music contract at a big label by sending your mixtape to the executives, like every Soundcloud n**ga in existence. Dancers posting thirst traps are just waiting for the BLOC agency to come up and sign them. What these folks really need to ask themselves is “if you had a million dollars today, would you really give it to yourself?”
Your career is one big Catch 22. That’s a fact.
Catch 22
Everyone wants that big internship or to meet their idol to “be their mentor,” but have no experience in the industry. Why would they even waste their time with you? That’s just not how life works. Well-known and successful people don’t give handouts to just anybody; they don’t know you. You’re probably wondering: how do I get experience if I have no experience? Catch 22; my point. Those successful folks, however, got there by working and hustling, so why are you exempt from doing your own work and paving your own path? Those well-known artists or businesses are what we like to say are above your pay grade.
So you need to ask yourself: how will I get from Point A to Point B?
Stop Telling Everyone Your Plans
Say you want to be a rapper, and you tell everyone that you’re going to be “the next big thing.” The same endorphin that goes into your brain when you complete certain tasks mimics when you tell someone about that task. So stop telling people your plans, because you’re going to feel very satisfied with yourself for doing absolutely nothing, and that’s not a good look.
Established People Don’t Know You
Moving forward, you may want to collaborate with other artists you think are so dope, may be well-known, and feel like they should “put you on” because you’re you and like you said, you’re going to be “the next big thing,” right? Okay, so you pester this person: sending them an unsolicited SoundCloud link, dm’ing them every day, asking all of your friends to tag this person in your IG comments for the same 30 second song you’ve been reposting for two years. So they’re like “fine, show me what you can do, freestyle for me.” And you’re wack, so wack that you get blocked and lose what actually could’ve been a good network. If you were good, who’s not to say that could’ve just stolen it and used it for themselves?
Do Actual Work, Not Clout Chasing
Let’s rewind. It does take moxie to be able to go after what you want in this aggressively and to have that level of confidence in your abilities, but you cannot be known for something you never practice, never do in public, and know nothing about. Instead of spending all of this time trying to be known for the thing you want to do, simply do that thing. Have you worked on your craft? Have you been actually writing a verse in the morning, practicing producing beats, going to shows, making your own songs, putting on your own performances? I doubt it, because you’re on Instagram harassing people that are actually working at rap. That’s like messaging Beyonce for a feature; that too is not a good look. She – like every other successful person – did her work; it’s time for you to do yours.
Work With Your Friends!
Finally, the most important aspect is working with your friends. I’m not just talking about your friends who you get drunk with every weekend and talk about the latest drama. No, I’m talking about friends as well as acquaintances that are interested in the same thing as you – or something that could mutually benefit each other.
If your friend is in marketing while you’re in music, that could be an easy trade-off to flex both of your skills, develop your brand and allow your friend in marketing to be able to have proof of their abilities as well. AND you get to work with someone you actually know and have a relationship built with already. Trust is so important in any industry, but especially in entertainment and the arts.
Get off your high horse cause you’re not that good. Nobody is. It’s a small ass world, and one day you’ll realize that all of these acquaintances are doing the very same thing you said you would do because unlike you, they worked together to build their career.
Why It’s So Hard to Break Into a Career in the Industry: Networking Horizontally
You ever wonder why the industry is so tight-knit? Because everyone literally does know everyone because they were all coming up at the same time, they trust each other, and now it’s your turn to do the same. This is called networking horizontally.
Instead of trying to get put on by someone more known than you (or networking vertically), you and your friends put each other on. It’s way more effective, and you’re likely to get further than trying to get your mixtape to someone that is already famous. Because they. Do not. KNOW YOU. And that is the best part of networking horizontally because you do know each other, so you can trust the right people. And that’s all there is to it.
So really, all this would be then is making friends. Then working together to make something great.
Do it because you love it. Because the ascension to being successful is LONG. Your career is synonymous with your calling. it’s not just a job. Have fun.
Follow me on Instagram @wokedancer
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
Tags: networking, networking horizontally, career, entertainment industry
If you can’t seem to shake what folks think of you, this post may also help in your journey.
