X-treme Networking

Lately I have been really focused on marketing myself and my studio.  I have had new business cards printed with my updated website and info.  I also designed the business card to be more professional and serve two purposes.  The cards can be used as both personal and studio related.  I have my personal email and contact information as well as my studio name and website.  This way I don't need to carry around two types of cards.


I have also been using people I currently have in my network to spread the word about me and my studio.  I do this through polite conversation.  When I record a band or am talking with someone I beginning talking with them about their goals for their band or interests.  This then turns the conversation to me eventually and I begin to talk about my studio and career goals.  The person I am talking with then offers to help spread the word about my studio and my services.  If it is a band I am recording they offer to tell people how great the studio was and to post links on Facebook and spread the word.  If the person I am talking with is not a client I hand them some business cards and they offer to pass them out.  So through talking and networking I am developing an unofficial street team for myself and my studio.


I am going to continue to use this method to build my network  Although I am still going out to places and continuing to meet people in person.  This method provides a little extra help.


here is a photo of the new business cards I have created:

Taking Advantage of Social Media

This post is not really huge one, but something that is vital to the success of my career.  I'm just writing about how I've been using social media to further advance my career.  I have had a Linkedin account for awhile but never filled out all the information completely.  So recently I did a major overhaul on my Linkedin account.  I completed each section and updated all the information.  All my current employment and education information is up to date as well as experience.  This took awhile to do but now that it is done I have a professional resume online that I can send to potential employers.  I can also start creating a network of people I have worked with.

Besides the Linkedin updates I have also re-worked my website.  I added a studio blog, some pictures, updated the 'about' section, and updated the audio samples.  This too needed to be done because I have done some great projects that I wanted to put in the sample section but never got around to doing.  I have also purchased new equipment and needed to update that page.  I have also been using Hootsuite to manage all my social media accounts.  This is really coming in handy.  I am still using my studio Twitter account and studio Facebook page.  Now that I have some new knowledge on how to get the most out of social networking I am really starting to use that to my advantage and help build my network.

Here are links to my social networking sites:

Homeroom Studios 

Studio Facbook

Personal Linkedin

Job Interview for Viper Alley

I was in a session recently and the studio owner and colleague of mine came up to me and mentioned this new venue that is opening up in Lincolnshire.  It is called Viper Alley.  It is a fair sized venue with a lounge/nightclub attached to it.  The studio owner said that he was going to be meeting with someone from Viper Alley to discuss some business arrangements.  I cannot go into details about the arrangements.  However, he asked if I wanted him to mention me in the meeting and see about getting an interview.  Since this is a new venue so they would most likely be needing employees and I would have a greater chance of getting a job.  I was mentioned during the meeting and recommended for a position.

 I was told to call Nick over at Viper Alley.  He is the director of operations.  I called him and we had a phone interview about my work that I've done for the studio and my live sound experience.  Nick seemed impressed with all the work I have accomplished and my passion for the field.  He asked me questions about my work ethic and the usual interview questions.  I mentioned my unique troubleshooting skills and my experience as an electrical technician, having worked for a kitchen appliance repair company since I was 16.  After the interview he said he would find out  a good time to have me come in for a meet and greet so they can learn more about me.  I have a good feeling about this seeing as I made it past the first round of the interview process.  This is will be great position for me because it will allow me to still work at the studio. No pictures of this because it was a phone interview but here is the link to the Viper Alley website.

www.viper-alley.com