Copyright 2016 Vinny Ribas
1. No attractiveness’ list would be complete without including having a pleasing personality and being easy to work with. This includes showing up on time, following up on phone calls, catering to the venue rather than just ‘doing your own thing’, acting professionally at all times, taking breaks and returning from them on time etc. The easier you are to work with, the more of an edge you have over someone who might be just as talented but is a challenge to deal with. The venue will love you. Your fans will love you. The industry will love you!
2. Being consistent. People like to know who they are dealing with. They want to know that the nice person they see on Facebook is the same person that will show up at the venue. They want to know that you will be there and act professionally when they need you to. They need to know that the act they see in your video is the same act they will see in person. They want to to know that the way you represent your act on your website is the way you will be in person. This is the main reason why it is difficult to give other people control over your brand and image. It must be perfectly consistent with who you really are.
3. Being real. Here in Nashville we can spot a tourist from 100 yard away. It’s the guy with the brand new Stetson cowboy hat who clearly has never been on a ranch in his life. It’s the city girl trying to look ‘country’ by buying the exact same pair of western boots that 1000 other female tourists on the street are wearing. You will never be believable if you’re not authentic. Write and sing about what you know and what you’ve experienced. Otherwise you are basically a fraud and others will easily see right through you.
4. Having your ‘act together’. Industry professionals want to deal with people whose songs, music and/or live performances are developed to at least a semi-professional level. For some the same goes for having an attractive website and/or other marketing materials. When you can present yourself or your act as ‘the complete package’, you make wanting to work with you a no-brainer.
5. Knowing the industry. Few industry professionals will take their time to educate you on the basics of the business. This ranges from legally protecting your songs to how songwriting contracts work. It includes knowing the various roles on the business side of the industry (manager, booking agent, business manager, publisher etc.). You need to know what’s happening right now in your sector of the industry. Become a student of the music industry and 2 things will happen: 1) You’ll avoid getting taken by sharks, and; 2) you’ll be able to talk business with anyone confidently.
