💡✍️ADN #079: Respectful Persistence

For over a year, an artist manager has emailed us every few weeks about opening shows for one of our artists.

We told them we didn’t think it was a great fit many months ago.

That was based on listening to the music, looking at their social media presence, and reading the information in the email.

On the one hand, I respect the consistent hustle.

On the other hand, I’m tired of the emails, and they aren’t changing our feelings about the fit.

Here is what they are doing wrong.

The emails aren’t telling a story about their artist.

There is no narrative.

They aren’t telling us how they are growing or why they are the right band to have out on tour.

So, it feels like they are asking for a favor.

The persistence is admirable, and I am aware of the artist now, which is a part of a manager’s job, but every outreach is just an ask without a why.

Whether you are an artist, manager, tour manager, publicist, booking agent, or a record label, your story is everything.

If you want to send an email every few weeks, make it stand out.

Have something new to say.

Don’t drop all your talk points in your first email if you don’t anticipate having any new news.

Be strategic and create intrigue.

Drip it out over time.

Build the relationship.

A great story goes a long way.

And momentum is king.

If you don’t have much to work with early on in your career, squeeze as much as possible from every bit of progress.

First, you have to go and get some wins.

Then, maximize each by telling the world about them in the most exciting way possible.

In this case, I want to have a reason to say yes.

My recommendation is to stop sending the same email repeatedly and instead focus on creating some momentum for reporting back.

If you’re going to send repeated follow-ups, think of it like a conversation.

No one wants to have the same conversation over and over again.

Tell a compelling story, and you’ll be able to get what you want and keep the conversation going long into the future.

See you next Sunday!

Neil Mason

Artist Development

 — — -

Did you enjoy this week’s newsletter?

Please share it with someone you think would enjoy it!

If you haven’t already, you can subscribe to the newsletter here.

 — — -

When you’re ready, there are three more ways I can help you:

1. Promote yourself by sponsoring this newsletter.

2. Work with me 1:1 to grow your brand or business.

3. Lyric Copy — 10-day lyric writing course.