By George Pirounakis
One of the biggest misconceptions in any industry is confusing networking with working.
People love networking because it feels productive. Conferences, backstage passes, industry events, LinkedIn posts, coffee meetings, selfies with important people, collecting business cards, adding contacts, dropping names. It creates the illusion that something is happening.
The problem is that networking without work is just socializing.
The music industry is full of people who know everyone but can’t deliver anything. They have a contact for every situation, a story for every artist, and an opinion on every business decision. Yet when it’s time to actually get something done, they disappear faster than a free backstage beer.
On the other side, there are people who work their asses off but completely ignore networking. They stay hidden, never introduce themselves, never build relationships, never stay in touch with clients, bands, promoters, suppliers, or crew members. They do excellent work, but nobody knows they exist.
Both approaches fail.
Networking and working are not competing skills. They’re partners. Networking gets you the opportunity. Working keeps you there.
Networking might get you hired for the tour. Working determines whether you’re invited back.#Networking might get your foot in the door. Working decides whether the door stays open.#Networking might get people talking about you. Working determines what they say when you’re not in the room.
I’ve seen people get jobs because they knew the right person. I’ve also seen them lose those jobs because they couldn’t perform. The industry is surprisingly forgiving when someone lacks experience. It’s far less forgiving when someone lacks reliability.
At the same time, I’ve seen incredibly talented people spend years being bitter about less talented people getting opportunities. The answer is often simple: nobody knows who they areRelationships matter. Reputation matters. Visibility matters. None of those things replace competence.
The sweet spot is where the two meet. Do good work. Deliver consistently. Solve problems. Then make sure people know who you are, what you do, and why they can trust you.
The people who build long careers usually understand that both are required. One gets you the chance. The other earns you the next one.
- © George Pirounakis.
- George Pirounakis is a veteran roadie, merch and tour manager. He is the author of ‘So, What the Actual F*ck Am I Doing Here? Notes From The Road, The Table And Everything Underneath‘ and ‘The Merch Field Manual : How Tour Merchandise Actually Works‘, and the founder of OneTwoSix Hardcore Clothing.