| Internet forums and discussion boards have | | | | 6. Make full use of the signature |
| become a valuable medium for establishing an | | | | functionality in forum communities to brand |
| online presence, building a reputation, | | | | yourself, especially by putting a slogan, a |
| networking with peers, and getting feedback | | | | quote, a banner, or a link that points to |
| on relevant topics and ideas. With that said, | | | | your Artistopia profile or personal website. |
| there are many forums and discussion boards | | | | This is permissible at most music forum |
| on the Internet specific to music artists, | | | | communities, and is helpful for others in |
| musicians, and songwriters. These music | | | | learning more about you when reading your |
| forums are packed with wisdom that thriving | | | | posts. Relation to professional development: |
| artists can leverage for their professional | | | | Every professional artist is known for a |
| development advantage. By becoming actively | | | | signature of some sort, even if it's lyrics, |
| involved in music forum communities, artists | | | | beats, looks, or wardrobe amongst many other |
| can find themselves absorbing an abundance of | | | | aspects of branding. Start thinking of |
| music industry knowledge that can help in | | | | yourself as a brand that sells and start |
| furthering their respective career agendas. | | | | establishing your market or niche. Become |
| | | | known for something distinct and keep |
| Registration at music forum communities is | | | | building on it. |
| generally free, however, the more prominent | | | | |
| and private communities charge nominal fees | | | | 7. Engage the readers by articulating your |
| for memberships. To find the right forum | | | | ideas intelligently, making sure your posts |
| community for you, we suggest you go to a | | | | are flawless of grammar and spelling |
| popular search engine like Google ( or Yahoo | | | | mistakes, leaving out slang terms and not |
| ( and perform a search on "music forums". | | | | using excessive caps, and ensuring your |
| Browse the search engine results one by one, | | | | writing flows smoothly. Readers are quick to |
| and keep in mind that each forum community | | | | place judgments based on your ability to |
| has its own mission, theme, guidelines, and | | | | write and communicate your thoughts |
| attitude. After visiting a few music forum | | | | effectively. Relation to professional |
| communities, you will quickly learn that not | | | | development: The music industry is about |
| all music forums are the same. Taking your | | | | building your fan base and keeping them. Gain |
| time in finding the right community is key | | | | their confidence by displaying the ability to |
| because you will want time spent to be an | | | | walk the walk and talk the talk, |
| investment and not a waste. To help you find | | | | professionally and effectively. Let them know |
| the right music forums for your needs, | | | | through actions that your position in the |
| Artistopia offers the below suggestions. Note | | | | industry was earned and not handed to you |
| that at the end of each suggestion below, an | | | | overnight. |
| explanation is provided on how it applies to | | | | |
| the development and maturing process of an | | | | 8. Frequent the forums and post messages on |
| artist in the music industry. | | | | regular basis. Appearing often will |
| | | | demonstrate your loyalty to the community, |
| 1. Carefully select a forum community you can | | | | and your resolve to building your name and |
| settle into for the long haul. Take your time | | | | reputation. More importantly, you will be |
| researching them by reading existing posts, | | | | consistently marketing yourself time and time |
| and making sure conversations, and music | | | | again. Members that disappear for long |
| styles, meet your learning goals and | | | | periods of time are perceived for not being |
| objectives before making your selection. | | | | focused or serious about their agenda in the |
| Relation to professional development: Finding | | | | community. Relation to professional |
| the right music company or business that will | | | | development: Half of the battle to making it |
| develop you thoroughly is key to helping you | | | | in the music industry is keeping your brand |
| mature in the business properly. Always know | | | | afloat and marketable. Being a star is the |
| that haste makes waste. | | | | farthest thing from a walk in the park or a |
| | | | picnic. Stars have to do many performances, |
| 2. Focus on building a well-respected | | | | appearances, interviews, and anything else |
| reputation within the forum community. A | | | | that will put them in front of a camera to |
| reputation in any forum community is earned | | | | keeping their brand alive. Absence will |
| by a member's cumulative interactions and | | | | deplete your popularity. |
| contributions over time, and not within a few | | | | |
| posts. Keep your reputation untarnished | | | | 9. Network, collaborate, and create as many |
| because repairing any damage done to it is | | | | contacts as possible. Do not be afraid to |
| always twice as hard as building it in the | | | | step out of the forum community box and work |
| first place. Relation to professional | | | | in-person on projects with fellow artists, |
| development: Your reputation as an artist in | | | | musicians, and songwriters you meet in these |
| the music industry is your integrity, and | | | | forums. More importantly, always fish out and |
| tarnishing it could lead to alienation and | | | | befriend members that you feel will further |
| possible ousting. Wounded lions drag the rest | | | | your agenda. Do not hesitate to share your |
| of the pride down. | | | | ideas with other members, because if you |
| | | | don't you will be isolating yourself. |
| 3. Keep your posts clean, respectful, and | | | | Relation to professional development: The |
| productive no matter what direction the | | | | music business is about who you know and |
| conversation or message thread takes. It will | | | | being at the right place at the right time. |
| be tough to contain yourself at times, but | | | | To increase your chances of unearthing |
| learn to exercise patience and calculated | | | | opportunities, collaborate with as many peers |
| response tactics. Misunderstandings often | | | | and professionals as you can. You never know |
| happen in forums, and when they do, you will | | | | who will open the door for you. |
| need to know when to respond and when not to. | | | | |
| Relation to professional development: Being | | | | 10. Do not spread yourself too thin by |
| an artist in a multi-billion dollar music | | | | participating in more than 2 forum |
| industry is a job and not a party. Learn to | | | | communities. Stay focused on establishing |
| be professional at all times and costs. | | | | your presence and building a reputation in a |
| | | | few places only. Diligent research up-front |
| 4. Be careful not to offend senior members | | | | will lead to wise decisions on the forums you |
| and administrators. Forums tend to foster | | | | elect to settle in with. Relation to |
| loyalty amongst the members, so measure each | | | | professional development: Productivity is |
| word in your posts and focus on being | | | | key, especially when you aren't getting paid. |
| productive, not destructive. Egos and | | | | Start small and build your way up. Every |
| arrogance need not apply because no one knows | | | | single decision you make, no matter how |
| it all. Smooth over the senior members with | | | | small, will impact your overall progress. |
| wit and intelligence, and you will receive a | | | | Learn the politics of the music business and |
| warm welcome. Relation to professional | | | | use them to perfection. |
| development: Simple, offend the wrong music | | | | |
| professional and it could mean your career. | | | | Building a presence in any forum community |
| Be open to constructive criticism and always | | | | can challenge the most open-minded socialite |
| yearn to learn from all those around you. | | | | mankind can offer. However, by exercising the |
| | | | above suggestions, you can be sure you are |
| 5. Use the forums to "subtly" promote your | | | | not marching in blindly. Exercise each of |
| personal website or Artistopia profile, which | | | | these suggestions in moderation, be patient |
| will give you more exposure (brand name | | | | as it will take time to build up your |
| building) and help drive your overall numbers | | | | reputation, and always act professional so |
| (song downloads, profile views, etc.). Most | | | | others can respect you. Forums will |
| forum administrators frown upon direct | | | | ultimately teach you people skills and |
| promotions and blatant advertising, but they | | | | politics. |
| will allow you to represent the website you | | | | |
| are from. Always consider yourself a visitor | | | | Once you perfect the above forum tactics, |
| and respect the guidelines set forth because | | | | then it is time to move on and fish out real |
| administrators will ban without hesitation. | | | | life music circles by attending networking |
| Relation to professional development: | | | | happy hours, conventions and conferences, and |
| Identify and exercise all marketing | | | | any other gatherings that congregate music |
| opportunities that will promote your artistic | | | | artists and professionals in one place. Most |
| talent without igniting a turf war. Know your | | | | important is for you to keep in mind that |
| boundaries and how far you can push it by | | | | being a music artist in this business is a |
| thinking with your head, and not with your | | | | job and not a party. Good luck and tread |
| heart. | | | | safe! |
| | | | |