At age eleven, music entered my life in the form of a violin — and it never left. During my tenure as a musician, I have been involved in countless projects as an organizer, composer, guitar player and vocalist. Through my experience with music, I’ve learned a number of skills that have prepared me for a professional career as a communicator.
I have often assumed the role of “band dad.” If there are any questions regarding booking shows, organizing rehearsals or maintaining an online presence, I’m your guy. I have always had a knack for pushing things out the door at the right time.
These project management skills directly translate to the agency world. When serving a client, we have to juggle the who, what, where, when, why and how for every enterprise on which we embark. Each piece of the logistical puzzle needs to fall into place to effectively follow through on the next big deliverable.
As with any business, music is always changing. To be successful, you have to stay in tune with what’s going on within the industry and how your project fits into the big picture. The same goes for communications in the business world.
Industry relationships, creative choices and dissemination platforms combine to create campaigns. The end product either resonates with an audience or it doesn’t. Paying attention to competitors and trending strategies will identify the needs of your consumers and inspire groundbreaking ideas that deliver value — not just noise.
Truly impressive bands don’t just play great music, they also establish a relationship with their followers. This connection is built through a holistic experience – it encapsulates the look, feel and overall essence of the project. From Lizzo to The Flaming Lips, true rock stars exude a personality and a point of view that fans can rally behind and form a community around.
For organizations to successfully connect with people and create brand loyalty, they too need a strong mission, vision and voice that sets them apart from the crowd. Branding establishes the direction, optics and, ultimately, the message of an organization. At the end of the day, that’s what truly connects with an audience.
There may not be as many flashing lights and glitzy outfits to the job, but I like to think I approach my role as a communicator with the same amount of charisma as when I step onstage. Producing quality work for organizations across a variety of industries takes no small amount of gusto. It’s a gig to pour yourself into, and receiving the stamp of approval from a satisfied client – that’s the sweetest music there is.