CONTENT
6th October 2024 / Introduction Meeting & pop rlp MUSIC SUMMIT in Koblenz, Germany
Talk / How to Approach Marketing and Communication Beyond Social Media by Norman Fleischer (60 min.)
In 2024, reaching the right audience for your music is more challenging than ever, especially for emerging artists. Many still rely on outdated methods, leading to frustration. But there’s a better way. In this talk, we’ll explore marketing strategies that go beyond social media algorithms and playlist promotions. Learn how to build meaningful connections with your fans—your most valuable asset—and take control of your career through a modern, community-driven approach to marketing. Discover how to move away from the status quo and adopt strategies that are reliable, sustainable, and fan-focused.
Talk / How to Organize Yourself & Manage Finances by Florian Sczesny (60 min.)
This comprehensive workshop is designed for young professionals in the music industry looking to streamline their career management and master financial skills. In this session, you will learn how to create an efficient workspace, optimize workflows using technology, and prioritize tasks effectively. We will also cover essential management topics, from contracts and talent acquisition to key financial practices, such as banking, accounting, and insurances.
Talk / How to Do Touring & Booking by Philipp Oppenhäuser (60 min.)
As part of the MUSIC Summit, this talk will provide an in-depth exploration of the essential skills needed to successfully book and execute tours and concerts. Whether you're navigating the process with or without a booking agency, this session will guide you through the steps to secure your first festival gigs and build your concert schedule. We'll cover critical questions such as: When is the right time to book your own shows, and how should you synchronize them with a new release? Moreover, you'll gain insights into the ups and downs of touring, including practical advice on touring abroad, managing backline logistics, and navigating the complexities of performing outside the EU or Schengen area (e.g., in the UK or Switzerland). This comprehensive workshop, designed to cater to your individual needs, will help you take the next step in showcasing your art on stage and growing your career in the music industry.
24th October 2024 / Talk Online
Talk / How to playlist & do distribution by Philipp Oppenhäuser (90 min.)
In this 90-minute workshop, Philipp Oppenhäuser will guide you through the essential steps to getting your music heard and distributed effectively in today's digital landscape. Learn the ins and outs of playlisting, including how to pitch your tracks to curators and optimize your chances of being featured on influential playlists. You'll also explore the key elements of music distribution, from choosing the right platforms to understanding release strategies that maximize your reach.
22nd October 2024 / Talk Online
Talk / Sustainability in Artistic Creation – How Musicians Can Contribute to a Climate-Conscious Future by Tine Theurich (90 min.)
This session is designed for artists looking to integrate sustainability into their creative work. It will outline practical steps for artists to contribute to a climate-friendly future, supported by real-life examples of impactful practices. The session will also highlight the importance of Green Communication, emphasizing how artists can use their voice to advocate for sustainability. Different ways to communicate about sustainability will be explored, along with strategies to avoid Greenwashing through transparent and authentic messaging. Lastly, useful tools and resources will be introduced to help artists embrace sustainability in their work.
29th October 2024 / Talk Online
Talk / How to do professional business communication by Franziska Lauter (90 min.)
Just like in music, communication is all about tone, timing and the sensitivity for what is appropriate. Professional communication in the music industry has some specific (oftentimes hidden) rules. In this workshop we will take a close look at the Dos and Don’ts of business emails, calls and interactions, accompanied by an illustrious range of good and bad examples. You will find out how to establish a simple, yet professional vocabulary, how (and when) to ask the right questions and provide insightful answers, how to do cold calls, how to use precise language and when to talk about payment. So if you have ever asked yourself whether your communication is too extensive, too short, too submissive, too demanding, too whatever ... This workshop will provide some answers. It is all about the question of how to (not) behave in the music industry and how to find, contact and connect with the people you are looking for. We will also help you fine tune your rhetoric abilities and your body language in preparation for real life interactions.
7th November 2024 / Talk Online
Talk / How to do promotion (Part 1) by Philipp Oppenhäuser (90 min.)
In this workshop we will learn the basics of promotion in the music industry. We will look at the different areas of print, online, radio and their specifics. We will ask ourselves how promotion works in France, Germany, Benelux, UK and USA and what we need to consider if we want to work in these markets. What is the dierence between promotion and marketing? We will discuss what the future of PR looks like and what challenges traditional promotion will face.
15th November 2024 / Workshop Weekend in Saarbrücken, Germany
Workshop / Leaving Your Creative Trace by Mona Steinhäuser
The "Leaving Your Creative Trace" workshop offers a holistic approach for artists and creatives looking to advance their professional development. It focuses on understanding one's creative mindset, artistic process, and personal "Creative Profile." "The program supports participants in better understanding their value and influence within today’s complex systems and in establishing themselves professionally. A strong, conscious creative attitude opens the door to developing new ideas and finding innovative solutions to current challenges. To enhance the individual impact, one-on-one online coaching sessions are offered after the workshop for an in-depth analysis of each participant's creative profile and to further develop new insights for long-term success.
16th November 2024 / Workshop Weekend in Saarbrücken, Germany
Workshop / How to manage your mental health by Franziska Lauter
Working as a musician is more like a marathon than a short sprint. The big question is: How can we maintain our mental health working in a music industry, which is known for being euphoric and nerv wracking at the same time? In this workshop we will first dive into the basics: the challenging task of creating a productive and positive daily time management and organizing your workflow. More importantly we will cover the big questions: How to establish and maintain a healthy work-life-balance, how to deal with setbacks, criticism and negative feedback, overcoming or dealing with existential fears, imposter syndrome and creative blocks as well as avoiding substance addictions. It’s worth it!
Workshop / How to establish a beneficial mindset by Franziska Lauter
It all starts in your head. At best, it’s your beliefs and hopes that fuel you with motivation and confidence and carry you on the way towards your future goals as an artist. On the other hand, doubts and even a lurking anxiety may overtake your mindset from time to time, especially when confronted with a setback. But your mindset should not hold you back, it should strengthen you, especially through dicult and demanding periods. This workshop is not about a simplistic take on positive thinking or even toxic positivity. Instead we will investigate, reflect and create your very personal healthy, realistic, sustainable and beneficial mindset, which will carry you on our way to your self-defined goals. The aim is to overcome redundant doubts, become more resilient, free and self-determined, so that you feel free to unfold your true potential.
Workshop / How to creatively engage with your community to spread your music by Norman Fleischer
In times of changing communication forms, a fragmented media landscape and a struggling industry we have to redefine what it takes to run a successful career in the music business. Built on the theoretical foundation of our first workshop we dive a bit deeper into active creative strategies to activate our own communities. First and foremost: We’d like to support each other with this workshop, exchange ideas while also creating new ones. Only with a cooperative approach can we make a dierence and implement actual change. Let’s find out together... and who knows: Maybe we’ll even find ways to counteract the unfair distribution mechanisms in the industry, to someday make the break from gambling with algorithms. It’s in your own hands to become your own “best practice.”
17th November 2024 / Workshop Weekend in Saarbrücken, Germany
Workshop / How to do promotion (Part 2) by Philipp Oppenhäuser
Together we will plan an album campaign from start to finish. We will respond to your individual release and design a plan tailored to you. We will discuss the importance of timing and the dierent ways to promote an album, EP or single. We will talk about music videos, images and press releases and at the end we will look at your press kits and give you individual feedback and suggestions for improvement.