How to tell people you make music for a living.

It’s so easy to focus on social media marketing and street team strategies, that we often overlook some of the most basic ways that you can grow your audience.

Every day, someone probably asks you what you do for a living. And, according to Penelope Trunk, it’s okay to “focus on where you spend your time and energy.” (Read her excellent blog post for the context of what comes next.)

It’s likely that you’ve answered the question by saying, “I work at Starbucks, but I hope to get my band signed someday.” Or by saying, “I tend bar at a club, where my band gets to open for some of the national touring acts.”

What folks hear when you say that: “I’ve got a dream that’s on hold, because I need some money right now.”

What if you took Penelope’s advice and framed your conversation about where you need to build support? You don’t have to talk about your day job. You don’t have to talk about what you’re not doing and what you haven’t yet accomplished.

A new person you meet face-to-face is either a member of your perfect audience, or can introduce you to your perfect audience. So why not treat the conversation that way?

Find yourself in the flow, ask your new acquaintance about the kind of music they enjoy, and confidently tell them that you’re a professional musician in search of an audience. Enjoy the ride.