Melissa, do you have contact info for so and so?

Hi Melissa, I’m John Doe from Stages Inc. and I’m hoping you can help me connect with your local soca megastar Blitzy. We would like to engage him to perform as part of our tour but can’t seem to find working contact information for him.

So, here’s how the idea for this article all started…

I posted this request for information on Facebook and got wind of some murmurs taking place as a result of a screenshot taken of the request which was then shared to a private group chat. The intention of the screenshot was meant to be helpful and to fast track the receipt of information and while fruitful, it also invited some snarky comments.

So, here we are. Let’s talk this out!

Within the forums that this post was shared, people were unifying with the comment “but ent [the organization she works for] should have dat” and other similar rhetorics. To which I will exclaim a resounding YES!, [the organization I work for] absolutely “should”! The better question (which I know is implied with their sarcasm) is why doesn’t the organization have contact information for notable acts within the performing arts and the answer highlights several problems.

1. The contact information found in the bio of social accounts are not working.
2. The contact information found on the website (for the few that have websites) are not working.
3. They don’t check the email where the “Contact Us” form on the website is directed.
4. They don’t check their emails…PERIOD.
5. The phone numbers provided keep ringing it’s life away until voicemail.
6. DM’s are turned off so you can’t reach them there if you’re desperate.
7. If by some miracle they do answer their email or phone, they don’t follow up in a timely manner but more often than not, they don’t follow up at all and you basically have to ‘run them down’, i.e if they don’t block you for calling too often.

…and the list goes on and on.

There was one soca artiste i recall that voiced on a public platform some years ago that [the organization] doesn’t reach out for anything and that they have a wealth of experience to share. To which I replied just as publicly that we have called their Manager several times over the space of 2 months to try to hire the act and also engage in possible professional development series and each time the Manager will say “ok we will get back to you” and never did or will say “remind me where you calling from again”? We’ve even tried the calling from different numbers trick. Of course the artiste denied that this could be true because it made them look bad.

A few other soca acts were contacted directly, through their managers, via email and via whatsapp message to participate as possible Keynotes at a conference and ALL messages and calls were left unanswered, again, after several follow ups.

Now, let me get this out of the way immediately. This article is by no way reflective of all notable celebrity acts. There will always be the few that are business forward and mind their business. But, if this article falls in the lap of the OTHERS, (you know yourself); welllll, what can I say, own it and buck up nuh!

That said, everytime that I have managed to get through to a notable act was through persons responding to posts like the one above, personal contacts making the introduction or cornering the acts at public or private events.

Managers, Agents, Artistes who manage their own affairs – you are failing to keep that basic connectivity line engaged which can cause you to lose out on jobs and opportunities for collaboration whether locally, regionally or internationally. Additionally, it makes you look unprofessional. The key to your NEXT BIG THING can lie solely with you answering that phone call or email.

So here’s how you can help remedy your connectivity issues immediately:

1. For those already on top of your connectivity game, encourage your colleagues to better refine their communication systems.
2. Ensure all contact information posted publicly across sites are up to date.
3. Ensure the team that you on-board is apprised of your booking email, booking phone number and website capabilities. Be sure they respond in ample time and are respectfully engaging with potential employers or partners. Your team is an extension of you and your brand – they need to embody its values.
4. Take in this interview Digital Marketing for the Soca Industry in the Caribbean with Keron Rose , Nigel Campbell and Dominic Kalipersad.
5. Consider creating a music tech solution for booking top tier acts that for whatever reason do not desire for their info to be shared publicly.

PS…. You can screen shot or share this post 😉

THANKS for reading and looking forward to your thoughts on the topic.

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Wednesday 17th January, 2024 | 2:14 AM