Hip hop artist Sol is the featured presenter at the March FMI Happy Hour
The Film + Music + Interactive Happy Hour returns to Spitfire in Seattle this Wednesday, March 26. This installment features a presentation themed around music.
The Seattle-based hip hop artist Sol will present his own story. Sol demonstrates how artists can use an effective web presence to connect with fans and enhance an artist brand. Sol first established himself in the Northwest music scene through the EMP Sound Off! competition in 2009. Three years later, he released the independent album Yours Truly, which quickly rose to #1 on iTunes US Hip-Hop Chart (#4 worldwide) and debuted on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart. Sol spent much of 2013 on a 10 month globetrotting hiatus with the Bonderman Honors Travel Program at the University of Washington. He has performed at SXSW, Bumbershoot, Sasquatch, and two sold-out shows at Showbox at the Market; he continues to tour nationally in support of his latest EP Eyes Open.
No matter the focus of the presentation – film, music, or interactive – these events are the perfect opportunity to network with fellow industry folks and discuss collaboration across disciplines. With that in mind, here are a few helpful tips from James Keblas, networking king.
- Go alone. If you go with friends you won’t network.
- Go with a goal.
- Assess the field. Ask the hosts at the sign-in table who is there; ask other people who they have met, etc.
- Find a personal connection. Be funny. Be interesting. Show personality.
- Follow up and keep folks informed about what you’re making.
- Repeat often. The more you do it the better you will get at it.
- Go to non-film networking events where you can stand out. Chamber of Commerce and tech events are great. You will be the coolest person there and you never know where business opportunities exist.
See you at Spitfire. Socializing kicks off around 5 pm and the presentation begins at 6:30 pm.