How to Write a Professional Email

These days, the most commonly form of communication in a professional setting is probably email.  You might even easily find yourself in an office sending an email to someone who is sitting only a few desks over. It's a fast and convenient to share information. However, it's also a good way to look incredibly unprofessional. Whether you're talking to a professor, your boss, or a networking contact, there are certain rules you should follow when it comes to conducting yourself in a professional manner via email. So, here are some guidelines for how to do just that and an example to help you write an impressive email. 

The Greeting

Depending on how formal your email needs to be, you may want to start with dear as you would a regular letter. In most circumstances though simply addressing it directly to the person is fine. In a conservative industry you should probably start using a formal greeting including Miss, Mr., Mrs. or Ms. In a more laid back environment though, using just a first name is fine. This sets the tone as being direct but still says that you are a peer of the person to whom you are writing. That being said, if you are addressing your email to a executive officer, such as the CEO of a company, formality is probably more appropriate. 

Be Detailed

Music Videos Wanted for Locally-Sourced Philadelphia Film Nights

The Walking Fish Theatre, B. Someday Productions, & Light Thief Productions are calling on all area film makers (including musicians with music videos) to submit your work for consideration and inclusion in Films @ The Fish

In an effort to provide a venue for local film & video content producers to show their work, we will be presenting movie nights at the Walking Fish Theatre in the variety format. All content will be locally sourced and independently made. The first show is scheduled for June 7th. 

About Walking Fish Theatre:

B. Someday Productions, with home at Walking Fish Theatre, is your friendly neighborhood alternative theatre! Located on the happening Frankford Avenue Arts Corridor, B. Someday produces all kinds of live performance–comedies, dramas, family-friendly shows, burlesques, and small music shows, as well as classes and workshops. Check out a show in the exposed brick intimacy of the Walking Fish Theatre. With lots of free parking, beverages at most shows, and friendly service, B. Someday Productions helps you keep live theatre alive in our community.

What do you get? 

PAID!

Each content producer will receive a percentage of the ticket sales equal to their percentage of the show's run time. That's right! No fee, no fuss, no tricks... Fair Trade Content Distribution

Minimum requirements: 

• Any type of content in a completed and final edited form that can be shown on the big screen. (We're partial to .MOV files in HD size, but send what you have). 
• Any run time from 0:01 to 3:00:00 (one second to three hours). 
• Any subject matter (news, sports, weather, documentary, drama, comedy, animation, artistic, etc). Any level of merit. 
• *ANYTHING* produced, staring, or with the efforts of those within 300 Miles of Center City Philadelphia.

Location: 

2509 Frankford Ave Philadelphia, PA 

Content can be produced, staring or made with the efforts of those within 300 miles of Center City Philadelphia (that includes New York, Washington DC, Baltimore and the surrounding areas) 

To submit your video:

Send an email, including a link or file for your video, to Katie

The Golden Rule for Working with Celebrities

Through working in the music industry I've had the chance to meet some of my favorite musicians. It might sound impressive, but it isn't something I talk about regularly. In fact I don't really bring it up at all in less it's relevant to something I'm currently working on or someone specifically asked me. So some of my friends asked and found out for the first time the list of the musicians that I've worked with. Some of them said they were jealous, but they shouldn't be. Sure I worked with a few big names and I feel fortunate for that kind of opportunity, but if you're going to do that too there is one thing you need to fully understand and keep in mind at all times: celebrities are people too.

Internship Opportunities with CID Entertainment in Philadelphia

CID Entertainment is the preeminent festival and tour VIP and travel package provider in North America. We super-serve core fans, bringing them together to experience their favorite live experiences. This strengthens the fan community, builds clients’ brands, and drives incremental profit with minimal hassle to the event producers. Clients include many major domestic and international artists and festival promoters. 

We are a group of passionate and dedicated hard workers that do whatever it takes to bring the best experience to our guests at every event. We are music fans, former tour managers, ticketing experts, customer service specialists, production gurus and much more. Our wide range of experience both in front of and behind the stage give us the knowledge we need to anticipate the needs and desires of our guests and the ability to deliver top-notch service. 

Clients include: 

• Coachella
• Kenny Chesney
• Lollapalooza
• Austin Food & Wine Festival
• Bonnaroo
• Tim McGraw
• Metallica

As an intern, you’ll be an essential part of the CID team and have a fun time while gaining valuable knowledge and work experience in the entertainment industry. 


 

General requirements:

• Internships are for college credit only.
• Must be available at least 3-5 days a week and own a laptop.

Location:

Philadelphia, PA 

 

Internships are available in the following departments:

Remote Music Business Internship with Starboard Music Group

Starboard Music Group is a management, consulting and PR organization servicing independent emerging musicians to build successful careers in the music industry. Based out of Nashville, TN & Columbia, SC, our sole mission is to give emerging artists the resources and relationships needed to build a career. We are always looking for dedicated, hard-working students interested in interning.

Description:

• Artist Management:
• Assist each manager with daily management tasks
• Brainstorming sessions and search for new opportunities
• Social media coordination

• Data Analyzation and Reporting:
• Network with other artist managers, assistants and interns

• Publicity Coordination:
• Assist head of publicity with daily PR tasks
• Creation and distribution of press releases and radio promotions 
• Develop relationships with media outlets

• Marketing Assistance:
• Development of creative, new marketing strategies
• Direct coordination with branding and graphics
• Merchandise fulfillment

• Booking:
• Assist head of booking for each artist
• Venue database development and management
• Assist with tour routing, accounting, and planning

• Performance based stipends
• Casual dress

Requirements:

• Basic understanding of music business
• Ability to think outside the box/creativity and be resourceful 
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, and all Social Media
• Receive college credit
• Consistent and timely communication 
• Attend weekly business meetings
• Proficiency in Skype and Google+ 

To apply:
Send your resume to Gabe Ford

#IndyDay13: Jeff Price, Founder of Tunecore, on Making Money with Music on YouTube

This weekend, the Philadelphia Chapter of The GRAMMYs hosted a fantastic event dedicated to successful careers as an independent musician called Independent's Day. It was a great day with interesting people presenting thought-provoking ideas on the present and future of the music industry. I'll try to share some of those bigger ideas throughout the week via posts and I have to start with a great presentation given by Tony Van Veen, of CD Baby, and Jeff Price, founder of Tunecore, on how musicians can make money from YouTube.

Option 1 
Have you ever watched a music video on YouTube and had an advertisement played or displayed? Musicians can easily use the same technique to make money with their videos. Jeff and Tony's presentation explained that all you have to do to participate is create a YouTube channel and then choose to become a partner. You can learn more about how to do that here. This means musicians have the potential to make money from music videos, live performance footage, videos of adventures on tour, and even non-music videos- like showing fans how to cook a favorite recipe - or anything else you can imagine. This is fantastic for both musicians and fans because it gives musicians the ability to increase their income while giving fans new content.

Option 2

Independent’s Day Music Conference May 11th in Philadelphia

If you're within a commutable distance of Philadelphia, you should consider attending the upcoming Independent's Day conference in Philadelphia. It's a full-day music event on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts (meaning you'll be surrounded by world-class venues and the famous Philadelphia International Records) that includes networking opportunities as well as panels and TED-style presentations from some of today's best and brightest in the music industry. It also includes a chance to submit your music and get feedback from a live panel of key experts and decision makers within your genre. 

Independent’s Day™ is an annual one-day conference focusing on entrepreneurship for the music maker.  This event brings together the best minds from the music industry with those in business and social media worlds.  The day is split between high impact TED-style presentations, pitchathons and a networking reception.

Saturday May 11, 2013        

University of the Arts, Caplan Performance Center 211 South Broad Street, Philadelphia 19102

REGISTRATION- 9:00am-9:45am

MORNING SESSIONS- 10:00am-12:15pm

KEYNOTE:  Justin Kalifowitz (President, Downtown Music Publishing, Co-Founder Songtrust)

LUNCH (included)

AFTERNOON PANELS-2:00-5:00pm

RECEPTION – 5:00-6:00pm

RSVP Here: http://bit.ly/17UCx7r 

Speakers include:

• Jeff Lopez- CEO, Gloob Marketing
• Monika Julien- Cornerstone Promotion
• Michael Fiebach- Founder and CEO, Fame House
• Katonah Coster- Marketing Manager, Fame House
• Eric Hahn- Marketing Director, Fame House
• Rick Goetz-Musician Coaching
• Jeff Price- Founder TuneCore, Founder spinArt Records
• Tony van Veen, CEO, AVL Digital Group (CD Baby, Disc Makers)
• Janney Montgomery Scott's JP Cummins
• Justin Kalifowitz- President, Downtown Music Publishing; co-Founder, Songtrust

Pitchathon panelists include: 

• Helen Little-On Air personality iHeart Radio/107.9FM
• Vance DeBose- President, Ruffhouse Records
• Michael McArthur- Mama’s Boy/KWL Enterprises
• Craig Hayes- radio personality
• Bryant Pugh- Producer, Songwriter, Arranger, MD Sharon Baptist Church
• BJ Shores- Recording Artist
• Bruce Warren- WXPN, Founder Some Velvet Blog
• Wendy Rollins- Assistant Program Director, Radio 104.5FM