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Couchman Unfiltered....Momentum Schmoozing
August 30, 2013
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Mr. Pulpit is a seasoned Christian music industry veteran and an enthusiastic advocate of the Contemporary Christian format. He has insightful knowledge and a unique perspective of both the radio and record industries.
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By MD/Mike Couchman
KSOS Las VegasYou're in radio, so the odds you're socially well adjusted aren't very high. No offense! It's what makes you so great for this industry! So perfect for your calling.
At events like CMB's Momentum, I run into two types Socially Awkwards: First, the Extreme Extroverts. They are the life of the party. The center of attention. The ones who always have somebody to talk to. They never look lonely. Or bored. Or "unpopular." They always have someone to sit with. Eat with. Ride rides with on Night of Joy.
Then there are the Incredible Introverts. Figuring out where to sit at meals is almost as hard as solving P/NP. Back home, station remotes tend to induce sweaty palms. The only mic they love to be on is the one at the station, never the one at concerts. And let's not even get into the terror that is Night of Joy. Being invisible in a place as crowded as Disneyworld, can you imagine?
I'm painting with a broad brush here, and leaving some types out. Most notably, normal people. (Who invited you anyways?)
Momentum Schmoozing 101 for Normals and the Extreme Extroverts is coming. So stay tuned. Keep it locked. I want to take care of my soul brothers and sisters first: the Incredible Introverts.
Maybe it's our fault that we're shy and/or stand-offish. Maybe it was our upbringing. And let's give God some credit for creating us so fearfully and wonderfully too. It doesn't mean every part of Momentum involving people (which is pretty much every part) has to be just left of a lobotomy. Give one or more of these ideas a try:
- Look for people who are looking for people. That guy or gal who seems to be just as solo as you are. Go sit by them. Check their nametag out and ask them some questions about where they're from. Nine times out of 10, they'll do the same back to you. And, BOOM! New friend! Or if nothing else, somebody you can say "hi" to as you're going to/from whatever's next on the schedule. You'll be amazed at the power of a few "Hi Shaniqua's!" to make you feel good, recognized, and appreciated.
- Ask yourself: "Are there any industry pro's I'd really like to learn from, or maybe just meet in person so I can match their beautiful voice with their face for radio?" Once you have a name or five floating around in your head, simply keep your eye out for them. Or better yet! If you're feeling really adventurous, pick one of those awkward moments when we're all between things to ask somebody near you "Hey, have you seen Rick Dees?" They might be like "Yeah, he's right over there chilling with Ryan Seacrest." Or they might say "Rick WHO?" Either way, you've made another connection with another human.
- Eavesdrop. Don't go all-NSA on somebody, but do pay attention to the conversations around you. If one seems interesting...if you have a take on it...jump in! I know, I know. That's a very extroverted thing to suggest. But it sure beats not knowing where to direct your eyes next, or draining your phone battery 9 hours before you're due back in your room.
- Take advantage of all the built-in connection options offered at Momentum. A few of them were created with the goal of helping people new to the industry, to CMB, to Momentum, and of course those just Incredibly (or even slightly) Introverted get connected to others you can learn from and become friends with.
And if you're one of those Extremely Extroverted people I envy, or just plain old normal, your task is simple: look for those of us who feel unnoticed and unsure of what to do about it. We may not act like we appreciate the attention at first, but trust me, that's just because we don't always know what to do with it.
When it's all said and done, connecting is a key reason Momentum happens. It's one thing to get educated and ministered to in an isolated bubble. It's something entirely different and much more valuable when you combine all of it with conversation. We come to Momentum to learn from experts, and each other.
Even if you're introverted and proud to be so, let this be a challenge to go against your nature. Try these ideas or cook up your own until you get into a groove. Iron sharpening iron is part of the CMB core.
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