<p>“<strong>You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.</strong>” Wayne Gretzky (<em>…also the legendary Michael Scott</em>)</p><p>One thing that’s stayed constant in my journey (since being studio manager) is catching up with young creatives navigating the industry.</p><p>And almost every time, some version of this question comes up: “<strong>How do I actually connect with people in the industry without it feeling awkward, forced, or cringe</strong>?”</p><p>So I’ve been collating this. Not a rulebook. Just a few quiet reminders from someone who’s been on both sides of the DM.<br></p><h3 id="7ae3f5e9-4560-4490-a442-ea01e51ea3ac" data-toc-id="7ae3f5e9-4560-4490-a442-ea01e51ea3ac" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>Do your research</strong></h3><p>My pet peeve, and likely others, is receiving cold DMs with zero rapport. If you’re going to slide into DMs, at least know a little about the person and what they do. Check out what they’ve worked on. Compliment them on a project you rate. Let them know you’ve done your homework, maybe you’re even a fan. It refines your approach and shows respect.<br></p><h3 id="0d538ae6-c979-4efd-a177-7601e2bc485a" data-toc-id="0d538ae6-c979-4efd-a177-7601e2bc485a" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>Interact with their content</strong></h3><p>As above, do your research. If they’re active on socials, engage with their posts. Like, comment, and respond to stories. And for god’s sake, follow them. Nothing says “I’m not here for the long haul” like not even clicking the follow button. That kind of warm-up goes a long way.<br></p><h3 id="7dcbe04f-3e32-41e8-9066-70832997ed98" data-toc-id="7dcbe04f-3e32-41e8-9066-70832997ed98" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>Be personable, not personal</strong></h3><p>There’s a difference. You can share your “why” in an industry- or project-relevant way without diving into your entire life story. No one needs trauma dumps in the first message. <strong>This isn’t reality TV. </strong><em>(Please don’t think the TV-style sob story is your way in or through the industry.)</em> Also, don’t send something that feels like a generic cut-and-paste message you’ve shot off to 50 people.<br></p><h3 id="609eb53c-cf20-4e4c-9ae4-07052bf0f19e" data-toc-id="609eb53c-cf20-4e4c-9ae4-07052bf0f19e" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>In your ask, give them a reason to care</strong></h3><p>If you’re early in your journey, give them a reason to feel like they might be discovering the next big thing. Bring a bit of that “with or without you” energy. Let your confidence show, without being cocky. Make it feel worth their time.<br></p><h3 id="4e2d16be-a217-43fb-8178-45a1a9688f51" data-toc-id="4e2d16be-a217-43fb-8178-45a1a9688f51" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>Sharing demos? Read this twice</strong></h3><p>If you’re sending music, please, and I mean please, don’t send your whole catalogue. 1–2 tracks. Maybe 3 max. I know you want to show range. I know you’re prolific. But send your best, not your most. If you’re sharing a playlist, only send the top song. If they want more, they’ll ask.<br></p><h3 id="7794394f-f8e7-4eff-ba86-76756fa73ac5" data-toc-id="7794394f-f8e7-4eff-ba86-76756fa73ac5" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>Make it easy to listen</strong></h3><p>Zip files? Nah. Password-protected links? Nope. Google Drive downloads? Kill me. Make it easy for someone to hit play. Send a link that works straight from the message, SoundCloud, Dropbox preview, whatever. If I have to leave the app or download something, I’m probably out. And I give more time than most.<br></p><h3 id="3192d490-b6b5-4939-8a9a-60c2abde8ff0" data-toc-id="3192d490-b6b5-4939-8a9a-60c2abde8ff0" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>Don’t be mad if people don’t reply</strong></h3><p>Don’t take it personally. Don’t get salty. If you really want to reach someone, try another way, a third party, a mutual, a manager, an official channel. But keep it moving. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.<br></p><h3 id="68acbc85-d6b7-40d1-b853-ea7d0f7f1634" data-toc-id="68acbc85-d6b7-40d1-b853-ea7d0f7f1634" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>Find champions</strong></h3><p>Sometimes the best way in isn’t through the front door. It could be a friend or just someone who believes in what you’re doing. Not necessarily a manager, just someone willing to be a messenger. A trusted voice. A connector. My thing has always been (and I know some people will strongly disagree with this): <strong>ask everyone for help</strong>. Especially in the beginning, <strong>tell everyone you know what you’re working on and where you want to go.</strong> You never know, one of them might know someone who can open a door. And that’s your start.<br></p><h3 id="9139fcdf-f5dc-44d9-a318-9051979a8576" data-toc-id="9139fcdf-f5dc-44d9-a318-9051979a8576" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>Be prepared for the feedback</strong></h3><p>If you do get a reply, be ready. It might be honest. It might be brutal. But if you’re asking someone to give you time, be ready to take what comes back.<br></p><h3 id="60c1463f-163e-46b4-945e-97d418b4f589" data-toc-id="60c1463f-163e-46b4-945e-97d418b4f589" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>At the end of the day though, it's a by-any-means-necessary game</strong></h3><p>These are my recommendations, but however you get on the radar… it doesn’t matter. As long as you do. So I’ll sign off with this: a real email from a 17-year-old Tyler, the Creator, sent out to over 50 labels in 2008 to promote his mixtape. Again, he had no shame in shooting his shot.</p><img src="https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQH_EaLfA-zd6Q/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/B56ZcRC8ZxHwAU-/0/1748337674507?e=1756339200&amp;v=beta&amp;t=itQSJ5Y-lduh7rMdPXsIK9fYX64baV9d28ySFZz6OMY" alt="Article content" containerstyle="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); border-style: none; border-width: 0px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background: none 50% center / cover repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); outline: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9) none 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Fira Sans&quot;, Ubuntu, Oxygen, &quot;Oxygen Sans&quot;, Cantarell, &quot;Droid Sans&quot;, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; object-position: center center; object-fit: cover; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 632px;" wrapperstyle="display: flex"><p>(Not everyone is Tyler, though.)</p><p></p><h3 id="8ed0226e-8d38-405d-b9ce-d5c808c31987" data-toc-id="8ed0226e-8d38-405d-b9ce-d5c808c31987" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;"><strong>Final Thought</strong></h3><p>Networking is part art, part timing, and part self-awareness. Done well, a single message can open doors. Done poorly, it just gets deleted.</p><p>If even one part of this helped you connect better or showed you how to present yourself with more clarity then it’s done its job. Keep showing up. Keep evolving. Keep shooting your shot.</p><p>And if you’re someone who receives a lot of DMs… <strong>What’s actually cut through and earned your reply? </strong><em>(Please don’t say automated marketing LinkedIn sponsored messages.)</em></p><p><strong><br>If you want to follow more thoughts - check out - </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/@ronharyanto"><strong>https://substack.com/@ronharyanto</strong></a></p>

“How do I actually connect with people in the industry without it feeling awkward, forced, or cringe?”
Not a rulebook. Just a few quiet reminders from someone who’s been on both sides of the DM.

The Subtle Art of Sliding into DMs: Shooting Your Shot

At the end of the day though, it's a by-any-means-necessary game

Across multiple different short form content streams, our Founders and Industry Leaders explore their key takeaways from industry events, challenges that creatives face, and everything in-between.

The Subtle Art of Sliding into DMs: Shooting Your Shot

The Subtle Art of Sliding into DMs: Shooting Your Shot

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