NETWORKING ISN’T A DIRTY WORD

I recently saw Christine Osazuwa give her keynote at Digilogue Days, and she said something that truly stuck with me: in the music industry, it’s essential to build your own community. One day, you could find yourself on the outside, without connections or a support system.

Time and again, I’ve noticed a pattern: when I connect with men in music on LinkedIn, I see hundreds of mutual connections. But when I connect with women in the same space, the numbers are much lower. This imbalance says it all: men are better connected. And we can’t afford to let that continue.

Ladies, let’s be clear—networking isn’t a dirty word. It’s about building real, authentic relationships, not simply “working the room.” Here’s how we can shift the game:

1. Lead with curiosity, not need: Stop thinking about what you can get from someone. Instead, focus on truly understanding them. Meaningful conversations lead to powerful connections.

2. Be generous with your connections: Networking isn’t a one-way street. Offer help, share resources, and connect others when you can. When you give it feels great, and people remember.

3. Shift your mindset: Networking is just another way of building community. You’re not “using” people; you’re creating relationships that could lead to exciting opportunities for everyone involved.

Women in music, it’s time to change the narrative. Let’s create the powerful connections we deserve, together. If we haven’t connected yet, let’s make it happen.