The most precious thing anyone has in their possession is time. Once it is gone, there is no getting it back. Anybody who plays fast and loose with my time is soon persona non grata — an unwelcome person.

So, here you are. Getting into the music business, or so you say. And you want to “write a song” with someone, you know, collaborate, baby, make some magic happen, write that next big worldwide hit. You find yourself mixing with “music people”, but they won’t give you the time of day. Or, if they do, they ask questions you don’t have answers to? What do you do?

What. Do. You. Do?

Take offense? Cop an attitude? Make stuff up? Throw around street slang about “it being your time to be on”? Strut around like you’re the cock of the walk and every hen in the house should be happy to see you? If you do these things, or anything similarly negative, you are of no use to or anyone else in that room. Here’s why.

One:
Just because you wrote a song, or have a beat, and your mother, sister, and brother like it, that does not mean you are in the business.

Two:
If I ask you for information, remember I know what the correct answers are. Furthermore, I can smell bulls*** a mile away.

Three:
I’ve seen you exactly once. How do I know you will be around tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Next year? Don’t come in the door expecting overnight success and acceptance or think you’ll be discovered and get signed.

Four:
If you want me to invest my precious and fast-flowing time with you, you better respect my time now, as you stand in front of me, and not waste it with lies and crappy attitude.

Five:
You aren’t the first genuis with awesome talent I’ve talked to who disappeared like a fart in the wind when actual work had to be done. Half-finished projects do not make money — they lose money, fast.

Six:
You say you have a plan? And that plan consists of, “I’m working it, baby; I’m going places.” Please stop…spare me the stylin’-and-profilin’.

Seven:
Everybody in the music business, bar none, are reinventing themselves and beating the bushes for business. Don’t be fooled into thinking otherwise. But notice…they are beating the bushes. Beating implies sweat equity, also known as work.

Eight:
If you have no money, don’t ask me to fund your dreams. Start finding out how much money it costs to make projects happen, and pay your way when you begin.

Nine:
If we make an appointment, especially if I go out of my way to be near your location to take that meeting, you better dang well keep it unless your dear mother is dying. If you call me at the last minute and say you can’t make it, I might smile and say, “Oh, I understand” that your car is out of gas, or you missed the bus, or your alarm didn’t go off, or you forgot, but that’s just me being polite. It does not mean I like it; and if you want to set a follow-up appointment, you will have to work into my schedule because I won’t be flexxing for you, that’s for sure. Because, you see, that is time I will not get back. I have a lot going on. I have to manage my time well in order to make money. Missing an established appointment is like stealing money from me…and I don’t like thieves. Do you?