Contributed By Emma Siemasko (@EmmaFayeS)
You’re on tour, spending nights at shows, and it’s difficult to stay in touch. Not only are you trying to find time to talk to friends and family, but you’re also fielding calls from managers, clubs, and other musicians who want to connect. Your phone rings while you’re lugging the drumset, and you forget to listen to the voicemail.
Just because you’re on the road rocking out doesn’t mean you’re exempt from staying connected--in business and pleasure. You’ve got to make sure your next gigs are lined up, and you still need to pay your bills. Sometimes, you just have to check in with Mom.
Musicians and travelers alike can benefit from staying on the grid. Follow these 6 tips for staying connected when you’re on the road.
Get The Right Technology
If you don’t have a smartphone and are insistent on staying in the stone age, you’re missing out on communicating with those you love. When you’re on the road, it’s important to have technology that allows you to stay in touch, so get a smartphone and a decent laptop. Cool email apps can help you out, as can calendars, and advanced text messaging. The ability to snap a photo and send it to your girlfriend will make her happy, and keep you connected even when you’re away. Use video chatting as an alternative to regular calls.
Separate Business And Pleasure
You’re friends with the guys in your band, and you hang out with your manager after the show, so sometimes it’s hard to differentiate business and pleasure. You don’t have to draw a line in the sand and make everyone you know get on one side of it, but you should certainly make a distinction between business friends, fans, and family. Having a separate phone number and different email address can make things easier. Calls can be forwarded to your cell phone from a separate number, so you can give out a number to fans and business partners, even if you’re not sure if you want a relationship.
Make A Schedule
You don’t need to schedule each and every day as though you’re a corporate executive, but setting aside time for phone calls, email checking, meetings, working out, and even sleeping is important. In order to take care of yourself, a schedule helps. It can be as tight or loose as you need, but promising to call your brother on Wednesday night should be put into a calendar. It’s not just so that you find the time, it’s also so that you remember to do it. Today’s calendars can be synced- your Google and Outlook calendars can easily be synced with your phone.
Be Available
Part of staying connected is making yourself available. When your phone rings, answer it. When you get an email or text, reply immediately. People who are connected make their relationships a priority, and they’ll drop everything they’re doing to answer the phone. It’s not just through digital communication. If someone asks you to meet and you’d like to see them, find the time to do it. Say “yes” as often as you can. It will help you stay in touch.
Be Unavailable
Sure, I just told you to be available, but being unavailable is important, too. If you’re busy and can’t give someone the attention they deserve, make a promise to call them later. If you need time to yourself to go for a run, have a drink, or take a nap, give yourself that time and turn off your phone. Don’t sacrifice your sanity or your health just to be available to anyone who needs you.
Take Care of Yourself
You’re not going to be able to stay in touch with those you care about if you’re not taking good care of your own body. Limit the late nights out, drink enough water, get enough sleep, and exercise if you can. Try to eat something other than pub food. If you’re feeling good, it will be easier to find the time and energy to stay in touch, even when you’re making audiences scream from city to city.
 About Emma: Emma is a Boston-based writer, entrepreneur, and lover of live music. She’s in the business of offering tips and tricks to small business owners and works for Grasshopper, the entrepreneur’s phone system. Grasshopper offers call forwarding, voicemail services, and tollfree numbers to individuals around the world. She can be reached on Twitter @. |
Featured Image: The Band Prepares For The Venue | Photo: Thor_Mark /Flickr/Creative Commons License
