Earlier this month, Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa, jumped on a plane and flew to the heart of Spokane for the You Oughta Know Panel held at the Washington Cracker Building for an enlightening discussion on media etiquette and professionalism. The event was curated by Ryker and aimed to provide local artists with essential tools for navigating the media landscape.

Ryker says the event was inspired by KEXP's "Mastering the Hustle," where they tackled topics crucial for artists' development. From understanding interview etiquette to crafting effective communication strategies, attendees gained valuable insights into media literacy.

"A lot of people don't have media training, or they don't even know where to start with media training. So I thought it was really important to bring that topic to the forefront so that people can get at least even a crash course of what they should be doing when they talk to media outlets." Said Ryker

For Spokane's musicians, events like these are not just beneficial; they are essential. With limited access to formal media training, this event offered much-needed guidance and fostered a learning culture, creating a supportive community.

One takeaway from the panel was the emphasis on utilizing email as the primary mode of communication with media outlets. While social media may seem convenient, professionalism is best conveyed through email correspondence.

"I think the biggest thing, especially being from Spokane and knowing how people act, is utilizing email to reach out to media facets. I think that's a topic that people just completely miss. They think that reaching out through DM or text is the easy way to do it, and easy doesn't always mean the best," said Panelist Jang The Goon

In reflecting on the event, Besa said, "Do not be afraid of email. I know the DM can be very convenient, but it's not convenient for the media person that you're trying to reach out to when you want us to see your music, know who you are, or even know that you have an event coming up. Feel free to use the DMS as a way to be like, Hey, friend, I sent you an email."

In the journey towards success, effective communication is key. So, to all aspiring artists, don't hesitate to hit send. Your next opportunity may be just one email away.

This segment was first aired on Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle. See past episodes and segments at whereweconverge.com/back2besa and on the FOX Local app.