Let’s face it: while the music industry seems vast, you’re likely to cross paths with the same people in different situations over the years. Maybe they’re musicians, but perhaps your contacts are also comprised of folks on the music business side. As you grow as an artist, your peers grow into new roles and positions, as well.

As an indie musician, your contacts and relationships are the ticket to your success so it’s important not to burn bridges when the time comes to cut ties. If and when you need to end a working relationship with a fellow musician, producer or other colleague, it can be temping to be nasty if the experience was particularly bad, but don’t. It may be difficult to play nice sometimes, but it’s important that you maintain these relationships, because you never know how they might help you down the road.

If you do act unpleasantly in a situation that you are leaving, you’ll seal your fate that not only will that person not want to work with you again, but that they may tell people, as well.

So when it’s time to cut ties, consider the following tips that will help you avoid burning a bridge:

• Communication: If you’re planning to make an exit, remember that face-to-face is always better. This is not the time for electronic communication. Emails can get misinterpreted and feelings can easily get hurt. Make the break in person.

• Notice: If you’re planning to leave a particular project or band, give at least two weeks notice to allow them time to make new plans. Don’t leave them high and dry.

• Work together: If it’s a situation that requires a replacement or plan B, collaborate with your peers to help them develop a plan.

• Don’t talk bad: When you’re in the process of making the break, don’t talk bad about the people you’ve worked with. Even after you leave, choose your words carefully.

Tell us what you think! Have burned a bridge but then it came back to haunt you? What did you do?

Up next: Music Placements part three: television.

The SongCast Crew