entertainment industry coach question 735: How do I turn a cold call into a warm call?

As I pointed out yesterday, people in the entertainment industry don't respond well to cold calls. If you want to "warm up" your call, the BEST way, is to get a referral to the person you're calling.

If you don't know anyone who knows the person you're calling, do research on the person. Find a common link, something you admire, or a question that only he/she can answer.

Whenever possible, send a personalized letter introducing yourself and explaining the reason for your call- BEFORE you make the call. This way, the person can absorb what you're calling about and be expecting your call.

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entertainment industry coach question 734:What is the best way to make a cold call to get work?

For all of you who hate making cold calls, you're going to love my answer to this one: DON'T MAKE THEM! I know in some industries cold calling is the norm, but ours is a creative industry, so it's not. The reason is because people want to hire people they know, like, and trust. Money, jobs, and reputations are on the line. Put yourself in the shoes of the person doing the hiring. If you had to hire someone on a $50 million feature and your job and reputation was on the line, would you hire a cold caller or someone you've worked with for 10 years? Even if your entire network of people was unavailable, would you hire a cold caller or ask your network for recommendations to other people? Cold calling is a long shot. I'm not saying that people have never gotten jobs making them, I'm saying it's working hard, not smart.

I'll answer the obvious next question tomorrow: if I shouldn't cold call people, how do I meet them?

www.theGreenlightCoach.com FIND ME

www.twitter.com/GreenlightCoach FOLLOW ME

www.facebook.com/TheGreenlightCoach LIKE ME

www.GreenlightMentorProgram.comJOIN ME

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Question 4: How do I turn a cold call into a warm call?

As I pointed out yesterday, people in the entertainment industry don't respond well to cold calls. If you want to "warm up" your call, the BEST way, is to get a referral to the person you're calling.

If you don't know anyone who knows the person you're calling, do research on the person.  Find a common link, something you admire, or a question that only he/she can answer.  

Whenever possible, send a personalized letter introducing yourself and explaining the reason for your call- BEFORE you make the call.  This way, the person can absorb what you're calling about and be expecting your call. 

For more tips and articles by the Greenlight Coach, visit www.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Question 3: What is the best way to make a cold call to get work?

For all of you who hate making cold calls, you're going to love my answer to this one: DON'T MAKE THEM!  I know in some industries cold calling is the norm, but ours is a creative industry, so it's not.  The reason is because people want to hire people they know, like, and trust.  Money, jobs, and reputations are on the line.  Put yourself in the shoes of the person doing the hiring.  If you had to hire someone on a $50 million feature and your job and reputation was on the line, would you hire a cold caller or someone you've worked with for 10 years?  Even if your entire network of people was unavailable, would you hire a cold caller or ask your network for recommendations to other people?  Cold calling is a long shot.  I'm not saying that people have never gotten jobs making them, I'm saying it's working hard, not smart.  

I'll answer the obvious next question tomorrow: if I shouldn't cold call people, how do I meet them?  

For more tips and articles by The Greenlight Coach, visit www.theGreenlightCoachBlog.com