Question 46: Will internships in the entertainment industry lead to anything after?

That question is impossible for me to answer without my Magic 8 Ball. So, let me re-phrase it as: Do internships in the entertainment industry have the POTENTIAL to lead to anything after? Now, I can give you a firm yes-- IF you treat the internship as a business opportunity, which means:

1. Know where you want to be 3 steps after the internship so you can take the steps to position yourself toward those milestones 

2. Create relationships with everyone you possibly can

3. Help the people you meet at your internship achieve their goals

4. Contact everyone you know, to tell them you're working, and what you plan to do when this job is done

5. Be the BEST at whatever you're assigned

6. Go above and beyond whenever possible 

7. Learn, LEARN, LEARN

Internships can be advantages stepping stones if you know where you want to step next.

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

Question 45: How does going to a Union movie screening help me when I'm watching a movie?

This must be someone who attended one of my speaking engagements recently, where I suggested union screenings as a place to network. 

Here's how I see it. Going to the movies in a regular theater, you can be attending with anyone: students, plumbers, financial planners, stay-at-home-moms. When you attend a union screening, at least one out of two people have to be in the union (I say 1 of 2, because members can bring a guest). That means, one of the two people to your right and one of the two people to your left, are potential relationships, right? 

No more sitting quietly in your seat waiting for the movie to begin. Say hello to your neighbors. And while you're at it, come early and stay late. And no... NO networking during the movie (unless it's a thriller and you can't help but grab someone).

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

Question 44: when you are at the top of your profession on the technical side, how do you break through into management?

Great question! And for those of you who are not interested in management, simply insert any job or genre that you are interested in transitioning to. Because, that's what this question boils down to: How do you transition from one area to another.

Let me start by saying that if you consider yourself "at the top of your game," that's a huge plus. The confidence that supports that statement will back up the "perception strategy" you have to create. What's a perception strategy, you wonder? Here it is:

1. Know what the objections to hiring you in the new position are. In other words, why is there a challenge for you to break into a new area?

2. Have a counter argument prepared for each possible objection.

3. Tie your counter arguments into your pitch before the interviewer can even bring them up.

Here's an example:

The person asking the question wants to move from a technical position to a managerial position.

The interview may object because he/she thinks that technicians don't know how to "manage."

The technician starts the interview by saying, "Thank you for meeting with me. I know many people who aren't informed about what I do think that people in my position don't know how to "manage." I'm glad to see that you have the insight to know that a technician at my level, manages people on a regular basis (you'd mention how many and whom, and if you don't "officially" manage people, you point out how you "unofficially" manage people without bringing attention to the fact that it's not part of your job description) and even has an advantage over typical managers who have no technical background. With me you get the best of both worlds and I'm glad that you see that."

Get referrals to people who can hire you in the new position, create solid relationships with them, and then go for the job by being the best candidate, despite any preconceived notions. 

It's all perception.   

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

Question 43: how do you avoid getting pigeon-holed?

Personally, I wouldn't advise you to avoid it. Get pigeon-holed. Be an expert at something. Build a reputation. Then, when you are ready and you have the right relationships, you can transition to something new. 

The chameleon strategy is a hard one. People don't know where to put you. It's kind of like being a Jack of all trades, master of none.  

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

Question 42: how do you market and sell yourself without seeming fake?

This question is too easy. Answer: DON'T BE FAKE.

Obvious isn't it? Yet, so complicated, and trust me I'm not being sarcastic. I'm sure the person who asked this question is dead serious as were the hundreds (yes, hundreds) of people who've asked me before in seminars, groups, and one-on-one.  This question is a huge concern. So, let me put your mind at ease...

If you are not being fake, you will not be perceived that way. If you are being fake, what exactly are you faking? That you're talented? That you're hirable? That you're worthy of their time, work, and money? If you don't believe these to be true about yourself, you need to work on your confidence not your ability to "act" fake.    

I think that most people who ask this question, need to work on their marketing plan, so they have the confidence to back up what they're selling. The fact that you're even worried about appearing fake, convinces me that you are most likely not coming off that way. Most fake people could care less about being fake.

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

Question 41: How should I prepare for an informational meeting with someone I've been referred to?

Preparing for an informational meeting with a referral is similar to preparing for a job interview. The differences being:

1. The person is meeting with you because of your connection to the person who referred you

2. It's not for a specific job

Therefore, in your preparation, you want to:

1. Know your objective(s) for the meeting

2. Research the person you're meeting with (seems obvious, but SO many people don't)

3. Design at least 5 questions that you really want to know the answers to

4. Compile a package that shows you in your best light 

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

Question 40: Should you “settle” for work that may not be exactly what you want to pursue?

Never settle- Always strategize!

If you are going to take a job that is not ideal, strategically it should fall into one of the following categories:

1. It pays a tremendous amount of money (or the money that you need to survive)

2. There are new people you can meet, who can potentially hire/refer you to jobs you want, and/or people you want to meet

3. There are new "toys to play with" aka an opportunity to learn new equipment or sharpen your skills 

4. There's an opportunity to get a piece of footage that is necessary for or missing from your reel 

When a job is offered to you that is not "what you want", consider the possibilities of how you can use your business skills to turn it into an opportunity that will lead to jobs you DO want.   

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

Question 39: Why is it important to BCC my mass emails?

Ah, GREAT question!!! And no doubt in response to my latest Facebook post. 

Let me start by explaining BCC (Blind CC) for those of you whom are unfamiliar with it. In an email that you are sending to more than one person, you have 3 choices of how to send it:

1. To: specifically to whom you're sending your email 

2. Cc: carbon copy- others whom it may relate to, so you feel they should read it

3: Bcc: blind carbon copy- NO ONE you send it to sees who else you sent it to. 

What happens if you send to more than one person via "To" or "Cc?" Everyone receiving that email now has all of the email addresses of your colleagues.   

In business, this has the potential to create privacy issues. If you violate someone's privacy they may become very ANGRY with you. This may cost you:

1. a relationship

2. jobs

3. money 

Be aware of proper email etiquette. Beware you "Reply-all" people. Bcc!!! I don't need everyone in the internet ether knowing my email addresses. Neither do your valued clients, business relationships, mentors, and friends. 

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

Question 38: How do I deal with finding work in such a bad economy?

Finding work is always about one thing- relationships.  Now is the best possible time to be focusing on relationships because people who are generally hard to reach are more accessible. Instead of focusing on the economy, focus on relationships.   

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

Question 37: Should I get on Facebook for work reasons?

I think Facebook is a great way to maintain relationships and create new ones. People get to see your work updates (which you should post) and personal updates (that you should post with care). Put pictures up of your family, hobbies, and pets, so people who have commonalities will relate to you. Post your reel and clips from your work. 

Be aware of the "first 3-month addiction," that you will undoubtably get sucked into when friends from the old neighborhood, K-12, college, camp, old jobs, frat/sorority, etc., find you and want to catch up. 

Have fun and post strategically.

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

Question 36: What do you do when someone is stealing the conversation? Part 2

I think I'm going to stick with yesterday's answer... TRIP.

Perhaps tomorrow's question should address long hours.  18 hour day today. Back on track tomorrow.  Thanks for hanging in!