entertainment industry coach question 778: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).

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entertainment industry coach question 738:What 3 things should you do when you go to a networking event?

1. Set a goal for the number of new people you will meet

2. Spend time creating the relationship before asking for their card (getting their information is far more important than giving yours. Of course you should still give yours once you get theirs)

3. Put notes on the business card to remind you what they looked like and what you spoke about

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entertainment industry coach Question 467: If I had a paranormal experience, is this a story I should share?

I know the person who asked this, and I know he's referring to the story-telling exercise I do in my 5 Keys to YOUR Success at a Networking Event and in the Interview section of my Greenlight Your Career Bootcamp.

The answer is, you would share this if it is appropriate to the material you are interviewing for, if it has to do with paranormal activity, and you would share it in a way that is professional as opposed to weird. Practice it on some confidantes before using it in an interview.

If you're at a networking event, as with any story, know you audience, and know why you're telling the story. How is this story going to help the people you're telling it to connect to you on a deeper level, or what will they learn about you that will make them want to hire you?

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

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entertainment industry coach question 367: Where are some places in LA where industry people hang out?

The question continues: "I am looking for coffee houses? Bars? Restaurants? Markets? Dog Parks? Parking meters? Etc. I want to network but really don't know where to go. I have post cards that I want to place at strategic locations. Any suggestions would be great."

"Places where people hang out" is a very general question and as my readers know, I am very specific and strategic. First you have to ask yourself, "who is my target market?" Because I can tell you where actors hang out, but if you're an actor, actors don't hire you. So really your question could be, "where do casting directors, producers, directors, and executive producers hang out?" If you're another classification you'd ask the same question based on the people who hire you.

Once you know your target market, then you can research the entertainment organizations, philanthropic organizations, clubs (and I mean sport, nature, parent type clubs not Sunset strip clubs), unions, etc., where they congregate.

As far as leaving postcards around, that's like a needle in a haystack. People who are hiring have so many relationships with people who are inviting them to things. Why would they pick up a postcard of a complete stranger and say, "I think I'll take 3 hours out of my valuable time, to go see this stranger." Not to say it can't happen, but you can spend your money and time in a better way.

Again, you're better off taking those postcards to a networking event and handing them to people once you have a conversation with them and build rapport.

If you want to put a comment in the section, telling me what classification you are, I can be more specific about what organizations you should check out.

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

entertainment industry coach question 363: Is it okay to walk up to someone you know from Facebook but never met?

Is it okay? It's the beauty of social media. On Friday I was at a networking event and a guy walked up next to me and I instantly thought I knew him, like he was my buddy. Before he could introduce himself, I said, "Facebook friend!" We talked for a while, and it was so easy because he does comment on my posts so we know things about each other. Isn't that what a friend is? Someone who knows what's going on in your life and cares enough to talk to you about it. These days it doesn't have to be a phone call or an email. It can be someone in your Facebook friends who was once a stranger, telling you that he/she sends good thought to you when you've lost someone, or tells you to eat when you post that you haven't eaten all day, or has an Anchorman quote showdown with you on your wall.

I find the industry getting much smaller thanks to Facebook. I attended the SOC awards at which many of the members in attendance were at the time, only Facebook friends. Nw they've become friends and business associates.

Absolutely walk up to the person and say, "hey, we're Facebook friends!" BUT as always, be professional about it. If the person appears to be having an important business lunch--- not the time.

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

entertainment industry coach question 362: How can I meet Casting Directors?

This was a question asked of me last night at a networking event, by a very charming young man. Our conversation didn't start out about his acting, it started out regarding his book which became a best seller. It's subject matter, imitates what my favorite writer did 30 years ago, so I was instantly pulled into the conversation. As we got further into the discussion and he brought up acting, I asked him the first question I always ask, "how many people do you know in the entertainment industry." His answer was 300 (that's 100 more than the "sweet spot"). Now I knew something was missing. How can he know so many people and not be making any progress.

Naturally I asked him my next question, "how many casting directors do you know." He floundered for a moment then said, "one, sort of." AH HA! Mystery solved. So naturally he asked me how he was supposed to meet casting directors. I told him I'd answer him in my blog.

1. Ask the people you already know to give you referrals to the casting directors they know

2. Build relationships through casting director workshops (there's a whole strategy to this, but you have to coach with me... I can't give you all of my secrets for free)

3. Offer to do an internship in casting directors' offices

4. Attend networking events that involve casting directors

5. Join philanthropic organizations that casting directors are a part of

Yes, you have to do research for 4 & 5. Remember casting directors are people, treat them with respect and always look to create a win/win.

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

entertainment industry coach question 286: What do I do to stay busy when times are so slow?

Staying busy during slow times? There are two ways to answer this question from my perspective. The first, is the business actions you can be taking and the second is the actions you can be taking to maximize your "off time."

Business action ideas:

1. Re-establish with 30 contacts

2. Reach out to 10 business advice mentors

3. Visit 5 sets (if it's holiday time, go to 5 parties)

4. Attend 1 networking event/week and meet 5-10 people at each

Many people spend all of their time in between jobs, stressing out about being out of work and then, once they have the next job, they look back and regret not enjoying their time off.

Off time ideas:

1. Hang out with friends you've been out of touch with

2. Once a week, spend a day doing something you enjoy: the beach, a day trip to another city, a movie with popcorn & soda, a sports event, a museum, the planetarium

3. Exercise

4. Pick up an old hobby

That should keep you busy for a while.

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

entertainment industry coach question 243: When calling my network, what do I ask these people I may have only met once at an event?

Ask for anything but work! If you just met them once at a networking event, they don't know you well enough to hire you yet. There is always the chance though, that you'll catch them on a day when they are looking to hire, so ask a question that shows you're looking for work, without actually putting them on the spot. For example:

"I met you at [insert the name of the networking event]. I thought that perhaps you could advise me on other worthwhile organizations that I can join to meet [insert classification(s) of people who hire you] who hire [insert your classification], such as myself."

Now the person knows you're looking for work in your classification, yet you didn't put him/her on the spot. If they are interested they'll offer. If they aren't, at least you've given them something they can say YES to.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.theGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Question 162: I hear you're the Keynote speaker at the DV Expo. Very cool! You know I'm a director, should I go?

Everyone in the entertainment industry should go! It's a Digital Video Expo which means, anyone who works directly with digital video, wants to work with someone who works with digital video, and/or wants to meet someone who works with digital video AND may know someone you want to meet, MUST BE THERE.

Not only will there be cool techie stuff to check out, there will be educational programming (including yours truly doing the keynote speech on "the business side of the business"and a breakout room on "the keys to success at a networking event.")

And of course, in my book, the number one reason to attend the DV Expo is because it is an opportunity to network with thousands of people. That means that you can potentially add 100 new contacts to your contact list. In question 157, I was asked the "minimum number of people one should know." I answered 100. I broke that number down over twelve months. You can meet them ALL in 1-3 days!

Get your butt to the DV Expo!

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com

Question 149: How do I follow up with someone after a networking event?

Did you get contact information? If so, contact the person based on something you discussed that you want to follow up on. If you didn't actually speak, but the person gave out contact info to the group, send a thank you note (with some depth referring to what you got out of the evening) *NOTE: never ask for work in a thank you note. Let it be a genuine act of appreciation.

If you did not get contact info (why not?), look them up on IMDB pro and repeat above instructions. AND for the future when you meet someone:

1. Ask a question or find a common interest that sets up a reason to follow up

2. Ask for contact information and how they prefer to be contacted

3. Whenever possible, tell them when you plan to follow up

Be sure when you follow up, you're calling for something specific that they can say YES to. Don't ask for work before they know you, like you, and trust you.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, the Greenlight Coach, visit www.theGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Question 70: Would you represent me? (asked at the agent panel I spoke on tonight)

Even though this isn't my typical format (taking a question someone asked a panel of agents as opposed to submitting directly to me), I felt compelled to address it, so that you will learn from this mistake.

The actress who asked the question, prefaced it with a little history about her past agency and how it was closed and then asked... and then there was the "uncomfortable pause..." you know the one-- when you've just put someone (or in this case a panel of experts) on the spot and he/she doesn't want to say yes, but doesn't really know how to say no politely... 

This is no different than meeting someone at a networking event, talking to them for an hour, and then suddenly asking for work. It's that same "wall" that goes up. The hour that you just spent, building a relationship, just went down the drain.

Resist the urge to ask a new contact for work. People need to know you, like you, and trust you, before they will hire you, or take you on as a new client. If you're talking business, they know you're looking for work, if they want you, they'll ask you. If an agent sees something in you during that first conversation, believe me, they'll approach you.     

Before asking for something, put yourself in the person's shoes and think, is this something they can say YES to? Remember, people's jobs, reputation, and paychecks are on the line. It's not personal, they simply have to 

KNOW YOU, LIKE YOU, AND TRUST YOU..

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com  

Question 11: What is a realistic number to meet at a networking event?

Yesterday's comment becomes today's question...

"Realistic" is going to be different for each individual and each networking situation.  If you are an outgoing individual who is attending a large function with 500 people, the potential is very high. If you are a shy individual, your goal is to meet the number that pushes you out of your comfort zone while being productive.

A networking opportunity can occur at an intimate dinner for 6, a movie screening, or a seminar (to name just a few).  

I suggest you set a number goal that is:

1. More than you would normally reach out to 

2. In line with the number of people who will be at the event

3. Do-able; set yourself up for success

Remember it's not about the number, it's about creating relationships with people and getting out of your comfort zone. 

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

Question 10: What 3 things should you do when you go to a networking event?

1. Set a goal for the number of new people you will meet

2. Spend time creating the relationship before asking for their card (getting their information is far more important than giving yours. Of course you should still give yours once you get theirs)

3. Put notes on the business card to remind you what they looked like and what you spoke about

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