Question 24: I am meeting a director I would like to work with. I've researched him but I don't know what to say.

It sounds like your question is: How do I craft questions for a person I've researched? If I'm wrong and I haven't answered your question, please clarify with more specifics in the comments.

The key to creating a good first impression is to remember that the person you're meeting with is learning about you and if he/she wants to spend time with you on set. Therefore, steer the conversation toward subjects you're both passionate about and bring out both of your personalities. 

Some tips:

1. Bring up any mutual connections you may have discovered in your research

2. Share personal and professional stories

3. Ask technical questions about the working relationship between him/her and your classification

4. Ask about his/her connection to the material if you are meeting on a specific project

Sincere compliments are always appreciated.

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

Question 23: I've been out of the industry for 2 years because I was sick. Is it possible to get back in?

The curse and the blessing of our industry is that there is no rule book.  It's a curse because there's no manual to follow, no steps to take, no correlation between hard work & commitment=success. However, the blessing is, because there are no rules, no one can tell you that "you can't." 

Yes, it's possible to re-emerge in the entertainment industry.  Rekindle old relationships and create new ones. There's no reason to bring up your illness unless, your fight and victory over it is a source of pride. Then, share your triumph with others and let that lead into your passion and drive to get back to the career you love.

I've coached people who were forced to leave the industry for many reasons: spouse got relocated, a sick child or aging parent, illness, a new career that wasn't the answer, depression, divorce, and so on...

You know what, there are plenty of people out there, who in the last 2 years that you were healing, were doing less than what you can now accomplish in a month's time if you put your heart and mind to it. 

I wish you all the success you desire, and if I can be of help, let me know.

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

Question 22: Are there any no-nos for staying in touch with people?

I'll re-word that question to be: My lists of DONT'S when staying in touch.

1. Don't call someone everyday.  This may seem obvious to you, but it's not to everyone.  So, if I help one person, not to make this mistake, my job is done. 

2. Don't forget to BCC when sending out a mass email about an accomplishment or an event! This mistake can get you blackballed. Seriously, privacy is a big deal in our industry.  Don't be the person who shares everyone's contact info. 

3. Don't call/email for no reason.  It's transparent. 

4. Don't be attached to your agenda.  If you call someone and he/she says that it's a bad time, get off the phone.  Don't say that you just need a minute or you just have a quick question.  It's never a minute and the answers are never quick. 

5. Don't send "good luck," "money angels," or any kind of emails that will make your business contacts feel like they are going to have bad luck forever or cause an angel to lose it's wings if they don't pass it on to 50 people they know within 15 minutes.

6. Don't forward a "warning" email about a guy who slashes peoples' feet from under SUVs, or sprays poison perfume, to your business contacts. In fact don't forward them to anyone without checking first on www.breakthechain.org. Most of these emails are fake.

7. Don't misspell names.  Just don't.  www.IMDB.com 

These are all I can think of right now.  If you have any doozies to share, please feel free to put them in the comments.   

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

Question 21: Should I stick to one thing (directing/acting/camera) or diversify?

That depends: how good are you at the different things you want to do?  

These days people are wearing many hats or using many /s.  I think it's great.  I do it myself. The important business question is: 

How are you marketing yourself?

The big mistake I see people make, is putting everything on one resume: editing, camera operating, background artist.  It's one thing to market yourself as a DP who operates, or a writer/director, it's another thing to be "Jack of all trades." People want to know that the person they are hiring is an expert at what he/she does.

I suggest you have separate resumes, websites, business cards, and reels.  If a situation arises, such as a LOW budget film, and they want a director who can also shoot and edit, then put together a package that shows you can do it (if you can deliver).  

Remember to trust your gut about whom you're sharing what, with.  Some old school people don't appreciate those who haven't worked their way up through the ranks. And some traditionalists prefer someone who they believe is passionate about one thing.  

Personally, I LOVE being, Jessica Sitomer, actress/writer/producer/author/speaker/career-coach/blogger/dog owner/chocolate lover/Jiu-Jitsu white belt (with 1 stripe)/"24" fanatic

For more tips and Greenlight Coach articles visit: www.theGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Question 20: What if I have to leave a message?

This was a comment on yesterday's question.  See?  If you ask, I will respond...

When I first started coaching, I would tell people to call 3 times before leaving a message (because the point was to get them in). However, with today's technology, people are checking their caller ID, so if they see you're calling and not leaving a message, they may think it's strange. Then again, they may be curious about what you want and call you back.  So, the "3 calls before leaving a message" is up to you.

Another obstacle is: if you're calling from a blocked number, they may never answer.

Here is what you want to do when leaving a BRIEF message:

1. State your name- CLEARLY

2. State your phone number- CLEARLY

*I can't tell you how many people have called me and left out one of the above. Usually #1 and then I have to do a google search of the number and hope to find a name to match. Most people are not as caring as me.

3. Give them a compelling reason to call you back. This, while having to be spoken CLEARLY, does not have to be as clear.  This is what's called in the biz a "teaser" or a "cliffhanger." 

If you just call, "to check in," "to tell me you're available," or "to see what I've been up to," you may never get a call back, or may fall to the bottom of my priority list.  Nothing personal, I just have people calling me with urgent matters, questions only I can answer, and something really cool to share (these are all examples of #3).

Always know what you're going to say, should you go to voicemail, before you make the call.  

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

Question 19: When is a good time to call someone?

If you want to speak with them,  a good time to call is when you think they'll answer. Here are the concerns I hear around "when to call":

1. If I call during the week, I'll disturb him/her at work

2. I can't call during the weekend because it's his/her time off

3. I can't call at night because it's too late or I'll interrupt dinner

4. I can't call in the morning because it may be too early and I don't want to wake him/her

Are you doing the math, here? 

Your job is to make calls.  Decide when you are going to make the calls, and when they answer, ask, "Is this a good time for you to talk?" If they say that it's not, you ask them when IS a good time for them.  When they give you the answer, you'll know. No more guessing. Make sure you are professional and follow up when they tell you to. 

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

Question 18: How do I get work when so much depends on luck?

I'm answering this question today, because my lucky # is 18 and this is question 18.  Here's what I think about luck:

Luck is another one of those excuses that people use to blame, when they aren't taking action.  "I'm just not lucky." Of course you're not.  You're in your apartment, sitting on your couch, waiting for the phone to ring.  I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but the successful people I know have WORKED REALLY HARD to get to where they are.  To chalk someone's success up to "luck," is unfair. Even people who claim that they "just got lucky," spend ten minutes with me dissecting their career path, to discover that they had far more to do with their own success than luck.  

The only example I can possibly conceive of as lucky is: a girl in Kansas walks across a street, gets hit by a car driven by Peter Berg (I know random, but I dig him), and he promises to give her a speaking role in every film he directs for the rest of their lives IF she doesn't sue him. She agrees, he stays true to his word, and suddenly she has an acting career.  But seriously, how often does that happen?      

Create your own, luck.  Do your research.  Build your relationships.  Get yourself out there.  Put yourself in the right place, and it will become the right time.

*disclaimer: I am in no way suggesting that you jump in front of a hot director's car!!!

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

Question 17: When are you too old to make it? Everyone seems to want younger people.

I won't deny that ageism exists in our industry.  I also won't buy into it.  You know why? Because I've coached over 1,000 people one-on-one, and here's what I've learned:

1. Anyone over 50 who thinks he/she is not being hired because of his/her age tells me, "No one will hire me, because I'm not the young, hip, it-guy/gal."

2. Anyone under 30 who thinks he/she is not being hired because of his/her age tells me, "No one will hire me, because I'm not the old experienced guy/gal."

3. Anyone between the ages of 31-49 who thinks he/she is not being hired because of his/her age tells me, "No one will hire me, because I'm not the young, hip it-guy/gal and I'm not the old experienced guy/gal."

The bottom line is- I know people in their teens to people in their 90s who are working in this industry. If they can do, you can do it.  You create the perception you want people to believe. My belief: you are never too young, never too old, and never in between.  You are just right. Stay true to your passion and work with people who respect you for the job you do...

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

Question 16: How do I artfully turn down work with someone I'd like to work with again later?

Because I can't ask you why you're turning down the work, if you want to work with this person, I'll address this question based on two possibilities.  If it's some other reason, put it in the comments section and I'll answer based on your actual reason.  

1. You are already working. In this case, be honest. Work is good. It means you're "in demand." Tell the person that you'd really like to work with them in the future. Then, offer one of your trusted contacts to fill the position. This way, when the next job comes up, if the person calls your trusted contact again, he/she can tell the person to offer you the job first.  If the person only wants your trusted contact, be happy.  Wouldn't you rather you contact get the job than a stranger? And now that your contact is booked, if he/she gets a call for work, you will be recommended.

2. You don't like the current job being offered. So, you don't like what the person has to offer but still want to be considered for other jobs in the future. Tell the person you're working and follow the steps of #1. If your integrity meter is flying off the charts right now because you think I'm telling you to lie, I'M NOT! Just because you're not working on a show doesn't mean you don't have work to do on the business side. Trust me, there is always work to be done. My Greenlight Intensive Group is working on the Rule of Five this month. I assigned them five business actions to take each day of the month. They are working!   

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

Question 15: How can you get yourself known on the web, without seeming annoying or cheesy?

Sometimes the way y'all phrase your questions, cracks me up!  Let me address the later part of that question since it's what's helping me fill my laugh quota for today...

If you are not annoying or cheesy, you will not be perceived that way.  I'm going to go out on a limb, and guess that you're neither of those.  Because if you were, you wouldn't recognize the annoyances and cheesiness of others, and therefore, you wouldn't recognize the need to NOT be like them.  So, go easy on yourself, and don't do anything that you find annoying or cheesy.  

Ways to get yourself noticed on the web that are professional, effective and a smart way to market:

1. Create a website that honestly represents what you do professionally, makes it easy for people to find the information on you that they want, and showcases your best attributes.

*NOTE: if you are not website building savvy, and will spend a lot of time learning as you build, I suggest what my mentor Loral Langemeier says, "Strengthen your strengths, pay for your weaknesses."  It's better to spend money on a professional web designer, so you can spend YOUR time generating money with your professional strengths.  I recommend Kathy Hoffman at http://www.hoffmansites.com.   Tell her you're my client.  She's very reasonable and very reliable.

2. Get on Social Networking Sites like: Facebook, Twitter, Linked in, Plaxo, etc. For me, Facebook is the priority (this week). Make informative or inquisitive posts on people's walls. 

For example: a camera operator needed an AC.  He posted his request on my wall and on my Greenlight Coach Group wall, and found his AC through my friends network.  (hint, hint, if you're reading this you should be friend requesting me on FB, joining The Greenlight Coach Group, and following me on Twitter.  

3. Write an informative blog or create a podcast.

4. Post videos of yourself (demonstrating /teaching/ working) on YouTube.  No dancing to a montage of music from the 80's... that's cheesy (the only exception is: if you're a professional dancer). 

5. Post informative comments AND success stories on other people's blogs, like this one!  Or www.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com.  This gets you recognized as an expert in your field, in a community of like-minded people. 

If you have more detailed questions about any of the above, post it on my comments section and I'll answer it as a separate question. 

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

Question 14: How do I sharpen my negotiating skills? (ex: day rate)

I get this question a lot from people who don't have agents.  Negotiating is a skill that takes practice and training.  Now, if you're like most people in the industry, you don't have a lot of opportunity to practice or you'd probably have an agent who snatched you up to do the job for you.  Training can be expensive, time consuming, and in many instances, boring for creative people.  

So, here's an answer that you probably didn't expect.  It is fun and extremely entertaining while at the same time educational:

1. LEAVE ALL CASH, CREDIT CARDS, & CHECKBOOKS in your car

2. Go into A and/or B (at least three 1 high end, 1 low end, 1 middle): 

a. GYMS: Equinox, Crunch, 24 Hour Fitness, Ballys, a small neighborhood gym 

b. CARS: Bentley, Lexus, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Kia

3. Allow yourself to be "sold to" 

4. Negotiate with them BUT don't buy 

5. Give them your real phone number and email address, so you can see their follow up techniques

Gym and car sales people are trained to negotiate.  You can learn so much from their different styles.  A Lexus sales person negotiates much differently than a Toyota sales person.  

Back in your car, jot down some notes.  What worked?  What turned you off? What words were used to persuade you? What was their body language?  Did they create rapport with you, and if so, how? Was a manager brought in to help close you, and if so, was the manager's style different? 

Start writing a script based on bits and pieces you take from each that you found to be effective. Then try negotiating with people in your life for basic things like, a movie you want to see, a restaurant you want to try, and the new car you now want to buy because the Lexus dealer was so darn good!

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