Question 27: Do you recommend sending postcards as thank you notes?

Since I know an actress asked this question, first I have to clarify to the other classifications, that actors make postcards with their headshot and contact info on them. Some people have the opinion that sending your postcard as a thank you note, is another way to get your face in front of the casting director.

I have a different opinion.  I believe that thank you notes should be a sincere and genuine expression of gratitude. To me, a postcard with your picture, or a thank you note with your contact information is a subtle solicitation. Therefore I suggest following these steps for thank you notes:

1. Send an actual card (something that reveals something about you or something you know they like)

2. Remind the person where you met

3. Thank them for something specific

4. Add something personal to show that you were paying attention to what they were saying

5. Sign your first and last name CLEARLY

One of the reasons why people don't know what questions to ask when they meet people is because they haven't started at the end.  What do you want the outcome of your meeting to be?  What if the outcome you want is to be able to write an amazing thank you note that answers 2, 3, & 4? Knowing that you need to tie in something personal will create the questions you ask. Knowing you have to thank them for something specific will cause you to listen with more intention, creating deeper rapport with the person. 

For those of you (and I know you're out there) who are thinking, "But, if I don't put my contact number (or picture) how will they remember who I am and know how to contact me?" 

I've received hundreds of thank you notes from people. I always remember who they are. On top of that, I'm resourceful enough to know where to look for their contact information when I want to contact them. 

You can follow up with "new news" on your postcard or on your letterhead, a week later. Allow yourself the simple gesture of gratitude, with a sincere thank you note, and believe me, you'll stand out. 

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

Question 26: What if I can't find anything on the person I'm researching?

This is a shortened version of the question I received in the comment section of Question 24.

So, you've googled, IMDBd, and polled your friends and there is nothing to be found on the person you're meeting with. 

1. If you're meeting at his/her office, quickly do a scan to see if there is something to ask about, comment on, or a common interest.

2. Focus on creating rapport.

3. Design general questions based on what the meeting is about.

4. Prepare your own stories to share so you'll feel confident about having something to discuss.

5. Relax.  If you couldn't find anything, the person knows there is nothing to find.

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

Question 25: Why doesn't talent count for anything?

This question was followed by: 

"I'm sick of seeing people whose reels aren't as good as mine getting work when I'm not!" 

So, to answer the question, yes, talent does count for something.  To comment on the comment that followed:

This is an industry of relationships.  People want to work with people they know, trust, and like. They also want to work with people who lend credibility, money, and any assets such as equipment or locations, to their project.

There are numerous reasons why someone with less talent may be hired for a job. My question to you is, why are you focusing on on something negative that you have no control over? Instead of letting frustration and bitterness take over and therefore seep into everything you say and do (and before you try and tell me you "hide it" when it counts, I promise you, you're not hiding anything... explanation points speak volumes), focus on what you do well, and getting it out there. 

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

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