And...Action!

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

Monday, April 18, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 779:It seems like every successful person took a different path to become successful. What's the right path?

Unfortunately, there is no "right path," no clear ladders to climb, no rule book.

Fortunately, that means you can choose your own path, build your own ladder, make your own rules.

My suggestions for doing this are:

1. Get mentors. Plural. Get advice from as many successful people as you possibly can

2. Compare their advice and decide what fits you best

3. Take action

4. See what works what doesn't work

5. Keep doing what's working and keep adding new tools to your tool belt

6. Invest in yourself

7. Create financial and emotional stability so you never have to give up on your dream

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

Sunday, April 17, 2011

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).

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

Saturday, April 16, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 777:Is it difficult crossing over from television to film, or vice versa?

Back in the day, you were one or the other. In recent years, the business has changed and people go back and forth. Is it difficult? That depends. Do you have solid relationships with people who can hire you in both? Do you have individual marketing materials for each medium? Do you have a recognizable name?

If you didn't answer yes, to any of the questions, it can certainly be a challenge. Now you know what's missing, and you can work to build in those areas to make the cross-over easier.

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

Friday, April 15, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 769: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 top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Thursday, April 14, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 768: 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 top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 767: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 top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 766: 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 top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Monday, April 11, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 765: Why is it important to BCC my mass emails?

Because thanks to my cousin I can now email Judd Apatow, which I'm sure Judd would be pretty pissed about.

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 top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Sunday, April 10, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 764:How do I deal with finding work in such a bad economy?

Finding work is always about one thing- relationships. Instead of focusing on the economy, focus on relationships. For some people the economy has turned around and they are working. Like beauty is in the eye of the beholder so are the circumstances of life. If it weren't the economy putting obstacles in your way of finding work, it would always be something for someone. Do you get what I mean by that? For years people were affected by run-away-production, then came fast changes in technology, then productions were leaving major production cities and going to other states in the US, and the economy struggle on top of all of this.

I'm not trying to bring your down, I simply want to point out that with the nature of our industry there will always be something that presents a challenge for someone. So back to my first sentence. Finding work is always about one thing- relationships. As long as there are people working out there (which there are) there are jobs to be had. Therefore, consider our time not working at your craft, time to be working on your business. Which means expanding your relationships with people who work.