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 

Question 9: How do I know when it's time to give up on my dream?

Oh, this question kills me!  It breaks my heart.  As someone who has been in this business for 18 years, I've struggled with it myself.  As a coach, I've had this conversation with countless people. I'm telling you this so that you know you're not alone.  I can't tell you when it's time.  You have to decide.  What I can tell you is what I ask myself and my clients:

1. Is pursuing your dream causing you more pain than pleasure?

2. Is there something else you can do that would give you just as much fulfillment?

3. Can you do something else to get you back on your feet financially and emotionally, while still pursuing your dream?

4. Would treating your dream as a hobby fulfill you because you're still being an artist/craftsman, and there's no pressure to make money at it?

5. Do you remember why you wanted to pursue your dream in the first place and do you still feel that way?

Also, remember that no decision is permanent.  Should you decide to take another path and find yourself longing for your passion, you can always come back.  I've left the business twice to pursue other careers and as Michael Corleone said, "Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in."

Now, I am a Career Coach for Entertainment Industry Professionals AND I continue to pursue my dreams in the industry, as well.  If you need further individual guidance on this issue, contact me at www.TheGreenlightCoach.com  

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

Question 8: What tools can I use to not bring work home with me?

This is an important question for many reasons.  I'm going to focus on one.  

If you have a bad day at work, come home in a bad mood, and your significant other gives you a hug to make you feel better, you are creating an "anchor."  What happens is, unconsciously,  the stronger (negative) emotion is being anchored to your well-meaning significant other.  Therefore, every day for a month you do this and viola- you have created a negative anchor to your significant other.  You don't know why, but every time you come home, (even when you're not in a bad mood) seeing your significant other puts you in a bad mood.  Not good!

To avoid this, you must change your emotional state before you go home- hence today's reader's question.  There are many ways to change your state;  some quite silly, others quite practical.  

*note: the key to a successful change of state is to be sure that the tactic you're using creates a more powerful state than the negative one you're in.

Here are some practical ones:

1. Create your own soundtrack.  Ever hear a song that instantly changes your mood because it reminds you of a thrilling time or a great movie?  Choose songs that really put you in a good mood, burn them on a disc, and play it in your car on the way home.

2. Vigorous exercise.  That's right, do some jumping jacks, run in place, do some "Rocky" style sit-ups, just get those endorphins flowing and sweat out the frustrations of the day.

3. Use your imagination.   Close your eyes and imagine a scenario that makes you feel an emotion that is stronger than your bad mood.  I suggest having some scenarios thought out when you're not in a bad mood to be used later.  This is because when you're in the bad mood it's harder to come up with something that will make you feel better.   

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

Question 7: How do I stay in contact without being a pest?

I've heard this question asked in many forms:

How do I politely stay in contact?

How do I avoid being a pain in the a$$?

How can I let people know I'm available without being annoying?

Here's the thing... It's your job as a freelancer in the entertainment industry, to let people know you're out there and looking for work.  Working people understand this and even expect it.  Therefore, get rid of words like "pest," "annoying," "pain in the..." and simply ask me: 

"How do I effectively stay in touch with my contacts?"

To effectively stay in touch with contacts, you must be proactively BUILDING your relationship as opposed to simply asking for work and letting them know you're available.  As long as your focus is on the relationship, you are being professional.  As I often suggest, put yourself in their shoes.  How often would you want to be called if you were working an 80-hour week? And what would prompt you to return a call?  

Give them a reason to call you back!  

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

Question 6: How do I deal with discouragement and the feeling that I have to give up on my dream in tough economic times? (PART 2)

In Question 5, I wrote about the economic part of this question.  Today, I'm going to write about the "mental" part of this question.

Discouragement is a feeling... an awful one.  I know, I've been there. Which is why I've had to come up with solutions to help me get through those confusing arguments with myself: to give up or to keep going. 

Here are two helpful exercises:

1. Write a Mission Statement about what having the career of your dreams will mean to you, your loved ones, and the world.  When you're feeling down, re-read this!  It gets you back in touch with the "why" you are doing this.

2. Make a list of 30 fun, relaxing, or entertaining things you want to do in the next 2 years. Don't sensor yourself with "cost".  Do put things on the list that don't cost anything.  When you are feeling discouraged, do something from your list.  Most people don't allow themselves any joy when they're not working.  Whatever the excuse is for this phenomenon , it is still just that-- an excuse.  When your steady work comes, you'll look back on this down time and WISH you did fun things instead of wasting these precious moments of your life on energy draining emotions. It may be easier said than done, and so is any new habit you want to establish.  Trust me, this is a GOOD habit to incorporate into your life.  

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

Question 5:How do I deal with discouragement and the feeling that I have to give up on my dream in tough economic times? (PART 1)

I have two answers to this one.  I'll give you one answer today, and one answer tomorrow to start your Monday off right.

To answer this question, first I must dispel a tragic myth in our industry.  That myth is: Unless you're making money at your "craft/career/art" you're a failure.  

In other words, it's better to be a starving artist, living in your car, than to make money to support yourself as you pursue your dream.  I had countless clients come to me at the point of bankruptcy because they refused to make money doing anything but their "entertainment industry" job.  None of whom ended up telling their story on David Letterman.  Being poor does not make you a better artist.  It makes you a stressed out artist.  

In order to maintain stability in a freelance industry, you must have multiple streams of income to sustain you and/or employ you when you're not working at your passion job.   I know this is a controversial point of view.  I imagine I'll be getting comments about why you can't have any other means of making money.  Bring 'em on!  I'll bet I have an answer to any argument you give me.

The only reason you would feel discouraged and the need to give up your dream during tough economic times is because you didn't financially plan for the tough times and now you're having money problems.  If you want peace of mind and financial stability, you must plan for it the way any other person, freelance or not, plans for it.   

It's never too late.  Start with a curious attitude about multiple streams of income.

Part 2 tomorrow... 

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

Question 4: How do I turn a cold call into a warm call?

As I pointed out yesterday, people in the entertainment industry don't respond well to cold calls. If you want to "warm up" your call, the BEST way, is to get a referral to the person you're calling.

If you don't know anyone who knows the person you're calling, do research on the person.  Find a common link, something you admire, or a question that only he/she can answer.  

Whenever possible, send a personalized letter introducing yourself and explaining the reason for your call- BEFORE you make the call.  This way, the person can absorb what you're calling about and be expecting your call. 

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

Question 3: What is the best way to make a cold call to get work?

For all of you who hate making cold calls, you're going to love my answer to this one: DON'T MAKE THEM!  I know in some industries cold calling is the norm, but ours is a creative industry, so it's not.  The reason is because people want to hire people they know, like, and trust.  Money, jobs, and reputations are on the line.  Put yourself in the shoes of the person doing the hiring.  If you had to hire someone on a $50 million feature and your job and reputation was on the line, would you hire a cold caller or someone you've worked with for 10 years?  Even if your entire network of people was unavailable, would you hire a cold caller or ask your network for recommendations to other people?  Cold calling is a long shot.  I'm not saying that people have never gotten jobs making them, I'm saying it's working hard, not smart.  

I'll answer the obvious next question tomorrow: if I shouldn't cold call people, how do I meet them?  

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

Question 2: What is the purpose of doing a set visit?

There are many reasons to visit a movie, television, or commercial set.  To name a few:

1. As a professional, who could be called to work on that set one day, you want to assess the atmosphere so when you show up to work, you fit right into the mix.  It will make it a smoother transition for everyone when you already have a sense of the workplace.

2. There is an energy about being on set that can be very inspirational.  Stay for a while to soak up that energy that comes from creative people doing what they do best.

3. It's a great place to meet new like-minded people because you've been invited by someone who will introduce you to the people they know you'll connect with.

4. If your union has an "available list," it's your job to let other members know who you are so when they call for the list they see a familiar name.  It makes their job easier when they recognize the names on that list.

5. Ever heard the expression: Being in the right place at the right time?  Put yourself in the right place, and it will become the right time.  If someone working on set gets a call for work and they're already at work, they may turn to you and ask if you'd like the job.  (This has happened to quite a few of my clients.)

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

Question 1: How to generate Union work without Union contacts

Answer: In general- you don't.  If you want to work union jobs, it's imperative that you have relationships with people who hire union members.  I have clients who have been working non-union for over 20 years.  When I look at their list of contacts, everyone they know is non-union.  

The good news is, at least you know what's missing.  Create a target list of people who can hire you for the types of union jobs you want. Don't concern yourself with "how" you're going to meet them.  At this point, just become aware of who they are.

On today's teleseminar I'll be talking about how to figure out who you need to know and the importance of researching your targets.  We'll also cover where and how to research them.

To hear the archives and get on the live calls, sign up at www.TheGreenlightCoach.com and click on the And...Action! Teleseminar series.

To your success... 

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