entertainment industry coach question 536:I am really shy at networking, so I don't. What else can I do?

I will tell you where to start so you get your feet wet, but eventually you have to jump in the pool. The bottom line is meeting people face to face is the fastest way to establish rapport with them, and that's how you connect faster and more deeply. It is a major part of the business part of your career path, which unfortunately for people, like you, who don't enjoy it, puts you at a major disadvantage.

In the meantime, start with social media. Reach out to people in your classification and people who can potentially hire you, on Facebook. Send a personal note so they know that you're not a hacker. Then you can start to get to know them by looking through their pictures; do they have kids, dogs, like motorcycles, photography, etc. Read their wall posts, post on their comments, start a relationship.

If this intimidates you as well, it's time to do some personal work on overcoming your fears. If you don't take action on this now, other people will be getting the jobs you want. One day you'll wake up and 15 years have gone by and you're exactly where you are now only filled with regret.

Shyness, is something you CAN overcome. There are many people I've worked with who've found solutions to this feeling and are now flourishing.

So there you have it. Perception. how do you plan to re-emerge on the Hollywood scene?

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entertainment industry coach question 535:I was a big name and I've been out of the loop, how do I get back in?

I'm not sure if you went quietly out of the loop for personal reasons, got left out of the loop because you weren't maintaining your "business," or if you were pushed out of the loop because you were doing very bad things...

There is a different strategy for each, but one general similarity. And that is: perception. This is a city that loves Cinderella Stories and comebacks. However, they're very picky about who they allow to "comeback." So your "Cinderella Story" must be masterfully crafted.

This is what I do with my celebrity clients who want to re-emerge. We craft marketing campaigns. It's no different than product branding. In the 70's Coca-Cola taught the world to sing and had Mean Joe Green throw a kid his jersey. Have a Coke and a smile made Coca Cola the cola of choice, but then we got to take the Pepsi Challenge and it became the cola of the generation especially when Michael Jackson and Britney Spears became the faces of Pepsi. Now, I'd say the Pepsi ads are pretty lame, and we're back to a Coke generation.

So there you have it. Perception. how do you plan to re-emerge on the Hollywood scene?

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entertainment industry coach question 534: Is it a good idea to establish a mentor relationship with someone through emails?

Absolutely! If you send out a mentor request letter and the mentor agrees, but wishes to answer questions by email, go for it! Many people have trust issues (and rightfully so) as well as time constraints. Through email, they can get to know you on their time line, and as they grow to trust you through the email relationship, in many instances, it blooms into a more personal relationship (phone, coffee meetings, networking parties, etc.)

Be sure that quality of your questions reflect positively on you, and have someone give you feedback before you send out the letter. In this case that person will be me, since you are in my Mentor Elite Program :-)

Congratulations on getting a mentor!

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entertainment industry coach question 533: What is the proper way to go about sending mentor letters?

The proper way is the most direct way to get it in their hands. Therefore, there are numerous and professional ways to do it. Here are a few:

1. If you have an address for them that was given to you by a referral.

2. Through their agent (almost all agencies forward mail to their clients, but you may want to check with the agency before you write your letter just to be sure).

3. Through their production company.

4. Through their union (if their union forwards mail- check before writing the letter).

5. Through a friend, if a friend is willing to pass it on.

6. You can hand it to them personally, if you know you're going to a Q&A where they will be speaking, if they stay after to speak with people.

7. You can "friend" them on Facebook, and if they accept, send it in a personal note.

This is not in order of "the most direct way to get it in their hands." It will vary depending on the person to who it's being sent.

DO NOT- find out where they live and put it in their mail box or knock on their door

DO NOT- carry it around with you because you see them often at a local restaurant and whip it out while they're enjoying their personal time [while this has been done, it doesn't fall under "best practices"]

DO NOT- do anything that could freak them out or scare them!

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entertainment industry coach question 532:To overcome shyness, do you know of any free improv classes for non actors?

I googled free improv classes in Los Angeles and was amazed at how may places came up. Some of them may be introductory classes, but if you went to a few, learned some techniques, took some notes, and got some books from the library, you could even start your own group.

Another possibility is to post on Facebook that you're looking for an improv actor who would like to practice teaching on a group of non-actors to potentially teach actors for money.

There are so many ways to improv for free. Believe it or not, if you just strike up conversation with someone on line in front of you at the market, you could improv. Just say "yes and..." to everything they say, and you're improving. If you are really shy, make up a character who's not shy and start talking. Who cares what others think. Little do they know they're in a scene!

Have fun with it.

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entertainment industry coach question 531: What is the appropriate way to address a well known industry person, Sir, Mr.?

I am going to tell you how I personally do it and why. You have to do what feels comfortable for you.

I always address someone by their first name and introduce myself by my first name. The way I see it is, the only difference between me and Sandra Bullock are the opportunities she's had. We are both sweet gals who would get along famously, as long as I don't refer to her as "Miss Bullock." Why? because that would make her feel like I was putting her up on a pedestal. Perhaps, "Sir" Elton John, needs to be addressed as "Sir," I don't know, I've never met him, but for the most part, Steven, Marty, and Tom are people just like you and me. They put their pants on one leg at a time. Treat them respectfully as people and you're sure to get a positive reaction. If not, you're dealing with an egomaniac, and who needs that?

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entertainment industry coach question 530:What happens to the people who get voted off reality shows?

There are so many reality shows, it's impossible to say what they're all doing. My gut is that you're asking me because you're considering doing one and want to use it as a career vehicle. There have been some reality contestants who've gone on to have successful acting careers. There are others who've literally made a career as reality stars. Still others have gone on to publish books and become speakers.

There are many positive things that can come from being on a reality show. I would suggest you have a clear vision for what you want your end result to be and make sure the show is in alignment with your values.

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entertainment industry coach question 529: Can I ask people I don't know but want to know to be friends on facebook?

Of course. That's one of the great ways that Facebook helps people connect! If you are going to make a friend request of someone you don't know here are some tips:

1. ALWAYS send a personal message with the request

2. If you have mutual friends, you can mention a common friend or two in the message

3. Give a reason in your personal message, as to why you're reaching out

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