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| IT'S ALL ABOUT WHO KNOWS YOU BACK - Building Industry Relationships |
Published in June/July '11 - Vol.2, Iss.11 of I Am Entertainment Magazine
Copyright © 2011, N'Fluential Holdings. All Rights Reserved.
THE ABC's OF SUCCESS
------------------------------------------------------------------
Those of us who have been aroun the entertainment industry long
enough have, at some point, heard the statement, “It’s not what you know,
but who you know that counts.” Yes, there’s a lot of truth to that
statement, but if it were more accurately put it would read, “It’s not just
what you know and who you know, but it’s all about who knows you back.”
GETTING THEM TO KNOW YOU
Step 1: Attend Networking Events
No matter what area of entertainment you’re trying to have a career in,
relationships are everything. We must seek out every opportunity to
network with as many working industry professionals as possible.
Copyright © 2011, N'Fluential Holdings. All Rights Reserved.
THE ABC's OF SUCCESS
------------------------------------------------------------------
Those of us who have been aroun the entertainment industry long
enough have, at some point, heard the statement, “It’s not what you know,
but who you know that counts.” Yes, there’s a lot of truth to that
statement, but if it were more accurately put it would read, “It’s not just
what you know and who you know, but it’s all about who knows you back.”
GETTING THEM TO KNOW YOU
Step 1: Attend Networking Events
No matter what area of entertainment you’re trying to have a career in,
relationships are everything. We must seek out every opportunity to
network with as many working industry professionals as possible.
Copyright © 2009-2011 I Am Entertainment Magazine, a publication of NFluential Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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Working means -- people who actually work in the industry and it’s how they pay their bills. These individuals do not have
a regular “day job” outside of the entertainment industry.
And don’t just seek out opportunities to connect with the “names” or decision makers, look to connect with the assistants
as well. Keep in mind, a lot of executives today used to be assistants a few years ago (see the book review on page 26 of
this issue). So don’t discriminate or look down on someone as unimportant because you may regret it next year. Besides,
the assistant is the “gatekeeper” to the head honcho; if you get in good enough with the assistant they may help you get
through to their boss.
Step 2: Do Your Research
Before you attend an event where you know a certain person you’ve been dying to meet is going to be, do your research
on them just in case you actually do get to speak to him/her. This way, when you talk to them you can center the
conversation on them and not make it about who you are. Make them want to know more about you by starting the
conversation with something about them.
Doing your homework on someone says to them that you cared enough to know a little bit about their most successful
works (or that you’re a stalker...LOL). Besides, it gives you a conversation starter that will help them feel a bit less
standoffish.
NOTE: Don’t freak the person out by acting like a fan. What I mean is, don’t treat the person like they’re some super-
human who has great powers of the unknown. Keep in mind that working industry professionals are people too, they just
so happen to be doing their passion for a living. So calm down and make sure you’re relaxed when you speak to them.
Step 3: Don’t Talk Too Much
Resist the urge to blab on and on about what you’re working on and how great you are. Instead, ask the other person
questions about their works and just listen. When I say listen, I don’t mean act like you’re listening and give the cliche
“ohhh...that was the best movie (or song) ever”, because it’s obvious you’re just sucking up. Just listen attentively and try
to pick out a key statement you can use to segue into something else about them.
Make sure you’re also prepared to answer them when they ask about you. Please don’t lie or over exaggerate your
accomplishments. If you haven’t accomplished much in comparison to the other person, just simply say you’re an aspring
producer, actor, singer, or whatever it is that you do and that you’ve been working hard to hone your skills and learn from
top professionals like them.
Step 4: Exchanging Information
Meeting someone at an event and handing them your card does not mean they know you, it just means they have your
card. If you don’t get their card, you’re leaving it up to them to decide whether or not they want to ever talk to you again.
In most cases, the person on the giving end rarely hears from the receiver, so make sure you get their card also. And don’
t forget to ask them if it’s okay to contact them using the information on their card. This means that you value their time
and their professionalism.
Besides, nobody likes to get calls or email solicitations from people they don’t know. It’s a quick way to get your name
placed on the “spam” or “do not answer” list.
Step 5: Make Proper Contact
Assuming you have received permission to call or email the person, don’t abuse it. Here’s a list of things you should
never do, unless you want to be placed on that spam/do not answer list:
a) Don’t call or email them every other day of the week. This makes you look desperate and obsessive. It’s a major turn
off. Contact them once via email to remind them of who you are and where you met, and to say thanks for taking time
out to talk to you. Then wait for a reply. If no reply, don’t get discouraged, just wait a week or two and call them.
Remember to be nice to the assistant and ask for the assistant’s name. It’s important that they feel respected or you won’t
get through.
b) Don’t give their contact information out to others. When you’re given an open door to connect with an industry
professional, don’t abuse it by giving their info to your “friends” or associates. It’s your career, so don’t risk it.
Send your feedback to us: feedback@iaemagazine.com
a regular “day job” outside of the entertainment industry.
And don’t just seek out opportunities to connect with the “names” or decision makers, look to connect with the assistants
as well. Keep in mind, a lot of executives today used to be assistants a few years ago (see the book review on page 26 of
this issue). So don’t discriminate or look down on someone as unimportant because you may regret it next year. Besides,
the assistant is the “gatekeeper” to the head honcho; if you get in good enough with the assistant they may help you get
through to their boss.
Step 2: Do Your Research
Before you attend an event where you know a certain person you’ve been dying to meet is going to be, do your research
on them just in case you actually do get to speak to him/her. This way, when you talk to them you can center the
conversation on them and not make it about who you are. Make them want to know more about you by starting the
conversation with something about them.
Doing your homework on someone says to them that you cared enough to know a little bit about their most successful
works (or that you’re a stalker...LOL). Besides, it gives you a conversation starter that will help them feel a bit less
standoffish.
NOTE: Don’t freak the person out by acting like a fan. What I mean is, don’t treat the person like they’re some super-
human who has great powers of the unknown. Keep in mind that working industry professionals are people too, they just
so happen to be doing their passion for a living. So calm down and make sure you’re relaxed when you speak to them.
Step 3: Don’t Talk Too Much
Resist the urge to blab on and on about what you’re working on and how great you are. Instead, ask the other person
questions about their works and just listen. When I say listen, I don’t mean act like you’re listening and give the cliche
“ohhh...that was the best movie (or song) ever”, because it’s obvious you’re just sucking up. Just listen attentively and try
to pick out a key statement you can use to segue into something else about them.
Make sure you’re also prepared to answer them when they ask about you. Please don’t lie or over exaggerate your
accomplishments. If you haven’t accomplished much in comparison to the other person, just simply say you’re an aspring
producer, actor, singer, or whatever it is that you do and that you’ve been working hard to hone your skills and learn from
top professionals like them.
Step 4: Exchanging Information
Meeting someone at an event and handing them your card does not mean they know you, it just means they have your
card. If you don’t get their card, you’re leaving it up to them to decide whether or not they want to ever talk to you again.
In most cases, the person on the giving end rarely hears from the receiver, so make sure you get their card also. And don’
t forget to ask them if it’s okay to contact them using the information on their card. This means that you value their time
and their professionalism.
Besides, nobody likes to get calls or email solicitations from people they don’t know. It’s a quick way to get your name
placed on the “spam” or “do not answer” list.
Step 5: Make Proper Contact
Assuming you have received permission to call or email the person, don’t abuse it. Here’s a list of things you should
never do, unless you want to be placed on that spam/do not answer list:
a) Don’t call or email them every other day of the week. This makes you look desperate and obsessive. It’s a major turn
off. Contact them once via email to remind them of who you are and where you met, and to say thanks for taking time
out to talk to you. Then wait for a reply. If no reply, don’t get discouraged, just wait a week or two and call them.
Remember to be nice to the assistant and ask for the assistant’s name. It’s important that they feel respected or you won’t
get through.
b) Don’t give their contact information out to others. When you’re given an open door to connect with an industry
professional, don’t abuse it by giving their info to your “friends” or associates. It’s your career, so don’t risk it.
Send your feedback to us: feedback@iaemagazine.com
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