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Networking Online Without Pissing Everyone Off!

Networking has taken on a whole new meaning in the Internet age. Between the digital media sites (blogs and Twitter), social networking sites (Facebook, Ning, LinkedIn, Plaxo, etc.) and content sharing sites (YouTube, Flickr, StumbleUpon, Digg, Delicious, etc.), you can make major inroads into networking in Hollywood. Finding agents, producers, writers, casting directors and other professionals online to network with isn’t difficult, but what you do after you identify a potential friend is where I see many problems arising. I have become so frustrated by the lack of common sense far too many people use on Facebook that I had to rant.

Here are some tips on how to network on Facebook (FB) without pissing everyone off, based on my personal experiences and observations:

1. Don’t ask a person what they do. Read their profile! It drives me nuts when someone I don’t know initiates a chat with “what do you do” or “I see you’re in the entertainment industry, what do you do.” Uggghhh! My feeling is, if you haven’t taken the time to find out who I am, and I don’t know who you are, why am I going to spend my precious time telling you who I am? I’m not! I usually un-friend those people real fast.
2. If you’re putting in a friends request, be sure to include a brief 1-line message that identifies you. Most people are not going to take the time to go to your profile to see if they want to add you or not, its far easier to ignore the friend request. I am nearing 5,000 friends so I’m very careful about who I add. If I don’t recognize the name and they don’t send a message that identifies who they are, I ignore the friend request. A filmmaker recently sent me the perfect message: “I’m an indie-filmmaker looking to network with creative & professional people.” I accepted his friend request immediately!
3. Many people will click on mutual friends if they are not familiar with who you are — its quick and easy to do. If you’re a man and all you have is female friends, news alert: that’s not cool and yes, we get it. I definitely don’t add them. LOL.
4. Make sure that you include clear and concise information on who you are in your profile. That’s what its there for! In the small box below your picture you should state who you are and if need be, what you want or need in terms of online networking. That is what will drive others to add you as a friend. This is where you market and sell yourself on FB. I can’t tell you how many profiles I’ve seen where there is nothing on the entire profile that says filmmaker, actor, writer, what have you. They list their day job but don’t identify themselves in terms of their entertainment industry title.
5. Don’t hit someone up on chat and say anything cliche like, “I want to network with you.” Don’t use a line like that with anybody anywhere ever. I mean it. When someone does that, I remove them as friends because it just takes too much energy to deal with naivete. What is my response to that supposed to be from someone I don’t even know? Think about it. If you’re going to hit up someone who doesn’t know you, be smart. Do your homework. Know something about them. Engage them so they will continue the conversation. It’s always a safe bet to compliment them on their recent film, TV project or record. People always love flattery.
6. Don’t ask new online friends for favors or introductions or anything that costs time or money. It drives me nuts when someone I don’t know sends me a message asking me to introduce them to agents, financiers, etc. or even worse, asks me how they can get their film produced or distributed. Huh?
7. Build the relationship by interacting online. Post comments to status updates & engage in conversations. I’ve gotten to know so many people because of their repeated posts on my page. Build an online rapport based on common interests, common ground. I’ve developed relationships with people based on our mutual love for football, bodybuilding & figure, Mafia Wars, politics, etc. I haven’t developed many relationships based on someone just being in the entertainment industry because I know they just want something. Most people in the industry that you are going to want to network with deal with “Hollywood” all day. They often come onto Facebook to relax and socialize on a non-business basis. So build relationships through the back door – its easier than through the front.

There’s so much I can talk about on this topic. And I plan to … Look for my upcoming free teleseminar later this month on Online Networking Strategies where I’ll discuss all the major online sites and how to build successful online relationships that you can take offline.

Make Things Happen For Yourself NOW!

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” has a whole new meaning to me right now.

Why? I’m seeing people in Hollywood in a LOT of fear… fear about money, fear about not getting anywhere in their career, depressed about not knowing what to do with their careers etc.

My response?

Keep the faith… AND remember that “faith without works is dead.”

Don’t just hope that your career will change or that the money will come in. You must take action… that’s the part where “the tough get going.”

Playing small, failing to invest in your career, staying isolated, sitting by the pool and waiting for the phone to ring, and not meeting new people… OF COURSE will only get you more of the same.

Reach out. Stretch. Take a risk. I mean, what do you have to lose?! And for God’s sake… get out of the house, start networking, start doing, get in the mix and make it happen for yourself! Remember, ACTION BUILDS MOMENTUM. Create more opportunities and possibilities by engaging in activities that produce results.

It’s time to get busy with your career and I’m here to help. I’m offering a FALL COACHING SPECIAL – $100 for an hour phone coaching session (reg. $150 – save $50!). This offer is good through September 30th but space is limited so if you’re ready to get moving on your career, sign-up today at: www.tanyakersey.com/fallcoachingspecial.htm.

In this one-hour phone coaching session we’ll get to work on a strategy to get you moving forward in your career.

As your coach, I will help you find your own answers as well as give you the benefit of my advice and experience.

Let’s start now to make it happen for you!  Sign-up at www.tanyakersey.com/fallcoachingspecial.htm.

Wishing you all the best!

The Real Deal on Getting Star Talent for your Film

Entertainment attorney Darrell Thompson

Perhaps one of the most difficult challenges an independent filmmaker faces  in financing and producing an independent motion picture project is getting a star attached to the film.

On the July 13th edition of my radio show, “Inside Urban Hollywood,” my guest was Darrell Thompson who is a highly regarded transactional entertainment attorney. The discussion focused on getting star talent for films — how to get them to read the script, accept the offer and commit to the project.  We also discussed the role of the attorney in independent film production and talent negotiations.  To listen to the full 1-hour interview go to: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/insideurbanhollywood.  You can listen online or download the MP3 to iTunes.

By way of background, Darrell’s music cliental throughout the years have included the Black Eye Peas, Tyrese, En Vouge, The Isley Brothers, Phil Collins’ publishing company and Jay Z to name a few.  His producer clients have recorded records appearing on albums by Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Usher, Kirk Franklin, Beyonce, and Christina Aguilar just to name a few.

On the motion picture side, Darrell has negotiated talent deals in the motion pictures “Hustle and Flow” and “Idlewylld.”  He has represented talent on over 20 motion picture soundtracks beginning in the early 1990’s with the film “Juice” starring a young Tupac Shakur and including the recent films “This Christmas” and “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.”

On question of how to get an actor to read your script Darrell said, “Use whatever connections you can.  You want to have talent read the project.  Send a very brief cover letter explaining, in concept, what the script is about and why they should read it.  You’re competing against 50 or 60 other screenplays so be sure to explain why he/she should choose yours.”

Darrell also shared a million dollar secret during the interview.  “Except for probably a true handful of no more than ten African American actors, you can probably get almost anybody in your film.  Here’s the key: they can be hired. In other words, they can be hired if you have someone who will finance your motion picture.  They’re actors. They want to work and if you’re willing to pay compensation, they will take your offer a lot more serious, especially if your query comes with a contingent letter attached.”

Darrell expressed the importance of getting some type of name talent in a film in terms of  triggering financing, production (greenlight) and distribution.  He also talked about the importance of the first 10 pages of your script, how to know what to offer (finding out what their latest quote was), giving the actor producer credits, “Pay or Play” deals, and much more.

To listen to the full 1-hour interview with entertaiment attorney Darrell Thompson go to: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/insideurbanhollywood.  You can listen online or download the MP3 to iTunes.

Organization of Black Screenwriters Monthly Meeting on Feb. 7; Tanya Discusses Strategies for Screenwriter Success

On Saturday, February 7th,  I will be the special guest speaker at the Organization of Black Screenwriters (OBS) monthly meeting.  I will be talking about strategies for screenwriter success.

OBS will be covering lots of exciting new things that includes information that will assist you in moving your writing career forward. We’re introducing a new segment, “ON THE GRIND, IN 2009!” You can’t miss this great career building tool that’s guaranteed to assist you in tightening up your scripts.

OBS also be making the BIG announcement, the winner of the 2008 OBS Script Contest.

Admission to the meeting is FREE for members, with a valid Membership
card presented at the time of the meeting. All visitors and guests pay
only $20 at the door that is applied toward membership fee if you join
at the end of the meeting. (Cash or Money order only). There’s
FREE parking in the rear of the building location on Hobart Avenue off
Adams Blvd. See our website for more details, www.obswriter.com.

RSVP ASAP!
EVENT: OBS MEETING
DATE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2009
TIME: 10AM – 1PM
WHERE: GOLDEN STATE MUTUAL LIFE INS. BLDG
1999 WEST ADAMS BLVD., CONFERENCE ROOM
LOS ANGELES, CA 90018
CONTACT: 310.884.8755

Getting the Necessary Support

Here we are at the end of this New Year career planning series. The final resolution is: Get the Necessary Support. Resolve that: “I recognize that resolutions are easy to make, but even easier to break. I’ll look for a career buddy and mentor to help keep me focused. If I know that I need even more support, I’ll consider investing in some coaching to help me achieve my goals.”

A mentor can help you reach your goals. They can help you find your niche and they can lend a guiding hand when you are making big decisions. Finding a mentor is important for networking as well as they can help open doors for you.

You have to first have a plan on who you’re going to reach out to in terms of possible mentors, and and how you’re going to approach a possible mentor. You should make a list of questions to ask a potential mentor in order to ensure you have the right fit. Allow them to ask you questions as well, because the fit has to work both ways.

Deliver your pitch and then be patient enough to realize that there will be people that will not accept the request to be a mentor. As you ask the person to mentor you, be sure to explain to them why they were chosen. Be very careful, though, because it is apparent when you are trying to butter someone up instead of being completely genuine.

Having a career buddy can be a major boost to your career in terms of accountability and achieving balance.

You and your buddy can confide in each other and also support each other during the challenging times you’re likely to face. With no one but yourself to hold you accountable for your goals and plans, time can just slip away. It’s so easy to lose balance between personal needs and wants and your careers. Your buddy can keep you on point in this regard, and protect against burnout once enthusiasm starts to wade.

Use your buddy as a sounding board for ideas and goals as well as frustrations. Keep each other balanced and on track, but know when it is appropriate to go solo.

A coach can play a critical role in your career. For those of you who have career goals that you want to reach IMMEDIATELY…and are serious about taking ACTION and getting things ACCOMPLISHED, a career coach can help you achieve your professional goals, define the path that’s right for you and overcome the obstacles that prevent you from moving forward. You will discover how to eliminate defeating habits, develop confidence in your skills and abilities, and create an action plan to achieve your goals. A coach can help you find your own answers as well as give you the benefit of their advice and experience.

If you’re looking to hire a career coach, make sure you choose someone who has the breadth of experience necessary to guide you down the right path, and be sure you feel comfortable talking with them.

Well we’ve reached the end of the line with this final New Year career resolution. Over the past month and a half I have talked about five key career resolutions you should embrace in order to jump start the new year: (1) Have a plan for my career, (2) Update my tools, (3) Develop myself professionally, (4) Build my network, and (5) Get the necessary support. I also addressed each resolution in-depth to give you more insight into how to make your resolutions a reality.

It’s now time to get real about your career! Recognize that your career is more than the sum of your gigs. Accept that you have to take responsibility for defining your career goals and supporting objectives. Understand that you will have to identify steps and activities that will advance your career over time. This won’t happen magically if you don’t do anything. Sure, some people get lucky, but don’t rely on it. Don’t sit by the pool waiting for the phone to ring. It’s your career and you’re responsible.

Here’s to your success in 2009!

All the best,

Tanya Kersey
http://www.hollywoodcareerresources.com

Building Your Network

Resolution #4 in this installment of my New Year career planning series is: Build my network.  Resolve that: “I will inject myself into the Hollywood culture and actively network and build relationships with other industry professionals.”

One of the most critical keys to unlocking and managing a successful career in the entertainment industry is networking. Networking should be integrated it into your life — it’s a lifestyle!

The goal in networking is to make initial contacts with people you would like to be in business with. Your initial contact should be about opening the door, not closing the sale. Introduce yourself, ask for their contact details and then follow up with afterwards.

When you meet someone in a social setting, make a very brief initial pitch, acknowledge that you don’t want to take up all their time, but would appreciate an opportunity to speak with them at a later date.

Your intial pitch is your 30-second elevator pitch.  That’s all the time you usually get so use it wisely!  Sometimes you don’t even get that much time.  You actually only have 10 seconds to hook someone into a conversation, and if you are successful at that, an additional 20 seconds to actually deliver your elevator pitch.

You want to make the most of your 30-seconds so be prepared with your elevator pitch - who you are, what you’re selling, why do they need it, what problem does it solve and where can they get you. Being prepared with your 30-second elevator pitch also reduces the stress and takes the pressure off of you to “perform.” It’s your self-introduction and conversation starter.  Follow up with a brief statement or question about their company or them.

You should know something about the people you are talking to. If you’re going to an event and know the names of the people you might have a chance to meet, then spend time researching the, their companies, their products/projects.  You can Google them, or do an imdb search.

You should also have a list of questions in mind, and have an idea of what information you want to gather. Think about what you can do for them as opposed to what they can do for you.  People are always attracted to solutions.

In building your network, you want to be sure to reach out to people from different disciplines – actors, writers, directors, producers, agents, etc.  Your network should be as diverse as possible so cast a wide net.  The broader you cast your net, the broader your catch will be.

Here are a few quick networking tips you can incorporate into your networking:

1. Find out Who’s Doing What Where and When.  Take the time to find out what’s going on, where people hang out and what restaurants they go to
2. If someone asks you what you do, don’t give your title, give the benefits of what you do.
3. Listen and ask questions.
4. Reveal something interesting about yourself.

The key to successfully building your network is to get out there, get involved, meet people and be persistent.  You can’t sit by the phone waiting for it to ring.  You gotta be in it, to win it!

In the next and final installment in this career planning series I’ll be discussing getting the necessary support.

Until then, here’s to your success in 2009!

All the best,

Tanya Kersey
http://www.hollywoodcareerresources.com
http://www.tanyakersey.com

P.S.  For more in-depth information on how to successfully network in Hollywood, check out my recently teleseminar recording “How to Get on the Hollywood A-List: Surefire Tips for Building Your Social Capital in Hollywood.” Its YOUR ticket to my insider tips and secrets on how to successfully and effectively network in Hollywood. The targeted, action-based, 60 miinute teleseminar will empower you to play the Hollywood networking game by building career-critical relationships. As an added BONUS you’ll get the 43-page accompanying eBook AND you’ll get “What Do You Do?: Developing Your 30-Second Elevator Pitch,” an audio strategy between myself and Hollywood Correspondent and Media Expert, Gayl Murphy, author of Interview Tactics: How to Survive the Media Without Getting Clobbered. Gayl and I discuss what you say when someone asks “What Do you Do?” We share advice on how you answer the question, what you can say if you’re a beginner just starting out, how to leave them wanting to hear more, and how to put your best foot forward in 30 seconds or less.

To order your copy NOW go to: _wpro_href=”http://www.tanyakersey.com/howtogetonthehollywoodalist.php” title=”">www.tanyakersey.com/howtogetonthehollywoodalist.php.

“Inside Urban Hollywood” Launches Second Season on Jan. 5

“Inside Urban Hollywood” with host, Tanya Kersey, will launch its second season on Monday, January 5, 6pm PST/9pm EST on BlogTalkRadio. (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/insideurbanhollywood)

Film festival programmer Jacqueline Blaylock who was the first guest when the show debuted nearly a year ago, is back to kick off the second season and to discuss the art of applying to film festivals, from the point of view of the festival programmer. She’ll discuss how you can improve your chances of getting your film accepted to a film festival and how to raise your profile if your film gets in. She’ll offer advice on making your submission materials just as impressive as your film. Blaylock is the veteran programmer of the Hollywood Black Film Festival.

“Inside Urban Hollywood,” is a live, Internet talk-radio show that airs live every Monday night at 6pm PST/9pm EST and streams from the host page at http://blogtalkradio.com/InsideUrbanHollywood. Hosted and produced by veteran entertainment journalist, commentator, author and film festival director Tanya Kersey, “Inside Urban Hollywood” features interviews with some of Hollywood’s movers and shakers — from filmmakers, directors and writers to studio executives, agents and entertainment attorneys — who share their knowledge and insights to help those aspiring, beginning and hoping to grow their careers in the entertainment industry.

Listeners are welcome to call-in to ask questions at (646) 200-3290. An archive of each show will be available at the same link immediately following the show or listeners can subscribe to the archives via the RSS feed located on the host page at http://blogtalkradio.com/insideurbanhollywood.

Previous guests on “Inside Urban Hollywood” include talent manager/producer E. Brian Dobbins (Principato-Young Entertainment); Shelby Stone, Senior Vice President of Development and Production at Foxx-King Productions; Robyn Lattaker-Johnson, President, duBose Entertainment; producer/manager Lita Richardson; film financier/investor Steven Belser; distribution executives Brett Dismuke (One Village Entertainment), Angela Northington (Codeblack Entertainment) and Melvin Butters (Barnholtz Entertaiment), film financing consultant/author Louise Levison; film producer Effie T. Brown (“Real Women Have Curves”); distribution strategist Brian Dobbins (Principato-Young Entertainment); entertainment attorney Mychal Wilson; writer/director/producer Don B. Welch; film financier Kevin Kinsey, film distribution guru Stacey Parks; casting directors Twinkie Byrd and Pamela Station; filmmaker Dwayne Johnson-Cochran; Doreen Hamilton, head of the Cosby Program; Sunny Fuller, script analyst, Story Pointe; Scilla Andreen, CEO of IndieFlix; and film festival programmer Jacqueline Blaylock.

Professional Career Development for the New Year

Resolution #3 in this installment of my New Year career planning series is: Develop myself professionally.

“I resolve that I am willing to invest in my career because I know that it costs money to make money. I will attend industry conferences, workshops and seminars to hone my talent and skills. I will read some career and business books, and I will read the industry trades every day.”

Among the many keys to unlocking and managing a successful career in the entertainment industry are research, preparation, and staying current with industry trends.  You have to invest in developing yourself professionally because it will provide you with the skills and information needed to build your career and successfully sustain it. Remember, it costs money to make money so put some money aside now for the new year.

You should plan on attending a few industry conferences, workshops, seminars and film festivals this year.  This is how you keep your skills sharp and further hone your craft, as well as network (which I’ll discuss in the next installment).

If you’re an actor you should be attending actor’s workshops, TV commercials and audition technique seminars in addition to your regular scene study work.  An actor is always growing and learning … the journey is never-ending.

Similarly, directors and writers should also attend workshops and seminars related to their crafts. And general industry conferences and film festivals are important to everyone.

If you’re sitting at home and not “in the mix,” you’re at a huge disadvantage already.  The people who are successful, who are making it, are in the game.  That’s where you need to be.   And being in the game in this regard is not “invitation-only.” If you plan and budget wisely, you can put yourself in the game by putting yourself out there.

You should also have the newest career and business books on your reading list.  And, reading the industry trades every day is career-critical!  If for nothing more than conversational purposes.  You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where people are discussing current industry news and you’re totally out of the loop.  It doesn’t make you appear to be a professional and someone that others would be confident in working with or recommending.  People want to work with people who are on top of the business part of show business.

Reading the trades is also one of the best ways to gather job leads.  Read between the lines. If a project has gone into development, look to see what executives, producers and writers are involved in the project.  Then put your networking plan into high gear.  You want to make sure your name is in the pot when they begin handing out jobs.  Similarly, if someone gets a job promotion, what better time to send an email or letter congratulating them on their step up the ladder.  The information is priceless if you just pay attention and like I said before, read between the lines.

You can read the trades online for free (www.hollywoodreporter.com, www.variety.com, www.billboard.com, www.blacktalentnews.com) so you have no excuse for not being on top of your game!

The bottom line is that you have to continually invest in extended learning opportunities that will expand your skills and talents, and give you a high level understanding of the entertainment industry.  Make sure you include as many professional career development opportunities as you can as part of your overall career strategy and plan.

To further aide in your professional development, be sure to check out my new tele-seminar: “How to Get on the Hollywood A-List: Surefire Tips for Building your Social Capital in Hollywood” (www.tanyakersey.com/howtogetonthehollywoodalist.php) and the recording of my “Strategies for Hollywood Success: How to Build a Winning Plan for Your Career” tele-class www.strategiesforhollywoodsuccess.com).

In the next installment in this career planning series I’ll be discussing building your network.

Until then, here’s to your success in 2009!

All the best,

Tanya Kersey
www.hollywoodcareerresources.com
www.strategiesforhollywoodsuccess.com
www.tanyakersey.com/coachingsignup.php

Time to Update Your Career Tools

Last week I talked about you having a plan for your career.  This week we’re going to get started working on resolution #2 in this New Year career planning series: you’re updating your career tools.

I will make sure my professional tools (pictures, resumes, bios, demo reels, films, trailers, scripts, business cards, website, 30-sec. elevator pitch, etc.) are up-to-date.

What are your career tools?  Your career tools are those things that are necessary for you to propel yourself forward — pictures, resumes and demo reels for actors; scripts and treatments for writers; films and trailers for filmmakers.  Of course, everyone should have the basic business tools — business cards, an email address and a website.  Let’s take a look at each business tool, beginning with the basics.

Business cards are a must!  You’re a showbiz-preneur, a business person in the entertainment industry.  And like every business person, a business card is the your most basic calling card, the way you market yourself, connect with others and network.  If you’re an actor, put your photo on your business card.  But don’t overdue it with several pictures, just one that represents the true essence of you are will suffice.  Identify yourself as an actor, a writer, a filmmaker, a director.  People need to know who you are and what you do.  If you’re a multi-hyphenate, make sure your business card reflects that.  Don’t make the font size overly fancy or too small, people must be able to quickly read it at-a-glance.  You also don’t want too much information on your card so that it looks overcrowded.  If you’ve got a lot to say, use both sides of the card, or perhaps a fold-over card.

Think of your business card as your marketing tool. If you’ve done a film, how about saying: writer-director of “NAME OF YOUR FILM.”  If you’re an actor you can say “Star of the stage hit “NAME OF PLAY.”  Put on your PR cap when developing the copy for your business card.  When you’re not there, it should immediately identify who you are, what you do, and give the person a variety of ways to contact you.  To that end, make sure at a minimum, the business card has your name, phone number, email address and website URL. If you don’t have to have a domain name of your own, you can list your MySpace page.  Bottom line, have a way for people to find out more about you on the Internet.

Actors should have pictures, resumes and demo reels.  Make sure they are up-to-date.  Your photo should look like you, and shouldn’t be a glamour shot.  You want to make sure you look like the photo when you walk through the casting director or agents’ door.  Your photo should be no more than a year old.

Your resume should also be up-to-date, as should your demo reel.

Writers should always have on hand a sample of their writing whether it’s a treatment, a spec script or a feature-length film.

If you’re a director, you want to have a director’s reel.  I recommend first-time filmmakers have a trailer of their film and if you’ve done a few films, how about putting together a trailer that encompasses all of your work – kind of like a “sizzle” reel.

It’s also a good idea to have a brief bio of yourself.  You’ll definitely need one if the opportunity for press coverage comes along so be ready and have one written up now!  The same goes for a publicity photo.  If a newspaper or magazine is doing a story on you, they are likely to ask for a photo.  Everyone in Hollywood has one – whether you’re a writer, director, producer, agent, manager, or studio executive.  Time to smile for the camera!

You should also be ready to deliver your 30-second elevator pitch when someone says “tell me about yourself.” Who are you, what do you do, what do you want?!  Your pitch is one of the most important tools in your arsenal and you should take your time in perfecting it.  You may need several elevator pitches depending on who you are talking to.

At the end of the day you want to make sure that you’re prepared for opportunity when it comes along.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met an interesting writer or filmmaker, asked for their business card, and they said they didn’t have one.  Or the countless times I’ve asked someone what they do and they were unable to articulate it in 30-seconds.

Final note:  if you change your email or phone number, spend the few bucks and get a new business card printed.  DON’T write in updated information on your card.  A real professional has their act together at all times!

In the next installment in this career planning series I’ll be discussing professional career development.

Until then, here’s to your success in 2009!

All the best,

Tanya Kersey