11 Tips on Networking In The Entertainment Industry
Life is crazy. Welcome to another listicle week.
I’m not numbering them individually though - enjoy my Chaotic Good.
Here are some networking tips you might find helpful for your batshit insane choice to try to work in the Entertainment Industry.
I’m gonna get some flack for number 11.
Nothing runs on time.
NOTHING.
Add at least 2 months to the timeline on how likely it is for you to actually get together with someone.
Double the length of time estimated to complete any project.
Do be on time to your meetings though - THEY probably won’t be, but showing up on time will make you look good.
It’s extraordinarily normal to reschedule meetings
Don’t freak out!!!! It’s normal.
General chit chat/ getting to know someone is fine on Fridays, but try to avoid pitches or any other sort of meeting that actually requires further work out of the person you’re meeting so close to the weekend.
This is a good rule for emailing/reaching out in general. Don’t bother people when they’re about to relax.
Unless…
Know the cool things going on
You’re more likely to be able to get together with people if you invite them to something cool they actually want to do.
Is the person you want to connect with really into Mexican Wrestling? Underground Raves? Cat Con? Fleetwood Mac Cover Bands?
Find something relevant or unique they might want to come to!
You will start to hear about cool things as your network expands, but it also helps to subscribe to newsletters talking about this stuff - I like We Like LA.
You can also sign up for info on events at places like LACMA, The Academy Museum, Japan House, The Huntington, The Getty, Peterson Automotive Museum and more.
Take Notes
Keep notes in your contacts on people - especially how you met. Treats if you note down a small personal detail you connected over initially.
What do they like? If they mention liking a certain brand of coffee, wine, pillow, band, whatever the fuck - write it down in their contact card/ in your notes right away. RIGHT AWAY - before you forget.
Machiavelli this shit.
It will make you come across more thoughtful, caring and show you have attention to detail. That can give you the edge.
…Also it genuinely is thoughtful and caring - stop feeling bad about it.
…Don’t be weirdly obvious about it though… be discreet, loser.
Some people like to get right down to business, but it’s more common to try to connect over personal matters before diving into work.
It’s almost considered impolite to talk about work right away without some personal chit chat first.
This is especially true if you’re trying to make a longer-term connection. People can feel used if you just dive straight into business and are less likely to be interested in working with you for fun.
Lube it up, don’t go in dry.
If you’re meeting someone new at a bar, at an event, etc. try to find a human connection before you ask what they do.
Remember: have fun and find something you genuinely connect on.
ALWAYS get THEIR contact info
Never just give them yours and wait for them to follow up. You will be waiting forever.
Some people might not feel comfortable giving out their numbers - TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE - do not push for the number! Pivot and ask for something less personal, like an instagram or an email address.
Follow up
If you meet someone you want to build a connection with, be sure to follow up!
Do this within 48 hours ideally - if you don’t want to “bother them” on a weekend, the next business day is also good. And if you forget to do it on Monday, do it on Tuesday. It’s fine. Just do it.
It doesn’t have to be big. It can just be,
“Hey, It was so great to meet you on Saturday ☺️ Would love to do brunch soon - good luck with that small detail I remembered from our conversation!”
Omit the getting together part if you don’t want to, adjust however you use the small detail you connected with them over to suit your needs.
Take Initiative
If you are lower on the totem pole, the onus is going to be on you to reach out to schedule anything, even if THEY say, “We should get together sometime!”
You might probably will have to reach out multiple times to get something in the books.
Once a week/once every other week is reasonable to check in to get something scheduled - don’t do more than that.
Know What You Want,
Be Clear About it,
& TELL EVERYONE
If you want to work in a writers’ room TELL EVERY SINGLE PERSON YOU KNOW.
Remind them! Repeat yourself! Odds are someone knows someone who knows someone.
People want to help people they like. And odds are, if someone does a favor for you, you’d probably be willing to do a favor for them too at some point. It’s just good Karma.
Let’s be honest: People can be two-faced.
Know who’s really in your corner. Invest in these relationships. Learn how to mitigate the others - you WILL have to work with people you may not like. Be as good of a person as you possibly can.
Take a leaf out of Queen Tay Tay’s book: Keep your side of the street clean.
Put good into the universe. Spread Karma.
If you can’t get out of something where you HAVE to work with an asshole - this book might have some useful tips:
This One’s Controversial
If you’re a woman you might want to surreptitiously talk about your boyfriend (even if you don’t have one) 15 minutes into any conversation with a male and/or wear a fake ring.
Make it clear you’re interested in developing a professional, business relationship.
Should they respect you enough to take your “I’m not interested” at your word? Yes. Will they? Unlikely.
I’ve legitimately seen lawsuits happen over this.
I got too tired to fight the good fight, but you can if you want to.
The amount of times I thought I was networking and they thought they were getting a date is truly deplorable.
How they react to this is also a great indicator on if it’s even worth it to try to network with this sleaze or not.
There you have it! A quick primer on networking in LA - Now get out there and start making moves baby!
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