Make friends with bouncers

I'm often asked how I find out about producing opportunities and end up getting into exclusive events and readings. My answer:

I'm friends with a lot of bouncers.

For every project that you are interested in there is someone who is connected to that project who helps make the decisions. They operate the same way a bouncer operates at a night club. They check you at the door to the opportunity and they decide if you pass or if you go home because you're wearing the wrong shoes. That being said, if you know the bouncers, you get in a lot easier. How do you find them?

Chances are they are at the same level you are and they also are looking to break into the business. Have you ever taken a producer's assistant out to lunch? Can you name the personal assistant of ANY producer off the top of your head right now? if you can't, get started because they are the bouncers and they'll be taking the call that you make about your next project.

I help a lot of my friends find jobs in the industry every day because I know plenty of folks who work for bigger companies and I connect them. I have even had friends who I have found jobs for who eventually became the bouncers at other bigger organizations and are always happy to take my calls. 

So take some time today to look at who is in your industry that you can meet and get to know. Maybe you decide that you'd like to co-produce something with them, maybe you go out for a drink or two, maybe you end up becoming best friends, but here's the most important point:

The relationship has to be genuine. If you go and try to be someone's friend with the sole purpose in your mind of getting something out of it, it's just like thinking that if you slip the bouncer a $20, you'll get in. Good bouncers know when someone legitimately cares about them. That is what you have to do. Make sure that you work towards developing a mutually beneficial relationship. Check in with them and see how you can help them at any point. Never forget that we all rise together and the second someone feels used, the relationship is done.

So go out and meet some bouncers.

I'll see you in the club.

Excelsior!

Comments

[Tom Atkins]

Great post. It is all about the relationships and you're clearly always on the look out for the win-win which is ultimately the way to achieve dreams and to make things happen in the best possible and most successful way.

[Acai Optimum]

very informational... educative as well, i've been a very good follower of your blog... all am gonna say is good job!