Networking is imperative; A functions function

Today's Tip – Networking is imperative; A functions function -

Making contacts in any type of environment is easy. Networking Functions and gatherings set up expressly for that purpose can be an extraordinary thing. You have the opportunity to expand your contacts. It isn't enough to simply show up though as we said yesterday. You have to do more.

Research and choose the right event for you. You can still make contacts at any event but attending one that ties into what you do is more beneficial. There are trade shows, conferences and groups dedicated to what you do. For the entertainers thinking there isn't, ask yourself this. Does your community do carnivals or street fairs? Be involved in your local community if nothing else. Networking is about contacts, you never know who someone knows. Some of those people could need a band, comic, or musician and who would they go to? You, the person they know and is interested in their community, or the random guy they found on a website.

We talked about being engaged with the people you are speaking to yesterday, remember this. Focus on quality of contacts not quantity. You will be attending many functions, meeting new people each time. No one takes the guy seriously who looks bored or distracted. If all you did was hit everyone in the room and hand out cards you would make zero impact. Instead set a goal to meet four or five new people each time. This is different than meeting fans after a show, that’s more of a meet and greet, networking functions are to make contacts for your business, and you are your business.

Keep in mind the impact you have, as we discussed yesterday, stand out. You have one chance to make a first impression. Making a bad one will make your life more difficult as you try to repair the problem. Keep in mind both your verbal and nonverbal communication. If you are a poor social animal try some of these ideas to help you. Make eye contact when shaking hands, notice what color their eyes are, that’s enough direct eye contact it shows that you are comfortable with people and avoids being rude. Again follow TAC, its more about them than you. Interact ask follow-up questions about what they say. Having trouble starting a conversation look here.

We talk about being able to articulate what we do during our seminars. This is very important when at a Networking Event. You should work on this. You need to have a short introduction for yourself and your business. This is where having a mission statement or a motto can definitely benefit you. Short and to the point. It should inform people who you are what you do and what you offer them. It should also leave an opening for people to ask questions if they want, chances are they will. Practice doing this so it is second nature. Using your research of what the event is that you are attending you can tailor it to what you are trying to achieve. Maintain the who, what and what's in it for them criteria.

Last but most certainly not least. Follow up, this is where most people mess up. You should always contact them again right after the event, within three days is reasonable, add a business card and personalize it with something you spoke about with them, about them. Then mark your calendar for a few weeks later two to three weeks is good and follow up once more. You want to get together to discuss how you can help each other see here for more information on doing this.

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Networking is imperative; Do I know you? Be remembered

Today's Tip – Networking is imperative; Do I know you? Be remembered -

From time to time it might be useful for you (imperative for you) to attend functions for the sole purpose of Networking. We tell our clients to go to other peoples shows both to support whomever is performing and for one other very important reason. To get the word out about themselves.

Sometimes they don't understand, or have trouble making progress. So for the next week we are going to help both them and you, our loyal readers. These same ideas can be handy in any form of networking from casual introductions to specific networking events, (which you should also go to). Look at it like courting, it's applicable for that too.

A common thing we hear from clients is this, “I have a bunch of business cards, and I can't remember a thing about any of them.” This is a problem for you. If everyone came away from interacting with you not able to remember your name and what it is you do, you just wasted your valuable time. You want to be remembered there are some things you can do to help you in that regard. Let's go through some basic ones.

Stand out, not in some crazy serial killer kind of way but in a way people will notice. You will need to stand out from the crowd. If you just performed and are working the crowd this won't be a problem, but if you are at another event, you might want to do something to set yourself apart. That means not blending into the background of the event, use your own judgment. If it's for a business something brightly colored will work, most business people wear drab colors so wearing a bright shirt or tie will help you when the person try's to remember “Oh ya the guy in the bright yellow tie.” You don’t want to be over the top or no one will take you seriously. You do want to stand out in the crowd it can be a fine line to walk.

You personally need to be completely invested in what you are doing. Have conversations and use your skills to make an impression. Listen well, ask questions, be engaged with the people you speak with. If you have been following along you know all about TAC. (The Art of Conversation). Utilize it to your benefit. Most of all be open and available to others, be there mentally and fully engaged with everyone you are speaking to. Ask real questions of people. Tailor them to the people you are speaking with of course you should always go with simple things like “How did you become interested in 'X'.” You don't want to be a drone and keep asking the same questions of different people though so it is important that you really and truly paying attention to the people who you are choosing to interact with. They will remember you for this. Quite a few people who go to network think that simply showing up is enough. It's not, be mindful of what your saying and who you are saying it to.

If you are going to a get together specifically meant for networking a “Networking Function” you need to do things a tad bit differently. Most people will not be able to remember long drawn-out descriptions of what it is that you do. Pare it down to the core of what you have to offer. Some things you must manage to get across are, your name, your company, what you do/who you help, what you offer and where you are located. This doesn't mean just spouting all of this out. The trick is to fit these things into the conversations you have in a way that makes sense. Let the conversations flow but steer them a bit so that you can get the most out of it.

Remember that you are your business, and it is you personally. You are all that stand between you and obscurity, do your best and focus. People will remember you if you put in the effort.

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www.ChaseTheMusic.Net
www.Martyrd.com
www.TwitchTwitchProductions.com
www.Facebook.com/Outiside.Perception
www.SomethingPlanet.com
www.DanSorber.com
www.Facebook.com/OfficialAlanBaltesPage

Know The Facts Before Taking The Plunge Into An Acting Career; Guest Blogger: Alan Baltes (person)

Today's Tip – Know The Facts Before Taking The Plunge Into An Acting Career; Guest Blogger: Alan Baltes

Know The Facts Before Taking The Plunge Into An Acting Career

The number of people who "dream" of being a professional actor are in the millions. There are no official statistics published regarding the number of people who actively pursue acting jobs over the course of a given year, however the number is likely in the upper hundreds of thousands worldwide. This is a staggering number considering that there are roughly 50,000 acting jobs in a year, mostly comprising of small one-day roles. This figure also includes actors who worked on cruise lines, theme parks, summer festivals, and other non film and television jobs.

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is the nation's largest labor union representing working actors. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents over 125,000 actors. Although a small number of popular actors earn millions of dollars each year, the average income of the majority of Screen Actors Guild members is less than $5,000 per year. Most actors find that work is extremely sporadic, and they must supplement their incomes by working other jobs. Out of all the SAG members, only about 50 might be considered stars.

Becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild is no easy task to say the least. There are currently only three ways that an actor can join SAG:

1) Proof of employment. Employment must be in a principal or speaking role in a SAG film, videotape, television program or commercial. Proof of such employment may be in the form of a signed contract, or original pay stubs.

2) Background Actors (Extras) may join SAG upon proof of employment as a SAG-covered background player at full SAG rates and conditions for a minimum of three work days. Employment must be by a company signed to a SAG Agreement under which the Producer is required to cover background actors. Proof of employment must be in the form of original paystubs or a payroll printout faxed from the payroll house.

3) Employment Under an Affiliated Performers' Union Performers may join SAG if the applicant is a paid-up member of an affiliated performers' union (ACTRA, AEA, AFTRA, AGMA or AGVA) for a period of one year and has worked and been paid for at least once as a principal performer in that union's jurisdiction.

There is also the issue of costs. To become a SAG member, the current national initiation fee rate is $2277.00 plus the first semiannual dues. Each SAG member pays annual base dues of $116.00. In addition members pay 1.85% of all individual earnings under SAG contracts between $1 and $200,000; and 0.5% of earnings from $200,001 through $500,000; plus 0.25% of earnings from $500,001 to a maximum of $1,000,000.

To the audience watching performances, acting appears to be glamorous work. However, actors work under constant pressure. Many face stress from the difficulty in landing their next gig. Actors work very long and irregular hours with all night and weekend work a common part of an actor's life. They may do one show at night and another during the day. They also travel often and are away from home for lengthy periods during many productions. Actors must often tolerate heat from bright studio lights, endure working in all sorts of unfavorable weather. Huge egos exist in abundance on film and television sets.

In order to have any decent chance of working on a regular basis, an actor needs to be represented by a talent agent. Finding a legitimate agent to sign you can be a seemingly impossible task. A couple of decades ago, a SAG member could send out photos and resumes to a hundred talent agents and get a response from at least several of them. Now a SAG member would be lucky to get a single response after sending out hundreds of photos and resumes every month for a year. Most talent agents sign clients through industry referral.

We have just scratched the surface with some of the realities of pursuing an acting career. If you have a clear understanding of the business and still have a passion to move forward with this career choice, then you have the first quality that is required to be successful. A highly reputable A-list actor once made the following statement to an audience of SAG members, "if you can not even slightly be reasonably happy doing any other form of employment, then and only then should you attempt to become an actor".

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News Letter – The month of love Feb-R-U-Ary; Hold on to your seats!

 02.04.12

News Letter – The month of love Feb-R-U-Ary; Hold on to your seats!

We love to love. Always support one another. That's our goal as a company, as people. We want to see everyone succeed at bringing reality to their dreams. Good news is we have avenues that will help you do so. A free seminar on Thursday the 16 at 7pm. As always, it is an hour long and you can watching on line live as well. We can fit only 10 people in our studio but you get more out of it and can ask questions. So let us know if you want to come sit in. We already filled a few spots so email us at BBRoseProductions@Gmail.com

Next on the list is tomorrow's guest blogger. Guest Blogger: Alan Baltes (person) “Know The Facts Before Taking The Plunge Into An Acting Career”. He'll go into a wonderful array of information about helpful tips for actors. So, if you are an actor and would like to understand the business a little more. Here is a chance to read up on it. If you enjoy what you read, please pass the link for tomorrow along! It is after all, about supporting one another.

With some exciting projects coming up from Hamlet, to screen plays and even working with a new writing on the rise, we feel this month will bring much more to the company. Our very own Erin Chase is still in Africa helping the less fortunate out while she had just released her new single “Keep on breathing”. Even in the height of her new success she leaves to help other people. We are very proud to know her. All the world and a safe return for Erin Chase. On another musical artist point, Martyrd is doing some fantastical things. Their video is almost done, they have some shows coming up and even more interesting ventures that we can't talk about yet. Check out their website for more updates.

A production of “The Rabbi and the Toyota Dealer” opened very well. Great energy and a fun group of people in a wonderfully intimate environment. The show is running for the whole month of February. Our very own Thomas J. Bellezza in this play held at The Arena Players Repertory Theater, now in residence at the Vanderbilt Museum’s Carriage House Theater, begins the New Year with the Broadway comedy hit Any Wednesday. Opening night is Friday, February 3 at 8:00 p.m. The production runs through February 26. Performances: 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3:00 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $20 on Friday and Sunday, $25 on Saturday. Reservations are highly suggested. To purchase tickets, please contact the Arena Players at 516-293-0674 or visit www.ArenaPlayers.org

Our website is going through some upgrades. Keep checking it out for some great new changes. Don't forget BBR Productions Inc. can help market your company through Branding Building, Advertisement and Exposure. We're also a leading developer of ideas and possibilities. Our office number is 631.599.2263

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www.SomethingPlanet.com
www.DanSorber.com

Music to my ears; Under the sun

Today's Tip – Music to my ears; Under the sun -

I've opened the door and my mind has been released. With all you've learned this week, including last years helpful tips, you can now walk into this wicked world out of solitude from being paranoid of those damn war pigs. That's right, this week was mostly for musicians and bands. But anyone can take something from these tips. Under the sun, means take in the warmth of being outside and doing things. 90% of success is about being active in your search for possibility through proactive action. Meet people, go to events, follow up/call back, write, introduce yourself.

Make things by making things happen has been a large part of what we teach in anyone of these blogs. Of course it stems from a philosophy that there are no walls only solutions. Openly you've read about assets, goal setting and opportunity building. Without connecting the dots through actionable efforts they just become words you've seen somewhere once before. Including well documented 3 Needs of Success; Networking, Marketing and Practice. Really, get out there. Do things. You want to be known you have to be out there getting known.

Success is not all one line. It's a lot of work. It takes a lot of time through talking, socializing and making a name for yourself. Yes, the world has changed with internet. That doesn't mean people don't like being met in person. Utilize the computer of course, but take advantage of the fact there are events, meetings and groups in person to start interacting with. If you continue to enjoy warmth from under the sun you will find success boiling up overflowing your cup of possibility through chance. Have faith in yourself. Fear does not control you any longer!

“I was never afraid of failure, for I would sooner fail than not be among the best.” ~ John Keats

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www.TwitchTwitchProductions.com
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www.SomethingPlanet.com
www.DanSorber.com

Music to my ears; Wicked World

Today's Tip – Music to my ears; Wicked World -

The world today is such a wicked thing. The World is indeed a wicked place where many people are fighting to get ahead through knocking others down. How does that help anyone get ahead? Pushing the weak aside? Think positively and embrace your outcomes. There will be moments when you meet people or companies, that just don't give you what you want. Figure out who treats others and you kindly while keeping a list in your head. Remember to always be nice back. You never know who someone is or knows.

Working together, keeping a strong positive attitude and working hard everyday will only help create opportunity! Look outside once in a while to see where you can take your next step. The world you make it will not be as wicked as you think. Keep focused. Don't be scared to take a chance out there. Most important go outside everyday at least once. Either to breathe or for a chance to go somewhere. More opportunities come to you if you are out in the field. Interact with people physically. It is not all about internet activity.

As band, you need to be on the street all the time. Walking around in major city/populated areas. Carry with you at all times a CD, Sticker and possibly a flier that leads them to your main website. This goes for all people trying to build a fan-base/awareness in their product. Again, your product is YOU. Your name. Welcome your chances with open arms through proactive actions. You want people to know you, get to people. They are not looking for you, you are looking for them. Stop being scared of such a wicked world!

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

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www.Martyrd.com
www.TwitchTwitchProductions.com
www.Facebook.com/Outiside.Perception
www.SomethingPlanet.com
www.DanSorber.com

Music to my ears; Solitude

Today's Tip – Music to my ears; Solitude -

My future is shrouded in dark wilderness. Hiding in the shadows of trees gets you nowhere. When you're in public, or at an event, stay in view of people. Get your face known. Talk to people. If you endure a solitude attitude you'll just become invisible like a lonely wallflower. Interact as any successful socialite would to around 10's if not hundreds of people. Your face/name should be on the minds of everyone you cross paths with. It's helpful to be a part of an ever growing environment.

It is a hard habit to break for bands when it comes to standing in the back of the venue making fun of other bands. It is not about how much you like the bands playing. Don't waste time at shows hiding in the backstage area or back walls attacking everyone for being “less than awesome”. Get out there with a positive outlook on life. Let people see that you are not mean, or spiteful. That you are fun to be around, to talk with. The idea is to not be known as a group of people who just take away from the whole experience.

With that said. Try to get your name out there by being out there. Even if you are not playing an event, start being at events. Events that have nothing to do with music, or only have to do with music. Work at getting out to places at least once a week. If there are 4 of you in a band, that is one show per person for each month. So there are your 4 shows a month, one a week. Remember, this business is about being known. Staying away from crowds because you are tired or just not interested in doing it will get you nowhere. Once you get signed, the journey is not taken care of for you. Be proactive!

“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.” ~ Arthur C. Clarke

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