There are normal human beings and then there are entrepreneurs. I believe that the mind of an entrepreneur is quite different from the average person. I’d even argue that those differences are essential to their survival. It takes a large amount of courage, motivation and yes, connections. We all know that the world moves on whom you know but think about this… Don’t you have to know more people as an entrepreneur?
If my long-term goal is to work my way up the ranks in a great (fortune 500) company, the first thing I have to do is get in the door. This will usually require me to know someone, somewhere in the company. Although this is not the case for all, it is definitely the case for most. Theoretically, you can work your way up the ranks with your work and not your relationships. (This is a generalized statement and not intended to imply that relationships aren’t important. You MUST have people and communication skills if you plan to do ANYTHING in business.) In entrepreneurship; however, you can’t plan, start, or work your business without a strong network of people around you.
In entertainment especially, your TEAM is extremely valuable. No one-person posses all that it takes to operate an entire company. This means that the company owner is looking to build his team. If you are a job seeker then someone is looking for you. If you are the owner then you are looking for others to work for you. As an entrepreneur, you need to be able to identify with someone(s) that you don’t fully understand. Think about it, the average person doesn’t want to own a business or participate in the endless work of entrepreneurship. On the other hand, most entrepreneurs could not fathom the thought of working their entire life for someone else. Regardless of which side you stand on, a network of professionals that you can reach out to when needed is important. On the other hand, if you are an entrepreneur in one of the most difficult industries to break into (entertainment), a network of experienced professionals is paramount.
In this day and age it is easier than ever to build a professional network. In the old days people had to attend networking events where countless professionals would get together (with a drink ofcourse) and talk to each other. Networking events can be found in so many ways but the easiest is an old fashioned Google search. I found a company called Eventful (http://eventful.com/) to be very helpful in locating entertainment related networking events. Although these are still very valuable events to attend, networking has become so much easier online without leaving the comforts of your home (which you will need to leave if you are trying to launch your own). I hope that you find this and future postings helpful. Here are a few sites that I find particularly helpful:
This is a GREAT site for professional networking. Your profile is essentially your resume. You can reach out to people that are in the entertainment industry and possibly working jobs that you are interested in. This will help you to start growing your network. There are also a plethora of groups that you can join like Entertainment Industry and Music and Entertainment Professionals that can further assist you in reaching the people you need to reach. Unlike the wealth of useless information you will find on Facebook and other social sights, this site is for the professionals. It is also a great tool for finding a job and finding employees.
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=137500175):
This is a very popular site used by many people for many different reasons. Please know that it is still a valuable tool in locating professionals and advertising your work. With fan pages, iLike buttons, and advertising plans that help you reach your target market, Facebook has become almost essential in reaching a large group of people. Be careful, however, to post material that will represent you and your brand well. So many take for granted that Facebook has become so accessible to everyone. Professionals are “facebooking” just like you so use yours wisely.
Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/tarellebailey):
This site is still growing in popularity but is still one of the most misunderstood of all of the social media sites. If used properly, twitter allows you to follow and be followed by people you would never have an opportunity to talk to in person. Anyone in the entertainment industry will tell you that if you are serious about it, you have to study it. Twitter is an excellent way to see what people are doing, where they will be, what they are buying, who they are listening to, etc.
Musicolio (http://www.musicolio.com/tbailey06):
This site is not as popular as the aforementioned. I like this site because it is exclusive to those in the entertainment industry. To join this site, you must apply and be able to prove your involvement in the industry presently. If and when you are accepted, you have access to songwriters, musicians, producers, and executives that are looking for other professionals to do business with. Although it is not well known, I think that it should be!
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com):
We all know that Myspace is loosing its popularity, however, it is still a great way for artist to share their music and let others hear it for free. You will notice that I did not link MY profile because it is under construction; however, I will post it once I have my new music ready for consumption.
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