The Entrepreneurial Guide To Entertainment with Sandy McKee
It’s safe to say that all entrepreneurs dream of taking their companies to great heights, hitting it big, and dominating their markets, if not the world (in a good way). Yet many, if not most, begin small and must work their way up. It’s a tough trail to blaze and not everyone makes it. Yet we incurable entrepreneurs march on, taking pride in our independence. And, independence is good, right? Yes and no. It’s good if it means one takes responsibility for one’s own actions. But, it’s not so good if it means cutting oneself off from the people one needs to help build the company.
I used the word “one” a lot in that last sentence. The truth is, to be successful, you need “one plus.” Plus what? Plus money, plus expertise, plus resources, plus labor, plus vision, plus faith, plus wisdom, plus other people. If you can’t work well with others, if you can’t pull together the best team possible to make your dreams a reality, if you can’t share, then please save yourself the grief and admit you’re not really an entrepreneur. You just want to work alone and not grow a business at all. Nothing wrong with that, so long as you’re honest about it. Remember: Even the Lone Ranger had partners. He would have been in deep kim chee without Tonto and Silver.
Building a business via interdependence and relationships is a wiser course, especially for those in the entertainment industry. Those who fail to make it there lament, “Forget it. It’s who you know that counts.” Of course, it’s who you know! Even the smallest entertainment production, say a wedding, for example, costs tens of thousands of dollars. If I’m writing that check, you better believe I’m writing it not only to someone I know, but to someone I know is GREAT and to someone I know will deliver as promised.
So, if you are an entertainment entrepreneur (artist, writer, musician, clown, whatever) and are not yet at the level of mega-success you dream of, then consider the following suggestions. Frankly, I believe them to be the three most essential components for any degree of success in the entertainment industry.
- Hone your craft. Take classes, get an experienced coach or mentor, practice, get feedback, practice some more, innovate, etc. Being excellent at what you do is not the goal. Rather, being excellent is the absolute MINIMUM starting point. You won’t have a shot at that breakout gig until you’re performing at excellent or above. The competition is too fierce. Face it, and get back to work.
- Remember the “business” in show business. This is the part that chafes most entrepreneurs, but establishing sound business practices from Day One will save a lot of headaches in the long run. Keep an up-to-date calendar, establish a separate business account, pay your taxes, and other business basics are essential. However, the most important business habit to BURN INTO YOUR VERY SOUL is to take each job seriously and to deliver what you’ve promised. Understand that people are counting on you and if you don’t do your part, no matter how great you are, they won’t hire you again. The competition is too fierce. Face it, and be businesslike.
- Build strong, lasting relationships. Get in the habit of thinking “healthy and mutually beneficial” when dealing with any relationship. You can’t stalk your way to greatness, nor can you sustain selfish manipulation for very long. People wise up. You also can’t hide behind the excuse of not being a “people person.” If that’s you, then get to the nearest Dale Carnegie course, join Toastmasters, or take a listening class. (Yes, they exist and are both eye- and ear-opening). Be friendly. Of course, some wisdom and discernment is also called for. If you’re looking at a long-term relationship, it is prudent to vet the other person. Find out with whom you’re dealing before making costly mistakes. Bottom line: You need the help of good partners to achieve a high level of success. The competition is too fierce for you to try to go it alone. Face it, and build a strong network.
Sounds like work, doesn’t it? Why, yes it does. If your “art” is simply a hobby that you dabble at in your spare time, then fine. God bless you. Keep on keeping on. BUT, if you’re seeking any degree of commercial success in the arts, then there’s no escaping these three essential components to build your career and your business. Start at Level One (see prior articles on what we can learn from playing video games) and work your way as high up the ladder of mega-success as you can. When you get there, contact me. I will celebrate your success (and then probably ask you for a job.)
For more information, please visit Sandy's TNNWC Bio.
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