I don’t know any group of people who reinvent themselves more than those of us who work in the entertainment industry. From TV to features, film to digital, standard formats to new media options, freelancing to having a staff job, shooting a picture in water to shooting one in a jungle, from a $5 million budget to a $250 million blockbuster. There are always new learning curves to conquer, and it’s part of what makes what we do so interesting and varied. So while I’ve been riding one learning curve or another throughout my entire career, I find the process a lot more challenging when not working within a structured environment – when it’s not part of a job I’m hired to do and am left to my own devices.
Teaching is something I fell into by accident (in 1998 to be exact) and discovered I loved. And I’ve been fortunate enough to have opportunities to teach or do workshops or guest lecture most summers and in-between my other “real” jobs. But now, while waiting to land a new job, I’ve decided to pursue more teaching opportunities and (as you know) to hold a series of monthly one-day workshops. This is something I thoroughly enjoy doing (especially knowing that I’m able to help, inspire and motivate others). So you would think that being able to do something I love should bring me great joy, right? But the word that comes to mind instead is angst.
My friend Suzanne Lyons has taught me (along with thousands of others like me in the entertainment industry) that I am the CEO of my own company, and the product I’m selling is “me”. Along the same lines, I recently heard a commercial for (I believe it was a college), and their catch phrase is, “You’re in the business of you!” So I get it! If I don’t market myself, I won’t get tushes in the seats at my workshops or be able to push the limits of my book sales. But like everything else these days, the way things are being sold and promoted is changing on a day-to-day basis, and for someone who doesn’t come from that world to begin with, it’s a bit overwhelming.
I’ve learned that I need a brand and a slogan, that I need to build an e-mailing list and a following. I’ve been guest speaking at a lot of local colleges, universities and industry-related organizations lately to promote the workshops and books and to build this ever-increasing e-mailing list. I’ve been reaching out to former students and co-workers who have been steadfast in recommending the workshops. As recommended, I created an event/ticketing page… and as you see, I’ve started a newsletter (which is a pretty big commitment… maybe not as big as writing a book, but it’s a sizable commitment nonetheless).
What I’m having a bit of trouble with is the deep abyss that constitutes social media. It took me forever to get onto Facebook and Linkedin and to have my own website – and I was pretty proud of myself once I had all three, even though I couldn’t have done it without considerable help (especially from my friend, Robbie). But now I’m told that that’s no longer enough. In one day, my new intern (who had miraculously materialized from nowhere and volunteered to be my savior) had me signed-up on Twitter, Skype and Tumblr. And he told me that that was just the beginning. When I mentioned to this intern that for someone who likes to feel in control, I was feeling as if I’d been kidnapped by aliens, he told me to relax… that he was in the driver’s seat, and all I had to do was sit back and enjoy the ride. The problem is, my intern got a new job and quickly abandoned me by the side of the road. Now I have all of these accounts and am not quite sure what to do with them. To make matters worse, someone stole my credit card number and racked up over a thousand dollars worth of software, Internet and Skype charges. I haven’t used Skype yet, but a hacker has been using my account!
So I’ve applied to a few schools for new interns and am hoping to find a couple of bright, social media-savvy young people who can assist me in creating a social media presence. And my friend Todd Taylor has ridden in to help me set up an e-mailing service (so I can distribute this new newsletter) and to help me create my “Hollywood Drive” brand. (What would we ever do without the help of our friends?!)
I envision a time when none of this will be an issue, but at the moment, I feel like heading for the proverbial hills. The thing is, though, my whole career has been about change and learning new things, so why should this be any different?
