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Job Related
Changing Lanes
Q: I currently work as a marketing professional for the corporate world (kind of stuffy, not my cup of tea).
I'm also a practicing musician and I offer marketing/design/PR services for entertainers and venues of entertainment on the side.
Unfortunately, my day job takes up too much of my time to adaquately build up my own marketing music services that I provide on the side.
I'm looking for advice in regard to how I might get a job within the realm of Marketing/promoting/booking for the entertainment industry to replace and become my day job, at least until I gain more experience and can fully venture off on my own.
A: Hi Sam,
I'm not one to give advice... but here are some general information that you may find helpful and encouraging.
Before I begin, let me just say that it is fabulous that you are aware of your calling and are willing to take this step in transition. It takes faith to venture out and deep humility to be able to learn great lessons from the venture. Hang on to the humility bit... cos it is your most important guide, especially when things seem to not go your way. Friends and fellowmen may begin to doubt your vision, but do not allow your pride to stir up your impatience. Remember it is a vision - Nobody has to see it now! Not Right Now!! Making it is about the perseverance to be able to continue working until the vision becomes reality.
Alright, regarding your quest...
Firstly, do not give up your job. You do not need the extra pressure of not being able to support your current lifestyle.
Then clarify to yourself if you generally want to gain more experience in various areas of this field or if you want to specialize. If you're specializing, decide exactlly what you really want to specialize in. This is important because most people aren't sure and leave one unhappy job to another unhappy one.
Next, start calling all the contacts you know in this industry and also look in the phone book for every possible contact you may get. Do not be afraid to call and ask. If you are prepared to do the job they'll want you. DO NOT be afraid of rejection. In dealing with business, everything is a numbers game. You call ten people you may get one 'yes'. Call a 1000 and you'll possibly get 100 'yes'
When it comes to interviews, remember that you are just as much here to interview them as they are to do you. Here, honesty is the best policy... especially to yourself! Present yourself honesty and see the company honestly as it is. Do you have what the company needs? Does the company satisfy your needs? Do you like the vibes of the work environment? Be honesty not desperate! ...or you won't be able to keep the job for long anyways.
And remember, there are no free lunches... if you are not doing what you love already, then it most probably means you aren't totally prepared for it... you may be close but there may be just another small milestone. Be willing to sacrifice, Live a little less extravagance, smoke one pack less of cigarettes every second day... give up clubbing and drinking... etc. Then with the extra time and less expenditure it will enable you to go into apprenticeship or assistance work which pays minimal... but allows you to get your foot in.
You know what they say.. if you want it badly enough, you'll get it. Question is... what are we willing to sacrifice in order to get it?
peace,
Bobz
p/s: these are some of the things I've painfully learnt along the path of my way. It may not be exactly what you are looking for. And it may not even be what most people who are reading this right now likes to hear but I do hope that you and some others will find it useful.
(note: names have been changed for privacy reasons.)
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