It’s ironic that just five weeks after writing a blog cautioning readers to be careful with issuing No as their response I end up with this week’s topic. Of course, like so much else that I post here every Monday, it’s because of something that I have experienced firsthand recently. What’s even more strange about this week’s topic, however, is that in the entertainment industry for sure – not to mention many others, I’d venture to guess – this is something people complain regularly about having happen to them!
As you should’ve guessed by the headline, I’m talking about not getting back to people. In too many cases, it’s the extreme of not responding to someone at all.
And before I go any further, don’t mistake that for it being okay to get back to someone late.
It’s worth already re-stating that, yes, when venues or radio stations, for example, don’t get back to you, it’s frustrating because you don’t know if the venue is already booked, or if the radio station doesn’t like your music, or if both of them didn’t receive what you sent. The list goes on.
But when YOU don’t answer someone, well, consider the following list.
1. First off, it’s just flat out unprofessional. You are a business – whether that’s entertainment, an author, an entrepreneur, the list goes on. If you’re going to treat what you do like it’s your job, then you need to be thorough and follow through. Remember the Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
2. You leave someone hanging. If someone writes to you with an opportunity and you wait and wait and wait to get back to them – even if you think you’re justified in doing so (for example, you’re waiting for your availability to clear up so you know if you’ll be free at that time/on that day) – they’re not going to be able to move forward. Now you’ve left them with their hands tied.
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3. You risk not being contacted again. Remember number one above? That dreaded first impression now comes into play and the next time that same person has something come up that they need someone like you for, guess who they’re NOT going to call? Yup. And you will have brought that upon yourself.
4. It calls your commitment into question. I’ve not only said it already in this post, but countless times in this weekly blog and/or on my weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast I talk about the fact that you are a business. Your art, your brand, what you do to generate income for the career you’re trying to sustain, that is the job you “go to” every day, even if your “office” is at home. But when you don’t answer someone back, it suddenly looks like either it’s just a hobby for you or you just flat out really don’t care enough about it. The person trying to extend something your way is going to really question whether you’re committed or not.
5. The ship will sail without you. If someone contacts you about something that’s, let’s say, three-and-a-half weeks away, you can’t expect them to wait and wait and wait until you finally decide to come out of hibernation and respond. They’re going to move on and find someone else. And when you do finally call or email or text or DM them back and they say, “I already got someone else because I never heard back from you,” look in the mirror for who you should be upset with.
6. You mess with someone else’s workflow. Different from number 2 above, which strictly deals with the opportunity in question, if someone is waiting to hear back from you about having a phone call to talk about something and you don’t answer them, that impacts other calls they might be trying to schedule (even for unrelated matters). Now their availability is up in the air, and they too then can’t get back to other people about putting something on the calendar with them! Talk about a domino effect! Congratulations. Now you’ve made yourself and them look bad.
7. Worry sets in. There is a human element and either (a) the person who contacted you is going to wonder if they did something to turn you off, and/or (b) there will be some concern as to if you’re okay – especially with what we’ve all witnessed on a global health scale these last two years.
Seven is sometimes considered a lucky number, but not in the case of the list above.
It’s as simple as getting back to people with the same response time you would like for inquiries you’re putting out. Worst-case scenario, answer as quickly as you can with, “Awesome. Thank you for thinking of me. I will get back to you in the next 24-72 hours as I get clarity on a few other already outstanding calendar items. I’m truly grateful and will definitely (call/text/email/DM) you about this!” (Or words to that affect.)
You don’t know how many opportunities you might’ve missed because of people you didn’t get back to (or, in the case of number five above, how many times you’ve been passed over because of previous silence). Make it a point to get back to people and watch the opportunities start to accumulate.
What aspect of your entertainment (or podcasting) career are you being challenged by? Take advantage of my 18 years working with indie artists across the U.S. (and/or my eight years of podcasting) and book a private, one-on-one, online video consultation and let’s make sure you’re moving forward. The discussion is confidential, and we’ll work on whatever you need help with the most. And be sure to give me your feedback on this week’s blog too, either through social media (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) or just by sending me an email.