I’m back home in Tampa Bay now after arriving back here so late Saturday night that it was actually Sunday morning. If you’ve been receiving the weekly e-newsletter or following on the official Instagram account for the weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast, I was gone for 15 days. First I was in Las Vegas and then I went straight to Los Angeles from there.
From the outside looking in, it would seem as though, “Yeah, he saw some past podcast guests and recorded a new interview for an upcoming episode of NHTE while he was in Vegas, and in Los Angeles he was a speaker at Podcast Movement Evolutions.”
The key there is that conclusions are being drawn from the surface.
| Related posts: |
| You STILL Will Get Caught Trying to Ditch Someone |
| When Nashville or Anyone Else Calls, You'll Say "Yes" |
The fact is that “getting out there” doesn’t just have to mean what it looks like on the surface – in social media pictures. Don’t miss out on learning opportunities, and I don’t just mean “go to a conference.”
For instance, have you ever looked at a photo on, say, Instagram, and stopped to think about what went on before or after that picture was taken? For example, the picture of singer Jessica Jolia and I was after we had breakfast in Las Vegas two weeks ago today, when I got to ask her about the Kylie Minogue show that I attended and she performed in two nights earlier (how she got the gig, rehearsals, scheduling, wardrobe, and other behind-the-scenes type details). A photo on social media won’t translate to “there must have been a lot of education around that get-together.”
You’ll see a picture going up on Instagram this week of me with another past podcast guest. Don’t be distracted by the High Roller (observation wheel) in the background. The focus here is on the insights I gained sitting down before that shot, for a meal that provided me with an opportunity to hear about some gear that I otherwise might not have a chance to learn about from someone who is on the front line in that industry every day.
Due to circumstances beyond my control, a breakfast meeting that was scheduled for last week in Los Angeles didn’t get to happen, which was a shame as I know I would’ve gotten a masterclass during the meal, what with it having been scheduled with a filmmaker out there that I know always has valuable insights.
Think not about what you think you see in the pictures of me at Podcast Movement Evolutions. Yes, it was great to speak there, just like at the other events where I’m fortunate to get a chance to be a presenter. But how often do you hear about hallway conversations at conferences and the real value in those? The answer is, “A lot” because it’s true!
Think of it like this. In your daily work routine, would you go looking for the types of insights you can gain by getting together with folks like that? I honestly doubt it. Sure, we’ll read something here or there. But how deep into it do they go?
You can get insider information. You can get questions answered. You might actually even get a lead out of it (some type of opportunity for yourself).
The forecast here in my area is for a high of 86 degrees today. Other parts of the U.S. certainly aren’t near that, but with the calendar turning over to April now, the weather is only going to be getting nicer. Challenge yourself to get out and press the flesh more. Attend events, go network, meet with people, nurture relationships, and learn rather than just being seen or saying you went to something.
Take it from me and the five cities I’ve traveled to already this year when I say that you’ll be glad you did.
Want to chat about what you’re doing and some of the challenges you’re facing? For twenty years now I’ve been helping indie music artists, authors, actors and actresses, entrepreneurs, small businesses, podcasters, and more. Take advantage of all my experience to keep yourself moving forward. Let’s jump on Zoom or Google Meet to keep you inspired and thriving.