33. The Power of a Reach Out: How Relationships Create Opportunity

In 2021, I had gone to Quick Pitch, a networking opportunity sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association.

And I introduced myself to several people.

And one of those folks was a casting director of a prominent audiobook company.

And shortly thereafter, I sent an email follow-up.

They responded by saying, I really think your voice fits the kind of work we cast, and you were on the list of folks we were already considering and planning to reach out to.

So shortly after that, during a large group Zoom social, I direct messaged that casting director to follow up, to nurture that relationship.

Now, I didn't hear back from that person on that Zoom call.

Not only did they not acknowledge my direct message, but they disabled messaging.

So for the next five years, I didn't reach out to that casting director.

I had written a story in my head that I had deeply offended them, and they were no longer interested in working with me.

The evidence? Almost none.

Maybe my direct message was one of hundreds they were being hit with in that large group event.

As actors, as creatives, we often create a narrative of rejection with little to no evidence.

We create certainty where none exists.

Then we stop reaching out.

Five years later, this producer and casting director won a huge award.

And though I was still nervous to reach out, I was their least favorite person after all, I wanted to congratulate them and also invite them to a community event within The Global Actor.

They promptly responded yes to my email.

Not only did they want to come to our event, but they were eager to collaborate.

Would I be interested in coaching within their community? Would I like to get on a Zoom catch-up call with them? Then an audition for a beautifully aligned new audiobook series.

All of this came after I was brave enough to reach out five years later.

I share this story because as a coach, helping folks reach out to industry professionals is such a core thing that I help people with.

And something that I hear far too often is this fabricated narrative of rejection where there is none.

I'm able to help people with this and really share what I'm talking about on today's episode because far too often, I craft these narratives.

I've gotten better over the years.