Top Conferences Series: 10 Entertainment Industry Cons You’ll Want to Attend

Any entrepreneur worth his salt will tell you that attending conferences is one of the most effective ways to find clients and make new connections. However, with so many conferences out there, your head is probably spinning trying to pick one to attend.

No worries – I’ve done some of the hunting for you and distilled the 10 essential entertainment industry cons you want to attend to rub elbows with the best in the business. 

By the way, you may notice some of the more popular cons aren’t listed here, but that’s because this is a series. I’ll be giving you the lists of niche cons in later posts, okay? So definitely stick around for them.

For now, let’s get down to the industry cons.

29 Business Networking Sites You'll Need to Grow Your Business

In case you’re growing bored of the “big three” social networks (Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn), take comfort in knowing that there are plenty of other networking sites that can help you and your business succeed. 

While the big three are indeed important, it’s sometimes more refreshing to enter uncharted territory and find fellow entrepreneurs, and even widen your prospect or audience net.

If you’re a freelancer or entrepreneur hungry for more clients or more knowledge (or both), print this list out and visit these business network sites. They're the success boost you’re looking for.

Got Strangers in Your LinkedIn Network? Here’s the Simplest Way to Leverage Those Connections

Have you ever accepted LinkedIn invites from total strangers based on mutual connections (2nd or 3rd degree)? Do you have an “all invites accepted” policy, perhaps?

Well here’s a high five to you for your entrepreneurial spirit. (Seriously. My hand’s up.)

However, what do you do with all those extra connections once you have them? Do they just sit and stagnate on your Connections list? Do they stay strangers?

If you’re guilty of that sin (raises hand), I present you with the easiest solution ever. You may smack your forehead for this, it’s so uncomplicated.

Friday Feature: Learn the One Immutable Secret to Entertainment Business Success

Entertainment Media Entrepreneur Jason Stocky Shares the Only Tool You Need to Succeed in the Business

You’re tired of hearing that pesky “N” word, right? The one that’s been bashed into your head since school: Networking.

Well, here’s good news. You can run that word over with your car (or bike), reverse over it and run it over again, and replace it with the one principle successful entertainment business entrepreneurs know works irrefutably.

Entertainment Lawyer Cassi Willard Shares 6 Key Tips for Optimizing Creativity and Business

In case you’re wondering if you’ve heard or read these tips before, you probably have. The crux here is who they’re coming from.

An entertainment lawyer.

Cassandra E.Willard, Esq., known by her students and colleagues as Cassi, shoulders years of experience in intellectual property (IP) law; cyber law; hospitality law; and entertainment, art and sports law (EASL).

In fact, she’s the current Chair-Elect (read: VP) of the EASL Section of the Florida Bar.

Translation: expert.

I had the honor of receiving Willard’s instruction in her Advanced Entertainment Law (AEL) course while completing my Entertainment Business, M.S. degree at Full Sail University, so I recently met with her to learn her success tips.

And she was happy to chat.

Your Self-Doubt Stops Here - Paraplegic Filmmaker James Hunter Sets the Bar [Interview]

 At first sight, James Hunter looks like a typical African-American thirty-something male.

The jersey declares his love of sports; and his sneakers, meticulously selected to coordinate with the colors of his fitted hat and jersey, are a silent hint-and-a-half of his love of Hip Hop culture.

The moment he speaks, you’re hit with a soup-thick, unmistakable New York accent. He has the kind of energy and enthusiasm that inspires virtually everyone he meets.

After about five minutes of good conversation and seeing his million-dollar confident smile, you forget about the most obvious thing that sets him apart from his peers: his large motorized wheelchair.

Ironically, its presence has no bearing on his drive or personality.   

“Take the bull by the horns. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, have confidence in yourself and create the opportunities.”