#07: What’s the easiest way to get ahead in Hollywood?
Hands down, the easiest way to move up in Hollywood is to thank the people who help you.
No one in Hollywood ever gets thanked. And I don’t mean an e-mail that says “Thank you.” Not because that’s not perfectly lovely and appropriate, but because it’s rarely an equal investment on your part for all someone has invested in you. If someone gives you something valuable, like a job or a referral or fifteen inspirational, guidance-filled minutes of their time, then give them something valuable in return (a gift certificate, a volunteer day, a donation to their charity, etc.). At the beginning of a job, I usually give a gift to whoever referred me for the job. And at the end, I usually give gifts to my bosses - who have paid me thousands and thousands of dollars and given me an awesome production credit. Do you know how many other staffers gripe instead about not getting gifts from their bosses?
People will remember the gestures you make that say “I give you the return gift of my time.” That might be walking to a coffee shop to send someone a gift card. Or it might be coming to their office to file on a day their assistant leaves early. Actions speak louder than words…and time speaks way louder than e-mails.