Networking:Nasty or Nice?
In This Issue:sowing seedsarticles by Penelope Brackett how does your garden grow? exercises to stimulate growth
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networking: nasty or nice?
As unbelievable as it is for me to think about, this is the last Newsletter of the year, 2007 is drawing to a close! I find myself breathing in the fact of another year gone by with astonishment and gratitude. Consequently, it feels like when you step outside on a cold winter day in the country: the shock of cold followed by the appreciation of the clean crispness of the air and the beautiful view.
When I gaze over this past year's landscape, I am struck with gratitude for my wonderful community of friends, clients, and colleagues. What a tremendous wealth of talent, spirit, and resources you have shared with me and with each other. It seems inevitable, that in this last article, I return to one of my favorite subjects, the subject of last week’s workshop at Actors Connection in New York: Networking.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can…I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work – the more I live…
--George Bernard Shaw
I find in my work as a coach, that networking tends to have a fairly bad reputation. Most people see networking as a nasty business, where the job is to trick others into giving you what you want.
My intention to plant a seed, that networking can be nice instead of nasty, that the best networking is about generosity, sharing gifts and resources for mutual benefit. By the end of this article, I hope that you will embrace, or at least suspect the truth of what every great businessperson already knows: that networking is not only the most effective way to grow your business, but it can be the easiest and most joyful, too.
I contend that each of us has the power to develop joyful partnerships that can yield referrals, recommendations, resources, and support. But that can happen only by...
full article - Networking:Nasty or Nice?
all about relationships: doing the rounds
This article is aimed particularly at performers, but anyone will find value in this approach to networking. The article was recently published in "Actors Life". They have a wonderful roster of resources, services and articles. I encourage you to check them out at www.actorslife.com
Everyday, you have to see somebody about something.
--Stewart Schneck, client, performer, businessman
I'm going to tell you how to break the rules.
As an actor, you've probably been told countless times: "Don't call us, we'll call you. And definitely don't visit." You're supposed to wait patiently for agents, casting directors, and theater companies to contact you. "Making the rounds" – i.e., dropping by in person to follow up or introduce yourself – is so widely discouraged that it seems forbidden. But in every business, the easiest way to move your career along is to build relationships. In a tight market like acting you have to take every opportunity to "meet and greet," and making the rounds is an excellent way to do that.
Even though making the rounds is against the rules, it produces results. My client , Margaret’s* agent told her never to make the rounds with casting directors or theater companies, but this same agent forgot that the actor started their relationship by ...
full article - All About Relationships: Doing the Rounds
how does your garden grow? exercises to stimulate growth
giving game
Tis the season of giving. Please take a minute to visit FreeRice.com and play the vocabulary game. Doing so is fast, fun, and easy (well, sort of ... until you get to the really hard words!). Each word you correctly define means a donation of rice through the United Nations to help end world hunger.
Play the Giving Game at FreeRice.Com
holiday networking - ten ways to share the pie
Networking at its best is all about generosity. At holiday time, I like to think of it as inviting everyone to the feast, and encouraging them to share the pie! Everyone is encouraged to share their culinary specialty (their gifts, vision and resources), and gratitude flows freely for the sharers of their bounty…
1.) Make a list (and check it twice) of all the clients,
collaborators, associates, and friends who have supported,
referred, and/or worked with you on your business, and
make a commitment to contact them in some way between
now and, say, January 15th. Consider how to appreciate and support your biggest fans and fill in those who don’t...
full article - Holiday Networking - Ten Ways to Share the Pie
looking back at 2007... and ahead at 2008 - review/plan
Here's what you've been waiting for! - your year end invitation, the 2006 review and 2007 launch. To help you in your journey I am offering a New Year's gift. Put $50 down before January 6 and recieve $50 discount on private or group coaching. I look forward to accompanying you in looking back and ahead, to celebrate your success and create a plan for satisfaction in 2007.
Give yourself the gift of acknowledging what you've done, who you've become and to define your course for the coming year.
Step 1: Step out to complete and celebrate the year!
What music or sounds reflect this past year for you?
Move to your favorite chair or place in your home. Start the music. Get comfortable with a warm drink and this year’s calendar at your side. With notepad and pen, begin your Year 20067 Reflection. (Don’t let “not enough time” stop you – this gift will create clarity and satisfaction in regarding the past year and planning the next – it’s also great work for the plane trip, and even 15 minute reflections will support you. The thousand mile journey begins with one step. Lao Tzu Step out!
Step 2:
Review each month of 2007, starting with January, listing what you are most proud of in your life and career. Where have you found the most joy and satisfaction? Include health & well being, personal and professional relationships, money, craft/presentation, business skills and results…
Consider:
Attitude changes**actions taken**opportunities responded to** ...
full exercise - Looking Back at 2007... and Ahead at 2008
tall trees client success stories
We encourage you to share your success in fertile ground. Inspire your peers. We want to know when that hard work paid off and how you made the work come easy. Success can come from creative thoughts, hard work, talent, luck and above all, staying in the game and making sure EVERYONE in the industry knows that you are in the game and WINNING!!!!
holiday networking workshop @ actors connection
Penelope's Holiday Networking workshop was wonderful. She's always so encouraging and inspiring! Loved it. Everyone there was taking notes like mad. About 40 of us attended. We all seemed to have started out with the same notion about the difficulty we face in attempting to network. By the end of the hour, the consensus seem to be that this whole networking thing is a much more do-able thing than we had imagined. We were given concrete tools to get out there and connect where we need to! Penelope explained that networking can be a really fun, creative, and generous opportunity to bring our lives and careers forward to the next level. Thanks, PB!
clients’ end-of-the-year success stories!
Nyle Lynn Caisley: Fearless foursome has been amazing for me! I now have a great agent to support my acting career and I recently wrapped the role of Agent Laura Bowman in the indie feature …. Lynne Ratliffe: My success story is that, I am now writing freelance articles for the Arts and Culture section of The Bulletin, which is a daily newspaper in Philadelphia... Shavonne Conroy: The good news is we are all well. I filmed a small part on Canterbury's Law that paid huge … Barbara Pitts: Thanks to coaching and Fearless Foursomes, I have a great agent, a regional theater career, and better emotional and spiritual balance. Last May, I started a parallel career as a health insurance agent, primarily helping self-employed people find affordable plans (my artist friends usually choose something between $200-$310 p/mo). … I quickly found myself "top producer" in direct sales at the end of my 5th month! All this while doing two plays back-to-back… Kathryn Blume: I just completed an off-Broadway run of my solo show, The Boycott, to great critical and audience response. I've already booked touring performances in Missouri, Alaska… Laurel Brook Johnson:As memorable years go, my 28th year was the best yet! I was featured or starred in 3 commercials, modeled for both Fisher Price and American Greetings, starred in 5 plays - Frozen, No Sex Please, Red Light Winter, Some Girl(s), and Holy Ghosts - and received rave reviews for all of my work, AND my biggest success, landing the role of Lucy Cali opposite Donnie Wahlberg on … Jennica Carmona: I shot an educational video last Friday. I’ve been going on a TON of print and commercial auditions … I had a meeting with Cinematic Management, a new commercial/print management company and they’ve assured me…
full list of success including dates, times, places - Clients’ End-of-the-Year Success Stories!
creative thoughts
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one…”
--Jane Howard
We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.
Don’t listen to those who say you are taking too big a chance. Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor – and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most importantly, don’t listen when the little voice of fear inside you rears its ugly head and says: they’re all smarter than you out there. They’re all more talented, taller, blonder, prettier, luckier – and they have more connections. I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live – the chances are you’ll be a person worthy of your own respect…
--Neil Simon
creative seed news
get your new year's card out! - share your vision and your resource. invite others to do the same!
I’ve just gotten this amazing new mailing service. I’ve already talked to several of you about it. It allows me to have my whole database online, and send mailed cards personalized in my own handwriting… (Yes, all my holiday cards, thank you cards, follow-ups…) by pressing a button. If you still haven’t gotten your cards out, we should plan a time to talk immediately (email me – pb@thecreativeseed.com). January is a fabulous time to send the New Year’s vision card. Whether you use this service or send the old fashioned way - I ENCOURAGE YOU IN THE STRONGEST WAY – SEND CARDS (Seasons Greetings or New Year’s) DO NOT MISS THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT TO YOUR COMMUNITY.Set up an appointment to chat about mailing service!
$50 discount on new year's coaching - private & group
Get support to create your vision for the New Year and then take action to make it a reality. Put $50 down on private coaching, fearless foursome or audition dynamite class and get $50 off the total price. Make a commitment to yourself now to move forward in the New Year and then go out and celebrate the last year with joy and confidence. Make sure you assess Year End Review/ Year Planning Tool in this newsletter - "How Does Your Garden Grow?"Pay online - $50 deposit = $50 discount!
share the wealth networking brunch - saturday, january 26, 2008
Come meet the professionals who can hire you, refer you and make your craft, and business fly!Share your wealth of talents, services and resources.
Gain information and inspiration to start your year off with a BANG!
Step into a network of connections that will propel your life and career forward.
Look at this line-up of featured hosts!:
Philip Galinsky, Producer & Host Of Manhattan Monologue Slam
Monologue Dynamite – Four Tips To The Biggest Bang
Sue Giled, Financial Coach, Author Of “The Real Estate Millionaire
Financial Freedom Is Sexy
Julie Flanders, Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter, Premier Hypnotherapist
Performance Freedom: Stepping Out Without Fear
Kimberly Vaughn, Musical Theatre Coach, Broadway/Regional Actor, Director, Producer
Tips & Techniques to Craft Your Successful Musical Theatre Audition
Holiday Gift: Register now - 2 tickets for $60($45 each at the door)
973-762-5871 admin@thecreativeseed.com www.thecreativeseed.com/onlinepayment
Brunch Details, Registration, Payment - Early Bird Special $35 each (Two for $60)
musical theater - audition/interview dynamite! starts february 23!
Create Fireworks Every Time!This class will give you the ammunition to shine in every audition and interview.
Class led by:
Penelope Brackett, Career/Life Coach &
Kimberly Vaughn, Musical Theatre Coach/Broadway Performer & Producer.
7 Week Course - 5 Thursdays, 2 Saturday Intensives - Fee $495 (payment plan available)
* Discover your Unique & Dynamic Strengths and learn to make them a part of your presentation every single time
* Choose Audition Songs that excite you and excite the Industry. Have your Performance directed until you Shine!
* Discover how to truly Play and Share your most Generous Self in all your interactions – Having Fun and Making it Fun for Others!
* Meet and Audition for a Leading Casting Director or Agent. * View the playback and witness the Transformation.
To reserve or for more info contact:
Penelope Brackett, admin@thecreativeseed.com , 973-762-5871 or Kimberly Vaughn 212-340-9598
Pay online – www.thecreativeseed.com/onlinepayment or check – Penelope Brackett PO Box 1082, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Full Details on Audition/Interview Class
new year's fearless foursome – start monday, january 7, 2008
The antidote to fear is action.Plan now to jump into action in the New Year!
Three Times: Mondays, 9:30am /Mondays, 9:00pm / Thursdays, 12:30am
Holiday Special: Register now and receive $50 discount**
(Reserve with $50 deposit and get twelve weeks of coaching for only $375)
973-762-5871 pb@thecreativeseed.com www.thecreativeseed.com/onlinepayment
The formula is simple:
• 1 coach committed to your joy and satisfaction.
• 4 dedicated supportive creative people.
• 12 weeks of weekly coaching sessions to celebrate and create.
• 12 weeks of bi-weekly partner check-ins to keep the focus on you.
• YOU - your passion to create your life and work!
kimberly vaughn, broadway musical performer/director/producer - co-teacher audition/interview dynamite
[Kimberly Vaughn Performance Studio] is passionately committed to the creative art of storytelling through the in-depth exploration of the actor’s relationship to text, both dramatic and musical. Her classes and one-on-one coaching sessions encompass musical performance audition technique, monologue character, and text analysis and interpretation. Her clients’ Broadway, national, and regional credits include: Aida, Kiss Me Kate, Little Shop of Horrors, Mamma Mia!, Ragtime, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Full Monty, The Lion King, The Producers, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Urinetown, and Wicked. Kimberly is on the faculty of the renowned Circle in the Square Theatre School, as well as an adjunct Professor at Pace University and has taught at the legendary Warren Robertson Acting Studio, NYC. Kimberly’s credits include: Performing: on Broadway as Constance Wilde: Dear Oscar, and in star packages: The Member of the Wedding w/Ethel Waters, Harvey w/Shirley Booth & Tom Poston, Applause w/Dorothy Collins, Directing: the Drama Desk Award winning play The Sea Horse and the world premier of The Lost Boy, which she also co-produced regionally. Producing: as Associate Producer of the twice Tony-Award nominated Marlene w/Sian Phillips, co-producer of Tony-Award nominated musical Swinging on a Star. Miss Vaughn is a member of The League of Professional Theatre Women, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, The League of American Theatres and Producers, Actors’ Equity, SAG, and AFTRA.Full Details on Audition/Interview Class
free* workshop for performers -
NY SAG CONSERVATORY Friday Morning Seminar Series presents"7 Keys to Success without Struggle" lead by Penelope Brackett
Friday, January 18, 2008 10:00 am – 12:00 noon 14th Floor, SAG NY Board Room
Start your New Year off right with the interactive workshop, based on my industry- acclaimed book, "Seven Keys to Success without Struggle: a performer’s guide to thriving in work and life." Energize your New Year with this proven, practical program. Outlining clear steps, this workshop will motivate you to expand your creativity and realize your next level of career success grounded in a supportive, thriving life. Make 2008 your best year yet!
**You must be a paid-up, current NY SAG Conservatory Member to attend.
Full details - Seven Keys Workshop @ SAG Conservatory
published articles by penelope brackett
We're happy to say we've have several articles published this year including "The Meaning of Networking" @ BigBreakNY (bigbreakny.com), Sept 07, "Ask and You Shall Receive" @ ActorsLife.Com, Sept 07 and "All About Relationships: Doing the Rounds", Also @ ActorsLife.Com in Dec 07. If there's a place you think we should be heard, please let us know. We're eager to sow seeds.Offer article feedback and/or publication recommendations.
penelope brackett's bio
Penelope Brackett is a nationally-recognized veteran in the field of career and life coaching. She has been featured in The New York Times, The Today Show, CNN and Child Magazine. She is the coauthor of “Seven Keys for Unlocking Success without Struggle” with Lester Thomas Shane. Presentations include Essex-Hudson Association for the Education of Young Children, Mothers and More, HOMEatUSA.com (Connecting Home-Based Women Entrepreneurs), American Academy for Dramatic Art., Brandeis University, Rutgers University, and New York University.new to creative seed? schedule a free half-hour coaching session
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PENELOPE BRACKETT
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