Re: Another Craigslist classic...

On Jun 15, 1:37 am, abeggsf...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
I need good advice, or a leg up. I don't need
"don't accept low rates, you'll never make more." Thats not help.

In all seriousness, that's some of the best advice you can get. It's
usually the most valuable piece of advice that comes to mind from real
world working people based on their real world working experiences;
and it's usually been learnt the hard way.

It is interesting to see how this similar question comes up in
numerous aspects of the audio industry - the questions from the
inexperienced are always the same, the answers from the experienced
are always the same, and the inexperienced always respond the same, as
if they're looking for the secret 'key' to open the doors of the
industry.

The reality is that everybody creates their own key (or other methods
of picking those locks), and they all learnt the same lesson in the
process - don't accept low rates!

As for the unhelpful union, there are many audio people in it, and
they all figured out how to join. If you're going to let one or two
unhelpful people get in the way from giving them money and signing up,
you're definitely in the wrong industry! Surely you're as smart or
smarter than some of the people you've met in the union? If they can
figure it out, so can you. Persist through the unhelpful people, and
join. Can you join via the internet, avoiding those people altogether?
By not joining, you only make the low rates situation more sustainable
for the future.

Here's some advice that you might find more practical. Tthe trick to
getting the good jobs is not *what* you know, and, contrary to popular
belief, it's also not *who* you know. It's *who knows you*. In an
industry such as this, a lot of work is passed on through word of
mouth. So, you have to get out there and make sure that people know
who you are and what you do. So that you 'come to mind' when they're
thinking of someone to do a job.

Join the local unions, screen sound guilds, whatever societies you can
find in your area. Then go to their meetings, and talk to people. I
don't mean 'work the room' like a PR person, that is just annoying and
puts people off. But try to talk to people, politely, let them know
who you are and what you do. A good approach is to avoid talking about
yourself or mentioning that you're looking for work; instead, tell
them that you're really interested in working in the industry and
you're keen to know how some of the pros got started. Offer to buy
them a coffee or drink in exchange for their time. Let them tell you
how they got started. Listen carefully. You'll not only get lots of
good anecdotal advice, you'll be creating a situation where people get
to know *you*. When the story is over, play it by ear but try to let
them know you're available for any assisting work they may have.

If you go about it the right way and you're lucky, you might find one
or two pros who are looking for an assistant, and score a bit of work.
This work might be for free or for low money, but it has other value
because it's putting you in the faces of the bigger and more affluent
'employers'. So work hard and do your best. The goal is to hook up
with some seasoned pro and become his/her right hand person. One day
there'll come a time when the pro is unable or unwilling to do a
certain job, and will recommend you (assuming you are actually good
enough to do it).


On the bright side, I'm up to an average of $100/day, not $50! Now
stop laughing. Thanks. :)

You've doubled your earnings!

- Greg Simmons

.

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