How to Make it in the Entertainment Industry: The No-Gatekeeping Guide for Talent, Professionals and Entrepreneurs
If you're trying to break into entertainment - as a talent, professional or entrepreneur - you should read read this carefully. Most people think success in this industry comes down to: talent, connections, and a stroke of luck. While that’s not wrong, it's not the full picture.
What actually separates the people who make it from the ones who stay on the outside looking in is something else:
Specialization, long-term strategy, and consistency beyond the point of exhaustion.
In this article, I break down the real advice I wish I knew sooner about how to make it in this world.
(1) "Passion" is more than just a cliché 🫀
"Entertainment" is a broad field in which includes music, videogames, theater, dance, literature, cinema, content creation, and others. You need to pick a lane and stick to it. You cannot be just a spectator, you need to have practical understanding of how the industry sector works. The key to ask yourself:
What do I like to learn
that I never get bored of
and I have skills or a background in?
Have you been backstage at a concert? Have you been part of a sports franchise? Have you worked as a production assistant on a file? Have you had the opportunity to observe the activity and understand how it operates?
Understanding the day-to-day of the area you want to work in, whether as talent, an assistant, or something else, helps you carry over those skills when offering other services, like legal or professional services later on.
Without it, you are just a prospector with a suitcase looking to get hired. No validation, no connections, no entry point. Just interest (and likely perceived opportunism).
(2) Specialize and Sub-sub-specialize 🔬
You can't just be "a photographer".
You can't just be "a wedding photographer".
You can't just be "a destination wedding photographer".
You have to be a "a Caribbean destination wedding photographer".
The idea is to explore your talents, skills, background, and contacts, and based on that, develop a sub-sub-specialized product or service. That way, you will not only be the best in the world at that very specific thing; but if it's specific enough, you'd be the only person doing it.
This level of specialization also applies to the legal and business side of the industry — from music contracts and publishing rights to content licensing and brand deals.
You will achieve “top of mind awareness”. That when people think of you, they think of that thing, and vice versa. You become a synonym of the product or service you provide.
That gives you a "moat", meaning, a competitive advantage. For someone to come and try to compete with you, they need to learn and specialize at a granular level that take time, and you have not only gotten a head's start, but already perfected.
And most importantly, if you become the lone provider for your very specific niche, you can put whatever price you want.
(3) Networking is a Mathematical Formula 🧮
Networking is not just meeting people, it's building a system that collects and monitors your human relationships. That turns connections into value-added, for both you and the people around you.
Without a system, you will lose track of: (1) the people you know, and; (2) the people that know you. And no value will be created. Every thing will look transactional, and people will see right through you - that you only reach out when you need something. That you have not spent time watering the plants in the garden you now seek to reap the fruits of.
That is why organizing you network is important. A practical tip is to keep a database, like an Excel sheet, with basic information: (i) name, (ii) email, (iii) phone number, (iv) company, (v) location, (vi) industry, (vii) how and when you met. This allows you to follow up, provide value at the right time, send greetings on special dates (like Christmas), or simply maintain the relationship. Whether it is through newsletters, events, invites, or personal messages, the goal is to keep the connection alive. And give before you ask.
In the entertainment space - sport, music, arts - although they are billion dollar industries employing millions of people, the circles of influence are relatively small. Within these environments, spaces like associations, tradegroups, and networking communities are key for building relationships and communities.
It is crucial to be part of those circles, by participating in them actively, such as leadership positions, committees and boards. By doing so, you gain - visibility, validation and authority. These three factors will become inbound lead generating machines for you. The people you know will do the work for you, of selling you to others.
Often times, the people who recommend you are not necessarily those have directly worked with you. They are people who you may have met at an event, meeting, or through content you created. While most of them will not have closely seen your day to day work, they remember how you made them feel, whether you added value or showed a good attitude. More than technical results, these personal impressions often determine whether someone recommends you. Take advantage of this silent asset - your reputation.
(4) Get on that Plane 🛫
You have to be where the action is. Every industry has an epicenter. Go to it. Even if you do not live there, make it a point to have a presence there.
It is crucial to consistently show up where you will be seen and recognized. This includes being part of events, conferences, award shows, key matches, and festivals. Be present where the industry you want to impact is gathering.
For example: if you like tennis, make it a habit to attend the US Open. If you are into music, got to the Grammys. These are the spaces where the most influential people gather, and you should find ways to be part of them.
Presence alone is not enough, the ideal scenario is that you are part of these events in a meaningful way, like working with a sponsor, an artist who is being nominated, or participating in a showcase. These spaces offer the highest exposure.
On many occasions, these kinds of opportunities are not financed by a third party, in consequence you will have to invest your own money. Most of these opportunities happne only once; and do not usually come around again. For example, an artist may be nominated for a top award this year, but who know where they'll be the next. Take advantage of today. And treat that expense as an investment in yourself, your career, your marketing, and visibility.
Be strategic about where you invest. Evaluate where you can create the most meaningful impact that generates exposure.
(5) Become a Thought Leader 🧠
Generate knowledge, share experiences, and actively contribute to the educational and professional development of your field. This can be manifested in many ways like: writing articles, doing research, hosting podcasts and interviews, producing documentaries, participating in panels. The key is to share ideas that not only inform but inspire and help others to grow.
Becoming a reference in your field requires time and energy. The process is not immediate. Professional and personal growth is like climbing a set of circular stairs: step by step, with constant effort, and not always with a visible reward, but always upward. Sometimes, you will have moments where you can look outside a “window” and see results of your work - like winning an award, signing a major client, or achieving something important. But most of the time, you are just building, advancing, and staying in motion.
(6) Be Humble - It’s Always Your First Day on the Job 🪖
Sustainable growth requires a continuous learning mindset. You must constantly place yourself in the role of a learner, surround yourself with mentors, with people who challenge you and teach you, not because of their titles, but because of the value they bring.
Adopting this kind of mindset means waking up every day knowing that new people are entering your industry, with hunger, with fresh ideas, and energy to innovate. It is not about competing with others, but staying competitive with yourself. Never settle, never get comfortable, never stop learning or contributing.
One of the most common mistakes in this industry is that once people achieve some success or get lucky, they act as if they owe nothing to anyone or that they no longer have to work hard. That is when time starts to slip by, when relationships break down.
Always remember that it is better to believe you are the last player in the bench, that you are just getting started, and that everyone is competing for the same thing. Which in reality is true.
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*This article is provided for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice, counsel or representation.
