If you think that a career in entertainment means you will only have fun, think again. Many people are determined to make it in the entertainment industry, but not all succeed. Some give up halfway to their big moment, whereas others become enthralled by art and forget that it all starts and ends with hard work.
While breaking into this industry is not impossible, becoming an artist or landing another job behind the scenes requires a lot of patience to begin with. If you develop your skills over the years, you can become a famous actor or singer who earns more than a CEO. But how could you make this dream come true? Or how could you end up working with award-winning actors and singers? Below, we will try to uncover the secrets of success in the entertainment industry that apply both to screen stars and camera operators.
Consider Specific Training
While there are many success stories of people who made it in the entertainment industry without any training, these stories are only exceptions to the rule. Most entertainers, directors, makeup artists, and other entertainment professionals went to school. If you can’t afford to go to a university, there are specialized courses in acting, dance, filmmaking, music, and other arts. Such classes provide the essential knowledge you need to gain relevant skills in your chosen area of interest.
These programs often offer practical experiences and networking opportunities, two aspects that are key to entering the competitive entertainment field. In addition, seasoned professionals provide career insights at masterclasses and industry-specific workshops. By continuously learning about the latest technologies and trends in entertainment, you can stay relevant as a professional.
This applies to people of all professions because today’s entertainment industry has a need for various experts, IT niche included. For instance, most Netflix employees work for this entertainment giant because they have trained their computer skills and are the best in their areas of expertise. And while knowledge and creativity aren’t the same, one hardly goes without the other.
Get Ready to Earn Very Little or Nothing
When starting a career in the entertainment industry, no one is willing to pay you for your efforts. This is the reality, and you should get ready to face it. When you are on your way to earning a steady income in the entertainment industry, you make very little or nothing. Even getting an internship, entry-level position, or a gig that offers minimal pay, connections are a must – and you usually get them from real-life networking described above.
A quicker alternative route to land a good internship in the entertainment industry is to contact relevant professionals who could make the necessary introductions. Fortunately, today’s technology makes it possible even if you do not know many people in person. A professional LinkedIn lookup tool, for example, can pull contact data from the site even if the social account keeps this information private.
But be very careful when pitching to people you haven’t met in person. Make sure to clearly communicate your message while staying calm and polite. Explain that you are ready to work for free (if you are), as you are interested in gaining more experience and building a reputation. Don’t forget that many aspiring artists and entertainment professionals take on side jobs to support themselves while trying to make their dreams come true.
Remember that in entertainment, the competition is fierce, and achieving financial stability takes years. If you are passionate about something, be it music, painting, acting, or anything else for that matter, remain persistent despite challenges. The more you hone your skills and network, the higher your chances of eventually turning your passion into a career.
Build an Online Presence with Quality Content
If you want to stand out from the crowd in the entertainment industry, it’s essential that you create great content and build your online presence, aka personal brand. If you have an established personal brand, you are in control of your creative direction and projects. Building a portfolio is an important step here, so create only original content.
Depending on what your skills are, you could make videos, music, or write for a blog. What’s most important is that you showcase your talent. To reach a broader audience, use social media platforms like Facebook, X, or Instagram. Engage with fans on these platforms and pay attention to what they want from you. If you consistently create high-quality content, you will attract the attention of industry professionals. It’s also very likely that you will raise the interest of potential collaborators.
Besides, when you understand the business side of the entertainment industry, it becomes easier for you to navigate it. Simply put, you can’t have a successful career in entertainment if you don’t know how to run a business – because you and your talent are the business.
Be Ready to Travel Where There Are New Opportunities
You surely heard about how people who work in the entertainment industry travel the world. It doesn’t matter if they are stars or just working with famous people, most of them are part of a crew that’s always on the go.
However, to reach this point in your career, you need to be ready to travel on your own first. Seizing opportunities in the entertainment industry can’t happen if you live in a small town or village. Only big cities serve as hubs for entertainment careers. If you get a place at such destinations for some time, you can take part in auditions and participate in networking events.
A willingness to travel frequently or relocate can significantly expand your chances of landing new projects and roles. If you go places where there are many people and new opportunities, you also open doors to international markets and various experiences that can enhance your versatility as an artist. Being adventurous and flexible is a must in the entertainment industry.
Collaborate with Other Artists and Professionals
You won’t achieve success in the entertainment industry if you’re not ready to collaborate. Teaming up is something that every writer, director, musician, or visual artist does. Innovative projects can’t come to fruition if there aren’t more people working on them.
When you network as an artist or someone who works in entertainment, you learn from others, share resources, and gain new perspectives that can help you improve. Also, when you collaborate, you open doors to all sorts of new opportunities. More people under the same roof means more connections and a broader audience. If you work with others, you can create higher-quality content, increase your reach, and gain the support of a larger community.
Co-producing events, creating multidisciplinary projects, or engaging in other joint ventures can expand your skill set. Let’s not forget there are many mentorship opportunities, too, where experienced industry veterans can guide your steps by providing invaluable insights and support. Deciding to form or join creative collectives and eventually doing it offers you a supportive environment for exchanging ideas and receiving constructive feedback.
Final Tip: Don’t Give Up!
Lastly, while struggling, you should never forget that pursuing a career in the entertainment industry is a journey filled with challenges, uncertainties, and rejections. You can succeed only if you are persistent and resilient. It’s also very important that you understand not all artists or entertainment professionals achieve success overnight. When rejected, see this as a learning opportunity.
Stay positive when pursuing your long-term goals, and celebrate small victories as they come. Your path to success might take unexpected turns you co believe in at the start. In the long run, perseverance is the only way to make it in the entertainment industry.