A Broadway Producer’s Trick for Building Powerful Connections
🌟Career Coaching: Success in the entertainment industry relies on relationships. Learn a simple five-minute habit to strengthen your network today.
In the bustling world of Broadway, where connections are currency, I had the privilege of working for legendary producer Norman Rothstein. His office held two giant Rolodexes—each packed with the contact information of every industry heavyweight imaginable.
But they weren’t just names and numbers.
Norman scribbled notes on every single card. An actor’s new agent, the name of a director’s new spouse, a producer’s favorite bourbon—nothing was too small to remember. He updated them daily, knowing that these details turned acquaintances into allies, colleagues into champions.
Years later, I realized I hadn’t followed Norman’s lead.
Sure, I had hundreds of contacts in my phone and email. But they lacked the personal touch. I couldn’t recall the last time I followed up with that casting director I met at a gala or the playwright I promised to grab coffee with. My network existed, but it wasn’t working for me.
And in this industry, the strength of your network determines the speed of your success.
The Harsh Truth About Your Network
Most early-career entertainment professionals think networking is about collecting business cards and LinkedIn connections. But the truth?
It’s not about how many people you know. It’s about how well they remember you.
Industry doors don’t open because you met someone once. They open because that person remembers you when an opportunity arises. And that only happens when you nurture your relationships with genuine care—just like Norman did.
One Small Habit That Can Change Your Career
If I could go back, I’d do this one simple thing:
Spend five minutes a day strengthening my network.
Scan emails for new connections;
Enter business cards before they get lost in a drawer;
Jot down personal details—their favorite writer, their dog’s name, the project they’re dying to work on.
Referencing these tiny details at the right time builds familiarity and trust. And trust leads to referrals, job offers and collaborations that can change the trajectory of your career.
Make Sure Your Network is Actually Working for You
Do your contacts feel more like a disorganized list than a career-building asset? You can change that.
Take time today to evaluate your network—where you are, where you want to go and who you need to be building relationships with in order to get there.
If you need help doing that, then email ShowbizingNow@gmail.com to schedule a free, introductory coaching session.
Don’t wait years to realize you’ve been collecting names instead of building relationships. Get your network working for you today.
