The Most Underrated Networking Tool in Showbiz
🌟Career Coaching: Why entertainment industry pros who ignore LinkedIn are missing conversations, collaborations and career turns.
Some years ago (probably eight, but maybe six—time bends), my LinkedIn profile looked like a resume that had lost its will to live.
It had the usual suspects—credits, job titles, outdated headshot—but it wasn’t doing anything for me. Honestly, I’d written LinkedIn off as a platform for corporate bigwigs and B2B software bros who wore khakis unironically. Certainly not for anyone with a stack of scripts to read and Movie Magic budgeting software on their laptop.
But then a friend challenged me to spend five minutes a day—just five—on LinkedIn instead of scrolling through cat videos or reorganizing my sock drawer. She told me: “If you treat LinkedIn like the rehearsal room of your career, and not just a digital resume graveyard, it will start working for you.”
So I gave it a shot.
And to my shock, it did.
I started reconnecting with former collaborators, finding alumni working in writers’ rooms and casting offices, and discovering producers I should have already known. After a few months, the “dead-to-me” platform turned into a dynamic industry rolodex. Opportunities didn’t fall from the sky, but conversations started. Introductions were made. Pitch decks were swapped.
It felt like I’d discovered a new wing of the industry, hiding in plain sight.
Networking Isn’t Magic—It’s Maintenance
Here’s what I’ve learned since then, and what I wish I knew when I started:
Don’t lead with your pitch. LinkedIn is not a vending machine. Don’t drop in a quarter and expect a job offer or an investor to fall out. Be human first. Ask questions. Show genuine interest. Build rapport. Then—and only then—make an ask.
Be consistent. One of the biggest mistakes I used to make was ghosting my network. I’d go into production on a project and stop engaging on the platform for months on end. Now I make it a habit of spending 10-15 minutes a day there, regardless of how busy I am. (And hey, if i can manage an 832-day streak on Duolingo, i can manage this.)
Stay visible. LinkedIn isn’t a place for subtle networking. Let people know you stopped by their profile (in other words, don’t go into incognito mode unless you’re stalking your ex, which you should probably stop doing). Comment on posts. Post an update or two of your own each week. The platform rewards engagement with better network recommendations and increased post impressions. The more you engage, the smarter their algorithm gets about what it is you’re looking to achieve.
Use it like a research tool. Searching by job title or company name is a great way to find “your people.” Want to be a showrunner? Search for current ones and see what their career path looked like. See what organizations they are affiliated with. Connect with them. It’s free mentorship by observation.
LinkedIn Can Be Your Industry Gym (If You Show Up)
Think of LinkedIn like a gym for your career. Don’t expect results on day one. But do those crunches everyday for a month? You’re looking at abs of steel and connections you can activate.
You don’t need to post daily or become a “thought leader.” Just show up. Be curious. Reach out. Respond.
If you're in a slow season, LinkedIn can be a lifeline—not because people are handing out work, but because it reminds you that you’re not alone. That you’re connected. That you have built something and your experience is valued. It’s also insightful. Right now, for example, there is a lively conversation happening among indie filmmakers about how to handle the distribution chaos wrought by streamers.
And if you’re in a momentum season? LinkedIn will amplify your career victories faster than other platforms, because you will have curated a supportive industry audience over time.
Need a Quick Win Today? Start With One DM.
Here’s what I tell my coaching clients: just start with one DM today.
Not a pitch. Not two paragraphs. Just a quick note to someone you admire or share a connection with.
Tell them you’d love to hear more about their career path (huge brownie points if you’ve actually taken the time to read their profile and get to know their work). If they respond, ask for a 15-minute Zoom chat. If they don’t? Find someone else to DM.
That’s it. One tiny spark.
You never know which conversation becomes your next collaboration, credit or career turn. Your next opportunity may already be one connection away.
