Karma Kicks You in the Bootie!

It's been a while since I've made a blog post so my apologies to anyone who actually enjoys, or even looks forward to, these entries!   

Thanksgiving was just last week and the culmination of that festivity and some recent events in my professional life, I have had the chance to reflect on the topic of today's blog!  KARMA!

I won't bore you with some preachy, soap box mumbo jumbo - but I can tell you with all the certainty in the world that in this industry (as in life) WHAT COMES AROUND GOES AROUND.  There are so many reasons why you truly need to do right by others and treat people the way you wish to be treated.

Here's just one example of what I mean:  My job as a Talent Manager is to submit clients for jobs in the entertainment industry.  Should you be chosen for an audition or be fortunate enough to book the job, you absolutely MUST follow through with your obligation to the casting call.  I can't tell you how many times I have had clients who tell me how badly they want to be in this business - but when it comes time to show up for a job, they are either late, unprepared or simply don't show up at all.  Here's the thing - This is a SMALL world!  The folks who cast you for the job that you bagged out on - they tend to cast for a bunch of other projects too - and they won't forget that you are a flaming flake ball - and neither will I.  I do not give second chances to people for whom I went out on a ledge and they dogged me.  When you stand up a casting director or a job, you make ME look like a gigantic, unprofessional schmuck and I absolutely do not forgive and forget!  This is true for every agent and manager I have ever met.    

Here is Reason #2 you should NOT put bad Karma into the world:  Recently, an agency, with whom I had previous sour dealings, went belly up.  The ethics by which they abided were questionable at best and they practiced shady dealings with their Talent Clients.  Their demise helps prove my theory - that bad things happen when you put bad Karma out into the world.

Every religion bout which I am versed preaches to do the right thing - and that is what I am preaching in this blog entry!  Do the right thing - follow through with your obligations and good things are far more likely to come your way!

That's about it for this entry - it is my pleasure to be back here, blogging away!  If you find my comments at least remotely helpful, be sure to spread the word!  Google+ this blog, post it to your Facebook and Twitter and tell all your friends how totally awesome Heather Ryan, The Ultimate Talent Mentor's advice is!

See you next week!

Heather Ryan
www.RyanTalent.com
The Ultimate Talent Mentor

Children Are Germ Bags

There are several benefits to having children - they are tickled to go get you a soda out of the fridge because they think they are being, "your big helper" AND they say so many hilarious quips that you almost don't need cable.  Unfortunately, the biggest drawback to having the little festering germ bags around is that invariably, every year, they spread some disease throughout the house.  So, as I trudge through the final stage of the crud illness that won't go away, I bring you the latest edition of my blog to help you trudge through a career in the entertainment industry.  

Get your Free CD on my website at www.RyanTalent.com

A few weeks ago, we introduced a brand new option for you to work with me on a more personal level, without a major investment.  The Success Club is now available for career minded individuals who are serious about building their career in the entertainment industry.  With The Success Club, I will be pulling back the curtain and giving you truly life changing tips, more specifically targeted to your needs, that are not available to the general public in my on-line forums.  So now is absolutely the time to get a leg up on your competition and take the first step on our journey to build your career!  So click now, and check out my website - and I'm going to go back to bed with my box of name brand Kleenex and a Family Size Bottle of NyQuil.  

Until Friday ...

Heather Ryan
The Ultimate Talent Mentor
www.RyanTalent.com

Are you a Momager?

The big question of the day, "What genius decided that Red Nyquil should be marketed as 'Cherry Flavor'"?  Through my Nyquil induced haze, I shall post this short Blog entry about the dedication I see in a few chosen "Momagers" with whom I work.

If you're not familiar with the term, "Momager" you very well may be living in a cave.  It basically refers to a highly dedicated mom who assists in the direction and details of their child's career in the entertainment industry.  I work with A LOT of Momagers.  Some are better at their jobs than others - but ALL make my life interesting!

As I've stated before in previous Blog Posts, generally, the more dedicated the parent of a young star, the more they follow my advice as a mentor.  The more they follow my advice, the more successful they tend to be with their child's career.  My most dedicated clients are generally enrolled in one or several of my mentoring programs and tend to be the more "annoying" momagers.  You know, the ones who brag on their child so much that you click the "unfriend" button on their FaceBook just because each time you see their latest post, you Puke, just a little, in your mouth.  Yeah.  I know.  They are annoying.  BUT, they are dedicated and that bodes well for their efforts being successful - which makes me happy because they are getting where I am helping them go.  So kudos for them and bravo for me, all in one fell swoop.

So this is the one thing I want you to take away from your lesson in Momager-isms.  It's fine to be a bragger - though try not to go overboard.  NO ONE, I mean it - NO ONE - wants to read all about your offspring every moment of every day.  ALSO, if you have help in your quest for stardom, GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE!  If you have an Agent, a Manager, a Publicist or a Mentor - give them credit for their hard work!  Nothing is more a slap in the face to the people who helped you achieve your success than for you to claim sole responsibility for your child's stardom.  If you had help, acknowledge the help (and be sure you paid them for their work) - otherwise no one will want to help you in the future!  It does NOT make you look smarter if you tell people you did everything on your own.  It makes you look like an ungrateful schmuck and gives you a really bad reputation.  

So, word to the wise - Be a Momager - Be Proud of your Role - and don't screw your help in the process!

Until Wednesday,

Heather Ryan
The Ultimate Talent Mentor
www.RyanTalent.com

Did you show up?

Professor Esposito gave me piece of extremely valuable advice during my time studying Political Science at Drake University.  Before most classes he said, "Half of Life is Showing Up" - and then he diligently took attendance and marked down anyone who was not there.

That piece of advice and the degree hanging on my wall set me back a whopping $50,000 in student loans, IN ADDITION to my Montgomery GI Bill.  So to you, I disseminate it absolutely FREE of charge and hope it effects your life the way it did mine.

The reason why that tiny little phrase made such an impact in my life is because it is SO SIMPLE, yet, SO PROFOUND.  How many times have you felt like NOT going somewhere, or taking action on something - just to wonder - what would have happened had you just SHOWN UP?  Though this is true in absolutely everything in life, this is especially true in the entertainment industry.

As a professional in the industry, I hear, time and again, how eager people are to break into my world.  Then, they realize - CRAP ON A CRACKER - THIS IS A LOT OF WORK!  And they just don't "show up".  I see it so many times that I can barely articulate how common it is, for someone to say they are interested in a casting call I advertise, but when it comes time to submit their headshot, or questionnaire, or video audition - or - they get a call from the casting director, they just - DON'T SHOW UP.  This is precisely the reason why we now charge a nominal fee for any non-clients to submit for casting calls - to ensure that they are invested and indeed plan to follow through!

This is such an important point folks, I really want you to take this to heart.  Opportunity Does Knock.  BUT, it does not open the door, come in, cook dinner and clean up afterward.  It just doesn't happen!  YOU have to open the door when opportunity knocks and YOU have to do whatever it takes for opportunity to hang out, have a beer and play a board game.  In other words, YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP!  Follow Through.  Be An Action Taker!

This industry is NOT easy.  If it was easy, every lazy turd in the universe would be a famous entertainer. So commit this to memory my friends - and spread the word.  Be an action taker.  Get off your butt when Opportunity Knocks and answer the damn door!  I'll keep you posted with information as much as I can through my E-Newsletter (www.RyanTalent.com/Newsletter.html) and my Success Club (www.RyanTalent.com/SuccessClub.html) and even my five part teleseries (http://www.ryantalent.com/DANCE.html).  But there is only so much I can do on the mass scale on which I now teach.  You will HAVE to take opportunities as they approach, regardless of how hard they are or how far out of your comfort zone they make you stretch.  So change your paradigm - and go SHOW UP for something this weekend!   

Remember, I welcome your feedback.  Be sure to e-mail me at Heather@RyanTalent.com or post your comment below!  I'll See you on Monday for my next, thought provoking installment of this most awesome blog!

Until Monday,

Heather Ryan
The Ultimate Talent Mentor
www.RyanTalent.com
www.RyanTalent.com/Newsletter.html
www.RyanTalent.com/BeDiscovered.html

The Very Best FREE Advice - EVER!

My apologies to anyone who was looking for my Monday blog post and was scratching their head when it never materialized.  Monday was, as you may know, the day before the General Election!  For anyone who doesn't know me, I am a Political Scientist by training and an absolute JUNKY of all things Politics!  Perhaps you may  not know, in addition to my vast expertise in all things Entertainment Industry, I also advise and consult political candidates (keep this in mind if you decide to run for office).  So, thinking that the election was going to be a squeaker, it was my moral obligation and great pleasure to volunteer my time to the Presidential GOTV (Get Out The Vote) effort.  Hence, the omission of my blog from two days ago. 

So to make it up to you for my Political Tunnel Vision, I AM GIVING AWAY FREE CONSULTATION CD'S! (A $49 Value!) [I was actually running the promotion for anyone who was struggling to break into the entertainment industry anyway, but - what a great way to offer up this gem to my friends who read this blog too, right?]

Yep, that's right, it's the absolute BEST Free Advice you will ever, ever, ever receive!  Generally, Free Advice is worth exactly what you pay for it - NOTHING.  But this CD is TOTALLY worth taking the 1.75 minutes out of your life to fill out the registration form.  It contains my absolute best nuggets of advice not only for how to break into the entertainment industry, but also how to lay the ground work for continuing a successful run for years to come. 

To get the CD, just go to www.RyanTalent.com and click on the FREE CD Link.  It really is that easy.  WAY easier than waiting in line for an hour to vote for about fifty different candidates and ballot initiatives!  I don't know how long I'll be offering this awesome deal, so GET A MOVE ON! 

Until Friday,

Heather Ryan
The Ultimate Talent Mentor

Impressing Grandpa Ryan

Hello Again!  Welcome to the Friday edition of my blog about the entertainment industry.  I first want to cover something personal that means a great deal to me.  Yesterday we buried my Grandpa Ryan.  I mention this because Grandpa Ryan is worth mentioning - on this blog and throughout eternity, for his contributions to the nation and our family.  Gramps was a WWII veteran of the United States Army AND the Navy.  He was one of those guys who had fantastic, amazing stories to share and empathy and compassion for all he encountered.  Grandpa Ryan was one of the few people in this world who I personally wanted to be proud of me.  I've learned that in this life, you must be satiated with the knowledge that you are doing the "right" thing.  Be confident in knowing that you are a good person, doing good deeds.  You cannot live a life dictated by what others think of you.  Grandpa Ryan was one of my few exceptions to this rule.  Even though he's gone, I still want to do whatever would have made him proud.  And that's where we'll start with today's blog topic ...

In this industry, you absolutely HAVE to be secure in your own mind that you are not only doing what you (or your child) was meant to do, but also,  you have to know that every little success IS worthy of celebration.  You cannot wait around for others to pat you on the back or tell you how amazing you are - or even celebrate your victories. This is an egocentric industry in which we work, and generally the people involved are so consumed with their own lives and successes that they have absolutely no interest in celebrating yours.  What's more, they are far more likely to poo-poo your successes than celebrate them out of purely jealous angst.

So heed this advice; write it down and read it several times until it's committed to memory.  Don't try to impress anyone other than yourself.  Don't strive to make anyone else proud of you or your child's accomplishments.  Celebrate your achievements in your own way and embrace anyone who supports you - BUT DON'T EXPECT IT OR WAIT FOR IT!  Further, every success, regardless of how small, should be celebrated.  Whether you just got fantastic headshots or you just landed a major movie role, celebrate your victory.  This is a tough, competitive industry and even if you only do one job your entire life, you will always have that victory in your back pocket that you can look at when you're 85 years old and say, "Look at what I did - it was really fun!"

It's a short blog today, but hopefully it is helpful and you heed this important tidbit!

Until next time,

Heather Ryan
The Ultimate Talent Mentor

Be In A Magazine!*

Happy Halloween Everyone!  I hope all is well in your neck of the woods and for our friends over on the East Coast try to stay dry and warm during these trying times - our thoughts are with you.  For anyone reading this blog, if you have yet to reach out to help our friends on the East Coast there is absolutely still time to help:  Text RED CROSS to 90999 or click  http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations.  Just make sure you come back to this blog after you donate so you can read today's installment!

I've been receiving a lot of questions as of late regarding whether these new "magazines" which focus on pageant girls or "child couture" are truly career building opportunities.  I very well may ruffle some feathers with this statement, but my job is to ensure that my clients receive the best career advice and strategy possible - so the simple answer to this question is; "HELL NO!!"  Magazines such as Supermodels Unlimited or ANY Pageant based magazine or ANY "Child Model" magazine are geared toward praying off of pageant moms and stage moms who will do anything to see their daughter's photo in a magazine.  Just think about this for a minute and figure it out for yourself - YOU are paying for your daughter's photo to be in the magazine - regardless of whether the publishers tell you that your $500 or $750 or $1500 payment is going toward the photographer, or the hair and make up or for ad space in the magazine, YOU are still the one paying for the spot in the publication.  Use some common sense here.  The circulation of these "publications" is generally going to be low and limited to other pageant parents.  Think about who your target market is for getting your child's name (and photo) out there in the entertainment industry.  Do you want to market your child to other stage moms or do you want to reach agents, producers, directors and casting professionals?  Yeah, that's right, Option B.

Another point for why you should steer clear of these fake opportunities - because everyone in the industry KNOWS that these are fake opportunities.  You cannot put Supermodels Unlimited,  Child Model Magazine or anything similar, on your resume!  Should you drop that into a resume and send it to a casting director, they will know that you are gullible and desperate and it does not bode well for your child's career prospects.

One of my well known clients was actually given a complimentary spread in one of these "fake magazines" and I, as her representation, politely told them NO THANK YOU.  My reasoning was because, even though it was FREE to the very successful child star, it connects her with their graft, makes it look like she endorses them and perhaps even credits them for some of her success.  The truth is, that client's entire name recognition and success strategy came from my recommendations and her mother moved on all of them.  To allow a fake magazine to claim responsibility for her success would have been disingenuous at best - and fraudulent at worst!

So should you desire for your child to be featured in a magazine, steer clear of these newer publications that require you to buy space in the magazine, purchase a certain number of copies for distribution, or pay for any part of the shoot.  Reputable publications do not require any of these things and in some situations they will actually pay YOU for your story.  If you would like more advice on how to get published, become one of my amazing Action Takers and sign up for one of my upcoming events!  I love helping my clients receive press and it is ALWAYS exciting to see one of my success stories in print!

I hope you found this post helpful!  Be sure to comment and spread the word about this blog!  Post the link to your Facebook wall, tweet and yell it from the rooftops how much you adore my great advice!

Until next time,

Heather Ryan
The Ultimate Talent Mentor