It’s not easy to get your start in any practice or discipline that you hope to make money from. In many cases, there are highly walled gardens that seek to keep people out. In the age of nepo babies run rampant and the elimination of affirmative action. We realize life is much less merit-based than we all hoped as children or have come to realize as people of color. Yet, it’s also fair to say that there’s always a way. There’s nothing silly or ridiculous about chasing your dreams, but you have to be practical with your time, plans and energy to get there.
As an example, there are many thousands of would-be actors living in LA right now, trying to make ends meet, attending endless auditions, and just trying to make a go of things. There’s no recipe for overnight success either; sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t. Some people, like Harrison Ford, originally built cabinets for George Lucas and were cast as Han Solo at 33 after a test read. Some people like Samuel L Jackson or Morgan Freeman, both living legends, gained fame later in life.
But of course, success isn’t always about fame. Let’s explore some good principles to help penetrate the walled-off garden you’re exasperated by:
Research How Its Process Works
As ever, it’s hard to break into a system if you don’t know how it works. You have to learn the specific language of the discipline, all the rules, and the typical career paths people follow. This research allows you to work smarter, not harder or at least seem less lost if you do get “an in.”
This way, you can see how the most successful people got to where they are, and figure out what mistakes to avoid. There are many different ways to get into most industries, so it’s a good idea to research all of them. Reading biographies, trade publications, and following influential people on social media can give you a lot of insight. You may also want to consider looking for online courses or certifications as well.
Look To Its Most Consequential Figures
It can always be helpful to study the players who broke the rules or wrote them in the first place, such as by studying the lives of influential people who succeeded in the industry you’re pursuing. You’ll probably notice a few patterns in their stories, and see the same habits, the same connections, or the same struggles. You could learn a lot from figures like Clive Davis in the music industry, a legendary figure who consistently discovered and nurtured iconic talent.
Another good example is Shonda Rhimes, who created her own opportunities and built a television empire from the ground up. Some even learn from figures who failed, since you don’t want to make the same mistakes they did.
Consider How To Break The Mold
After all that research, you have the knowledge to think about how you might disrupt the usual process. You could find a new way to market yourself or a new way to network with the right people. Perhaps you have a unique skill set that sets you apart from the competition.
For example, a photographer who also knows how to code could create a portfolio website with features no one has ever seen before to see the technical details behind each photo. You might find a way to create a side hustle that gives you more freedom and allows you to build your main practice at the same time. The most important thing is to be creative and to not limit yourself to the only basic path, because while there is nepotism and networking out there, not everyone specifically uses it.
With this advice, we hope you can get into that walled-off industry.
This article is a partnered post that contains affiliate links.