You're just starting your career as a concert producer and you're looking for clients.
Elvis is in the prime of his career.
Hotter than hot.
You have zero experience with big names.
Why not take a shot and see if Elvis would be open to having you manage a world tour?
What could possibly go wrong?
If Elvis was on LinkedIn, would you invite him to connect and start pitching him with LinkedIn messages?
What would you say in those messages to get Elvis's attention?
Hi Elvis, I noticed that you are a leader in the entertainment industry. Quick question, would you be interested in having me manage your next world tour?
Elvis is busy and ignores your message.
A few days later you follow up with another message.
Appreciate the connection, Elvis. I know you're busy, so I'll keep this short. I am reaching out to schedule a quick connect call with you. Would you be open to learning more about me managing your next world tour? Reply, yes and I'll send more information. If not, no worries at all.
Elvis again ignores your message, so you try one more time.
I am reviewing my inbox and realized that I haven't heard from you yet. Have you had a chance to review my messages?
Does Elvis schedule the quick connect call?
Of course, not because LinkedIn didn't exist when Elvis was hotter than hot.
Truth is, Jerry Weintraub was just starting his career and he did want to represent Elvis on a world tour.
With no experience, Weintraub convinced Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis to let him manage his next world tour.
The world tour was the highest-grossing tour ever.
How did Weintraub convince them to let him manage the tour?
Weintraub gave Elvis a check for $1 million for the opportunity to manage the tour.
That's how business was done before the internet.
Weintraub went on to become a very successful film producer, talent manager, and actor whose television films won him three Emmys.
In the Mastermind Book Club, we're discussing Weintraub's book, When I stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man.
Don't worry if you didn't read the book.
Tom Ruwitch and I read it for you.
