Ask anyone who’s in business. One of the keys to success is a good firm handshake. It’s the difference between a boy and a man. A boy is weak and limp. A man is strong and firm. Here’s the problem: A lot of people know this, and thus a lot of people have a firm handshake. How do you distinguish yourself? What’s the difference between guy with a firm handshake #1 and guy with a firm handshake #2? How do you go from being just another guy who knows how to shake someone’s hand to THE guy that knows how to shake someone’s hand?
It’s all about making a good first impression. If there’s one thing I learned during my time at the 1989 Polk County Theatre Festival, it’s that people love a good story. A story leaves an impression on people. No, I’m not about to encourage you to regale a potential boss with stories about bears and wizards at your next job interview. That would be silly. A good story doesn’t need to be fictional. Your life itself can make a good story.
For example, when I go into a job interview, I shake the interviewer’s hand and say something along the lines of, “Well hello, my name is Fabian King. I am a professional actor. I was in the 1989 Polk County Theatre Festival, and I’ve appeared as an extra in over three Hollywood movies.” Right then and there they know who I am, what I do and a little about my experience. That leaves a longer lasting impression than a simple handshake.
You don’t have to limit yourself to job interviews and the like. Every time you meet someone new you should shake their hand and tell them about yourself. When I go to the local sandwich shop, I shake the sandwich maker’s hand and say something like, “Good day, my name is Fabian King. I am here to get a sandwich. I was in the 1989 Polk County Theatre Festival, and I’ve appeared as an extra in over three Hollywood movies.” You never know, that sandwich maker could be Steven Spielberg’s second cousin.
When you follow these guidelines, anywhere is a good place to spread the word; buses, hospitals, parks, wherever life takes you. As a matter of fact, I was down at the park the other day and I saw this little kid off to the side of the playground by himself. He wasn’t really mingling well with the other kids, it was a little depressing. So I walked up to that kid, I shook his hand and I said, “Hi there, my name is Fabian King. I am on my way to feed the ducks. This is a good way to get some thinking done. I was in the 1989 Polk County Theatre Festival, and I’ve appeared as an extra in over three Hollywood movies.”
The kid said, “I need to go find my dad,” and left. My guess is his dad is a producer.
You’ll be surprised how it gets your name out there. I notice people pointing me out to their friends as I walk down the street all the time.
Until next time, remember to always look both ways on your road to success.
The preceding was paid for by Fabian King. Copyright 2012 Fabian King & Associates.
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Fabian King played numerous roles in the 1989 Polk County Theatre Festival. He has appeared as an extra in over three Hollywood films. Ever the environmentalist, Fabian tries to keep his carbon footprint low by living in a 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass.
Gary Newhook is Mr. King’s personal assistant. He currently resides in Newfoundland and moonlights as an alcoholic.